Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate

by KR Bankston

  “KiKi, baby, no,” Tariq whispered, it hurt too much to speak. “You can’t leave me,” he tried again as she began pulling away.

  “Riq, I have to leave you, it’s the only way I can repay you what I owe,” she told him kindly, smiling now as she wiped his tears.

  “Baby, you don’t owe me anything,” Tariq told her, as she stepped back, out of his arms.

  “Yeah, I do,” Kaitlyn told him, taking the keys from him as he offered no resistance. “I owe you your freedom and your life back, while you still have plenty of it to live,” she told him. “There’s a wonderful woman out there for you Tariq Taylor, who is going to love you and make you happy without remorse,” Kaitlyn told him as Tariq continued to look at her, the hurt almost breaking her reserve.

  “Find her,” she told him softly. “Find her, and hold onto her forever and ever,” Kaitlyn told him as a final thought, turning to leave the house.

  Tariq grabbed her pulling her back to him, kissing her passionately.

  “Please KiKi, baby I need you,” he told her as she smiled sadly and pushed him away.

  “No, Riq, what you need is to be free of me,” she told him one last time, making it out the door and to her car.

  Tariq was too stunned to move, simply collapsing into the recliner that sat to his immediate right, head in his hands, heart shattered.

  26

  Kaitlyn didn’t know how she made it through the last week, but somehow she did, completely on auto pilot. Her heart still ached every time she thought of Tariq and the end of their union. She picked up her phone, tempted to at least text and check on him, but resisted, knowing she had to let him go once and for all. The tears came again without warning as the hurt resurfaced. Why couldn’t he be the one, she thought miserably as they cascaded down her face. Kaitlyn loved him so deeply, but she was poison to him and she knew it. Carlo had seen to that. There wasn’t a man on this earth who could deal with the monster that raged inside her, unleashed and loosed at any moment of anger. There is one, but you keep pushing him away, her subconscious corrected. Closing her eyes Kaitlyn cried harder. A part of her did indeed love Ice in a strange and twisted way, but that was the part she didn’t want to face. It was the piece of her she wanted to deny. “You cannot change who you are, Hangman’s daughter,” Socrates voice rang again and again in her head.

  Forcing herself to get up, Kaitlyn checked on the girls as they sat in the living room, transfixed on the children’s show blaring from the TV. Olivia gave her a short smile and nod as Kaitlyn smiled back and went into the bathroom. The woman had come over every day and watched the girls as Kaitlyn dealt with her emotions. She’d given her a key so she could come and go basically as she pleased. Kaitlyn’s mind was racing as she showered. She had to get herself together and make some serious decisions. She also had to manage to stay out of jail. Kaitlyn didn’t kid herself. She knew Ian was still out there and he was turning over each and every stone to find her and the girls. I can’t let you take my babies, she continued to brood, deciding that for now they were safe enough that she could risk staying another six months or so. After that Kaitlyn hoped to have her game plan in place. She thought about the divorce papers again and prayed Tariq would file them. She’d already signed them, asking for nothing and giving him his freedom. It was up to him to take it.

  Feeling better after the shower, Kaitlyn ventured into the living room again, the girls noticing this time, smiling as they got up and walked to the kitchen when she was.

  “Hey ladies,” Kaitlyn greeted, kneeling down and hugging them both tightly kissing their chubby cheeks.

  They both began babbling at the same time, trying to tell her about the show, their play, and whatever else they seemed to think they were saying. Kaitlyn listened as they chattered, not really understanding but giving them the impression she did.

  “Come back girls, Patty is back,” Olivia called out referring to the television show.

  The girls turned walking as fast as their little legs took them and headed back to the TV. Kaitlyn chuckled again, returning to her task, just as her cell vibrated. She saw the text icon, fear overtaking her. She was terrified to open it fearing it was a message from Tariq. Swallowing hard, Kaitlyn summoned her courage and clicked on it. To her relief it was another message from Socrates. He wanted to see her again, giving her the time, but not the place. Sighing lightly, Kaitlyn told Olivia she had to go out and headed into her bedroom to dress.

  *****

  Mook was worried as hell about Tariq. His partner was definitely still in a state of shock and he was operating without emotion or feeling. That wasn’t good, not even in this business. Tariq refused to talk about the breakup, only saying it was over and Kaitlyn wasn’t coming back. Mook found the papers she’d left for him when he went over to check on Tariq, finding him passed out in their bedroom. He finally coaxed him into taking a shower and eating something, but he was still just a shell of the man he used to be.

  “Hey baby,” Kim greeted, coming into the kitchen where he sat enjoying a hot dog.

  “Hey girl,” Mook replied amiably.

  Kim grabbed an apple, sitting down and cutting it up as she ate it.

  “How’s Tariq,” she asked concerned.

  Mook sighed deeply telling her he was still basically the same.

  “I knew he would be messed up, but shit,” Mook again spoke aloud.

  Kim touched his hand lightly and told him they had to give Tariq time.

  “He really, really, loved her Mook,” Kim told him as he sighed again. “This has got to be the hardest thing he’s dealt with in a while,” she added as Mook again told her she was right.

  “What about the other business,” Kim asked, steering them away from Tariq and Kaitlyn.

  Mook told her that for now everything was pretty much settled. Ian wasn’t causing issue and Ray was busy trying to make sure his godson didn’t die.

  “Everyone seems to have other focuses now, so maybe we can get back to business, keep this unspoken truce and everyone stay in their own fucking lane,” Mook replied irritably.

  Kim told him she agreed. It was way past time for all the drama to end.

  “It’s always Ice that starts the shit,” Mook told her.

  “Well there’s no longer a reason for that now,” she replied softly almost to herself and Mook knew what she meant.

  Ian seemed to always be on a mission to get Kaitlyn away from Tariq. Now she was gone so there was no reason the two men should ever cross paths again. They definitely didn’t run in the same circles or maintain the same territories. Mook just hoped that finally they could build their empire without interference or hassle. Will she hook up with him now, he thought of Kaitlyn and Ice. He supposed it made sense. Hell it was almost as if there was some invisible force pushing them together. She even had two kids from the man. Pushing the thoughts aside, Mook rose heading over to Baccheus, picking Tariq up on the way.

  *****

  As before, the car was waiting when Kaitlyn came downstairs. She got in without hesitation this time, enjoying the scenery as they drove and she relaxed in back. She noticed they were taking a different route this time, surmising the meeting place had changed.

  “What the hell,” Kaitlyn mumbled seeing the facility in front of her.

  The driver got out, coming around and opening the door for her.

  “They’re waiting for you inside,” he said simply and returned to the car to wait.

  Frowning slightly, she entered the building, immediately met by another well-dressed man, who asked her to follow him. Kaitlyn took in her surroundings immediately depressing her all over again. She saw the feeble attempt at brightness in the soft green paint the walls employed with brightly colored flowers used as borders. It still didn’t take away from the constant stench of sickness and lurking of death you felt with every step. They corridor seemed to never end, when they finally came to another set of double doors and walked through them.

  This portion of the facility w
as much nicer with big plate glass windows, piped in music, and the smell was pleasant and aromatic. They walked another few feet stopping in front of the door numbers 5505 and walked inside. Kaitlyn was stunned, seeing Socrates hooked up to the various machines, his breathing labored, eyes half closed as if he was at the cusp of coma.

  “Walk over to the bed,” the man instructed evenly. “He isn’t very strong,” he added as Kaitlyn again swallowed hard and did what he asked.

  “Hangman’s daughter,” Socrates managed, seeing her now.

  “Hi Socrates,” Kaitlyn returned, her mind still trying to absorb he was dying.

  He’d seemed so strong the other day when they talked. Guess it was one of his last few good days, she thought as he reached out for her hand and she placed it in his own.

  “This is the last stop for me, Lauren,” he told her softly.

  She smiled slightly, the tears shocking her. She guessed it was the realization that the last link to her old life was about to be taken away. Socrates had always been kind to her. Though his crazy ways frightened her, he’d never hurt her, quite the contrary always there to protect her. She believed him when he told her he didn’t know the dark, vile, things Carlo did to her.

  “Did you take care of the situation,” he asked, never taking his eyes from her.

  “Yes,” Kaitlyn replied calmly.

  “You kill her,” he asked as she again nodded.

  “You are your father’s daughter,” Socrates again stated, smiling slightly.

  “She was crazy,” Kaitlyn spoke aloud.

  “I have no doubt of that,” Socrates again told her.

  “Now, Lauren,” he began as she steeled herself. “There is the other matter that needs your attention,” Socrates told her.

  “I can’t deal with that right now,” Kaitlyn replied softly, voice wavering.

  He sighed deeply, squeezing her hand. “Do you remember the first man you killed,” he asked as Kaitlyn swallowed hard and shook her head no.

  “Yes, you do,” he contradicted as the tear rolled down her cheek. “He deserved it Lauren, he really did,” Socrates went on, ignoring her pain. “You were 14 years old,” he told her as Kaitlyn cried harder. “Do you remember why you killed him,” he pushed.

  “Because he tried to rape me,” Kaitlyn spoke, her voice cold and low now.

  Socrates smiled slightly, looking into her face, eyes still closed, but hearing her father’s voice.

  “Exactly,” Socrates told her. “Did he deserve it,” he asked again.

  “Hell yes he did,” she again replied, cold and robotic.

  “How did you kill him, Lauren,” he asked, as she opened her eyes again, looking into his own now.

  “I cut his throat and then I cut his dick off,” she told him, smiling slightly now.

  *****

  The men were meeting, talking over new territories and products.

  “I’m taking a break,” Tariq announced out of the blue. “I’m going away for a while,” he added as everyone frowned deeply.

  “Where are you going Top,” Mook asked.

  Him leaving was going to be a security nightmare. They couldn’t have him out there wandering around without someone watching his back. Ian wasn’t the only enemy they’d made over the years. Tariq shrugged lightly.

  “Atlanta for a while, maybe Florida, I dunno yet,” he replied as they all nodded thoughtfully, Mook and Ramell exchanging glances.

  They understood what he wasn’t saying aloud. Tariq was in pain and he just wanted to get away from the hurt. They both knew him leaving wasn’t the answer, but they would tackle that later when they were alone and better able to reason with him. Dismissing it for now, they continued talking, thinking of once again testing the waters in Atlanta. Now that Ian had hooked up with Ray and was running Overton Park, they didn’t see a conflict and with the news that Kai was dead, there wasn’t the threat of exposure.

  “We still need to know who else Ray Lockhart has in his pocket though,” Jacoury reminded them.

  They all agreed, but also noted that with his right hand dead, Ray was going to be busy doing some rebuilding of his own.

  “I get word him fuckin’ Gabrielle now,” Shells told them as they all gave him an incredulous look.

  “Damn,” Ramell remarked. “Guess Gabrielle wasn’t as green as she pretended, huh,” he threw out as they all laughed, even getting a small smile from Tariq.

  Ramell saw them come in out of the corner of his eye, giving Mook a look. He waited until they were seated and then Mook turned slightly taking the group in. Ramell managed to point out the one he’d talked to him about earlier and Mook took them in, nodding with satisfaction as he and Ramell exchanged looks once again. Ramell had been observing them for the past month without much thought, but with things being what they were now, he decided to take another look. The official meeting was dispersed moments later, but everyone hung around having a drink. They managed to talk Tariq into remaining, ordering wings and shooting the breeze. Ramell and Mook managed to slip away and talk.

  “So what do you think,” he asked, casting a quick glance at the table again.

  “She’s pretty,” Mook replied of the woman. “What do you know about her,” he asked giving Ramell look.

  “Name is Cyiarra Rooks, she just moved here from Jacksonville,” he told Mook as the man watched the woman and said nothing. “Boyfriend was a banger, and a hustler, he was killed almost a year ago, she’s still mourning,” he added, giving more details of the woman’s character, as Mook smiled slightly.

  “Shit will he even look at her is the question,” Mook threw out concerning Tariq.

  “He will when we get done fixing the shit up and throwing them together,” Ramell told him conspiratorially.

  Tariq had a birthday coming up in the next three months and the two men talking now, had plans for the gift they were giving him in the beautiful woman they were sure would make him an excellent companion.

  *****

  Socrates smiled as well. “Lauren, have you ever killed anyone who didn’t deserve it, or wasn’t necessary,” he asked, looking deeply into her soul now.

  “No,” she replied, the humanity returning.

  “As crazy as it seems, neither did Carlo,” he told her as Kaitlyn gave him a doubting look. “He, nor I, killed randomly Lauren,” Socrates explained. “It was always business, always family, never just sport,” he went on, telling her the newspapers glamorized and sensationalized things for their own sales and ratings.

  “The only two people on this earth who knew the truth were me and your father,” he told her once more. “But he’s gone now, and he died a horrible death, so in some ways you got your retribution for the things he did to you,” Socrates told her as Kaitlyn swallowed hard again, undone he could so easily see through her.

  “The crazy girl said he died of AIDS, is that true,” she asked.

  Socrates nodded slightly, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.

  “Yes,” he told her sticking to the story Carlo asked him to tell. “Carlo became a heroin junkie in prison, I guess to make the time pass,” Socrates explained. “He had sex with everyone, women guards, inmates, he was on a path to self-destruction and I couldn’t understand why,” he went on. “That is until his deathbed confession and the things he told me he’d done to you,” Socrates said sadly.

  “Lauren, I promised Carlo I would look after you,” he told her, his voice getting weaker as he fought to breathe.

  Stepping back she allowed the nurse who’d entered the room to check his vitals, turning up his oxygen. She injected something into his IV that seemed to calm him immediately, then as quickly as she entered, left them alone again.

  “Morphine is a wonderful drug,” Socrates told her, beginning again and sounding somewhat stronger.

  “I’ll be fine Socrates, I’m a big girl now,” Kaitlyn tried to reassure him.

  He smiled again, holding her hand yet another time. “I know, but I’m a man of my word and I kee
p my promises,” he returned.

  “So Lauren, I’m leaving you, but he will be here to protect and care for you,” Socrates spoke, causing Kaitlyn to frown slightly, confused who he was talking about.

  She thought perhaps the morphine had made him delusional, but after a brief silence, looking past her, he spoke again.

  “Hangman’s daughter,” he began as Kaitlyn continued to watch him wordlessly. “Socrates son,” he said simply, as she felt the arms encompass her waist, and the voice invade her senses.

  “I love you KiKi,” Ian told her softly, as she stopped breathing, the room spun and she passed out.

  Life’s Cycle

  Tariq checked dinner, making sure everything was perfect. He’d waited a long time to feel the way he felt right now about another woman. He and Cyiarra had been talking for the last three months, since meeting at his birthday party. Tariq was at first pissed with Ramell and Mook for setting him up, but after talking to her for a little while, he discovered what a sweet and loving woman she really was. They took everything extremely slow. Cyiarra told him all about her lost boyfriend, Spade, and the things he did and how he was killed. Tariq in turn told her about Kaitlyn and all they’d been through together. He didn’t judge her, and neither did she judge him. They simply helped each other cope. Cyiarra worked as an executive loan processor for one of the major financial empires in the city, making good money to support herself. Tariq found her to be engaging and intelligent as well as sexy and beautiful. He didn’t think he would ever be romantically attracted to another woman after Kaitlyn, but his heart slowly accepted Cyiarra, missing her when she wasn’t around.

  The doorbell chimed, disturbing his thought as Tariq headed to the front door and opened it.