Thin Ice Read online

“From what I saw, you suck,” Kaitlyn told him evenly. “Is that what you do when you’re sexing a woman,” she asked giving him a disgusted look. “No wonder you hafta pay for pussy,” she added completely enjoying the look on his face as she taunted him. “You are absolutely the worst,” Kaitlyn told him further assailing his manhood.

  Trayvon was angry, but he didn’t dare say anything to set her off, as she did still have that .10mm in her hands.

  Sighing deeply she looked at her watch. “Well it’s been fun, but I have to go,” Kaitlyn told him standing once again. “You should have known better.”

  “Look, I’m sorry,” Trayvon began pleading, realizing what she had in mind. “Please, just let me go, I can fix it” he continued to beg the tears flowing freely now.

  “I can, watch, I can make a call and fix it,” he told her still pleading.

  Kaitlyn looked at him crying and begging, her mind beginning to race.

  “What’s the first code of the street?” she asked shutting her emotions down once more.

  She stopped feeling the day Ice told her he’d killed her best friend, and Tariq threw her in the gutter like trash.

  Trayvon sighed deeply knowing what she was getting at.

  “Please,” he said quietly as Kaitlyn pulled the hammer back on the gun and aimed it at him.

  It was the last word he would ever say as she calmly shot him point blank in the brain. Kaitlyn stood regarding the dead man for a few moments more. Is this how Ice killed Tweety, her mind asked as the hurt sped crushingly back into her consciousness. Kaitlyn took several deep breaths to keep the tears at bay as she gathered her disguise, and wrote her message on the wall of the apartment with the marker she’d brought, remembering her purpose. Trayvon’s dead eyes read the message as Kaitlyn walked out the door, leaving it wide open. There in big bold red letters was her message to the world, ‘Stop snitchin.’

  *****

  “When’s KiKi coming back from Mississippi,” Ryan asked Ice as they prepared a shipment.

  They had runners coming to pick up the cocaine and transport it, along with 15 semi-automatic weapons to the club in Florida.

  “In another couple weeks,” Ian returned as he placed the last kilo on the bundle and began taping them together.

  “Things cool again,” Ryan asked giving him a look.

  Ian sighed lightly before answering his brother. “I think so,” he said calmly.

  “She asked about her again?” Ryan threw out.

  Ian told him KiKi hadn’t mentioned Tweety since asking about her body almost a month and a half ago.

  “I told her there was nothing left to send home,” Ian told Ryan who grunted his understanding.

  “How’d she take that,” Ryan asked sensing that the situation was bothering Ice more than he was willing to admit.

  “She shut down for a little while, but after about a week, everything was straight again,” Ian replied.

  “But you still think it ain’t right,” Ryan prodded even deeper.

  Ian sighed deeply again. “Just my nature, I suppose,” he returned as Ryan agreed with him.

  “She letting’ you make love to her,” he asked once again as Ian assured him their love life was still great. “Then let it go man,” Ryan admonished him. “Sounds like KiKi has, or at least is trying too,” he added.

  Ian sighed again and told him he was right.

  “She called Tariq any, or he called her,” Ryan started anew, trying to cover all the bases and get his brother to relax. From what he could tell, KiKi had grieved and moved on.

  “Nah,” Ian returned, actually chuckling slightly.

  Since the funeral, Ian hadn’t bothered checking her conversations anymore. There was no need to in his estimation.

  “That muthafucka burned his bridge well,” he finished going on to tell Ryan about Kaitlyn’s mean streak.

  “Damn, I ain’t know KiKi could be like that,” Ryan chuckled.

  “Shit, she kills folks, so why not,” Ian threw back as Ryan chuckled again, replying that was true.

  “I guess you’re right man,” Ian told him finally. “KiKi is fine, and everything with us is fine,” he added as Ryan patted him on the back and told him he was glad to hear he’d finally figured that out. “How is Tweety workin’ out at the house,” Ian asked.

  Ryan grunted shortly and said she was doing a hella good job.

  “Gonna have deal with that bitch LaDonna,” Ryan said coldly.

  Ian asked for the details and Ryan supplied them.

  “By my count, bitch has skimmed at least 1500.00 or so in the last couple months,” he told Ice as the younger brother frowned deeply.

  “Hmph,” Ian replied as Ryan chuckled slightly.

  He knew Ice was thinking of something cold and sinister to do to the woman as repayment.

  “Time for Tweety to get her hands dirty,” he told Ryan point blank as his brother nodded his agreement.

  “Dead,” he asked plainly of LaDonna, as Ice sighed again.

  “Not right away, no,” he replied as Ryan chuckled again, liking where the conversation was headed.

  They talked amongst themselves for the better part of two hours, making detailed plans for LaDonna’s punishment and Jaleesa’s trial by fire. The package was finally wrapped and ready for transport as were the weapons, when the knock came at the door. Opening it, Ryan brought the runners inside, giving them the package, traveling money, and instructions on the transport and delivery.

  “If this cargo don’t make it Florida,” Ryan began.

  “Make sure your asses don’t either,” Ian finished coldly looking directly into the men’s eyes; both runners acknowledged their instructions without a ripple of emotion.

  Satisfied with the reaction, Ryan and Ian let the men leave and returned to the rest of their business for today.

  *****

  “This bitch has got to be the stupidest whore in the world,” Jaleesa mumbled under her breath watching the video and seeing LaDonna skim two $20 bills from the stack the john gave her for the extra’s he’d purchased. Normally when the johns came to the house, the money was taken by Jaleesa upfront for the services they requested. The girls however earned bonuses by getting the johns to buy additional services and that money was collected by them and turned into the house, namely brought to Jaleesa. LaDonna was getting the regular bonus on top of what she stole. She had been skimming for a while now, ever since Jaleesa took over. Probably been at it longer than that, Jaleesa thought, recalling that Ryan wanted the woman watched in the first place. Armed with proof, Jaleesa was going to tell him what she found when he returned this weekend.

  Moments later Caramel came into the office and dropped off her extras money.

  “Hey Tweety,” Caramel greeted Jaleesa who smiled and returned her greeting.

  All the ladies were very cooperative and for the most part honest about their work.

  “How much did you make,” Jaleesa asked as Caramel chuckled and told her she’d managed to get an extra $200 out of the john.

  “Good job,” Jaleesa returned as the girl smiled and took the $50.00 Jaleesa returned, which was her bonus.

  “Anyone else waiting,” Caramel asked. Jaleesa told her no, and if she wanted to take a break and eat or something, now was the time.

  Caramel thanked her and left her alone with her thoughts once more.

  Jaleesa thought about her time here at the house and how quickly she’d taken to the game. This is some lucrative shit, she thought silently thankful Ryan was the only one she had to screw to keep her job. She thought about the daily interaction with LaDonna and frowned slightly. The woman was nasty and arrogant, prone to attitude and sarcastic repertoire. Jaleesa’s mind went back to the last conversation earlier today. “LaDonna,” Jaleesa began as the woman planted her hands on her hips and gave her a defiant look. “You’re lagging behind, you need to do more jobs,” Jaleesa told her calmly as LaDonna sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. “What am I supposed to do,” LaDonna thre
w back smartly. “Make more dicks walk through the door for me to fuck,” she finished as Jaleesa took a long, slow, breath trying not to knock the hell out of the woman. “No,” she began tightly, never taking her eyes from her. “You need to stop wasting time with all the visiting and small talk,” she went on as LaDonna’s eyes narrowed. “Take your ass to the room, fuck them fools, sell what you can, and be ready for the next john,” she finished evenly letting LaDonna know that she actually did watch and pay attention to the camera’s in the room. “I bet you get off watching me don’t you,” LaDonna threw out, trying a new tactic. Jaleesa suspected she wanted to get a rise out of her and see just what she was made of. “Why would I,” Jaleesa shrugged. “I’ve seen bitches being fucked before,” she added as LaDonna’s face clouded in anger. “Just do your damned job and we don’t hafta talk again,” Jaleesa added finally, turning and walking away before she lost her cool and LaDonna found out just how lethal she could be.

  Her cell went off and broke her thought as Jaleesa looked at the ID and smiled slightly. “Hey,” she greeted Ryan, who returned her greeting.

  “How’re things going,” he asked calmly.

  Jaleesa told him things were kind of slow at the moment, but she expected them to pick up later this afternoon.

  “It’s Friday and payday,” she added as Ryan chuckled and agreed with her sentiment. “I have some stuff to tell you,” Jaleesa told him cryptically.

  “LaDonna,” Ryan questioned calmly.

  “Mmhm,” Jaleesa replied.

  “OK, cool,” Ryan replied again. “Everyone else on track,” he asked as Jaleesa assured him the other ladies were fine and working as hard as they could. “That’s good to hear,” Ryan returned.

  “Are you coming in tonight or tomorrow,” Jaleesa asked, simply making conversation.

  “Why,” Ryan returned, slightly edgy.

  “I just asked,” Jaleesa returned hoping he didn’t flip on her.

  She’d found out that Ryan was insanely jealous and she suspected he cared a whole lot more for her than he would readily admit.

  “I’m not sure,” he replied evasively.

  “OK, that’s cool,” Jaleesa replied hoping it would reassure him she wasn’t trying to mess around or play him. “I miss you,” she added softly, hearing Ryan sigh lightly.

  “I’ll be there soon baby,” he told her gently and Jaleesa relaxed finally.

  They talked a few moments more before disconnecting. Jaleesa’s mind was still whirling as she sat in the office and watched LaDonna take a new john in her room. I’ve got to be careful, she thought as she once again saw the woman sell extra services and pocket a portion of the money. You’re going to have to kill him, Jaleesa’s mind kicked in anew. She still wanted out of this captivity, to find her best friend, and to get even with Ice for ever subjecting her to this hell. Sighing deeply Jaleesa continued to plot and wait. As much as she was beginning to care for Ryan, he was an obstacle and for Jaleesa there was no obstacle big enough to keep her from accomplishing her goal.

  20

  “Yeah” he answered not recognizing the number.

  “Hi Ice,” she replied softly. Shelby knew his mind was racing and he was trying to figure out how she got his number. “I begged Tye for your number,” she told him, answering his unspoken question.

  “What do you want Shelby?” Ian asked annoyed.

  This bitch is definitely asking for a quick hearse ride, he continued thinking waiting on her to speak.

  She sighed lightly before answering. “To apologize to you again,” she told him earnestly. “I want to put all the drama behind us. I know we could at least be good friends Ice,” she went on. “We know each other so well, and I’d hate to lose someone like you as my friend,” she finished, hoping he would at least consider the idea.

  Ian heard her but his mind was already miles ahead thinking how he was going to kill her as she continued talking. He sighed deeply before answering.

  “I guess that would be all right Shelby,” he told her calmly playing the game so he could set up her end.

  Ian couldn’t see the smile that was adorning her face. Shelby was so happy for the small crumb he’d just given her.

  “Thank you so much Ice,” she told him quietly. “I’ve been miserable without someone to at least talk to.”

  Ian grunted his understanding, but said little else.

  “You wanna get together this weekend for a drink or something?” she asked.

  “I’m out of town,” Ian told her calmly, still plotting.

  There wasn’t a snowballs chance in hell of the two of them reconnecting ever, but this stupid trick just didn’t seem to get that memo. KiKi was his future. He wished Shelby had given up and finally moved on. Now she left him no choice except to forcibly remove her, Ian thought irritably.

  “Oh, I didn’t know,” Shelby replied. “That’s cool though, whenever you wanna hang out, just call me,” she added, leaving the ball in his court.

  “I should be back later today,” Ian told her, not adding he was already on the road. “I’ll give you a shout then,” he finished telling Shelby what she wanted to hear to get her off the phone and she told him okay.

  They said their goodbyes and disconnected.

  Ian was amazed that Shelby was still trying to play games. That girl hasn’t learned yet has she, Ian thought once more. Shelby was still smiling as she put the phone back into the cradle. We’re going to be together again baby, and I’m going to do right this time, she thought happily as she headed to the shower. Shelby had a long day ahead.

  *****

  Landon was thinking back on his earlier conversation and the task he still faced. Poking around Ice’s club and his personal business would be deadly if he got caught, but Landon needed the man out of the way permanently if he and Kaitlyn were going to have a chance at a happy normal life. Taking another deep breath he entered Inferno and ordered a drink. He thanked the attractive bartender as he took the glass from her and headed toward the private area. He was detained only momentarily while Tye checked his name. Finding it on the list he allowed Landon entry. Landon was pretending to be far tipsier than he actually was. He needed security to pay him less attention so he would be free to explore and hopefully find the information that was requested. Ben was extremely meticulous in telling Landon what evidence would or wouldn’t stand up in court, giving them a far greater chance of convicting Ice.

  Please let me find what I need and quickly, Landon thought as he stumbled drunkenly toward one of the betting rooms. One of the security guards noticed the impaired man, but let him pass, surmising he was too drunk to be of any harm. Seeing that his act was working, Landon took a chance and stumbled a little farther down the hall to the area marked restricted. Again security offered no resistance. Just as he began to step near the signs marking the area, the officer appeared out of nowhere and stopped his progress.

  “Come on man,” the guard told him pushing him in the opposite direction. “The party is the other way,” he finished chuckling lightly as Landon allowed himself to be herded back the other way.

  Dammit, he thought as he entered the stripper’s room and fell into a chair. Satisfied that Landon was no longer a threat, the guard chuckled again and left the room. Landon sighed deeply and began sipping the drink the waitress brought to the table, disappointed but undeterred. I’m gonna get what we need, I can’t let Kaitlyn down, he thought once more finishing the drink and ordering another.

  *****

  Ian was still looking at her. He wasn’t sure how to start the conversation so he just jumped in headfirst.

  “Who did you kill last week?” he asked point blank.

  KiKi was annoyed. Why the fuck you care, she thought. “What are you going on about Ice?” she threw back instead of an answer.

  He sighed deeply and tried again. “I saw the story on TV,” he told Kaitlyn as she continued to remain mute.

  She took a deep breath to calm her anger, still looking him in the eye.
“Let’s just supposed for arguments sake, you’re right,” she began. “Why the hell are you here on my ass about it,” she threw at Ian coolly.

  Ian looked at her evenly, got up and moved over to the couch beside her.

  “I’m here because I keep an eye on my business,” he began. “Because it’s buzzing all over the street that you’re a one woman execution force right now,” he went on. “I need to know just what the hell is going on in your mind KiKi and if you’re gonna go off the deep end on my ass again,” Ian told her and stroked her face gently.

  Kaitlyn sighed deeply never removing her eyes from Ian as she spoke. “Isn’t this what you brought me on for,” she threw back nonchalantly. “To make sure your business ran smoothly, that people didn’t steal from you, or make you look bad?”

  Ian watched Kaitlyn as she spoke taking in her every nuance. It was as if she weren’t even in the room. Her responses were almost automated.

  “Yes,” Ian began, still watching her closely. “But even in that, it can’t disrupt the entire flow of the business, because everyone is to scared to breathe a whisper you might disagree with,” he patiently told her as Kaitlyn’s expression never changed.

  “So what do you want from me Ice,” she finally asked, regarding him again. “You want me to hold these muthafucka’s hands and baby them,” Kaitlyn threw out. “Or do you want your house in order, your money right, and your product sold,” she questioned, again waiting patiently for his response.

  Ian sensed there was a lot more going on with Kaitlyn than the issues she’d encountered here in Mississippi.

  “KiKi,” Ian began again. “What’s eatin’ you,” he threw out. “On the real,” he added as she rose and made herself a drink.

  The fact that you’re still breathing is eatin’ me, she thought venomously as she added the coke and took another deep breath returning and sitting down once more.

  “Ice,” Kaitlyn began, treading carefully. “I’m just trying to make sure these fools know you aren’t playin’ about your business,” she told him softly. “I’m just trying to do what you asked me to do.”