Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate

by KR Bankston

  “Are you going alone,” she asked of his picking up Tae.

  Mook wasn’t angry. He understood, hell he was in her place more often than not, feeling insecure about a perceived attraction.

  “Ramell is going with me,” he told her as Kim said okay that was good. “I’m about to head out, but I’ll be there tomorrow once I get back and drop everyone off,” Mook told her.

  “OK,” Kim replied once more.

  “Miss Kim, I love you,” Mook spoke. “I didn’t mean to hurt you last night, but damn, you gotta try and understand how I feel sometime,” he threw out.

  Kim sighed lightly and then answered him. “I love you too Mook, and I do understand, when you get home we’re going to really talk and settle some things once and for all, okay,” she asked.

  Mook smiled slightly telling her okay. Kim admonished him to be careful before finally telling him goodbye and disconnecting.

  *****

  Nikki returned to the bedroom dressed in the lacy black nightie she’d picked up a few days ago. Ray had been kind enough to inform her of the reasoning behind Ryan’s absence last week. She felt badly for him and knew he was hurting, but tonight they had to come to an understanding. The stunt he pulled with Cameron could never happen again. I should just stop seeing him, her mind told her. Nikki wasn’t going to let any man tame her and that was just that. But you care about him, admit it, stubborn heffa, her heart was screaming. Nikki sucked her teeth lightly and rolled her eyes, turning to find Ryan watching her, still sipping the liquor in his cup.

  “So what was that bullshit you pulled tonight,” he asked, sitting the glass on her dresser, leaning against it.

  “I was enjoying my evening,” Nikki replied smartly.

  Ryan smiled slightly, picking up the glass and draining it. “We talked about that, didn’t we,” he asked calmly, walking up to her.

  “You talked,” Nikki told him, still not grasping the dangerous waters she was treading.

  “Hmph,” Ryan said simply. “You were gonna fuck him huh,” he asked, in her face.

  Wisely she said nothing this time.

  “So you think I’m joking, that I’m one of those weak fools you’re used to huh,” Ryan continued, growing angrier.

  “Ryan, you said we were friends, friends with benefits,” Nikki reminded him.

  “I also said you had limits, didn’t I,” he yelled making her jump.

  The vein on the side of his jaw was throbbing as he continued to study her and breathe hard.

  “I ain’t nobody’s punk Nikki,” Ryan told her, stepping even closer to her, his chest heaving against her breasts.

  “I never said that,” she tried, taking a step back.

  Ryan stepped to her again and she repeated the gesture. Moments later she was out of floor space to step and her back was literally against the wall.

  “What’s it gonna be Nikki,” Ryan asked, eyes boring into hers.

  “What are you asking me,” she threw back trying to buy time.

  Her mind was whirling. Nikki wanted him, she wanted what he was offering, but she was terrified. What happened to all that I want a strong man shit you were spouting, her heart chimed in once more as her mind told it to shut up.

  “I’m asking you if you’re ready to stop selling wolf tickets and be real,” Ryan told her point blank. “Ready to have a real man in your life and be in a real damned relationship,” he asked as she continued to breathe unsteadily.

  Nikki was a tough sell, a real hard ass when she wanted to be, yet here she was feeling helpless and vulnerable with this man standing in her face offering her what she swore she wanted in her life.

  “I should whip your ass about old boy touching you,” Ryan began again, eyes blazing.

  Nikki definitely hoped he didn’t follow through on that threat.

  “Tell you what,” he finally spoke, seeing that she wasn’t going too.

  “I’ma make it easy for you,” Ryan told her. “You and me, together, that’s that,” he communicated. “You don’t date nobody else, kiss nobody else, let nobody else touch you and you sure as hell don’t fuck nobody else,” he hammered. “Any objection,” he asked, leaving the ball in her court.

  Nikki was speechless and saturated. She couldn’t believe how turned on she was by his forcefulness. Ryan was definitely a master of his game.

  “No,” she finally managed to get out as he growled slightly, leaning in and kissing her deeply.

  She heard the material tearing under his touch, moaning slightly as it turned her on more. Ryan picked her up taking her to the bed and dropping her on it. He ripped the thong from her, wrapping her legs around his neck as he tasted her and Nikki cried out her pleasure. Stopping long enough to undress himself, they picked up where they left off as sixty-nine once again became their favorite position. Tasting and teasing each other almost to orgasm, Ryan pulled Nikki onto his lap, ready to enter her.

  “Ryan, wait, we need the --,” she got out before he grabbed her hips and pulled her down onto his erection.

  Nikki caught her breath loving the feel of him as Ryan went to work, thrusting low and deep. She came hard moments later screaming his name as she continued to ride him vigorously. Nikki felt his hands on her breasts, squeezing as she moaned softly, loving the way he touched her. Ryan deftly rolled her over, putting her legs behind her head; he had his way with her as she helplessly allowed it.

  “Ryan, oh god, shit, Ryan,” Nikki murmured loving each and every thrust.

  She felt his erection began to spasm, he was close and she knew it. Shit, don’t let him cum in me, Nikki panicked. She wasn’t on the pill, being ever vigilant about condoms. Three deep thrusts later her question was answered as his body tensed and she heard him groan deeply before feeling the rush of his finish as he collapsed and kissed her neck softly, their union consummated.

  18

  Everyone was again assembled in the courtroom as Volena looked to Akil and told him he could question the witness.

  “Thank you your honor,” he replied respectfully, rising and glancing at his notepad.

  Akil had some very pointed questions for Ian, needing very much to place reasonable doubt in the judge’s mind about his merit as the sole custodian of the juvenile child.

  “Mr. Bailey,” Akil began as Ian turned his attention to the man, never taking his eyes off him.

  “What exactly do you do for a living,” he asked as Ian answered without hesitation that he was an entrepreneur who owned several different businesses.

  “Do you own an adult entertainment club here in the city,” Akil quizzed, already knowing the answer.

  “Objection, your honor,” Ray said calmly. “Mr. Bailey’s ownership of property bears no merit on his ability to raise his child.”

  Akil countered that indeed Mr. Bailey’s character had to be questioned in an attempt to make the best possible custody decision involved for the child. In the end, Judge Baiswell allowed the question.

  Ian calmly told Akil he did own the establishment as well as several other businesses including one geared exclusively to children and family.

  “Hmph,” the attorney returned condescendingly as Ian dug deep not letting the frown reach his face.

  Right now he was picturing Akil bleeding profusely from his mouth and nose as he beat him to a pulp.

  “Why are you really trying to take this child from its mother, Mr. Bailey,” Akil quizzed.

  Ian again sighed softly, maintaining his composure before answering that he was not.

  “I only want to be a part of my daughter’s life,” he answered calmly.

  “Why not ask for joint custody then,” the attorney fired off.

  “Because of personal tensions between myself and Mr. Taylor, that would be impossible,” Ian replied, giving the attorney a warning look.

  Akil, not knowing the man’s true nature, dismissed the look and continued his course.

  “So this is about your ego and the fact you couldn’t accept losing Mrs. Taylor’
s affections,” Akil accused.

  Ray again objected, giving Ian time to calm down. The attorney was pushing his buttons and Ian was getting pissed. Waving away the question, Akil ended his interrogation and returned to his seat.

  Ian left the stand and returned to the table with Ray and Nikki.

  “You handled yourself very well Ice,” Ray whispered.

  Ian nodded still angry and not trusting his words right now. He hoped Ray was right and the case would be over in the next day or so. Ian wasn’t sure how much longer he would be able to play cool with the arrogant attorney and his mortal enemy both in the same room.

  “Do you have anyone else to call,” Volena asked Ray giving him a look.

  “Yes, your honor,” he said calmly. “I’d like to call Tariq Taylor to the stand,” he said evenly as Akil frowned deeply.

  Tariq was astonished. What kinda tricks is this sonofabitch up too now, he thought rising grudgingly and heading to the witness stand. Ian chanced a look at Kaitlyn. Her face was a mask of calm. She hadn’t reacted in any manner, hearing her husband’s name called. He wasn’t sure what to make of her current mood, dismissing it and returning his attention to Ray as he prepared to dismantle Tariq on the stand.

  “Mr. Taylor are you and Mr. Bailey acquainted with one another,” he asked as Tariq answered they were.

  “Mmm, I see,” Ray replied, pacing slightly in front of the witness box.

  “How do you feel about Mr. Bailey being the father of your wife’s child,” he fired point blank.

  Before he could catch himself, his jaw clenched and Ray smiled slightly.

  “I’m not exactly thrilled about it,” Tariq replied carefully. “But it doesn’t change how I feel about my children,” he quickly added as Ian frowned slightly.

  “Tell me about your wife, Mr. Taylor,” Ray began again as Akil watched, praying the testimony didn’t go from bad to worse.

  He’d heard about Ray Lockhart and that he was a mastermind in the courtroom. Today he was about to witness that mastery first hand.

  “Is she a good person,” he clarified as Tariq told him yes.

  “Is Kaitlyn violent,” Ray asked calmly, giving the man a look.

  “No,” Tariq lied smoothly.

  Ray smiled slightly again.

  “Are you sure about that answer Mr. Taylor,” he questioned as Tariq stuck to his original response.

  “Your honor I would like to enter this report into evidence,” Ray told the judge producing a document.

  Akil objected saying they had not been made aware of any evidence under the rules of discovery. Volena agreed, disallowing the evidence. Ray was irritated but not beaten.

  “Thank you Mr. Taylor, that’s all I have for now,” he told Tariq, turning and walking back to his table.

  Akil questioned Tariq next asking all the right questions to paint Kaitlyn in a positive light. The judge was nodding thoughtfully by the end of his questioning and Akil prayed he’d done enough to salvage the damage.

  *****

  Mook was glad to finally be home. The ride to pick up Tae and Aidan was long and tiring, though Ramell made it pleasant. The two men talked at length while journeying and he’d help Mook answer some questions going on his mind about the direction to take with his personal and professional life. Opening the door, he heard the TV and knew Kim was home. Walking into the kitchen, he made himself a drink first, deciding he needed to calm his nerves just a bit. Mook wasn’t kidding himself, getting over this hurdle was going to be hard. Throwing back a couple shots quickly, he made one last drink and headed into the bedroom with it. Kim looked up when he walked in, a mixture of relief and trepidation flooding her face.

  “Hey,” Mook greeted her amiably.

  Kim returned the greeting, saying nothing else as he began undressing and headed into the bathroom, turning on the shower.

  He returned moments later, finding her still watching TV and sipping the glass of wine she’d procured from the kitchen while he showered.

  “Miss Kim,” Mook began as she glanced over at him. “Can we talk now,” he asked calmly.

  Sighing lightly Kim turned off the set and gave him her full attention. Mook walked to her side of the bed and sat next to her, reaching out and gently caressing her face.

  “First of all, I’m sorry,” he told her as Kim continued to regard him, expressionless. “I’m sorry I’ve been keeping you in the dark,” he went on. “Sorry that I’ve been on such a short fuse, and sometimes taking that out on you and Sean for no reason,” Mook told her as Kim felt herself starting to soften, and fighting it every step of the way.

  “There’s so much going on, Kim,” he told her, his voice thick with stress.

  “Then tell me,” Kim told him pleadingly.

  To her surprise, he did just that. Mook told her everything that was going on with the organization, including the request Tariq made of him.

  “I didn’t know,” Kim said simply the revelations still blowing her mind.

  “No one did,” Mook told her, concerning Tariq’s request.

  “Kim, I’m close to Top, you know that,” Mook began anew. “He’s like Big Mike to me,” he went on, referring to his lost brother. “I don’t wanna feel the way I do when it comes to you and him,” Mook was honest with her. “I guess I just have a hard time when you seem to always say stuff about him and KiKi breaking up,” he told her as Kim finally interjected.

  “Mook, just like you feel about Tariq, so do I,” she explained. “It’s like having a really good friend and you see someone always hurting them for no good reason,” Kim continued. “It pisses you off because you know they deserve so much better, but you can’t do anything about it because it’s their choice,” she explained.

  Mook nodded thoughtfully, finally seeing it from her point of view.

  “He loves her though Kim,” he told her as she sighed deeply and told him she knew.

  “I think she’s serious about divorcing him,” Mook said once again. “It’s going to devastate him, and I don’t want him to hafta deal with that,” he told her explaining why he was hoping so hard they stayed together.

  “I know Mook, but if she does, that’s where we come in,” Kim told him, looking into his eyes now. “All of us have to come together and support him,” she added as he nodded again.

  “So are you going to tell him yes,” she asked returning to his earlier admission.

  Mook sighed softly once more still thinking about the request.

  Tariq had confided that he was overwhelmed trying to run everything alone. Mook quickly told him he had his back as did Shells and everyone else. Tariq chuckled then and told him he knew, but he had another arrangement in mind. “Mook, I haven’t met anybody like you since Deuce,” he told him honestly. “You’ve been cool thru the thick of a lot of bullshit, and you never change up,” Tariq continued. “I like that, and it’s very rare to find it,” he added. “So I think it’s time you stop being my right hand, and become my partner.” Mook was speechless. He told Tariq he needed to think it over and graciously the man hadn’t pressed.

  “Yeah,” Mook answered finally. “I think I will tell him yes,” he added as Kim smiled and told him she was proud of him.

  “Are we okay again,” he asked curiously.

  “Are you over your delusions about me and Tariq,” Kim threw back as Mook smiled and told her yes, completely.

  “I trust you baby,” he whispered, kissing her neck.

  Kim told him she was glad as his lips met hers.

  “I missed the hell outta you,” Mook admitted, stripping her quickly and taking her nipple into his mouth.

  Kim still wouldn’t admit it to him, but she’d been terrified when he stayed gone that night, thinking she’d finally pushed too far and he was lost to her.

  “I missed you too,” was what she said when she spoke and Mook’s tongue went lower.

  *****

  Tariq was still angry as hell about the stunt Ray pulled earlier in court. This shit cannot c
ome together soon enough, he mused. The plan was still moving right along. They told Shells about Jalen snatching Tae and the mysterious intruder who ended up killing him. “Good ting for him ass,” Shells growled angrily into the phone when they talked. “Yeah, he was never too bright,” Tariq replied, as Shells gave his agreement. “Everything still on schedule,” Tariq asked as Shells assured him they were. “Tomorrow be another move,” he said as Tariq acknowledged the statement and they disconnected. Kaitlyn walking into the room shook his thought and brought him back to the now. Things were still strained between them, Tariq noted sadly as she went straight to the bedroom checking on the girls, not speaking to him. They talked, but only when it pertained to the girls, the case, or something at home. Kaitlyn absolutely refused to discuss them at all.

  Is she going to go through with his divorce, Tariq’s heart questioned, the aching already beginning. His mind reminded him that he was the one who’d originally planted the seeds. Sighing deeply Tariq wished he could take the words back. He was hurt and angry, lashing out to get some relief. His cell vibrated and he frowned deeply seeing the message from Carlita. He hadn’t told her about the case or him being out of town for the next few days. This was the sixth text of the day from her. You should have never fucked this bitch, his mind told him as he readily agreed with it. The question now was how to get rid of her. It was bad enough Kaitlyn knew he’d been with her, he didn’t want her to find out he was still sleeping with her from time to time.

  “Girls okay,” Tariq asked as Kaitlyn walked back into the room.

  “Yeah, they’re napping,” she returned amiably.

  They had a two bedroom suite at the hotel, with an extra suite rented for Miss Leatha, who had graciously agreed to come with them and care for the girls while they were in court.

  “That’s good,” he replied. “What the hell was that stunt today in court,” he threw out, hoping to engage Kaitlyn in conversation.

  She sighed deeply and shrugged slightly.

  “I don’t know, nothings logical to me anymore,” she replied, coming and sitting on the couch.

  Tariq hurriedly joined her, wanting any measure of closeness right now.