by KR Bankston
Again stopping short of opening the door Ryan listened carefully for any sound of movement and hearing none. What the hell is going on, he thought frowning slightly and moving away from the door fearing it was a trap. Shit, they moved her, he continued to ponder making his way back to the bedroom door. Now he had no idea which room held his woman, compounding that fact she made no noise leading him to believe she was either gagged or unconscious. Either one was unacceptable to him at the moment, Ryan thought as he made it back to the hallway and inched his way five feet to his left an the next bedroom in the home. The door was cracked already; the soft glow of a nightlight illuminated it enough that he could see the body tied to the chair. Kicking the door slightly with his foot Ryan stepped inside the room and began walking to the chair as the door slammed and the room fell into darkness.
*****
Reggie didn’t need any more urging as he turned away from DeNoah and began running back toward the wooded area he’d emerged from earlier; praying with each step that he actually made it. He could see the street and started relaxing slightly as the first bullet hit him in the knee buckling it as he hit the ground hard. Reggie managed to control the urge to scream, gathering himself to get up and begin to run again, dragging the injured leg with him. He was ten feet from the curb when the second bullet hit him in the other knee. He fell like a house of cards in a fan’s breeze, lying wheezing and crying from the pain. Looking up into the night sky Reggie looked into the face of death as DeNoah stood over him.
“Did you really think you could just leave,” DeNoah asked curiously regarding the man lying at his feet.
“Please man, please, just let me go,” Reggie continued to cry and beg.
“Shut up, shit,” DeNoah told him, shooting him in the arm this time.
Reggie began to whimper pitifully as he lay bleeding and in pain.
“I don’t know why Ryan was dumb enough to trust your weak ass,” DeNoah told him his finger on the trigger once again.
“Man, I ain’t gonna snitch, I swear man, just let me go, please,” Reggie tried another time, his voice a pained whisper.
“How you gonna explain three gunshots to the hospital,” DeNoah asked, continuing to toy with the man. “Police gonna wanna know what happened,” he continued. “And your weak ass will be singing like a fuckin’ canary,” DeNoah told him shooting him in the shoulder.
“I won’t man, I won’t” Reggie cried out almost screaming.
“Didn’t I tell you to shut the fuck up,” DeNoah hissed angrily.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Reggie pleaded, his voice quiet once more. “Just let me go man, just let me go,” he pleaded and began to cry.
“OK, I’ma set you free,” DeNoah told him calmly as Reggie relaxed and exhaled deeply.
Aiming DeNoah planted five more bullets in Reggie’s body as he heaved a final breath and became still.
“You’re free muthafucka,” DeNoah said coldly, placing the safety on his gun and placing it in his pocket, as he grabbed the man and began dragging him back toward the house.
*****
The light came out of nowhere and blinded Ryan for a brief moment. Still he held the.380 firmly ready to shoot anything that moved in front of him. LaRon waited calmly for the man’s eyes to adjust and see him standing in the room, .10mm aimed at him as Tank stood in beside him, 12-gauge locked and loaded.
“Wassup bitch,” LaRon greeted Ryan acidly.
Now that he could see, he saw the body tied to the chair was Jose’, half his skull caved in.
“Who the fuck are you and where’s my girl,” Ryan threw out angrily never loosening the grip on his gun, even with the unbalanced odds.
“I let her go,” LaRon told him calmly. “Shit was never about her,” he added and said nothing more for a moment.
Ryan was furious, but he had to use his head if he had any hope of getting out the house alive.
“How I know that,” he tossed back as LaRon sighed softly and pulled out his cell.
Dialing a number he put the phone on speaker.
“Yeah,” the male voice answered.
“Put her on the phone,” LaRon directed as Caramel’s voice floated through the speaker.
“You all right baby,” Ryan asked calmly never taking his eyes off LaRon.
“Oh my god, Ryan, are you okay,” she asked worried.
“Not really, but I want to know that you are,” he replied as she gasped slightly and they all heard the tears in her voice.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied quietly. “The baby,” Ryan asked once more.
She again answered in the affirmative. Saying nothing more LaRon disconnected and continued to regard his captive.
“What you wanna do man, look at me all night or what,” Ryan asked impatiently.
He needed this fool to make a move. LaRon smiled slightly before answering.
“I wanna kick your ass,” he said plainly. “You had a lot of nerve putting your hands on my woman,” LaRon told him as Ryan sucked his teeth.
“So you’re big badass Deuce huh,” he threw out looking the man over with contempt. “You that jackass that used to beat on Tweety all the time huh,” he went on as LaRon’s temper simmered. “Bet that shit made you feel big huh,” Ryan spat.
“Take his shit,” LaRon told Tank, who nodded at his boss and complied.
“Nah, that shit ain’t happening,” Ryan told him, pulling the hammer back.
“Don’t be stupid,” LaRon told him. “You say I’ma jackass that likes to beat on women, why don’t you give me a few rounds,” he taunted. “Unless of course you’re only a big man with a gun in your hand.”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed as he relinquished the gun and Tank stepped away with it. LaRon did the same, handing his weapon to Tank.
“I been waiting 5 years for this shit,” LaRon told him.
“So make a move,” Ryan threw back as LaRon walked up and swung.
Ryan ducked the punch throwing one of his own connecting with the man’s jaw. LaRon took the blow without a ripple beginning to rain down his own. All the years of his incarceration and fighting to maintain his manhood came full circle as he pounded Ryan mercilessly. The man put up a valiant fight, but he was outmatched and with the last liver shot LaRon delivered, it became obvious. LaRon stood over him as Ryan struggled to catch his breath and regain his footing. Pushing him with his foot, Ryan fell over as LaRon stood over him.
“So go ahead and lights out me, what you waitin’ for,” Ryan bravely returned in too much pain to defend himself any further.
“The kid your girl got, it’s yours,” LaRon asked as Ryan grunted it was.
“I’ma give your ass something you nor your fucked up brother ever gave anybody,” he told him as Ryan paid rapt attention. “Atlanta ain’t big enough for all of us, Louisiana ain’t no place we really care about, but Mississippi is off limits,” he began as Ryan continued to remain mute. “Question is, can you man up and live your life, walk outta here and be a father to your seed, or you gonna do something stupid and make me kill you either now, or later?”
Ryan sighed deeply knowing exactly what he was getting at. “Lots of other states to make money,” he replied half defiantly.
“Ice ain’t gonna live through this shit,” LaRon told him plainly. “Can you live with that or again, you gonna make me kill you, your girl, and your seed later on,” he asked, knowing the man would be out for revenge.
Ryan remained quiet for a long time after the question wrestling with his answer. Ice was his baby brother and he loved him unconditionally. Caramel was carrying his seed, his future, and he loved her. To choose one over the other was incomprehensible to him at the moment, yet the man standing above him expected an answer. Digging deep and finding the strength Ryan rose from the floor regarding LaRon once again.
“Ice is my brother,” he began as LaRon listened intently. “You got a brother,” he asked as LaRon nodded slightly. “Then you already know the answer to that question,” Ryan repl
ied simply as LaRon sighed deeply, raised the .10mm and shot him point blank in the chest.
“Fuckin’ waste,” LaRon mumbled as DeNoah entered the house and found them in the room.
“Damn,” he said quietly seeing the man lying in the floor.
“Call Top, let him know its done and to be alert, cause its on now for real,” LaRon told Tank walking out of the room, heart heavy thinking about the fatherless child that would be born in the next few months, and how he alone was responsible for that.
39
Dixon made it to the top of staircase and stopped listening for movement. They needed to get into the kitchen where the basement ended, then would rush the house rounding up everyone as Ice freed KiKi. Hearing nothing, he cautiously opened the door and peered out. Seeing nothing, Dixon quickly moved out and allowed both Ice and Andre’ to exit the staircase, all three standing in the kitchen now.
“Ready,” Ian whispered as they began walking hurriedly toward the door separating the kitchen from the rest of the house.
They heard a dull thud as the room began to fill with smoke.
“Fuck,” Andre’ cursed aloud unable to see in front of him the smoke making his eyes water.
Dixon began to cough stumbling inside the kitchen, knocking over the table. Ian deftly covered his nose and mouth with his shirt, getting low to the floor and crawling out of the kitchen into the living room, gun in hand quickly checking the room and seeing no one. Top’s crew obviously knew they were here, so where were they, Ian thought as he looked down the hallway seeing his destination in sight. Dixon and Andre finally made their way out of the kitchen into the same room, inhaling deeply the smoke free air.
“I’m going to get KiKi,” Ian told them evenly as they both nodded, guns drawn covering his back.
“These muthafucka’s playin games,” Andre’ told Dixon as they rose and continued watching Ice make his way down the hallway. Arriving at the room, they saw him open the door and slide his body inside. Turning around they both found themselves looking down the barrel of a gun.
“Breaking and entering is illegal,” Mook told Dixon quietly as he eyed the big man calmly.
“Yeah, they don’t even arrest you for shooting muthafucka’s when you catch em either,” Jaron added as Mook chuckled slightly.
“True, very true,” he murmured as they directed the men back into the kitchen.
The smoke had cleared and the room was inhabitable once again.
“Have a seat,” Mook directed as Jaron pointed the silencer laden AK-47 at them. Where the fuck, Dixon thought seeing the silencer. Finding one for the weapon was almost impossible. Removing his eyes from the silencer and back to Mook, he regarded him defiantly.
“How much Ice paying’ you girls to be here with him,” Mook asked, knowing he was pissing them off.
“Fuck you man,” Andre’ threw back angrily actually rising from his seat until Jaron put the AK’s barrel in his chest.
“You’re a live one,” Mook replied, nonplussed. “You won’t be for long though,” he added as Jaron smiled broadly and Andre’ sucked his teeth in disgust.
“So you do what for Ice,” Mook again asked Dixon.
“I’m his security,” he replied resentfully.
“Hmph, I see,” Mook replied as Jaron again chuckled.
“I have to give it to you muthafucka’s, sneaking your asses in through the basement,” Mook told them, chambering a bullet in the .380 he was holding, before returning his attention to Dixon.
“You’re on the wrong team playa,” he told him calmly before aiming and firing the bullet, hitting Andre’ directly in the head, dropping him from the chair.
Dixon swallowed hard as Mook again regarded him looking into his eyes, saying nothing.
*****
Ian heard the shower running and assumed Kaitlyn was under the spray. Shit, he thought, needing her to be dressed so they could get out of the house quickly. Once she was safe, then he could return and finish his business. Looking around the room as she continued to shower, Ian saw the books on the desk, walking over and flipping them over, reading the titles. The room itself seemed comfortable. There were no visible signs that they’d abused her in any way he continued to think. Of course he would have no way of knowing what really went on at this house until he got her home and had a chance to talk to her. The water finally stopped and Ian turned to the bathroom door waiting for her to emerge. He heard various rumblings for the next few moments trying not to become impatient. So far they were still undetected; he wanted to keep it that way. For whatever reason Top’s crew seemed to be content staying in the shadow. The doorknob turned slowly as the light went off and the door began to open. Ian was caught completely by surprise as Mace exited the bathroom gun drawn, pointed at him.
“Wassup Ice,” he greeted the man as they both stood facing each other, weapons in hand.
“And you are,” Ian threw back, definitely wanting to know if this was the infamous Top he was looking for.
“I’m the muthafucka holding a gun,” Mace replied as Ian chuckled.
“So what, I have one too, what’s your point,” he threw out as the two men continued to stand in silence and regard one another.
*****
“How long you been with Ice,” Mook asked finally breaking the silence.
“3 or 4 years,” Dixon replied, some of the fight gone from him seeing Andre’s life taken without so much as a blink from Mook or Jaron.
“Hmph,” Mook replied once again as his wheels continued to turn. “And you came here ready to die for this muthafucka, huh,” he asked once again as Dixon nodded slightly.
“Why,” Mook posed. Dixon frowned slightly, not sure himself of the answer really.
“Loyalty,” he said finally.
Mook nodded as did Jaron, respecting his answer.
“What if I gave you an out and you didn’t hafta be disloyal to Ice,” he began as Dixon listened. “Ice’s fate is already sealed, you can change yours, if you want too that is,” he went on as Jaron held the gun on him, waiting to see what choice he would make.
“What you talkin’ about,” Dixon ventured to ask; not so sure now he wanted to take a bullet for Ice.
Mook smiled slightly. He liked Dixon, always had since the first time he’d observed him with Ice. He knew the man was loyal and he could use someone like that in Florida. He just had to help him get out and save face all at the same time.
“Ice isn’t leaving here breathing’, you know that,” Mook told him. “Now there is absolutely nothing you can do about that, so technically if you accept my offer, you didn’t sell him out, turn on him or any of that other bullshit,” he explained patiently.
“What offer,” Dixon asked simply, his mind processing Mook’s earlier statements.
“When this shit is done, I’m headed back to Florida,” Mook told him. “I have a nice operation there, and I need security.”
Dixon sighed deeply and thought about it for a while before speaking again.
“You’d trust me like that,” he asked giving Mook a look.
Both men smiled again, slightly unnerving him, as Dixon waited on the response.
“I’m a pretty good judge of character,” Mook said simply. “So,” he began again. “What’s it gonna be?”
*****
“Where’s my woman and what the fuck have you done to her,” Ian fired off. Mace sighed gently but said nothing.
“So now you don’t talk,” Ian asked again his fury growing.
“KiKi is fine,” Tariq said evenly as Ian turned around and looked in the face of a ghost. What the fuck, he thought but didn’t voice.
“How goes it Ice,” Tariq threw out regarding the man and applauding his ability to keep his shock to himself.
Tariq knew Ice’s mind had to be racing trying to logically reason why he was standing in the same room with him.
“Where is KiKi,” he asked calmly, not addressing the why’s and how’s of Tariq’s existence right now.
“She’s at home naturally,” Tariq replied calmly, pissing Ice off more.
“What home,” he again inquired.
“Ours,” Tariq told him irritably. “KiKi and I are together again,” he explained as Ice grew cold with fury.
“We’re expecting,” Tariq added for good measure finally pushing Ice over the edge.
“What the fuck are you talking about,” he raged. “What kinda fucked up game are you playing,” he asked walking toward Tariq, stopping in his tracks as the Desert Eagle addressed him.
“I’m not playing any game,” Tariq replied. “KiKi loves me, but shit, you knew that,” he told him getting further and further under Ice’s skin. “You’ve always known it, that’s why you hated me so much, that’s why you killed my brother, gave KiKi those fuckin’ pictures, to try and destroy that love,” Tariq told him growing angry himself, but willing the feelings to leave him.
“KiKi was in love with a fantasy,” Ian spat giving him a condescending look. “You were never man enough for her, and you never will be.”
Tariq laughed, angering Ice again.
“Trust that every time she screams my name, I am man enough for her, as is evidenced by the seed growing inside her right now,” he told Ian calmly.
“You been with KiKi for three years and I bet she been swallowing her pills religiously hasn’t she,” he goaded.
Ian was angry, hurt, and scared all at once. He couldn’t lose Kaitlyn, she was his heart; but he knew Tariq was telling him the truth. The connection they shared was something he could never break, even in death; she continued to hold onto him.
“So you’re Top,” Ian finally deduced as Tariq took a small bow.
