Thin Ice 7 - Echoes of Reckoning Read online

  He nodded thoughtfully before speaking.

  “He’s like Socrates that way,” he replied still looking intently at her as Sapphire smiled slightly, replying he was right.

  “Even more reason I hope she’s real,” she spoke. “I don’t want my son’s heart broken over some girl playing games,” she added as Horse readily agreed with her.

  “I need to go shower,” she spoke aloud, checking the clock on the bar.

  “Go ahead, I’ll watch everything,” Horse volunteered.

  Smiling she thanked him taking off the chefs apron and walking out of the kitchen. She stopped at the threshold turning to him once more.

  “I’m glad you agreed to come,” she told him looking into his eyes now. “I don’t think I could have gotten through this by myself,” Sapphire added as Horse saw how nervous she was.

  “Everything is going to be fine,” Horse reassured her.

  Smiling again she turned and headed into her bedroom, closing the door. After she left, he stepped to the fuse box once again. Finding the control mechanisms for the cameras and audio units, Horse turned them on and closed the box. He checked the sauce and the pasta, turning them both on low and set the table for her. Horse checked the wine she was chilling, that was for them. They had iced tea for the minors, he thought and chuckled knowing Sa’Cari would balk. The young man had been drinking wine since he was 13 years old. Socrates always said a glass would never hurt him. Thinking of his former boss brought the guilt crashing through again as Horse perused the feelings he felt for Sapphire.

  She came back into the room dispersing the thoughts as he turned and regarded her, the sight taking his breath away. He loved red on her; it brought out her beautiful peach skin, giving it a natural healthy glow. The make up was minimal, not that she needed any in his estimation, but she’d put on just enough to highlight her beautiful brown eyes, and her soft and sensuous lips.

  “Everything ready,” she asked as he quietly told her yes, still unable to take his eyes from her as they scanned every seductive curve the dress afforded his vision to employ.

  “That’s good, I’ll set the table,” Sapphire told him, noticing his stare and feeling slightly uncomfortable under the gaze.

  “I started it,” Horse replied finally making himself look away.

  “Great, thanks,” she replied walking by him as the perfume formed a phantom finger, turning his head as his eyes took in the perfectly formed butt that swayed hypnotically from side to side.

  This is going to be the longest night of my life, Horse thought commanding his body to stop reacting and his manhood to relax. Thankfully the knock on the door brought him all the way back and he changed his thoughts, putting his game face on as Sapphire opened the door and Sa’Cari walked inside.

  *****

  Gabrielle was irritated that her plans had been thwarted. She’d been on her way to the airport when Dr. Millage called saying he had a cancellation, asking her to return to his office and they could get started on some of her pre-operative formalities. She couldn’t very well tell the man no, that would have started all manner of questioning from Ian and she didn’t want that. She did however miss him greatly, but he’d assured her he would see her this weekend when he flew down to handle more business. Gabrielle smiled at the thought heading into the kitchen and making herself a cup of tea. You need to let this Ray Lockhart drama die, her common sense began to speak. She wanted to get even though. She wanted him to know he didn’t destroy her when he kicked her unceremoniously out of his life. You did steal the man’s money, it said again as she chuckled slightly.

  “Yes, I did do that,” Gabrielle mumbled aloud.

  She wondered if Ray would be upset to learn she and Ian were lovers now.

  The perfect revenge would be seeing you beautiful and happy again, her mind told her yet another time as Gabrielle smiled thinking how on target the thought was. Ray prided himself on breaking people; taking away their pride and self esteem. Gabrielle would get herself on track, have the surgery and then show him he had failed. She chuckled aloud this time.

  “Big bad Ray Lockhart, a failure,” she spoke once more breaking into long gales of laughter this time.

  Gabrielle had an epiphany. She didn’t have to prove anything to Ray. She’d won. Rahja had tried to kill her and she survived. He’d taken her beauty, but she survived and thanks to Ian and Dr. Millage she would once again be strikingly attractive. She and Ian were lovers and he saw to her every need and desire. Not to mention how damned good he feels when we make love, Gabrielle thought naughtily, her body heating up from the memories. She wouldn’t rock the boat this time and do anything crazy. Ian wasn’t Ray and if she tried to mess with him, he would kill her himself. Her cell buzzed and she picked it up smiling at the text from Ian letting her know what time his flight arrived.

  “I’ll be here baby,” she said softly sending a quick text back.

  Still smiling Gabrielle headed upstairs to shower and change. She was going out tonight, suddenly feeling very alive and very free.

  *****

  “I’m going to see Sam this weekend,” Necie told Brent calmly as he fumed, shooting her a venomous look.

  “Since when do you hang out with your childhood trash,” he asked nastily.

  “Fuck you, Brent,” she retorted as he sucked his teeth.

  “You haven’t done that bullshit in the last three damned months, frigid bitch,” he added as Necie rolled her eyes, turning her back to him.

  They’d been fighting for the last three months, the last 30 days it had been nonstop.

  “You’re not taking my daughter,” Brent told her, talking to her back now.

  “I hadn’t planned too, she’s spending the weekend with Ayana,” she told him, referring to Santana and Charisma’s daughter.

  “Hmph,” he returned unable to protest the plans. “When are you coming back,” Brent asked as Necie told him she was only staying the weekend. “You hooking up with that loser Jacoury,” he jealously asked.

  Necie didn’t answer, serving to piss him off even more.

  “Don’t do something stupid you’ll regret Necie,” Brent growled as she continued to pack.

  Furious with her silence he closed the space between them pushing her onto the bed and straddling her. “You planning to fuck this muthafucka while you’re there aren’t you,” Brent yelled his face contorted in anger.

  “Get off me Brent,” Necie returned angry now herself at being restrained.

  “I’m going to see my damned friend,” she added as he kissed her hard. “Get off me,” she screamed again.

  He glared at her seeing the rejection in her face. Hurt, he stood up and walked away from her, leaning against the dresser again.

  “You’re going to divorce me huh,” he asked eerily calm suddenly.

  Necie sighed deeply but said nothing.

  “I’m not going to make it that easy Necie,” he told her as she glanced back over her shoulder at him.

  “Brent, I’m going away for a weekend, period,” she told him as he smiled slightly and nodded, walking out of the room and leaving her alone.

  She let go the breath she’d been holding when he closed the door. Brent was scaring her more and more. She wasn’t sure what was going on with him, but he’d changed. She felt a deadly coldness about him and Necie definitely didn’t want to be around when he finally exploded. Is this about India and Ray’s baby, she mused recalling that his behavior started changing around the time they found out.

  Necie couldn’t lie and say the thought of seeing Jacoury again didn’t intrigue her. She was secretly hoping to run into him, though she was actually meeting up with Sam on this trip. She’d reached out to her lost friend some six months ago. Sam had been excited to hear from her and the two instantly rekindled the friendship they’d shared growing up. He has a son now, Necie thought of Jacoury. She’d casually asked about Ramell and if the two still hung out together. Sam enlightened her of the business partnership they shared as w
ell as Jacoury’s new life. I’d like to see miss sunshine too, Necie thought, slightly jealous of the new woman in Jacoury’s life. Honestly she just needed the escape this weekend would afford her. No Brent, no drama, no arguing or fighting, just good times with people who allowed Necie to just be Necie. Smiling again she finished packing and headed into the shower, leaving her bag on the bed. Brent heard the shower and carefully entered the bedroom. Quickly scanning the bedroom he saw her phone on the nightstand and picked it up. He checked her messages, finding only a couple texts from Sam about their weekend. Brent checked her call log and saw only Sam’s phone number in Gary. Always some bullshit to contend with, Brent thought tiredly as he placed the instrument back where he found it. He wouldn’t rock the boat just yet, but Necie divorcing him wasn’t going to happen; neither was this baby being born that India carried, Brent thought turning on his heel and leaving the room just as the shower stopped running.

  *****

  Sapphire hugged Ashlyn tightly after Sa’Cari introduced them, thinking what a pretty girl she was.

  “Come on and sit down,” she told them, ushering everyone into the living room.

  Sa’Cari and Horse greeted each other, a quick hug exchanged, before introducing Ashlyn to him as well. He shook her hand and told her it was very nice to meet her.

  “Sa’Cari says you two go to school together,” Sapphire began.

  Ashlyn told her yes, as they discussed school and future plans.

  “Did you get a chance to see any of the city,” Sapphire asked again.

  “We’ve seen a few things, but Sa’Cari promised to show me more tomorrow,” she replied amiably

  “It’s been great so far,” she said genuinely.

  “You’ve never been to Chicago before,” Horse asked.

  “Well yes and no,” Ashlyn returned chuckling slightly as he gave her a quizzical look. “I was born here, but we never came back after that,” she explained as Sapphire told her that was odd.

  Horse held his comment.

  “Well, seems I was about six weeks early,” Ashlyn went on talking to the woman as Sa’Cari enjoyed her presence and the ease with which she and his mother conversed.

  “So your mother has bad memories about our great city hmm,” Sapphire teased.

  Ashlyn chuckled and told her she guessed so.

  “Ashlyn is a very pretty name,” Horse told her. “What’s your middle name,” he inquired.

  “Rajiya,” she returned cheerfully.

  “That’s really beautiful too,” Horse returned as his mind worked.

  “Thank you,” Ashlyn returned politely.

  “Everyone ready to eat,” Sapphire asked, rising from the couch.

  “Let me help you,” Ashlyn quickly volunteered as the woman smiled and told her sure.

  After the women left the room, Horse began questioning Sa’Cari about Ashlyn.

  “What kind of reputation does she have,” he asked point blank, not sugar coating it.

  “She’s good people Horse,” Sa’Cari returned plainly.

  “She have money,” he fired off once again.

  “She’s still at home with her parents, she has a part time gig,” Sa’Cari returned.

  “She’s not demanding, doesn’t ask me to buy her jack,” he added as Horse grunted slightly.

  “You been inside her,” he asked still holding eye contact with the young man.

  “Yes,” Sa’Cari said simply his jaw locked now.

  Horse almost smiled thinking how much the youngster reminded him of Cartier.

  “I’m only doing what your father asked me Sa’Cari,” he told him softening a bit.

  Sighing deeply Sa’Cari told him he knew.

  “I love her Horse, and if I can convince her, I’m going to marry her,” he told him as Horse nodded.

  “Have you met her folks,” he asked.

  Sa’Cari told him he would once they returned to Atlanta.

  “Suppose they don’t like you, you know she won’t marry you then,” he threw out as Sa’Cari nodded slightly.

  “Guess I’d better be on my very best behavior then huh,” he replied as Horse chuckled and let the conversation go.

  He could see the young man did indeed have deep feelings for the young woman.

  “Be right back,” Sa’Cari told him rising and heading to the bathroom.

  Alone, Horse pulled out his cell and sent a text. ‘Need you check someone out for me,’ the message began. ‘Name is Ashlyn Rajiya Russell,’ it finished. He hoped he spelled it correctly or it would take longer to get what he needed. ‘Got it, hit you up with info later,’ the reply came back as he closed his phone placing it in his pocket just as Sa’Cari returned to the room and Sapphire called them into the dining room to eat.

  19

  Kaitlyn relaxed as Ian packed. He was headed back to Louisiana to finish his business there.

  “So you have a line on the guys,” she asked as he packed the gun case.

  “Yes,” he replied distractedly.

  “Is Ryan going with you,” she inquired.

  Ian finished his task coming to her as she lay on the bed, sitting down beside her.

  “Yes, we’ll all handle it together,” he replied stroking her face gently. “Is everything all right with you KiKi,” Ian asked, regarding her seriously.

  “Why are you asking me that,” she replied perplexed by the question.

  Ian sighed deeply before answering her.

  “You’ve been having bad dreams,” he told her as she frowned deeply, not recalling any nightmares since she’d been back from Atlantic City.

  “You obviously don’t remember, but you cry out a lot in your sleep,” Ian told her still patiently watching her.

  “I didn’t know,” she said absently the Pure spell screaming in her psyche.

  “I just want to be sure everything is okay baby,” Ian said sweetly.

  “I’m fine Ice, I’m not sure what was going on,” she answered honestly, doing a plausible job of keeping the tremors from showing outwardly.

  “Are you staying put while I’m away,” Ian asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Kaitlyn chuckled knowing he was alluding to her Atlantic City trip. “Ice, I’ve been good, so why are you tripping on me,” she asked still smiling slightly.

  He sighed a bit acknowledging her statement. She hadn’t gone off the deep end and killed anyone since Ananda, though she’d beaten a smart mouthed gym employee almost unconscious the other week.

  “I don’t plan on going anywhere,” she added as he nodded slightly.

  “I’m making another move,” Ian began again as Kaitlyn nodded slightly waiting for him to enlighten her.

  “It’s time for me to go back home,” he said evenly and she immediately tensed.

  “Atlanta,” she asked praying he said no.

  “Yes,” Ian replied and her heart began to race.

  She could see the drama starting all over again. Him and Tariq at each other’s throat, her right in the middle again. Kaitlyn didn’t want that. She liked things just the way they were right now; lots of space and distance separating the two mortal enemies.

  “Why Ice,” she asked diplomatically.

  “Because I love the city and there is definitely money to be made there,” Ian returned, leaning in and kissing her lips.

  He didn’t know Tariq and his crew were already in the city, but he would soon, Kaitlyn thought as she returned the kiss.

  “You and the girls won’t need to move until I get everything established again,” he told her sweetly, kissing her neck now his breathing becoming ragged, his arousal evident.

  After they made love, Ian showered and dressed. “I’ll be back in a few days,” he told her, leaning down and kissing her lips again as Kaitlyn continued to remain in bed.

  “OK, be careful,” she told him calmly as Ian smiled and assured her he would.

  Kaitlyn heard him go down the stairs, the garage door lifting and closing again moments later. Yawning widely she cl
osed her eyes and quickly drifted into a deep sleep. “Who is this daddy,” Lauren asked looking at the photo of the beautiful woman. Carlo smiled as he came and lifted his daughter, placing her on his knee. She was nine years old. “This is your grandmother, Piper,” he answered as Lauren nodded. “Is she in Heaven,” the child asked innocently. Carlo’s face darkened but he didn’t yell. “No,” he said simply as Lauren remained quiet. “She’s still here,” Carlo said moments later as he rocked the nodding child in the chair they sat in. “Huh, she’s here daddy,” Lauren asked sleepily. “Oui,” he said simply. Lauren didn’t understand the word he’d used but she was too sleepy to ask him what it meant or what language it was. Carlo began to sing to her. It was something he did every now and again. His voice was soft and melodic and the songs always put her to sleep. He was speaking the language again as he spoke in her ear.

  Kaitlyn was moaning softly as she slept the dream shifting as she fought to wake up and the darkness held her fast in its grasp. “Please Carlo, I don’t want to do this,” Lauren pleaded as he dragged her downstairs to the room. “Hush,” he hissed angrily. She was trembling violently as they arrived and he pulled out the things he needed. There were the feathers and bones, the small brass bowl, empty for now. “Give me your hand,” he told her looking directly into her eyes. Terrified Lauren did as she was told, Carlo’s eyes black and lifeless as he stared into her soul. She screamed as the pain came, looking down at her now bleeding hand. Carlo cut the same slit into his own palm, their blood running down their hands and into the brass bowl. “The blood consumes,” he said quietly as Lauren bit her lip and tried to stop the tears flowing down her cheek. “Piper,” he began again. “Piper,” Carlo called out as the room developed a sudden chill and Lauren began to tremble. “Isn’t she beautiful mother,” he asked speaking to someone. She was too scared to lift her head. Lauren simply endured and prayed it would be over soon. “Yes Carlo, she is our blood, our seed,” the feminine voice returned. The sound made Lauren’s head jerk upward as her eyes found the woman from the photograph, her grandmother. “Cordrey,” the woman said softly as Carlo smiled. “That’s your blood Lauren,” he explained patiently. Lauren thought she was dreaming or she’d finally gone insane. There was no way the woman was here. “That’s our family, the beginning of our liaison with him,” he told her as Lauren shook her head no. “Yes, Lauren, our family, your blood is promised immortality,” Carlo told her as the woman moved closer to her and she shrank away. “Don’t be frightened little one,” Piper said softly, her hand reaching out and touching Lauren. The fingers felt like ice, chilling her body to the core.