by KR Bankston
“It’s not a problem,” she replied calmly completely unnerved by his tone.
Damn, I gotta get home to my vibrator, Kaitlyn thought behind the calm. Truth was she wanted Tariq with her whole being and knew without a doubt he wanted her back.
“See ya tomorrow,” Tariq told her as he got out and closed the door behind him.
He waved once more before turning and entering the restaurant. Starting the car Kaitlyn shook her head and turned up the radio. I must have the absolute worst taste in men, she thought of her attraction once more before letting the music invade her mind.
*****
“OK Ice, OK,” Shelby screamed as Ian hit her again knocking her over the ottoman in his den. “I told you not to keep tying with me didn’t I,” Ian ranted as he continued his assault on the helpless woman. “I don’t know why bitches want to act stupid all the time,” Ian threw out as he kicked Shelby hard in the back and she continued to cry, pleading with him to stop. “When you leave my house this time,” Ian began anew, snatching her up from the floor and holding Shelby against the wall by her throat. “Forget the address, don’t ever show up at Infusion again, and if you see my ass in the street,” Ian paused for a moment watching her gasp for air as he held her, making sure they had eye contact before he spoke again. “Run like hell, and pray I don’t chase you,” he finished as released her. Shelby immediately hit the floor like a lead weight. Ian walked away from the semi conscious woman and made himself another drink. Picking up his cell he called Carlos and told him to come pick up some trash he needed thrown out.
“Get your ass up and off my damned carpet bleeding on it and shit,” Ian threw at Shelby coldly as she tried vainly to staunch the flow.
Her head was spinning and one of her eyes was closed. It was all she could do to breathe right now. Shelby never thought Ian would hurt her like this. She knew he could be volatile and had a temper, but she always thought she was immune from it. Please give me the strength to get out that door; Shelby thought again as she tried to rise and her legs gave her limited support. Managing a quick glance at Ian, she saw him sitting in his highboy watching her calmly, without emotion.
The knock on the door startled Shelby and she jumped slightly as Ian went and answered it. “Wassup Ice,” Carlos greeted his boss.
Ian grunted a response before nodding toward Shelby.
“Where you want it dumped,” Carlos answered nonchalantly as he grabbed Shelby around the waist and half dragged, half carried her toward the front door.
“Take her to her cousin’s, Yvette,” Ian replied as Carlos nodded his understanding and picked Shelby up off the ground, finding it easier to carry her than try to walk with her.
“Call me tomorrow morning, we got some business to handle,” Ian told Carlos as a parting thought.
Carlos again acknowledged his understanding and hurriedly left with Ian closing the door behind him. Stretching slightly, Ian glanced at the clock. It was almost 4 AM. Quick shower, then I’ma make this run, he thought smiling slightly and heading to the bathroom.
*****
Kaitlyn heard the ice being put into the glass and the sound of liquid being poured over it. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was well after 5 AM. I guess Evan turned out to be a quickie, she thought rising and heading into the living room expecting to find Jaleesa. They didn’t live together but Jaleesa had a key to her place, just as Kaitlyn had one to hers also. There was nothing abnormal about her best friend coming over in the middle of the night. “I thought you were gonna stay – ,” Kaitlyn got out before stopping mid sentence, eyes locked with the visitor standing in her kitchen calmly looking back at her.
“What are you doing in my house?” Kaitlyn asked evenly trying hard to keep her cool. She was unarmed and alone.
“Obviously I came to see you,” Ian returned calmly coming into the living room and sitting down on the leather sofa contained in the room.
Taking the time to look her over in the pale yellow silk nightie she wore, Ian once again took note of how attractive and well put together KiKi was. The nightie was mid thigh in length with seductive splits on either side. Her breasts were sitting pertly alert at the top with the webbed lacing affording a sensual view. Finding himself becoming aroused, Ian immediately changed his thoughts and took in her apartment once more. It was spacious but homey with the beautiful leather grouping she’d placed inside, dark brown, with almost mint green and yellow accents throughout. He knew right now her mind was on overdrive. Not only was KiKi trying to figure out how he got in, but how he even knew where she lived, considering they’d never said much past hello to each other.
Taking another deep breath Kaitlyn tried again. There was definitely something he wanted, and she needed to find out what it was quickly. Ice being at her house was not a good sign and if they’d done something to offend him she needed to know so they could work on immediately rectifying it.
“What did you want to see me about, Ice,” Kaitlyn tried again, coming into the living room herself and sitting in the recliner across from him.
Sipping his drink, Ian remained mute, simply watching her without expression for the next few moments. “Tweety go home with Evan,” he asked calmly.
“Yeah, I think so,” Kaitlyn answered guardedly.
What the hell, she was thinking hoping and praying whatever the issue was wasn’t going to cost them big.
“Mmm,” Ian replied taking another sip. “You OK with that,” he asked as Kaitlyn frowned slightly in confusion.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be,” she returned as Ian smiled slightly.
“I just wasn’t sure how open your relationship was with her,” he baited.
Kaitlyn immediately frowned and tried to control her voice. Even though this wasn’t the first or twentieth time she’d heard it, it still pissed her off royally. “Tweety and I don’t get down like that,” she replied flatly, still very much offended of the inference.
“Mm, OK,” Ian replied. Taking another sip he regarded her again. “So you’re sleeping with the junkie then, Tariq,” Ian threw out bluntly and Kaitlyn had heard enough.
Rising she headed to her front door and opened it. “You’ve overstayed your welcome Ice,” she told him evenly not caring anymore why he was there, or even how he knew where she lived.
Smiling slightly, Ian knew he’d hit a nerve and remained seated on the couch. “Close the door KiKi,” he told her evenly without turning around. “I’m not leaving yet,” he finished flatly.
Sighing deeply Kaitlyn closed the door and grudgingly walked back into the living room, choosing to stand and look him in the eye.
“Again, Ice, what do you want,” she asked plainly making no attempt to hide her disdain at the moment.
Rising finally, Ian stood face to face with her, looking down into her eyes. “Answer my question,” he told her his tone becoming more annoyed. “Are you screwing Tariq,” he threw out never taking his eyes off Kaitlyn.
Still very much annoyed herself, Kaitlyn defiantly returned the stare before finally answering him. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I’m not fucking Tariq,” she told him angrily.
“Mmph,” Ian threw back still regarding her. “Make sure it stays that damned way,” he told her as he pulled her close and kissed her deeply.
Pulling away Kaitlyn pushed him, using the split second to grab the knife that happened to be lying atop her kitchen table. Ian was quick enough to grab Kaitlyn and twist her arm hard forcing her to drop the weapon.
“You were gonna cut me,” he asked angrily as he pushed her onto the sofa glaring at her.
“I don’t know why the hell you’re here Ice,” Kaitlyn began fully angry and holding her own. “But if it’s to screw me, cancel that thought,” she told him point blank. “This is my body, and I decide who and when I give it up,” she finished rising from the couch breathing hard and looking Ian directly in the eye.
Almost smiling, Ian caught himself. He loved Kaitlyn’s fire. He was glad she stood
up to him. He needed a strong woman, not another lap dog like all the others he’d taken and thrown away. “OK, KiKi,” he told her still holding her stare. “I’ma let things be cool for now,” he replied heading for the front door. “But the shit ain’t over, and trust me, you don’t want me for an enemy,” he told her opening it and stepping into her hallway.
“I meant what I said about the junkie,” Ian added once more ominously as he closed the door, and Kaitlyn sank onto the couch breathing hard and thanking God he hadn’t killed her.
Thank you for your purchase and for reading Unraveled.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey getting to know
KR Bankston and Kirabaco Publishing
“Where BookOperas Live”
“A Deadly Encounter” is available for purchase online:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.krbankstononline.com (paperback only with autograph)
The Gianni Legacy:
A Deadly Encounter (eBook/paperback)
Sins of the Father (eBook/paperback)
Smoke & Mirrors (eBook/paperback)
Life After Death (eBook/paperback)
Other Books:
King of the Game (eBook only)
The Master Orchestrator
Crossroads: An Anthology (with Authors Elizabeth LaShaun, Keith Williams, Keith Gaston)
Now You’re A Star (eBook only)
Three The Hard Way ( with Author Elizabeth LaShaun) (eBook only) *print coming soon
Thin Ice (12 book serial novel)
TI 2 – Hide & Seek, TI 3 – Armageddon, TI4 – Resurrections, TI5- Checkmate, TI6 – Hangman & Socrates, TI 7 – Echoes of Reckoning, TI8- Separazione Finale, TI9 – Epiphany, TI 10 – Ambition, TI 11- Homecoming, *TI 12- coming soon
About the Author:
KB Bankston is a rising serial novelist, following in the famous footsteps of her literary idol, VC Andrews. She hails from Tallahassee, FL and now resides in Jonesboro, GA. Having written various works of fiction including short stories and reflective poetry for most of her adult life, Bankston entered the world of commercial publishing in 2008 with her first novel, A Deadly Encounter.
She has since gone on to write and publish to date some 22 novels, including two anthologies and one novella. KR's “BookOpera” series Thin Ice was voted Serial Novel of the Year in 2012 by Future Bestselling Authors. Her other series The Gianni Legacy has been touted as The Godfather of modern day.
KR is owner and CEO of Kirabaco Publishing, the self-contained distributor of all published and future planned literary works. KR is an avid Breast Cancer Research supporter and enjoys reading, movies, and football when leisure time allows.
You can find the Author on the following networks:
http://www.krbankstononline.com
http://twitter.com/KRBankston
http://www.facebook.com/KRBankstonTheAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/KrBankston
http://www.youtube.com/user/KRBTheAuthor
contact:
Kirabaco Publishing
P.O. Box 500072
Atlanta, GA 31150
Telephone: 678-561-2053
Cover Design info: [email protected]
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