Thin Ice Read online

  “If only,” she said softly aloud pulling into the parking lot of the 24-hour breakfast house. Tariq had been a cook here for the last four years or so.

  Parking and turning off her headlights, Kaitlyn texted Tariq and waited. Moments later he emerged and joined her in the car.

  “Hey KiKi,” he greeted her amiably giving her a quick hug.

  Normally she wasn’t this friendly with her customers, but Tariq was unique. They often hung out and went places together, like the zoo, or Six Flags, or the movies. Sometimes they even went to clubs together, but Kaitlyn always made sure she didn’t cross the line or allow Tariq to believe it was anything other than two friends hanging out.

  “Here you go,” she told him evenly giving him the merchandise as Tariq handed her the money.

  “What you doing tomorrow?” he asked as he pocketed the drug.

  “Not a lot,” KiKi replied.

  “Cool, you wanna go over to Laugh Factory,” he asked and waited on her response.

  Kaitlyn knew the place as they’d been before checking out some of the up and coming comics. “Sounds good, what time,” she threw back as Tariq continued to watch her intently. Moments like this were always hard for Kaitlyn. She couldn’t lie to herself and say she wasn’t attracted to the man, she just knew she could never allow herself to hook up with him.

  “8:00PM,” he replied as she confirmed the time and where she would meet him.

  Seldom did they ride together when they went out, Kaitlyn surmised that if they didn’t ride together it would seem less like a date, and feelings would less likely surface or be hurt.

  “Thanks again for going out of your way KiKi,” Tariq told her softly as he readied himself to leave her presence.

  “It’s not a problem,” she replied calmly completely unnerved by his tone.

  Damn, I gotta get home to my vibrator, Kaitlyn thought behind the calm. Truth was she wanted Tariq with her whole being and knew without a doubt he wanted her back.

  “See ya tomorrow,” Tariq told her as he got out and closed the door behind him.

  He waved once more before turning and entering the restaurant. Starting the car Kaitlyn shook her head and turned up the radio. I must have the absolute worst taste in men, she thought of her attraction once more before letting the music invade her mind.

  *****

  “OK Ice, OK,” Shelby screamed as Ian hit her again knocking her over the ottoman in his den.

  “I told you not to keep toying with me didn’t I,” Ian ranted as he continued his assault on the helpless woman. “I don’t know why bitches want to act stupid all the time,” Ian threw out as he kicked Shelby hard in the back and she continued to cry, pleading with him to stop. “When you leave my house this time,” Ian began anew, snatching her up from the floor and holding Shelby against the wall by her throat. “Forget the address, don’t ever show up at Infusion again, and if you see my ass in the street,” Ian paused for a moment watching her gasp for air as he held her, making sure they had eye contact before he spoke again. “Run like hell, and pray I don’t chase you,” he finished as released her. Shelby immediately hit the floor like a lead weight.

  Ian walked away from the semi conscious woman and made himself another drink. Picking up his cell he called Carlos and told him to come pick up some trash he needed thrown out.

  “Get your ass up and off my damned carpet bleeding on it and shit,” Ian threw at Shelby coldly as she tried vainly to staunch the flow.

  Her head was spinning and one of her eyes was closed. It was all she could do to breathe right now. Shelby never thought Ian would hurt her like this. She knew he could be volatile and had a temper, but she always thought she was immune from it. Please give me the strength to get out that door; Shelby thought again as she tried to rise and her legs gave her limited support. Managing a quick glance at Ian, she saw him sitting in his highboy watching her calmly, without emotion.

  The knock on the door startled Shelby and she jumped slightly as Ian went and answered it. “Wassup Ice,” Carlos greeted his boss.

  Ian grunted a response before nodding toward Shelby.

  “Where you want it dumped,” Carlos answered nonchalantly as he grabbed Shelby around the waist and half dragged, half carried her toward the front door.

  “Take her to her cousin’s, Yvette,” Ian replied as Carlos nodded his understanding and picked Shelby up off the ground, finding it easier to carry her than try to walk with her.

  “Call me tomorrow morning, we got some business to handle,” Ian told Carlos as a parting thought.

  Carlos again acknowledged his understanding and hurriedly left with Ian closing the door behind him. Stretching slightly, Ian glanced at the clock. It was almost 4 AM. Quick shower, then I’ma make this run, he thought smiling slightly and heading to the bathroom.

  *****

  Kaitlyn heard the ice being put into the glass and the sound of liquid being poured over it. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was well after 5 AM. I guess Evan turned out to be a quickie, she thought rising and heading into the living room expecting to find Jaleesa. They didn’t live together but Jaleesa had a key to her place, just as Kaitlyn had one to hers also. There was nothing abnormal about her best friend coming over in the middle of the night. “I thought you were gonna stay – ,” Kaitlyn got out before stopping mid sentence, eyes locked with the visitor standing in her kitchen calmly looking back at her.

  “What are you doing in my house?” Kaitlyn asked evenly trying hard to keep her cool. She was unarmed and alone.

  “Obviously I came to see you,” Ian returned calmly coming into the living room and sitting down on the leather sofa contained in the room.

  Taking the time to look her over in the pale yellow silk nightie she wore, Ian once again took note of how attractive and well put together KiKi was. The nightie was mid thigh in length with seductive splits on either side. Her breasts were sitting pertly alert at the top with the webbed lacing affording a sensual view. Finding himself becoming aroused, Ian immediately changed his thoughts and took in her apartment once more. It was spacious but homey with the beautiful leather grouping she’d placed inside, dark brown, with almost mint green and yellow accents throughout. He knew right now her mind was on overdrive. Not only was KiKi trying to figure out how he got in, but how he even knew where she lived, considering they’d never said much past hello to each other.

  Taking another deep breath Kaitlyn tried again. There was definitely something he wanted, and she needed to find out what it was quickly. Ice being at her house was not a good sign and if they’d done something to offend him she needed to know so they could work on immediately rectifying it.

  “What did you want to see me about, Ice,” Kaitlyn tried again, coming into the living room herself and sitting in the recliner across from him.

  Sipping his drink, Ian remained mute, simply watching her without expression for the next few moments. “Tweety go home with Evan,” he asked calmly.

  “Yeah, I think so,” Kaitlyn answered guardedly.

  What the hell, she was thinking hoping and praying whatever the issue was wasn’t going to cost them big.

  “Mmm,” Ian replied taking another sip. “You OK with that,” he asked as Kaitlyn frowned slightly in confusion.

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be,” she returned as Ian smiled slightly.

  “I just wasn’t sure how open your relationship was with her,” he baited.

  Kaitlyn immediately frowned and tried to control her voice. Even though this wasn’t the first or twentieth time she’d heard it, it still pissed her off royally. “Tweety and I don’t get down like that,” she replied flatly, still very much offended of the inference.

  “Mm, OK,” Ian replied. Taking another sip he regarded her again. “So you’re sleeping with the junkie then, Tariq,” Ian threw out bluntly and Kaitlyn had heard enough.

  Rising she headed to her front door and opened it. “You’ve overstayed your welcome Ice,” she told him evenly not caring
anymore why he was there, or even how he knew where she lived.

  Smiling slightly, Ian knew he’d hit a nerve and remained seated on the couch. “Close the door KiKi,” he told her evenly without turning around. “I’m not leaving yet,” he finished flatly.

  Sighing deeply Kaitlyn closed the door and grudgingly walked back into the living room, choosing to stand and look him in the eye.

  “Again, Ice, what do you want,” she asked plainly making no attempt to hide her disdain at the moment.

  Rising finally, Ian stood face to face with her, looking down into her eyes. “Answer my question,” he told her his tone becoming more annoyed. “Are you screwing Tariq,” he threw out never taking his eyes off Kaitlyn.

  Still very much annoyed herself, Kaitlyn defiantly returned the stare before finally answering him.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I’m not fucking Tariq,” she told him angrily.

  “Mmph,” Ian threw back still regarding her. “Make sure it stays that damned way,” he told her as he pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

  Pulling away Kaitlyn pushed him, using the split second to grab the knife that happened to be lying atop her kitchen table. Ian was quick enough to grab Kaitlyn and twist her arm hard forcing her to drop the weapon.

  “You were gonna cut me,” he asked angrily as he pushed her onto the sofa glaring at her.

  “I don’t know why the hell you’re here Ice,” Kaitlyn began fully angry and holding her own. “But if it’s to screw me, cancel that thought,” she told him point blank. “This is my body, and I decide who and when I give it up,” she finished rising from the couch breathing hard and looking Ian directly in the eye.

  Almost smiling, Ian caught himself. He loved Kaitlyn’s fire. He was glad she stood up to him. He needed a strong woman, not another lap dog like all the others he’d taken and thrown away. “OK, KiKi,” he told her still holding her stare. “I’ma let things be cool for now,” he replied heading for the front door. “But the shit ain’t over, and trust me, you don’t want me for an enemy,” he told her opening it and stepping into her hallway.

  “I meant what I said about the junkie,” Ian added once more ominously as he closed the door, and Kaitlyn sank onto the couch breathing hard and thanking God he hadn’t killed her.

  2

  “Hello,” Kaitlyn mumbled into the receiver, still groggy from being awakened.

  She’d lain down earlier in the afternoon to take a nap. At first she wasn’t sure anyone was there. “Wassup girl,” Jaleesa shot back giggling slightly.

  “Hey Tweety, I was asleep,” she told her trying to sound annoyed.

  “Well get your ass up, its time to make that paper,” Jaleesa replied still chuckling as Kaitlyn sucked her teeth and chuckled with her.

  “Where you at?” she inquired heading to the bathroom and turning on the shower.

  “I’m at the Arena,” she replied. “Game starts at 8:00, have your ass here, call me as you’re walking to the gate, I’ll be there to get you in,” Jaleesa told her.

  “OK cool,” Kaitlyn replied taking off her clothes. “What am I bringing?”

  “Weed, and coke,” Jaleesa replied. “No orders for smack,” she added as Kaitlyn told her she got the order.

  “Have you talked to Landon lately?” Jaleesa asked changing the subject, knowing the answer already.

  He and Evan were close. She’d heard them talking, with Landon admitting how disappointed he was that Kaitlyn wasn’t attracted to him. Jaleesa thought Landon was sexy as hell, not seeing why Kaitlyn didn’t.

  “No,” Kaitlyn replied simply, sighing deeply.

  She just wanted them all to leave her alone about that. She couldn’t pretend to feel something she didn’t. She assumed Landon was a nice enough guy; she just wasn’t interested in him romantically. He’d completely turned her off that night at the club.

  “You need to give that man a chance KiKi,” Jaleesa scolded her. “You spend too much time alone, or thinking about Tripp’s raggedy ass,” she finished knowing she’d hit a nerve again.

  “I’m not trying to get caught up right now Tweety,” Kaitlyn told her with a tense edge to her voice. “He’s just not my type,” she went on. “Why can’t everyone just leave it alone,” she finished sighing deeply.

  “Because I know you want a good orgasm or three just like every other woman, that’s why,” Jaleesa threw at her again.

  “Well hell, I’m not even sure he could do that,” Kaitlyn tossed back. “This guy couldn’t even man up and tell me up front what he wanted that night at the club, using that old tired ass line,” she returned as Jaleesa sighed deeply.

  “OK, I get that,” she told her friend. “But look at it from a business standpoint,” she tried again. “Landon and Evan can open doors for us to richer, more powerful clientele, which could help us get deeper into the distribution end, and make us more money,” Jaleesa continued. “Hell if we wanna compete with Ice we gotta start thinking bigger,” she finished and waited on Kaitlyn to respond.

  The mention of Ice’s name brought back the memory of his surprise visit almost a month ago. Since then Kaitlyn hadn’t seen or heard from him, which in her book was great. Still, she didn’t forget or take lightly the threat he’d made as he left her apartment.

  “Look, I’ll try and see if I can stomach dude tonight,” Kaitlyn replied, bringing a smile to Jaleesa’s face on the other end of the phone.

  “Cause I know he’s gonna be there, right?” she asked as Jaleesa confirmed Landon’s attendance and that it was the teams suite they would be enjoying the game from.

  “Wear that cute sundress you got, the deep blue patterned one,” Jaleesa directed.

  “Yeah OK,” Kaitlyn replied without much enthusiasm.

  “Girl get it together, we’re gonna meet the GM and VP’s tonight,” Jaleesa told her once more. “Like I said, business,” she ended as Kaitlyn promised she would be a ray of sunshine by the time she arrived.

  “Bring condoms,” she admonished as Kaitlyn again sucked her teeth and Jaleesa burst into laughter. “What have I gotten myself into?” she mumbled heading to shower to wash away her apprehension and lather up a brand new mood.

  *****

  “Baby, Kaitlyn is coming to the game,” she told Evan as he and Landon sat in the suite talking over business.

  She saw the smile come immediately to Landon’s face. Evan turned to her and looked her over before speaking.

  “That’s cool,” he replied, going back to the documents in front of him.

  “Does Kaitlyn have a favorite color?” Landon asked Jaleesa.

  She smiled slightly and told him it was purple. He tucked it away in his memory as he joined Evan and went back to business.

  Leaving them alone Jaleesa ventured into the posh bathroom the suite hosted and began putting on her makeup. Please let them hook up tonight, she thought of Kaitlyn and Landon. Jaleesa had done her homework and there was plenty of money to be made throughout this league. She’d also found out the GM had a penchant for sexy brown sugar. Sighing softly as she looked herself over in the mirror, Jaleesa gingerly applied makeup to the bruises on her breasts and upper arms. This was a secret she had to keep. Kaitlyn could never find out that Evan had been beating her on a regular basis. Jaleesa knew without a doubt her best friend would plant a slug in Evan’s head, or cut his throat and watch the life drain out of him if she ever found out.

  Normally Jaleesa would never allow herself to be treated the way Evan was treating her, but in her mind it was simply a minor inconvenience to the road of success they were trying to gain access to. The doors Evan opened far outweighed the temper and violence she had to deal with when he was drinking and moody. Just a few more weeks, maybe a month and we’ll be where we need to be and I can kick Evan’s crazy ass to the curb, or shoot him, Jaleesa thought as she finished her make-up and headed back out into the suite.

  Evan gave her a look when she entered the room which Jaleesa immediately recognized.
He was volatile this evening because of changes being made in the front office. Jaleesa couldn’t let that deter her however and she plotted to keep Kaitlyn close as a distraction while she made in-roads with the GM. Smiling back at Evan to reassure him nothing was up, Jaleesa headed to the outdoor area and sat in one of the chairs watching as the teams warmed up. Let this plan go right tonight, please, she prayed silently as Evan called her name and she rose grudgingly headed back inside and to the bathroom where he directed her.

  “Suck my dick,” he commanded as she stood before him.

  Jaleesa immediately complied not wanting him to beat her right now with Kaitlyn on her way, as he closed his eyes to enjoy her service. Please help me not to kill this monster tonight, Jaleesa thought as Evan held her head and matched her strokes. Jaleesa knew he was going to cum in her mouth, and she absolutely hated it. She would swallow him dutifully though and let it be over. Jaleesa just wanted to get through the night, put her plan into motion, and deal with foolishness tomorrow.

  She felt his rhythm quickening and knew it was almost over. Suddenly the hot rush of fluids filled her mouth, causing her to almost gag. Jaleesa caught herself before she did and swallowed. Evan groaned deeply and shuddered as he came, pushing her away, and leaning back onto the sink breathing hard.

  “Thanks,” he told her plainly as he zipped his pants up and turned to leave. “Try to act like you have some class tonight,” he admonished and gave her a condescending look before walking out of the door.

  I wanna put three bullets in this sonofabitch in the worst way; Jaleesa was thinking behind the small smile she gave Evan in response. As soon as the door closed, Jaleesa turned on the water and poured the entire trial size bottle of mouthwash sitting on the sink into her mouth.

  *****

  Evan and Landon watched Jaleesa return to the outside viewing area and close the door. They waited a few more moments more before they began to talk.

  “I don’t know what to do to get through to this one,” Landon was commenting as he sipped his drink. Evan shook his head thoughtfully.