by KR Bankston
After he finished his sentence, Jacoury turned her face to his and kissed her deeply. “This is the present baby, and if you let it, we can be the future,” he told her softly, kissing her again, beginning to undress her once more.
*****
Seth smiled as Gabrielle came into his line of sight. I knew she would come back, he thought continuing to observe. He needed to make sure she was alone before he made his move. Seth left Victor at the hotel, telling him he was heading out to grab something to eat at the strip joint not far from them. He’d decided that the only way he would stand a chance at getting Gabrielle to come with him was alone. He knew how to talk to her, how to play on her emotions. Seth wasn’t leaving without her this time, no matter what. Watching her closely as she talked with her instructor for the next ten minutes, he was assured she was alone. He hadn’t seen anyone in the waiting room looking suspicious. No one had walked by them as they talked and given either continued attention. The elevator opened and Seth again watched those disembarking, seeing none of the men present at the townhouse that day or the woman who’d interrupted them the first time.
Noticing that the conversation was ending, Seth readied himself. Gabrielle was walking toward him. He stepped back into the empty patient room right before she got close enough to recognize him, hearing the sounds of her heels clicking on the tiled floor. Just as she was about to pass the room, Seth grabbed her, snatching her into the room, hand over her mouth as she struggled.
“Gabrielle, stop, it’s me, relax,” Seth told her in her ear as she stopped fighting, still breathing hard. “I’m going to take my hand off your mouth, but don’t scream,” Seth continued to speak. “Do you understand,” he asked as she nodded.
Trusting her, he took the hand away and turned her facing him.
“Hi,” Seth greeted her smiling.
Gabrielle was immediately repulsed, recalling the things Jaron had shared.
“Seth, please, just leave me alone,” she pleaded, backing away from him.
“Gabrielle, what’s wrong with you,” he asked walking up on her again, pinning her against a wall.
“Seth, this isn’t right, I don’t want to leave with you,” she replied once again.
“You talked to your little boyfriend huh,” Seth asked angrily, detecting the fear in her. “Then you know the truth,” he told her simply.
Gabrielle nodded, tears in her eyes.
Seth stroked her face gently, falling harder and deeper as he looked into her eyes.
“Gabrielle, don’t be afraid,” he told her, kissing her lips softly.
“No, Seth, stop, you’re my brother,” she yelled, uncaring of his wrath.
“I’m not your brother, Gabrielle,” he tried patiently. “I love you, don’t you understand that,” he told her as she pushed him away again.
“Seth that’s sick,” Gabrielle replied as he frowned deeply. “I’m your sister, blood or no blood,” she tried to reason. “We were raised together,” she added as Seth exploded.
“I’ve been in love with you since you were 12-years old, and I damn well plan to have you as my wife, and mother of my children,” he ranted, right in her face, small sprays of his spittle assaulting her skin.
“No Seth, no,” Gabrielle tried as he lifted her and threw her onto the hospital bed.
Seth was a madman ripping at her clothes, while Gabrielle kicked and screamed. His hands found her underwear, ripping the silk panties from her.
“Please Seth, no, please don’t do this,” she began to cry as he fought to unzip his pants with his free hand.
“It doesn’t have to be this way Gabrielle,” Seth told her, pinning her down, freeing his erection and readying himself to climb atop her.
Gabrielle closed her eyes, squeezing them tightly, trying to shield herself from the onslaught she knew as about to come.
“Gabrielle, open your eyes,” she heard as she immediately complied, hearing the angry tone. “It’s okay baby, it’s over,” Jaron told her, scooping her up and holding her in his arms. “No, don’t look,” he told her as she looked down and saw Seth’s lifeless eyes staring back at her, the hole in his skull still oozing blood into the pool already gathered beneath him.
“Oh my god,” Gabrielle breathed, beginning to cry, trembling violently.
“It’s okay baby, I’m going to take you home now,” he told her kissing her cheek gently.
Gabrielle saw Mook standing on the other side of Seth’s body, gun in hand. What she hadn’t seen was Jaron giving it to the man after he’d planted three slugs in Seth’s head. Jaron had been furious finding him about to violate Gabrielle when they entered the room, hearing her screams. When she didn’t come downstairs after her instructor, they both knew something was wrong and headed up.
“Maybe he’s at peace now,” she whispered quietly as Jaron continued to carry her, entering the elevator with Mook and pressing the lobby button.
30
Ian was beginning to get worried. Kaitlyn was still unconscious almost two days after hitting her head on the floor when he tripped her. Shit, I never meant to hurt her, he thought stroking her cheek gently. She stirred slightly at his touching, moaning shortly, before returning to her previous state. Ian undressed her, bringing the small basin into the room and began to give her a sponge bath. Touching her body turned him on, and today was no exception. She can’t leave you with your child inside her, his mind told him as he continued to cleanse her. Ian didn’t want to take advantage of her while she was unconscious. That was so lame in his mind. Please baby, wake up, he thought as her eyes began moving rapidly alerting him she was deeply in the throes of sleep and dreaming. I wonder what is going on in her subconscious, Ian thought sighing deeply as he finished the bath, dried her and put her night clothes on. Rising and disposing of the water and the basin, Ian checked her one last time, before quietly leaving the room, closing and locking the door behind him.
*****
“We have to leave this place,” Lauren told Kaitlyn. “This muthafucka is crazy and he’s trying to fuck us, literally,” she added as Kaitlyn sighed. “You had sex with him already anyway,” she accused as Lauren laughed. “Yeah I did, hell I was curious,” she admitted. “But I don’t like him, he pisses me off,” she told Kaitlyn who said nothing. “I can see from our memories, he used to piss you off too,” Lauren began again, givng her a look. “What happened to you,” she threw out irritably. “You used to be a bad bitch, now you’re just pathetic and weak,” Lauren told her having no sympathy for her feelings. “What are you talking about, you and I are one person, we just can’t seem to get along,” Kaitlyn replied, her own anger flaring. “I don’t want to be weak,” Lauren spat. “And I don’t want to be a cold blooded killing machine all the fuckin’ time,” Kaitlyn returned just as heatedly. “You let everybody walk all over us,” Lauren hissed. “I’m not going back to another Carlo,” she added, eyes narrowing to slits. “Neither the fuck am I,” Kaitlyn replied, teeth clenched.
“Why can’t we just be in one place on the same page like we used too be,” she asked. “Because you said I was dead and I’m not,” Lauren returned petulantly. Kaitlyn recalled the conversation with Tariq a year or so ago. “I meant that fucked up lifestyle we had to live, Lauren,” Kaitlyn told her tiredly. “I don’t ever want to lose my edge, my nerve to take a bitch out, or to jump headfirst into the game,” she added as Lauren nodded thoughtfully. “What about this jackass,” she asked, referring to Ian. “We have to get the hell out of here,” Kaitlyn replied without hesitation. “I know Tariq has to be out of his mind by now,” she went on. “I managed to text him a few days ago.” Lauren grunted slightly. “So we’re good, I’m not dead,” she asked, giving Kaitlyn another look. “No,” Kaitlyn replied. “And I’m not going to try and keep you repressed anymore, a bit more controlled yes, but not repressed,” she told her as Lauren chuckled slightly. “Then lets work on getting the fuck outta here and telling Tariq where we are,” she told Kaitlyn. “Besides, I want some more of hi
s --,” she started before Kaitlyn laughed and told her she got the message.
She awoke immediately afterward, head clear, focused on finding out where she was and letting her husband know where to come get her. Kaitlyn was back, in full force, every piece of her psyche where it needed to be. Rising, she quietly made her way to the bedroom door and turned it gently. She wasn’t surprised to find it locked. She’d seen Lauren’s last memory of her interaction with Ian and knew he wasn’t going to willingly let her go. He thinks you’re still divided, her mind told her as Kaitlyn grunted to herself. Ian also thought she was in love with him. Deciding she would use that to her advantage she took a deep breath and called out for him. Just as she knew he would, Ian materialized moments later opening the door.
“Why am I locked in,” Kaitlyn asked, feigning fear. “Did I do something? Did I do something to you Ice,” she asked, still playing the part.
Ian smiled slightly glad to see it was her and not Lauren that had risen from the unconscious state.
“Don’t worry about it baby,” Ian told her sweetly, stepping close and kissing her. “You hungry,” he asked amiably, taking her hand.
“Yeah, starving, actually,” Kaitlyn replied truthfully.
Chuckling Ian led her downstairs as her eyes scanned the den and saw her purse, cell phone inside, sitting on the couch where she left it. She also saw a stack of mail on the coffee table beside the couch. Smiling to herself, Kaitlyn calmly followed Ian to the dining room and sat down, waiting for him to bring her meal, and waiting on her chance to send Tariq a text and get liberated.
*****
Victor was livid once he got the call yesterday. That stupid muthafucka, shit, he brooded angrily, waiting for the other party to arrive and the meeting to begin. He wasn’t particularly upset that Seth was dead, but he’d missed his chance to meet Gabrielle, to talk to her and explain some things to her. His cell broke his thought and he answered sighing deeply at the name on the ID.
“Yes,” Victor spoke into the handset.
“Things are in shambles,” the voice returned after the greeting.
“We still have it in control,” Victor tried.
“Bullshit,” came the simply reply.
Wisely remaining quiet Victor continued to listen as the other party gave instruction.
“I want every loose end tied or cut in the next 72 hours,” the party spat heatedly. “It should never have gotten this far,” they added.
Victor tried to explain all that had been done to keep the plan on track.
“Seth was a hothead, and extremely volatile, you know that,” Victor threw back.
“There are no more excuses Agent Tripp,” his boss Special Agent Janksen replied disconnecting.
Victor sighed deeply dropping the now silent instrument onto the table. Three long years of undercover work, phone and wire taps, all blown to hell because of one ignorant hot heads impatience. They still had enough to do what they set out to do. Break all the major crime lords in the southeast between Missouri and Florida. The door opened and Victor regarded the two people as they walked inside.
“Have a seat,” Shanise said calmly as Jalen swallowed hard and did as he was told.
“Good evening Mr. Bailey,” Victor greeted the visibly nervous man. “I assume my colleague has told you why you’re here,” he went on, nodding toward Shanise.
“I haven’t done anything,” Jalen tried.
Victor chuckled. “Oh I wouldn’t say that,” he replied, sliding several photos in front of the man still nervously cracking his knuckles. “Now,” Victor began again. “We have enough to put you away for say, oh, 20 or 30 years,” he lied. “The question is, do you want to help yourself and considerably lessen those years or not,” he finished allowing Jalen time to weigh the options.
*****
Tariq and Ramell were relaxing at the house enjoying the basketball game and having some drinks.
“Have you heard from her again,” he asked as Tariq shook his head, frowning deeply.
“Streets ain’t heard shit either,” he threw out as Ramell grunted himself now.
“I’m leaving here when I get my baby back,” Tariq told his cousin. “I just feel like all the bullshit with Ice constantly is an omen,” he added as Ramell nodded thoughtfully and told him he understood.
“You know where you wanna go,” he asked.
Tariq told him he didn’t, not just yet anyway.
“OK, so come up to Gary while you think,” Ramell offered. “You and KiKi,” he added.
Tariq weighed the suggestion, thinking it might not be a bad idea. He was beginning to scout a couple of other major cities in states that interested him, so the temporary move to Gary might be a welcome diversion.
“You want a steak,” Tariq asked, rising from his recliner and heading into the kitchen.
“Yeah, that’s straight,” Ramell replied.
Tariq took down two large porterhouse’s and let them begin to thaw. He walked out onto the patio and fired up the grill. Walking inside his phone chimed, alerting him of the waiting text message. He half heartedly picked it up expecting it to bear Mook or Jaron’s name. He caught his breath when he saw the message was from Kaitlyn.
‘Sorry it took me a while to text again,’ it began as Tariq’s expression alerted Ramell the message was important. ‘This is the only time I’ve been by myself again,’ it went on as Tariq continued to stay glued to the small screen he held. ‘I found some mail, it all had the same address, so I’m guessing its where I am,’ she typed. Tariq read the next line with the address she’d put in and quickly texted her back saying he’d received it and to hold on, he was coming for her.
“What,” Ramell asked simply, as Tariq turned to him, the smile covering his face. “Got that muthafucka,” Tariq replied calmly as Ramell smiled now as well.
Handing his cousin the phone, he let him read Kaitlyn’s message for himself.
“So when are we leaving, and how you wanna kill the muthafucka,” Ramell asked simply.
Tariq answered both questions, grabbing the steaks and putting them on the grill, adding two more as he called Mook and Jaron, telling them they needed to be in his den in 45 minutes.
*****
“Is it done,” Nero asked sharply.
Kai sighed deeply, dreading what he would need to tell the man.
“Not yet,” he replied. “There’s been a minor complication, but that will be resolved and the task completed in the next 72 hours,” he added quickly, knowing his life was on the line.
“I don’t need to remind you that the employer is counting on this happening,” Nero asked.
“I know, and I swear it will be completed in time,” Kai returned, his mind whirling.
Nero grunted slightly.
“You have 48 hours, Kai, make it happen,” he returned coldly and disconnected.
“Fuck,” Kai swore under his breath, making himself a drink.
He needed to get moving and take care of the drama before he was dead. Or before they kill Mimi, he thought of his wife. The people he worked for were ruthless and Kai knew from his years of dealing with them, taking a life was as easy as drawing the next breath.
His cell rang and he smiled seeing the caller’s identity. “Hey, I was wondering when you were going to call,” he told them smoothly.
“I just got back,” she replied sweetly.
“So are you outside my door, on your way, what,” Kai threw out.
Chuckling the woman told him she was just leaving headquarters.
“Well shit, hurry up, I’m horny as hell,” Kai told her, eliciting yet another giggle.
“Give me 20 minutes and I’ll be there,” she told him.
“OK, cause at that 21st minute you’re going to be naked,” Kai told her as she burst into laughter and disconnected.
The smile left his face as soon as she hung up.
“Forgive me baby,” Kai thought of Mimi, knowing he had a job to do and vowing to use any and every method necessa
ry to complete it.
Heading into the shower, he quickly washed himself, jumping out and drying off, adding her favorite cologne. Kai checked his condom supply. He may have had to sleep with her, but he wasn’t going inside any other woman without protection. Especially not that loose bitch, he thought of the woman. His thoughts were disturbed by the knock on the door as Kai took a deep breath, put on his game face, and headed toward the door still adorned in a simple black bath towel.
31
Victor was heading out and about trying to put everything in place. Tonight they were going to bring this investigation to an end and take down all the major players involved. He opened his briefcase and took out the folders. He began going through the stack putting them in order of apprehension.
”Let’s get the lightweights out of the way first,” he mumbled holding Jaron’s and Jalen’s folders.
They still had Jalen in a holding cell, having given him the story to use for his partners about his absence. As far as anyone knew Jalen was in Philadelphia seeing after his suddenly ill mother. Victor then arranged the folders according to crew. He had a secondary team in St. Louis gathering forces to hit all of Seth’s old holdings tonight. “Ice, Creeper, Pirate,” he mumbled aloud stacking the folders on the three men.
“Then we’re gonna shut down you two,” Victor mused aloud of Ramell and Jacoury.
He’d already sent a couple of agents to their club in Gary and had yet another team in place for them tonight as well.
“Then finally, the piece de resistance, Mook, Shells, and Top,” he mumbled, pleased with himself and his team on how well they were executing the undercover sting.
Closing the briefcase after putting the folders back inside, Victor headed out into the day. He had a couple of stops to make shoring up their plans for the evening. He dialed Shanise’s number, the call going immediately to voicemail. She’s probably fucking old boy again, he thought to himself sighing deeply. Shanise had some new hotshot playboy boyfriend these days and every waking moment that she wasn’t on duty she was lain up in his bed.
