by KR Bankston
“DuBois,” the guard called out.
Seth looked up into his eyes, his stare never wavering.
“You’re out of here,” he told him. “Bails been posted.”
Seth smiled for the first time since being arrested, rising and following the guard to the release desk.
*****
“Do you understand what I explained to you,” Ian asked as Kaitlyn nodded.
It made perfect sense, and she knew for herself that there had to be some part of Lauren still hidden deep in her psyche.
“Baby, none of that matters to me,” he told her sweetly. “I’m going to help you get better, find a way to meld your memories and emotions,” Ian went on. “But you’re going to have to make some tough decisions,” he added as Kaitlyn sighed deeply. “KiKi, do you really think Tariq is going to understand you having another personality?” Ian threw at her. “Do you think he’ll understand that it was Lauren making love to me, when he finds out,” he continued to badger. “Do you think he’ll believe you didn’t come with me of your own free will when he sees that DVD,” Ian finished, making it clear he planned to show it to Tariq.
The tears began to flow down her cheek as she thought. Kaitlyn couldn’t imagine her husband believing anything as crazy as her having a split personality and why should he? She’d taken him through hell and back in the last couple of years with all the therapy and drugs. Why would he want to continue putting himself through all the drama, when he could find some nice normal woman to spend his life with?
Maybe letting Tariq go was the kindest thing she could do for him, Kaitlyn thought miserably as she grew quiet, huddled in the corner of the couch. Ian had thankfully risen and left her alone for a little while, promising to check on her again in a while. You should at least text him and let him know you’re all right, her mind told her as she sighed deeply. Rising, Kaitlyn made her way into the den. She’d seen her bag in there earlier. Finding it still sitting casually on the oak desk enclosed, she rummaged through it finding her phone. She noticed the battery was low, but she had enough life left to send a text. Are you going to leave him and stay with Ice, her mind pestered. The thought hurt deeply and Kaitlyn found herself sobbing again. She didn’t want to hurt Tariq anymore and she knew finding out she’d slept with Ian would break his heart. That wasn’t you, her mind tried again.
“He’s not going to believe that,” she murmured, echoing the things Ian had spoken moments earlier.
Sighing deeply she returned to the phone and typed in a quick message, hitting send, closing her eyes and praying for strength to let go.
*****
Tariq was dozing lightly. He hadn’t slept well for the past three days, since Kaitlyn was first missing. The beep tone of his message indicator broke the nap and his eyes popped open, fully alert. Picking up his cell from the table, Tariq sat straight up in the recliner, seeing Kaitlyn’s name. ‘Hi baby,’ it began. ‘I’m okay, Ice is alive,’ it went on. ‘I’m not crazy Tariq, he is,’ she went on. ‘I don’t know where I am, but I wanted you to know I’m okay. He left me alone in the room for a minute.’ Tariq was breathing hard, excited to hear from her, but pissed that she was with Ian. He quickly sent her a return text telling her how much he loved her, and that he believed her about Ian being alive. He implored her to try and discover where she was and let him know. ‘I’m coming to get you baby,’ his message told her. ‘Please be strong and know that I love you with all my heart,’ he finished and hit send. Thank you, he breathed sighing deeply. Just hearing from her gave him a sense of peace momentarily. He knew she was all right. You knew he wouldn’t hurt her; he’s obsessed with her, his mind told him.
Tariq began brooding about the entire situation all over again. The more he thought about it, the better leaving Atlanta sounded to him. Kaitlyn hadn’t been well for the last couple months, but she was definitely trying to make him believe she was. Tariq knew his wife well, and when she was off, he knew it.
“Maybe some new scenarios and the death of bad memories will change all that for us both,” he murmured, deciding he would talk to Mook and the rest of the crew tonight when they met.
His cell buzzed again and he looked at it, seeing yet another message from Kaitlyn. ‘I love you too and I’ll try,’ it said simply. Deciding not to text her back on the off chance Ian came back into the room. Tariq didn’t want to do anything to give away the fact they were in contact. They needed the element of surprise on their side.
“What have you done to my wife,” Tariq growled aloud.
His gut was gnawing at him that something had transpired. He didn’t want to think about the man touching Kaitlyn, but he wasn’t stupid either. Ian would do anything to get inside her, including drugging her and taking advantage of her.
“Please protect my wife, mind, body and spirt,” he prayed aloud before grabbing his keys and heading over to Mardi Gras; business needed to be handled.
*****
Victor was waiting for Seth when he exited the police station. “That was truly a crimp in our fuckin’ plans,” he murmured as Victor readily agreed.
“So now what,” he asked as Seth grunted and filled him in. “Do you think she’s at school today,” Victor asked, pretty sure the woman wasn’t.
She wouldn’t be if he were Jaron. He wouldn’t let her out of his sight at this point. “We’re sure as hell going to find out,” Seth growled angrily as the car pulled up and they got it.
They’d sent for another driver and shooter once they got arrested, through their lawyer. “We’re going to the townhouse first, shower, change, get more heat,” Seth told Victor as they rode. “Then we’ll take this car,” he said, referring to the mustang they were riding it. “Head over to the hospital first,” Seth continued. “If she’s not there, we’re headed to their house.”
Victor sighed deeply. Seth was on the rampage now and he knew nothing would stop him from completing his goal.
“What about the entry gate,” he asked.
Seth chuckled slightly before answering.
“Today is a weekday,” he told Victor. “Leasing office is open, we just say we’re there to check out an apartment,” he explained as Victor again hmphed.
“Boyfriend’s more than likely gonna be there,” Victor threw out once again.
“So,” Seth replied. “I hope he is,” he added angrily and Victor saw the hatred etched in his face, heard the venom laced in his voice. “I owe him a couple slugs in his head,” he added. “I also wanna know how he and Gabrielle hooked up in the first place,” Seth threw out.
Victor was a bit curious himself, considering the entirely different circles they both ran with in the beginning.
“Have the house packed and this shit sent back to the rental company,” Seth ordered walking into the house. “Once we grab Gabrielle, we’re headed straight for the state line,” he told Victor heading into his bedroom and to the shower.
Once he was sure Seth was out of hearing range, Victor pulled out his cell, walked into the other bedroom and made a call.
“Yeah,” the party answered. “We’re about to make that move,” he told him.
“Where,” they asked as Victor outlined the plan for them. “Cool, we’re on it,” they replied as he gave his understanding and disconnected.
Smiling slightly he thought about Gabrielle and today being the end of Seth’s insane reign.
25
Jalen had to admit he found the life more pleasing to him since these last two days they’d spent in Florida. The sun and surf were very appealing to him. Creeper and Pirate, while just as meticulous in their business dealings, were far easier to deal with and learn from than Ian. It’s like he expects me to already know all this shit, Jalen brooded as he headed to the beach once again. The hotel where they put him up was right on the water and he loved it. At night he would open the balcony door and listen to sound of the ocean as the waves gently rolled onto the shoreline. Jalen smiled thinking of the two couples he’s caught sight of skinny dipping l
ast night.
“Shit, I need to get laid my damned self,” he murmured aloud as he arrived on the sand, rented a beach chair and sat back, relaxing under the overcast skies.
Even without the sun, it was still warm and muggy on the beach. It also didn’t deter any of the funseekers, as Jalen observed plenty of people still arriving and setting up various camps and umbrellas to enjoy the day. Now if I could be here and do the job, that might work out just fine, he mused, making a note to broach the subject with Ian.
Jalen decided he would sell it as training time, getting plenty of hands on training from both Creeper and Pirate. He liked the two men well enough and they seemed to like him as well. They haven’t kicked my ass for making a mistake, he thought fleetingly, smiling slightly knowing it wasn’t a mistake. Jalen didn’t really have much objection to all the other ends of the business, but he drew the line at killing anyone. It just wasn’t in him to be that cold blooded. Perhaps if he were fighting for his life, yes, but Ian killed for sport, and that disgusted him.
“Hi,” the soft feminine voice broke his thought.
Jalen opened his eyes looking into the most beautiful brown eyes he’d seen in a while. “Hello,” he returned, smiling at her, all the while taking in all the voluptuous curves the swimsuit afforded.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” she began again as Jalen assured her it wasn’t a bother at all. “I just wanted to make sure it was okay if I put my beach chair here,” she asked as Jalen again told her it was fine, and he was glad for the company.
“My name is Jalen Bailey,” he introduced himself smoothly.
“Hi Jalen,” she returned. “I’m Shanise Tedrick,” she told him as Jalen told her it was indeed a pleasure to meet her.
The two began to talk and share stories of their adventures in travel.
“So what brings you to Tampa,” Shanise asked casually.
Jalen told her he was here on business, not elaborating further.
“Me too,” she replied laughing. “As you can see, I’m working really hard right now,” she quipped as they both burst into laughter.
They continued talking and bantering back and forth until Shanise announced she was going for a swim.
“You coming,” she asked looking back over her shoulder.
Jalen was actually scared to move for fear she would see the effect her perfectly sculpted butt on his manhood. Managing to stand and conceal the erection, Jalen followed her into the water.
“Can you swim,” he asked grabbing her hand and pulling her further out in to the ocean.
“No, so stop,” she told him beginning to panic slightly.
“Relax, Shanise, I got you,” Jalen told her softly as he held her around the waist.
Shanise’s arms were around his neck, bringing them very up close and personal.
“Can we go back in some, please,” she asked as Jalen smiled again.
“Don’t be scared, I’m not going to let you go,” he told her looking into her eyes now.
“OK, I guess,” she replied her voice trembling slightly.
“Now, in order to get back to shore,” Jalen began as Shanise gave him a look.
He burst into laughter at what he imagined she was thinking, before he spoke again.
“I was only going to say, you have to agree to have dinner with me,” he told her as Shanice giggled and told him okay, relieved it was nothing more sinister.
“You’re funny,” Jalen told her, gliding back toward the shore.
*****
Just as Victor predicted, Gabrielle hadn’t been in class. They were on their way to the townhome community where she lived. There were three of them, including Gram, one of their seasoned best from St. Louis.
“What time is it,” Seth asked.
“Little after 3:00PM,” Victor replied.
“Cool,” he replied.
Victor knew Seth was thinking about the ruse they would use to get into the gate. They’d gotten the unit number from C-Rod as he and Gabrielle filled out paperwork one day and he’d discreetly written it down. They came to the huge wrought iron gate and pressed zero for the leasing office.
“Hi, how can I help you,” the perky salesgirl greeted them.
“Hi, we’re interested in seeing one of your units,” Seth returned pleasantly, loading the .9mm as he spoke.
The gate buzzed moments later and he chuckled to himself as Gram drove the mustang through the gate and they began searching the signs for the number they needed. Victor’s cell vibrated against his body. He’d put it on complete silent, not wanting to give himself away should something just like this happen.
Sitting in the backseat gave him the advantage he needed to discreetly slide the phone out of its holder and read the message. The music was up loud enough to cover the sound of his returning a message of his own in response to the text. Satisfied, Victor put the phone back in his holster, taking out his own .9mm and making sure it was loaded as well.
“What you packin’ Gram,” Seth asked.
“.44 magnum,” he replied calmly.
Victor thought Gram was just as off as Seth, but he never gave him grief, so it was fine. They didn’t necessarily dislike each other, but they weren’t friends either.
“Turn here,” Seth told him, the excitement evident in his voice.
Victor saw the unit directly in front of them and sighed lightly. Here the fuck we go, he thought as Seth waited for Gram to get his gun loaded.
“We’re going and kick the door open,” Seth informed both men. “Element of surprise is the best attack,” he continued. “I don’t give a fuck what you have to do, Gabrielle is not to be hurt, in any way, shape or form,” he growled. “Is that shit clear,” he asked both men giving them a hard look.
“Yeah Seth, it’s your show,” Gram replied calmly as Seth snorted.
Victor said nothing. Opening the car doors all three men exited the vehicle and began walking up the sidewalk toward the front door.
*****
Tyashia was chatting with Trail, going over the supplies and liquor they had in stock for tonight. There was a huge private birthday party being hosted and they wanted to make sure everything was in place.
“Hmph, I guess sucking the boss’s dick has its rewards,” Sabrina quipped rolling her eyes at Tyashia.
Her friend, Michelle, chuckled and agreed with the sentiment.
“Ignore them ignorant hoes,” Trail told her seeing the irritation on her face.
Sighing deeply Tyashia told him she would try.
“So you’re the manager and shit now,” Sabrina asked, boldly walking up to Tyashia.
She well past done with the attention the woman was receiving from Jacoury. She’d been trying, without success, to get him in between her legs for the last year. Now in walks this chick off the street, and she’s the new woman? Not if Sabrina could help it. “I’m just doing what Jacoury asked me to do, Sabrina,” Tyashia told her calmly, trying not to lose her temper.
“Hmph,” Sabrina returned nastily. “I’ll just bet you are, bitch.”
Tyashia smiled slightly. “That’s about your last bitch,” she replied acidly.
“Or what,” Sabrina threw back boldly, bolstered by Michelle’s presence.
“Sabrina, go on about your business, get ready for tonight, okay,” Tyashia tried once more.
Sabrina smiled slightly, taking the calmness for weakness.
“I don’t know what the fuck he sees in your skinny, ugly, ass anyway,” she spat as Tyashia began breathing hard.
“Bitch,” Sabrina spat once more in defiance.
“Again, Sabrina,” Tyashia began quietly. “Get ready for tonight and step outta my face,” she warned.
“She scared Sabrina,” Michelle piped up. “I think you should whip her ass for even messing with your man to start with,” she added as Sabrina nodded and sucked her teeth.
“Hell yeah I should, boney ass bitch,” she managed before Tyashia’s hand was around her throat and the switchblades
cold, unyielding, 5-inch blade was slicing her face. “Aaaaah,” Sabrina screamed as Michelle’s mouth dropped and she ran to the other end of the bar, leaving her friend to fend for herself.
“I told you to leave me the fuck alone, didn’t I you stupid ass hoe,” Tyashia raged as she cut her again across the hand she’d put up in defense.
Trail grabbed Tyashia, taking the knife from her, then letting her go. He didn’t have an issue with her kicking the woman’s ass, but Jacoury would kill him if he let her get locked up.
That was all she needed. Tyashia went to work on Sabrina, punching her in the mouth, the eye, the jaw. Sabrina was trying to defend herself, but Tyashia’s rage was full blown and she was taking every ounce of frustration, fear, and loss out on the woman. Soon Sabrina was sobbing deeply, gasping for breath as Tyashia kicked her in the midsection.
“Don’t kill her Ty,” Trail told her finally stepping in. “She still needs to work tonight,” he added as Tyashia actually smiled and laughed aloud at the statement.
“Hell yeah she does, doesn’t she,” she threw back as Trail smiled as well.
“Come help your sorry ass friend,” Tyashia yelled at Michelle who was still cowering on the other side of the bar. “The next time you two hoes get bold, remember that I don’t mind killing a bitch,” she told them both, low and cold.
Sabrina looked into the woman’s eyes and saw nothing. There was no fear, no anger, just a void nothingness.
“Clean your ass up, put your makeup on and be ready in an hour when the people get here for the party, or fuckin’ quit and leave now, choose bitch,” Tyashia spat acidly. Sabrina hurriedly nodded her understanding, cursing Michelle for not helping her as they both headed back toward the employee lounge.
“You know you’re gonna hafta watch your back now,” Trail told her.
“Yeah, but for tonight, they’ll be cool,” Tyashia replied as he grunted and agreed with her, going back to their original task.
*****
They reached the front door and Gram used his steel toe boots to kick the front door opened. The sturdy looking door caved immediately and the lock gave, allowing them instant entrance into the unit. Rushing inside, Victor held position by the door, keeping his weapon trained on the eerily silent unit. Gram rushed into the kitchen finding nothing. Seth bounded the stairs two at a time, kicking open each door upstairs and finding nothing. Returning downstairs, they all stood in the livingroom, back to the kitchen, talking amongst themselves.
