by KR Bankston
“I’m okay,” she told him calmly, some of the emotion returning.
Tariq came to her as their eyes met. Kaitlyn allowed him to hug her, holding her close as they embraced. She felt him kiss her cheek gently telling her it was okay in her ear. Feeling eyes, Kaitlyn opened hers, looking directly into Ian’s face as he watched them. She gave him a look before turning her head and continuing to remain enveloped in Tariq’s arms.
*****
Ray felt his phone vibrate as he and Nikki headed to the small meeting room outside of the main courtroom.
“Go ahead, I’ll be there in a second,” Ray told her as Nikki nodded and walked on without him.
“Yes Brent,” he answered amiably, seeing his son’s name on the ID.
“We’re on our way to General,” he told his father, referring to the hospital.
“What happened, are Necie and Diamond all right,” Ray asked, concerned.
“They’re fine,” Brent returned. “It’s Santana,” he clarified, going on to give his father details of the ambush at the warehouse.
“Did you take care of the problem,” Ray asked, maintaining consciousness of where he was.
“Yeah, that lying scum is at the morgue,” Brent returned as Ray let go a whistling breath.
“How is Santana,” he asked.
Brent told him one of the bullets was in and out, but the other did some damage and he was unconscious. “The EMT’s were saying he’s critical,” Brent told him, concern evident in his voice.
Ray told him he was on his way as he disconnected. Heading back to court he found the bailiff, asking to see Volena. The judge allowed him into her chamber, only with Akil also being present. She didn’t want there to be any question of integrity at the final ruling.
“There has been a grave family emergency and I need to request a postponement for at least two days,” Ray told Volena.
She looked to Akil and asked if he had any objection.
“I understand counsel’s issues, but I’d like to have a reexamination in 24 hours,” Akil told them both.
“If, Mr. Lockhart, you find the situation sufficiently contained, I’d like to continue and finish this proceeding so my clients can return to some semblance of a normal life,” he added.
Volena told him she thought it was a good idea and Ray agreed as well. Granting them the 24 hour postponement the two attorneys left the judges chamber. Ray quickly found Nikki and explained he had an emergency and they were in recess for the rest of the day and tomorrow. She nodded understanding as he gave her a few last minute instructions and headed toward Ian. Explaining quickly the situation, Ian and Ray turned together walking out of the front courthouse doors and headed to the hospital.
20
Shells walked quietly into his son’s room, finding the infant fast asleep, covers kicked off as usual. Smiling he tenderly covered Aidan, kissing his cheek gently. The tears came without warning as he blinked rapidly. The thought of something happening to his child hurt deeply in the recesses of his soul. Shells was immediately filled with rage once again, thinking of Jalen kidnapping his woman and his son. Calming himself, Shells left the room and headed to the master bedroom. Gingerly opening the door he noted Tae was also still asleep. Shells quietly made his way to the bathroom, closing the door before engaging the light inside. He stripped quickly, taking a scalding hot shower, happy to finally be off the road and back home. His mind replayed the meeting with Jaron as he sighed deeply. Top has got to be more selective from here on out, he thought as he lathered. He’d called Mook and they were meeting later this afternoon. Mook wanted to wait until Tariq was out of court so they could do a conference call and everyone be brought up to speed at once. Having no issue with it, Shells told him that was fine.
Finishing his shower, Shells dried himself, wrapping the towel around his waist as he quietly exited the room. Tae shifted slightly, but drifted quickly back to sleep. Smiling to himself, Shells carefully slid into bed beside her after removing his towel. Tae shifted again, turning facing him. He leaned in and kissed her lips softly. She didn’t wake so he kissed her yet again, sliding closer to her. Tae felt the lips on hers and the closeness of the body. She awakened fighting, disoriented and panicked.
“Stop gurl, it’s me,” Shells told her, holding her down as she breathed hard, blinking rapidly.
Finally recognition took place and Tae began to cry. Shells pulled her into his arms and held her, stroking her hair soothingly as she cried. He knew from her reaction that Jalen had violated her. He was absolutely furious again, wanting to kill the man all over for a second time.
“It’s ok gurl, I’m here,” Shells whispered sweetly in her ear.
Tae finally gathered herself and apologized for hitting him and crying.
“I understand,” Shells told her looking deeply into her eyes. “Him hurt you, didn’t he,” he asked, making her tell him what he already know.
“Yes,” Tae replied softly.
She told him she wanted to go wash her face and Shells told her to go ahead. Slipping on his boxers, he went to the kitchen and made her a cup of tea.
Tae smiled seeing the steaming cup when she returned to the bedroom.
“Thanks,” she told him as he kissed her cheek, telling her she was welcome.
“Tell me what happened,” Shells prompted, wanting to as a final point, know the complete story of their abduction.
Tae took a deep breath telling him about the accident, and how Jalen rendered her unconscious taking both her and Aidan with him.
“Thank goodness I was talking to KiKi when it all went down,” Tae told him as Shells agreed.
Otherwise no one would have ever known she was missing.
“You know who kill him,” Shells asked.
Tae told him she didn’t. “He’d drugged me,” she told Shells. “When I woke up from the water the guy poured on me, I was already being pushed toward the bathroom.”
Shells spoke again, telling her he was just glad they were all right.
“Tell me about the other thing,” Shells began again, giving her a look.
The tears came again as Tae recalled it, explaining and apologizing throughout.
“Not your fault gurl, wut you apologizing for,” Shells told her lovingly. “I know you love Aidan, I know you love me,” he went on. “I know wasn’t about love wit him, was survival,” Shells assured her as Tae’s heart lifted from the floor.
“I do love you so much Shells,” she told him softly as he kissed her lips again.
“I been missing you gurl,” he replied huskily.
Tae told him she definitely missed him as well.
“I can tell gurl, this pussy nice and wet,” he told her crudely as he fingered her.
Shells rubbed his fingers over her clit, eliciting soft moans from Tae, as she saturated the sheets beneath her.
“You know wut I want do to this pussy don’t you,” Shells continued to talk dirty and turn her on.
“Mmm, what,” Tae asked as he began whispering in her ear.
She was on fire as he talked and stroked her. Tae came hard moments later, her body trembling.
“That’s a good start gurl,” Shells told her, putting his mouth on her still throbbing sex and sucking greedily.
Tae moaned deeply holding his head in place as she came yet another time. The memories of Jalen tried to enter her mind as Shells made love to her, and she violently pushed them away. Tae was safe and with the man she loved. No darkness was allowed. Shells kissed his way back to her lips, connecting and kissing her passionately as he opened her legs and slid deeply inside her gushing wetness.
“Mmm gurl, you feel good,” Shells murmured.
Tae kissed his neck softly as he thrust into her and continued to voice his pleasure. Shells began riding her high, hitting her clit with each thrust. Tae loved it, their moans of pleasure joined with the soft gushing of her sex while they joined.
“Is your man pleasing your pussy gurl,” Shells asked nastily just as T
ae came hard again. “Guess that be a yes,” he managed just as he too came hard, his finish flowing freely filling and overflowing as they began to kiss again, round two already begun.
*****
Kaitlyn checked on the girls when they arrived at the hotel. Miss Leatha told them she was taking them to her own room for a while so she and Tariq could rest. Kaitlyn thanked her and immediately headed to her own room to lie down. Her head was killing her. She thought back over the morning and her testimony. She was furious with Ray Lockhart and his tactics. Still she had to understand he was simply trying to win his case. She had no personal history with the man, so it was strictly business for him.
“Not for Ice, bastard,” Kaitlyn spat angrily.
Pushing it out of her mind, she began thinking ahead. The proceedings would be wrapped up in the next day she was sure. Then everything was up to Judge Volena Baiswell. Are you sure you wanna trust that shit, her mind spoke up as Kaitlyn hissed slightly aloud. The judge seemed to know Ray Lockhart from day one when they walked inside. What if it’s a set up and they already have her in their pocket, her mind continued to badger. Kaitlyn wasn’t losing her daughter. There was no compromise on that at all. Her mind left the custody hearing for a moment, returning to the text message and the requested meeting.
What the hell could he possibly want, she continued to brood, lying on the bed. The door opened quietly and she looked up seeing Tariq peeking inside.
“I was just checking on you,” he told her amiably.
Kaitlyn smiled slightly telling him she was okay, just exhausted.
“With a killer headache,” she added as Tariq told her he’d get her something.
Thanking him her mind continued to race after he left. There was too much going on right now to meet, so she’d texted him back asking for time. Thankfully, he’d graciously given her what she needed. I’ve got to give this man his life back, Kaitlyn thought concerning Tariq. She had put him through so much and he didn’t deserve any of it. She thought about their beginning and how she should have stuck to her guns and left him then.
“No, you had to hang around and hurt the man even more,” she mumbled aloud as he opened the door once more, handing her the two tablets and a glass of water.
“Aspirin,” Kaitlyn questioned as she swallowed.
“Something like that,” Tariq answered vaguely.
Shrugging slightly, Kaitlyn lay back down, head still pounding and mind still spinning. She didn’t object when she felt Tariq moments later, lie down beside her and put his arm around her. I can do this, Kaitlyn thought as feelings of remorse and regret flooded her. She loved Tariq; that was never a question. Kaitlyn wasn’t happy about him being with another woman, but was glad he was able to reach out. I don’t want Tariq to be hardened and bitter by this, she thought as her heart immediately fired back that she shouldn’t leave him.
Kaitlyn sighed softly as Tariq pulled her closer, and the medication he’d given her began to work. Her body began to relax and she closed her eyes hoping to quickly drift off to sleep. The dream was almost instantaneous. She felt his lips kissing her neck gently, his hands sliding down her body caressing her breasts, playing with the nipple.
“Mmm,” she moaned softly, completely turned on.
His lips connected with her flesh, setting her alight with passion when his tongue found her sex, licking sensuously.
“Yes,” Kaitlyn breathed, the pleasure overtaking her.
He gently pulled the hood back and blew lightly on her exposed clit. She bit her lip, the guttural groan escaping her lips as the pleasure again encompassed her.
“Yes, mmm, yes,” she continued to moan as his tongue again connected with her heat, fanning the flames even more.
He brought her to orgasm as she moaned loudly, arching her hips to meet his mouth and tongue. He continued to taste her as she came down slightly, purring softly now as he began kissing his way back to her lips. She felt the heat of his breath on her neck as his erection lay atop her once again hard clit.
“Please,” she whimpered, wanting him inside her.
“Please, now,” Kaitlyn moaned as he obliged, pushing his hard shaft inside her.
She came almost immediately, drenching him with her finish.
“Right there,” she murmured as her hands slid down his body and gripped his perfect butt.
“Oh my god,” she groaned as yet another orgasm ripped her body.
He thrust into her harder now, faster, deeper, as she felt his spasms and the scorching heat of his cum as it surged deep inside her. Breathing hard, Kaitlyn opened her eyes. Tariq was still inside her as he looked into her eyes.
“I won’t let it die,” he said simply, kissing her deeply, as she allowed him to make love to her once again.
*****
Ryan was still brooding about his earlier expedition when Nikki called telling him she was free for the rest of the day. Pushing the thoughts away he told her was on his way to get her. He wanted to take her out to lunch, do some shopping, just spend quality time with her. He cared for the woman, finding himself growing closer every day. He still thought about Caramel and RJ on a daily basis. The guilt was eating him whole. A simple phone call, a few words of encouragement and none of this shit would have happened, his mind continued to condemn. Instead you walked away, put your pride on your shoulder and said fuck it, his mind raged. Just like he did, it said finally pissing Ryan off. “I’m nothing like that sonofabitch,” he growled angrily, gripping the wheel tightly as he drove. Ryan was angry that their father was disrupting their existence for no apparent reasoning other than to appease his own conscience. Seeing he was at the courthouse, Ryan pushing every other contemplation from his mind, except the sexy woman smiling as he got out and opened her door for her.
“What you in the mood for today,” Ryan asked, after getting in and kissing her.
“Mmm, how about wings,” Nikki asked.
Ryan chuckled telling her okay, knowing her love of chicken. They drove to her favorite spot and headed inside. Nikki excused herself to the ladies room, leaving her purse on the booth seat, and her phone on the table. Ryan picked up the phone, scrolling through the calls and seeing nothing alarming. He checked her text messages, finding one from Cameron telling her he hoped everything was all right. Ryan read the conversations, satisfied when he saw the final reply from Nikki that she was in a relationship and they were over. Putting the phone down, he reached under the table and grabbed her purse pulling it over to his side. Ryan was still cognizant of his surroundings, making sure Nikki didn’t walk up on him, he did a quick cursory ramble through her purse, frowning when he found the prescription she’d gotten from her doctor for birth control pills. He quickly refolded the paper and put it back in her purse, replacing it moments before she exited the ladies room and rejoined him.
They ordered and began talking while they waited for their orders.
“How come you don’t have any kids,” Ryan fished.
Nikki sighed gently before answering. “My lifestyle just really doesn’t support children,” she told him carefully.
Truthfully she didn’t think she wanted kids. Nikki was pretty selfish most times, and kids seem to always take.
“So if you got pregnant from me, you’d have my baby though, right,” Ryan asked, eyes boring into her own.
Nikki caught the tone, answering again as carefully as she could.
“If we decided that was best, then yeah,” she replied as Ryan sat back and watched her wordlessly for a few moments more.
“Nikki,” he said calmly, finally sitting up and leaning across the table. “If my seed implants in you, and you kill my baby, well, I can’t be responsible,” Ryan told her point blank.
Nikki’s heart began racing as she took a breath and tried to calm down. Please don’t let me get pregnant before I can get on these pills, she thought as she nodded slightly and told him okay. The matter settled Ryan ate heartily when the wings and fries arrived. Nikki, as much as she loved chicke
n, struggled with her meal the fear of what if, dancing in her mind’s eye.
*****
Tariq kissed her shoulder gently, before rising from the bed. He knew he should have felt bad, giving her the powerful sedatives and then taking advantage of her, but he loved her. Kaitlyn’s pushing him away was slowly killing him inside. He meant what he’d said though. He wasn’t giving her up without a fight, and letting it just die, was not a viable option in his mind. Walking into the sitting room of the suite, he picked up his cell dialing Mook’s number.
“Wassup Top,” his friend greeted.
“Hey Mook, everyone in place,” he asked.
Mook told him not yet, but he expected everyone to show up momentarily.
“Gives me a chance to talk to you a minute,” Mook added as Tariq listened quietly.
“About your offer,” Mook began. “I had to get my head right, but I’m definitely honored, and I’m definitely saying yes,” he told Tariq, who smiled brightly.
“That’s excellent,” he replied, the excitement in his voice.
The two men talked briefly a little while longer about the partnership, before Tariq told him they would have an in-depth meeting when he returned.
“How’s that going by the way,” Mook asked, concerning the case.
Tariq sighed lightly and replayed this morning for him.
“That Lockhart is a low muthafucka,” Mook replied angrily.
Tariq completely agreed.
“You and KiKi making any headway,” Mook again queried.
Tariq sighed lightly admitting what had transpired between them and how it happened.
“She loves you Top, I know that,” Mook told him, also telling him desperate times called for desperate moves sometime.
“I just hope she doesn’t wake up and kill me,” he joked.
Tariq knew Kaitlyn would more than likely be angry, but she wouldn’t harm him.
