by KR Bankston
*****
Tariq was beginning to regret the things he’d said to his wife almost a month ago. Kaitlyn had shut down completely after that day. She came and went at odd hours, took his name off all her accounts and became very secretive. They seldom saw each other even living in the same house. Tariq knew she was deliberately going out of her way not to run into him, but tonight he wanted to talk to her. He wanted to know what she was out doing after midnight some nights. You wanna know if she’s fuckin’ someone else too don’t you, his mind berated him once again. Tariq sighed deeply as he thought about the mess he found himself in with Carlita. He’d tried to move away from her after sexing her a few more times. He just couldn’t continue to fake it with her. She was furious however telling him she wasn’t just some toy he could play with and put down when he was finished. Sighing deeply he pushed the thoughts away vowing to deal with it later after he got some answers from his wife.
Hearing the front door close, Tariq rose and headed into the hallway, almost knocking Kaitlyn down as she made her way to the master bedroom.
“Where have you been,” he asked, jaw clenched as he gave her a look.
Kaitlyn frowned slightly, regarding him silently for a few moments longer.
“You gave up the right to ask me shit like that a month ago, Riq,” she told him without emotion.
Kaitlyn tried to step around him as he moved and blocked her path. Sighing deeply she politely asked him to move.
“I don’t want to play this game right now,” Kaitlyn told him as Tariq pinned her to the wall and held her there.
“Where the fuck you been KiKi,” he growled angrily.
She smelled so damned good, and the outfit was banging without doubt. Eyeing her in the form fit electric blue mini dress, her breasts sitting pertly alert from the deep cut v-neckline and thinking of her being out and some other man looking at her, touching her, made his blood boil.
“Tariq, get your hands the hell off me,” Kaitlyn returned, her voice cold and hard.
He let her go at that point and she rolled her eyes at him, moving from the wall and going inside the bedroom closing and locking the door behind her. Pissed Tariq punched the wall he still stood in front of. Apologize to the damned woman, beg her to give you another chance, his mind tried. Tariq’s ego wouldn’t let him grovel, so he dismissed it and walked away headed to the den and their fully stocked bar. He was on his fourth double vodka shot when she walked back into the hallway and ended up in the kitchen. Tariq again blocked her path as Kaitlyn returned with the peach she’d retrieved. She sighed tiredly giving him yet another look.
“Tariq, please, I’m tired and I want to go to sleep,” she told him her tone still all business.
“Who you been out fuckin’,” he asked slurring his words slightly, as he now took in the baby doll pink camisole and matching panty she was clad in.
Kaitlyn knew he was tipsy so she didn’t become angry immediately.
“I’m going to bed,” she replied in lieu of an answer to his accusation.
Tariq grew angrier, grabbing her again, pulling her to him and holding her tightly.
“Why the fuck we gotta go through this bullshit KiKi,” he asked kissing her neck sweetly.
“Because you wanted this,” Kaitlyn replied tersely, pushing him away, turning on her heel and walking back toward their room.
Tariq was quick enough to catch up and push her into the bedroom, him immediately behind her.
“Riq, go to bed,” Kaitlyn tried, as he walked toward her.
“Get out of my room,” she told him, her temper beginning to flare.
Tariq responded by grabbing her and throwing her onto the bed, him on top of her.
“Get the hell off me Riq, shit,” Kaitlyn told him as he held her arms above her head and tried to kiss her.
She kept turning her head from side to side to avoid his lips.
“Get off me!” Kaitlyn screamed.
The shout seemed to shake the cobwebs and Tariq stopped trying to kiss her, looking into her eyes now.
“You really don’t want me anymore,” he asked, the hurt evident.
“I’m not the one who threw us away Riq, you did that,” Kaitlyn told him calmly. “I loved you, with my entire being, I loved you,” she went on the hurt coming full blown. “You told me to go fuck myself, so guess what, I’m doing me now,” Kaitlyn spat venomously. “So you need to go find yourself a chick that can give you what I obviously couldn’t and leave me the hell alone.”
Tariq was stung by the venom in her voice. He’d gone too far and she was lost to him now. The realization took his breath away, literally. Kaitlyn grew alarmed seeing the panic on his face and the labor of his breathing.
“Riq, breathe, relax,” she told him, looking into his face as he continued to stare blankly into her eyes.
“Riq, come on seriously, don’t do this,” she implored, tears springing to her eyes.
Without warning Tariq kissed her again.
“Riq, don’t,” Kaitlyn tried, her resolve weakened from the episode moments earlier.
Sensing the crack in her armor, Tariq pulled her close and kissed her again, forcing her back down onto the bed. He didn’t stop kissing her until she was naked and his manhood was deep inside her.
11
Jaleesa sighed deeply gathering herself and knocking lightly on the motel room door. It opened moments later as Kai stood smiling at her, shirtless.
“Come on in,” he greeted her sweetly, kissing her lips as soon as he closed the door behind her.
“You look delicious,” he told her taking in the outfit.
Jaleesa had gone through the trouble of pulling out one of her nicer mini dresses, high thigh length, fire orange, matching it with 4-inch, calf-tie, pewter sandals. Kai was licking his lips appreciatively taking in her shapely legs, thighs and butt as she walked to the bed and sat down.
“Where have you been,” he asked slightly irritated.
He knew they were just screwing, but for some reason Kai was jealous as hell thinking Jaleesa may have been seeing someone else as well.
“Nowhere,” she answered sweetly, seeing the jealousy and secretly amused by it.
This damned man is delusional as hell, she thought as he brought her a glass of wine, handing it to her.
“Thanks,” Jaleesa replied, smiling slightly as she sipped it. “I can’t stay too long tonight,” she explained. “I have to be home before Jacoury or he’ll get suspicious, he’s already started asking questions,” she continued to spin the yarn.
Truthfully Jacoury had been wonderful about her taking time to enjoy herself. He actually gave her more money to spend at Bingo, admonishing her to live it up.
Jaleesa smiled slightly at the thought, quickly changing her focus back to the task at hand.
“So are you ready to start working,” Kai asked, sitting beside her, kissing her neck softly.
She sighed slightly again for effect. He stopped kissing her neck and looked into her eyes waiting for her to speak.
“Are you sure this will be the last time,” Jaleesa asked, feigning innocence.
Kai kissed her lips, smiling back at her as he answered.
“I promise, everything will be square and you can live your life,” he lied smoothly. “I guess I’m just hoping you’ll keep seeing me,” he asked, baiting her.
Jaleesa smiled demurely, averting her glance. So she does feel me, Kai thought foolishly of the gesture.
“Let’s not talk anymore,” he told her kissing her again, with feeling.
“Can I have some more wine,” Jaleesa stalled.
Kai smiled and told her sure, rising to get it for her. His back to her, she quickly spiked the glass he’d left sitting, kicking the small glass vial she’d concealed in her bra, under the bed. Kai turned and walked back to her, handing her glass as he unzipped his pants and removed them. Jaleesa sipped hers, as Kai picked up his own glass, draining it quickly.
Pulling her up from the bed, Kai beg
an kissing her again. Jaleesa was careful not to let the kiss linger, knowing enough of the drugs residue could be transferred to impair her as well. He continued kissing her neck, his breathing growing erratic.
“Damn,” he murmured as the drug began to work. “It’s hot as hell in here,” he told her, sweating profusely and trying to focus.
“I’m not hot,” Jaleesa replied calmly. “Are you all right,” she asked, feigning concern.
“I feel crazy,” Kai replied, feeling the bed and barely making it to the edge before his legs gave way.
“What did you do to me,” he hissed in between breaths.
His limbs felt like they weighed 200lbs apiece. He couldn’t move, barely speak.
“Nothing yet asshole, but that’s subject to change,” Jaleesa told him coldly walking to the door and letting Kim inside.
Kai blinked several times trying to clear his field of vision. The woman looked vaguely familiar but he couldn’t place her.
“Don’t be stupid,” he managed once more. “You can’t kill me, I’m a DEA agent,” Kai tried to bluff.
He guessed the drug’s effects came and went, since he was now able to breathe and speak much easier.
“You’re a bastard is what you are,” Kim spat, slapping him hard with the business end of the .380 she held.
Kai’s mouth was bleeding, dripping onto his bare chest, since he was still unable to lift his arm and render himself aid. Jaleesa searched his pants, finding his car keys.
“I’ll be right back,” she told Kim who nodded.
Kai frowned slightly wondering what she was doing.
“Let me go now and no one will know,” Kai tried with Kim. “No one will get hurt,” he added trying to sweeten the deal.
“Shut your nasty ass up,” Kim hissed angrily. “You’re foul as hell,” she went on, her mind going back to the thing Kai was trying to force Jaleesa to do. “How fucked up is to try and get a man damned deported, away from his family and shit,” Kim growled.
Kai was glad that was the only part of the plan he’d revealed to Jaleesa. They wanted Shells gone and finding out he was illegal only helped their cause. All she had to do was call immigration and deliver the documents he would supply. Jaleesa walked back into the room ending all conversation as she placed Kai’s briefcase on the table.
“What’s the combination,” she asked giving him a look.
He remained mute, pissing Kim off more as she slapped him hard once again with the gun.
Kai grudgingly told the woman what she wanted to know and Jaleesa easily opened the case. Rambling for a few moments, she finally found all the documentation she was seeking and various added bonus pieces.
“Thanks asshole,” she told him calmly. “Get dressed,” Jaleesa barked.
He was about to protest, surprising himself when he lifted his arm without effort.
“Drug is temporary, you’re okay now,” she told him as Kai complied with the command and put his clothes on.
“Kim go ahead and get the car,” she told her friend.
Kim nodded and turned to leave, handing Jaleesa the other .380 from her pocket. Kai was eyeing the woman murderously as she held him at gunpoint.
“You want to kill me don’t you,” she asked calmly.
“I wanted to make love to you,” Kai returned honestly. “I can’t let you go now, you realize that don’t you,” he asked, pleading with her to just give him the documents back, tell her friend she changed and her mind and they could pretend none of this ever happened.
“Please Tweety,” Kai told her, turning on the charm. “I won’t hurt you baby, I won’t turn you in, none of that,” he went on as Jaleesa pretended to mull it over.
“You hit me before,” she told him, her voice small as she played her role.
“Baby, I’m sorry, I promise though, I won’t hit you again, I swear,” Kai pleaded.
Sighing deeply Jaleesa removed the safety from the gun. “I’m walking out of here and you’re not going to follow me,” she told him, her voice shaking.
Jaleesa had to pat herself on the back for the performance she was giving right now.
“Tweety, please, don’t do this,” Kai pleaded, not confirming her statement.
Jaleesa backed her way to the door, opening it as she continued to hold him at gunpoint.
“Don’t follow me Kai,” she told him, faking tears. “I don’t want to kill you, I just want my life back,” Jaleesa added, pretending to choke up. “Please,” she said softly one last time before bolting out of the door.
She got a twenty second head start before realization kicked in and Kai came running out of the door after her, screaming her name. Kim waited calmly until he ran into the center of the parking lot, then she gunned the engine on the truck, aiming directly for him. Kai heard the vehicle but didn’t see it in the darkness until Kim turned on the headlights, already fixed on bright, and blinded him. He didn’t have time to react before the trucks grill connected with his body at 45 mph, sending him airborne onto the hood, crashing into the windshield, neck twisted in an unnatural angle, eyes wide open but sightless. Kim braked hard and Kai’s body rolled back in front of the truck with a loud thud as it connected with the ground. Wasting no time, she bolted from the truck darting into the darkened wooded area immediately behind the motel. Jaleesa was waiting in the BMW when Kim emerged from the other side. Satisfied that all the police would find was the stolen abandoned truck, the dead DEA agent, and the kilo of cocaine Jaleesa planted in his car while she was outside, the two women high fived each other and enjoyed the new CD Jaleesa picked up earlier as they drove home.
*****
Carlita sighed deeply taking in her surroundings. She hated coming back to Kansas. There was nothing here, nothing except the grave she found herself sitting before.
“Mama, I’m almost there,” she spoke softly, lovingly, to the picture encased on the tombstone.
Meredith Shale was Carlita’s mother and she’d adored her. When she died almost five years ago, the pain was unbearable. Carlita would never forget having to beg to pay for her mother’s funeral. Any insurance they had was long since used up paying for her medical bills. For years, Carlita had existed in extreme poverty. Never having any of the necessities many of her peers had. If it hadn’t been for her best friend Sheila, Carlita was sure she would have been dead now. Sheila was the one person who didn’t judge her, or make fun of her circumstance. She shared her clothes with Carlita, shoes and anything else that she had in order to lessen the pain of her existence. Carlita vowed when she made it, so would Sheila.
“I met a wonderful man,” she continued to talk to her mother’s grave. “He’s sexy,” she giggled slightly. “But he’s really nice, decent, and he deserves so much more than he has with that terrible wife of his,” she hissed angrily.
Carlita thought about Tariq and how he was trying to pull away from her. That can’t happen, she thought. Carlita had done quite a bit of research and she knew Tariq was very wealthy. She also knew he was a serious player in the game.
“I’m going to marry him,” Carlita continued aloud, returning to her conversation. “I’m going to give him a son, maybe two,” she said, starting to pull weeds from the grave as they were trying to overtake the stone. “I promise mommy, I’m going to make it this time,” she added as the tears came and she thought about her not to distant past.
Carlita had been promiscuous for many years, since losing her virginity to the neighborhood supplier at age eleven. She didn’t really have anyone to teach her about men and the games they played, so she fell victim time and again to ruthless exploiters who used her and threw her away. Her last serious romance had come just as her mother’s illness worsened. Santana was so sexy. He made her feel sexy; wining and dining her when he came to town on business.
They had been seeing each other for almost four months off and on when her mother had to be hospitalized. Carlita told him about it and Santana had been so supportive. Buying her the things she needed for h
er mother while she was confined. Thankfully Meredith improved enough that they let her come home. Things came to a head the same night. Carlita went to meet Santana at the hotel where they always met for their dates. This time she arrived early, just as another woman was leaving the suite. “What the hell Santana,” Carlita yelled angrily. The woman regarded her momentarily before laughing and continuing on her way. Santana snatched her inside and closed the door. “You need to stop acting stupid and embarrassing me,” he hissed angrily, the light complexion turning beet red. “Embarrassing you,” Carlita screamed again. “I find my man with some bitch, right before we’re supposed to be together and I’m supposed to be cool with that,” she asked incredulously. “Where the hell is that practice acceptable,” she added, impulsively slapping him hard across the face.
Santana raised his hand, but didn’t hit her. “Get the fuck out of my room,” he hissed angrily. “How stupid can you be,” he added, growing angrier. “Carlita, I’m a married man,” he told her bursting her bubble. “I got a fine ass wife at home who has great sex,” Santana taunted. “I fuck you when I come here cause its convenient. I give you a little change here and there cause I got it, and I don’t miss it,” he growled. “But don’t ever get it twisted, you ain’t shit to me except a warm hole to jack off in.” Crushed she charged him. Santana easily subdued her, picking her up and physically placing her outside his hotel room. He then called security once Carlita began banging on his door. Carlita would never forget the humiliation and shame of that day. From that point she vowed never to let another man use her and throw her away without paying the price. Tariq was her man now and she was going to get everything that life hadn’t given her and the one who should have, had taken away.
*****
“Mmm, don’t you look like an orange I wanna peel,” Jacoury teased as Jaleesa walked inside.
