by KR Bankston
“They better not have hurt KiKi,” Ian growled as Ryan agreed with his sentiment.
“I still haven’t been able to reach Tate,” Ian told his brother, switching gears for a moment.
“Hmph,” Ryan replied as Ian got the underlying message.
“Damn,” Ian replied over the implied loss.
Tate was a good solider.
“The debts will be settled soon though,” Ryan told him breaking his thought once more.
Ian again nodded walking to his bar and making himself a drink.
“Be invisible out there,” he told Ryan admonishing him to be careful.
Telling him he planned to be, Ryan left his brother sipping his cognac as he went to join the two men patiently waiting outside for him.
*****
DeNoah smiled slightly reading the text message. He’d sent Angie a text almost a week ago when they killed Freight and Myles, letting her know she was safe and could live her life. She’d text back and they’d been communicating since. Angie filled in a lot of the blanks for him where Halle was concerned. DeNoah couldn’t lie and say it didn’t hurt to find out she’d used him and lied too him, but that was the past and DeNoah was trying to live for the present. Angie asked him if he’d ever considered visiting New Jersey. DeNoah told her he might come and see her after everything was said and done here with the business he had to handle. Thinking about business brought his mind back to all the chaos, conflict and death that had been in abundance since they snatched Ice’s girl. Sighing softly, he thought about Role and his ultimate end.
He was stupid, DeNoah said to himself lighting the blunt he’d rolled and inhaling deeply. He’d tried time and again to tell Role that he was playin a dangerous game between Top and Ice.
“Bet his stupid ass in hell regretting’ that shit now,” DeNoah mumbled taking yet another hit.
Of course Halle again occupied a huge portion of his mind as he recalled their time together. He also thought about the revelation from Freight about her activities before her death. She was still fuckin’ this joker too, DeNoah thought his anger returning. He’d genuinely cared for Halle, introduced her to LaRon and was going to introduce her to Top. They’re gonna think they got a retard working’ for em after while, he fumed. Thankfully Mook hadn’t said anything that he knew of to either man about Freight’s death confessions. DeNoah thought about tomorrow night and the violence that would ensue. Damn sure wanna make sure my ass comes out breathing’, he thought, Angie flashing in his mind. His cell went off and disturbed his thought as he looked up and saw Ice leaving the club. He’d seen Ryan leave almost an hour earlier but stayed put since that wasn’t his assignment. Answering Angie once more and telling her had to handle something, DeNoah put his phone down and began carefully following the sleek black SL560 driving in front of him.
*****
“I got it Top,” LaRon was telling him. “I got Tank and DeNoah, I’m straight,” he added as Tariq sighed deeply.
“OK,” he replied reluctantly.
He’d planned to be attendance when Ryan tried to rescue Caramel.
“I got a feeling there’s gonna be more shit than we all can handle tomorrow night,” LaRon began again.
There was just the feeling in his gut that they needed to be prepared and Tariq needed to be safe.
“I’ll be at the house near the state line,” Tariq told him as LaRon grunted his understanding.
“I’ma be with Top,” Mook said calmly as LaRon told him that was a good idea.
“Yeah, Jaron and Mace will be here anytime,” he added concerning the soldiers from Mississippi.
“I feel you on this Deuce,” Tariq told him.
Knowing Ice the way he did, he knew they should be ready and expect any and every thing.
“We’re headed to the house to put everything in play,” LaRon told them both rising as his cell rang.
“Yeah,” he spoke into the receiver.
“Cool, come on,” he replied disconnecting as the knock came to the door moments later. Opening it he invited Jaron and Mace inside.
“Wassup Deuce, Mook” Jaron greeted the men he recognized, nodding at the one he didn’t.
“Gentlemen, this is Top,” LaRon introduced as both men smiled brightly and addressed Tariq.
“Good to meet you Top,” Jaron told him still smiling as Tariq returned the sentiment and asked them both to sit down.
“Things are about to get real complicated so if you gentlemen aren’t down, now is the time to say so,” Tariq told them honestly.
Mace answered without hesitation.
“Whatever you need Top, that’s why we here,” he replied simply as Tariq smiled slightly.
“Good to know.”
Tariq went on to tell them about splitting the team since they expected some sort of shift in move by Ice. Jaron and Mace listened intently as they went over the plans for tomorrow night and what they expected to happen.
“I want Ice cornered,” Tariq told them evenly. “If you hafta shoot him to keep him there, that’s fine, but do not kill him.”
The men remaining with Tariq acknowledged his direction. LaRon alone understood the depth of the request. Tariq had a lifetime long debt he wanted to pay the man.
“There are 2 empty rooms on the hall, you can take those, relax get comfortable,” Tariq began again. “Tomorrow is a new day, and if all goes well the end of a nightmare and the beginning of an empire,” he added as the men all murmured their agreement.
LaRon returned to his original task, leaving the group and heading for the safe house, Tank already present, and DeNoah on his way.
36
The sun was shining bright as the city came to life and everyone hurried off to begin their day. Traffic was its usual stop and go as the morning show hosts tried to add humor and help the time pass for commuters. Ryan was unaffected by his surroundings. His mind was far removed from the warmth of the sun and its healing aura, replaced by the impending darkness of both night and death. The only thing on Ryan’s mind this morning was finding Caramel and settling the score. He abruptly switched lanes causing the vehicle behind him to honk as the driver shot him a bird and swerved into the adjacent lane. Unwilling to let the incident go, the irate driver pulled up next to the BMW, window down, hurling expletives at Ryan. Turning calmly to the screaming man, he held up the .10mm in his right hand as the driver’s eyes grew big and he sped off. Chuckling slightly for the first time since he got up, Ryan continued on his journey.
They were meeting at a house close to the club. He recalled Ice saying it belonged to the snitch they’d killed at the club that night. Exiting the freeway Ryan took in the neighborhood as he drove; most of the houses he was sure dated back to the late 60’s, taking in some of the architectural nuances contained. For the most part the neighborhood was clean and the lawns well kept. Of course there wasn’t adequate parking for the three or four cars that each residence seemed to own, so the curbs were littered with the cast offs. After locating the house, Ryan pulled into the driveway right behind Ice’s Benz and turned off his engine. Taking yet another deep breath he readied himself to exit the car. His mind once again recalled the conversation with Tweety and her treachery. I cannot believe she pulled this bullshit, he thought angrily of her switch to the other side. Ryan was also hurt, deeply, by her pregnancy. Even though he had a child of his own on the way with Caramel, he was still dismayed that she’d done the same thing. Not so much fun when it’s your ass on the receiving end huh, his conscience threw at him. Frowning deeply and dismissing all thought, Ryan exited the vehicle and headed inside where Ice was waiting.
*****
Tariq was toying with the idea of calling Kaitlyn this morning. He really needed to hear her voice before things got ugly. In the end however he didn’t. He, LaRon, and Mook, agreed they didn’t want to talk to their partners before heading into the hell storm that waited. They needed to be focused on their task and precise execution if they wanted it to come out right. After tonight
, no more threat from Ice or Ryan, Tariq thought as he sipped his coffee. He wanted something stronger, but again today was not the day for slip ups. He needed every mental faculty he possessed in working order without impairment.
“Wassup Top,” Mook greeted him, disturbing his thoughts as he walked into the kitchen, duffle bag in hand.
“How’s it going’ Mook,” Tariq answered as the man made himself a cup of coffee.
“Shit, it ain’t yak, but it’ll hafta do,” Mook replied as Tariq laughed and agreed with his sentiment.
“What’s in the bag,” Tariq asked motioning.
Mook came and unzipped it, allowing Tariq to look inside.
“Nice,” he murmured removing one of the two Desert Eagles contained.
There were also several other weapons, including some martial arts Star weapons.
“Damn, Mook, you ain’t playin’ are you,” Tariq asked still smiling as he examined one of the sharp 5-pronged weapons.
Jaron entered the kitchen as the two men talked, followed by Mace and LaRon. “Everybody needs to do whatever their ritual is to get geared up for this shit,” LaRon told the men as everyone nodded.
“If you gonna smoke, let that one blunt be it,” he went on as Tariq continued to sip his coffee calmly.
“You high and sloppy when this shit goes down, best believe you’ll be cold and dead when it’s done,” he finished more for Jaron and Mace than anyone else’s benefit.
Acknowledging the direction, everyone began going over the impending game plans collectively.
“Where is DeNoah,” Tariq asked.
“At Mardi Gras,” LaRon answered as Tariq thoughtfully nodded his approval.
They wanted to keep an eye on the men for as long as possible before night fell. Once the sun set Tariq knew the gates of hell were going to open up.
“Hey Top,” Mace called rising from the table. “I gotta show you something I picked up,” he told him, heading back to the bedroom he’d chosen and returning a short time later.
Everyone smiled brightly looking at the Panzerfaust 3.
“Where the fuck did you get that,” Mook asked, taking the small shoulder held rocket launcher from Mace and examining it.
“Friend of a friend,” he replied as they all laughed.
“Well fuck, Ice wants war, his ass is gonna get it,” LaRon laughed as they all began to eat, the jeopardy of their latter evening plans for now cast aside and forgotten.
*****
Dixon opened the door, greeting Ryan as he walked inside.
“Where’s Ice,” he asked as the burly man pointed toward the back of the small house.
Walking down the hallway, he found his brother standing in a bedroom looking out of the window, eyes glassed over, breathing erratic. Ryan watched him a few moments more, eventually figuring out he was thinking about KiKi. In all their years since childhood, he thought to himself this was as close to crying he’d ever seen Ice since they were 10 or 11 years old. If there was ever any doubt as to the depth of his love for this woman, in that single moment they were erased.
“Ice,” Ryan called out calmly.
Quickly gathering himself, his back still to his brother, Ian spoke.
“When did you get here,” he asked clearing his throat slightly.
“Just got here,” Ryan returned not wanting to embarrass him.
“Cool,” Ian replied finally looking at his brother, his face once more a neutral façade of peace and serenity.
“You eat yet,” he asked, walking toward a chair left in the bedroom and sitting down. Ryan took the other small footstool the room contained as they talked.
“I sent Jose and Reggie to get breakfast,” Ian told him as Ryan grunted his understanding.
“You’re worried she’s hurt,” Ryan asked finally as Ian lit the cigar he’d removed from his pocket.
“For their sakes, they better hope not,” he replied acidly.
Ryan agreed, relaying his understanding.
“What you gonna do about Tweety, for real,” Ian asked giving his brother a look of his own now.
If no one else knew, Ian knew how deeply hurt, angry and even embarrassed his brother was at the woman’s deception.
“I wanna whip her ass,” Ryan replied without hesitation as Ian smiled slightly.
“It’s probably stupid, but I wanna rip that baby out of her and put my own there,” he told his brother as Ian nodded thoughtfully.
“I don’t think it’s stupid at all,” he replied. “I would probably kill her if it were me,” Ian told him as Ryan acquiesced and replied he’d thought about that as well.
“In the end though, fuck, taking out this asshole she’s pregnant from will do just fine,” Ryan told Ian as he again nodded.
“She was never one for saving any of the money I gave her, and hell her and KiKi ain’t rolled on their own in a long time,” he threw out as Ian saw where he was going and agreed with him.
“Yep, let her struggle and hafta screw for milk and pampers,” he chuckled as Ryan joined him.
Breakfast arrived moments later and the conversation was forgotten as everyone gathered and began to eat.
“Do you have a timeframe for starting the party, Ice,” Andre’ asked as he enjoyed his chicken biscuit.
Ian smiled slightly and told him as soon as the sun settled down for good, it was on. Chuckling Andre’ replied he was more than ready.
“Tonight has to be precise, no fuck ups,” Ryan told them as everyone gave him their attention.
“This ain’t TV,” he went on. “Once your ass goes down with a bullet, ain’t no coming’ back from that shit.”
Dixon nodded his understanding as did Reggie. The latter was a bit unsettled however. Reggie had been having a bad morning. Everything that seemingly could go wrong had. In his mind it was a bad omen, but he kept those thoughts to himself as he continued to eat wordlessly, praying he was wrong and he was among the living at the end of the evening.
“Nobody has made any moves at the house,” Ian reported, having gotten a call earlier from their watchers on site.
“Yeah, that’s cool,” Ryan replied. “Reggie, me, you and Jose’ are out around 7:00,” Ryan told them explaining once again their approach tactic.
“Sounds good,” Jose replied. “I got the smoke bombs you asked about,” he added as Ryan smiled and told him that was great news.
“Tonight gentlemen, will be a night Top and his trifling’ ass crew, will never forget,” Ian told them evenly as everyone agreed and continued to devour their food.
*****
“We got eyes,” Tank told LaRon as they talked.
He was on his way to the house. DeNoah was to meet him there as well.
“How you know,” he asked as Tank explained the black mustang he’d noticed late last night after LaRon and DeNoah left.
“You see who’s in it,” LaRon asked once more.
Tank told him he could make out two forms, but nothing else beyond that.
“OK, cool,” LaRon returned. “We’re coming up the off way,” he told him as Tank said okay and acknowledged the direction.
“Once me and DeNoah get there, we’ll take care of the eyes,” he added ominously as Tank chuckled slightly.
“Sounds good to me,” he returned disconnecting and waiting for LaRon to arrive.
Continuing to drive, LaRon took another deep breath, the reality of the day settling in. This was only the beginning he thought, calling DeNoah and briefing him on the plan. That one has sure grown up and settled down, LaRon thought of the young man they weren’t too sure of almost three months ago now. DeNoah had finally come into his own in the crew. Maybe I’ll let him blind those watching eyes for us, LaRon chuckled turning onto another residential street close to the safe house. Parking, he got out and began walking away from his destination, turning into the deep woods next to the roadway and taking the path that was carved through them. He arrived undetected in the next ten minutes. Slipping inside through the basement entranc
e that Tank left unlocked he made his way upstairs to the kitchen.
“Wassup,” LaRon greeted Tank.
“Nothin’ man, everything’s cool,” he replied as LaRon walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch.
DeNoah arrived almost 15 minutes later through the same basement entrance, greeting both men and taking a seat in the living room as well.
“So how you wanna do this,” he asked, looking to LaRon for direction.
“Quietly,” he replied simply as Tank chuckled and DeNoah smiled.
Going back into the kitchen Tank returned moments later with the silencers. DeNoah took one and attached it to his .380, as did LaRon to his .10mm. Tank had already equipped his .9mm with one earlier.
“That brushy area is perfect,” LaRon observed as DeNoah stood with him, looking carefully out of the side of the window.
“We can go back out through the basement, circle back, and come up on the passenger side,” DeNoah made note as LaRon mused.
They wanted to make the kill from that side, surprising the men, as well as leaving no sign that anything was wrong, should a passerby become too curious as the car sat beside the curb.
“Cool, let’s go make this happen,” LaRon told him as DeNoah grunted slightly and the two men made their way back to the kitchen, preparing to leave.
Caramel’s cell rang as they passed it, stopping them in their tracks. Tank picked it up and walked toward the room where she was, pushing the door open and the instrument into her hands.
“Don’t mess up now, you’re doing good,” he warned as she took the phone, hands shaking, and answered.
“Hello,” Caramel greeted Ryan trying to sound calm and normal.
Truthfully she was a nervous wreck.
“Hey baby,” he threw back amiably, helping her to calm slightly. “How you feeling’,” Ryan asked, sipping his juice as he talked.
“Fine, no sickness or anything,” she replied as he sighed slightly.
“That’s good to hear,” Ryan replied. “Found that purse you wanted,” he told her smoothly as Caramel smiled slightly, catching the hint.
“Gonna go pick it up later,” he added as she finally smiled.
