Thin Ice 3 - Armageddon Read online

  Jaleesa headed into the master bedroom laying out her own night clothes and running a bath for herself. Standing, after turning on the water in the tub and adjusting the temperature, she found herself face to face with LaRon.

  “Is there something wrong,” Jaleesa asked calmly as he continued to stare at her.

  After a few moments more of silence, she tried to step around him, only for him to put his arm across the door blocking her path. I don’t wanna do this tonight, she thought taking a deep breath and blowing it out slowly.

  “Deuce, if something’s wrong, then just say so,” she tried again.

  “Don’t take all night giving Jashon a bath,” he told her calmly, kissing her neck at the end of his sentence.

  Making her face remain neutral and not give away the repulsion she felt at the act, Jaleesa managed to smile slightly as she nodded her understanding and LaRon let her leave the room. She heard him turning off the faucet as she left, her mind whirling as the prayer began that the lovemaking be short and he left the house quickly afterward.

  *****

  “I thought we were going to Chicago,” Kim asked as Mook showered and she sat on their bed, flipping through the magazine.

  “We were, but Top said he needed us in Atlanta,” he replied as Kim spoke her understanding.

  They’d already sent Sean ahead to stay with relatives until they arrived. Mook had called and informed them earlier that Sean would spend the summer with them, while he and Kim handled some personal business. Thankfully they hadn’t had another child yet, but it wasn’t because Mook wasn’t trying. Kim smiled to herself thinking of all the lovemaking they were afforded being alone in the house for the past three weeks.

  “Did you call Dixon,” she asked again as Mook walked into the room, towel wrapped around his waist.

  “Yeah, but I got his voicemail,” he returned walking over and standing in front of her.

  “Love the towel,” Kim told him seductively, using her finger to loosen it as it fell from him.

  “Nice,” she murmured, getting an up close and personal view of her man.

  “You got on too many clothes,” Mook returned, helping her undress.

  Pulling her up to him, he removed her bra, managing not to rip it this time, and took her nipple in his mouth.

  “Mmm,” Kim murmured softly as her temperature rose.

  Mook’s hands slid down her smooth skin, coming to rest on her firm butt, as he squeezed it gently, pulling her closer to his throbbing erection.

  “Damn, I’m lovin’ this,” he murmured, kissing her neck softly as Kim grasped his hardness in her hands and began stroking him.

  Mook began walking forward, pushing her back in his wake as she fell back onto the bed. Wasting no time, he went to his knees putting her legs on his shoulder and pulling her sex directly into his mouth. Kim’s eyes rolled back in her head as that tongue stud of his went to work again. Mook heard her gasp and cry out softly as he smiled to himself and continued his effort. Kim began trying to pull away from him, alerting him she was about to explode. Grasping her legs tightly, Mook held her in place as his tongue delved deeply into her now flowing and pulsating sex. Kim bit her lip trying not to scream, when the orgasm ripped through her and she cried out loudly, her body heaving from the force of it.

  Mook began tenderly kissing his way back upwards, stopping at her still swollen nipples, taking them into his mouth one at a time while Kim moaned her delight. His hands replaced his tongue as Mook met her lips once more, parting them and tasting her deeply as his other hand slipped between her legs. Kim was on fire. She wanted nothing more than for Mook to take her with all the force he could muster.

  “You ready baby,” Mook whispered hoarsely in her ear, his erection harder than before and standing at full attention waiting for release.

  “It’s all you, Mook,” Kim whispered back as he rolled over, her in his arms, and her softness enveloped him.

  “That’s my girl,” Mook murmured as she rode him, her hips bucking in the rhythmic symphony of seduction, while her man moaned his pleasure and held her tightly around the waist.

  “Yeah baby, I’m lovin’ that,” Mook murmured again as Kim increased her movements and his toes curled.

  Leaning down, she whispered several nasty phrases in his ear, bringing a deep guttural moan from Mook as he felt himself losing the fight, but desperately trying to hang on. Kim felt him just as her own body signaled orgasm again. She opened her mouth and whispered once more in his ear as he exploded and she joined him, their mingled moans of passion filling their bedroom. Breathing hard, she collapsed atop him as Mook softly stroked her back.

  “You’re a bad braud, Miss Kim,” he told her softly as Kim smiled to herself and closed her eyes, drifting off.

  *****

  Tariq found Kaitlyn in Khari’s room again. He wasn’t surprised. She spent most of her time in here looking at their daughter’s pictures, drawings; holding her clothing and inhaling her lingering scent from her pillows. The past eight months had been the hardest in both their lives. Their daughter was killed as Kaitlyn drove through a Southwest Atlanta neighborhood in what was a ruled a random act of violence. Tariq however, had a very different point of view. He had enemies, plenty of them, and he’d told Kaitlyn time and time again not to travel that way without DeNoah. This particular day however, she’d decided to be contrary and go on her own. The BMW was easy to spot with the dark tinted windows and chrome outfitting. The personalized tag definitely identified the who of ownership. Tariq remembered getting the call like it happened last night. He and LaRon were taking care of business, just finishing packaging some product for transport, when his cell rang and he saw DeNoah’s name on the caller ID. Hearing the man tell him his wife and daughter were in the ER forced his heart into his stomach.

  Tariq raced to Grady’s trauma center only to be met by police who wanted to question him, several loud protesting indigent patients, screaming children, and shackled inmates waiting to be seen as indifferent nurses gave them plenty of attitude and no customer service. Putting the cops off for a time, he managed to find a nurse who summoned the Attending Physician. When the distinguished looking, older black man, emerged from the triage room, his face said it all. Tariq didn’t think he actually even heard the words as the Doctor told him Khari hadn’t survived and Kaitlyn was in serious condition. If LaRon hadn’t been there with him, Tariq didn’t think he would have made it through the night. Burying their daughter was harder than killing any man he’d ever put a bullet into, Tariq continued to muse, watching his wife silently as she continued to hold the pillow and the tears rolled down her face. Kaitlyn was still too weak to attend the funeral and she never got the chance to say goodbye. Tariq believed that was why she was still grieving so hard. Shaking the dark thoughts, he walked into the room and gently touched her shoulder.

  “KiKi, I’m going out for a while,” he told her calmly as Kaitlyn opened her eyes and regarded him.

  “OK,” she said simply and returned her attention to the child’s bedroom.

  *****

  Leaving his wife, Tariq thought about their marriage and how strained everything was as he drove. They hadn’t made love to each other in months. Every time he went to touch her, Kaitlyn would pull away from him. I want her so much, Tariq thought longingly. He knew she missed Khari, but if she would just allow them to make love, he would give her another child without question. Even though you think Khari’s death was her fault, his mind charged as Tariq frowned slightly pushing the thought away. He loved his wife and Khari was gone. There was nothing he could do about that now, but there was something he could do about him and Kaitlyn.

  “Please baby, open up,” he murmured aloud turning into the parking lot of Mardi Gras. He and LaRon bought the club after Ryan’s death and Ian’s lockdown. It still did banner business and they’d renovated it, making it larger so they could host more celebrity events. Sighing deeply no longer contemplating his marriage, Tariq turned his attention to th
e club and went inside, ordering a drink immediately. He hoped the dancing, music, and revelry would take his mind off the emptiness that was his existence at the moment.

  1

  “Wassup girl, seriously, it’s been a long time,” Tae greeted Kaitlyn as they spoke on the phone.

  Shunté Russell aka Tae, was a good friend of both hers and Jaleesa from their illegal days on the streets. Kaitlyn smiled at the question imagining the look on Tae’s face as she spoke. The three of them had a lot of fun days together when they were all hustling. Tae was a pretty girl, like herself and Tweety, creamy light golden chocolate with two deep dimples that sparkled when she smiled. Tae was no joke though. You could ask the three or four chicks walking around with train tracks on their faces from her straight razor about that.

  “I know,” Kaitlyn replied chuckling herself now.

  “We’re doing a barbeque tonight,” she told her friend. “You need to come through,” she added sipping the crown and coke she’d made herself a few moments earlier.

  “Sounds good,” Tae replied still enjoying her salad as her date sat across from her, incredulous that she was carrying on a conversation with her girl in the middle of their date.

  “What time,” Tae asked giving him a look that basically said shut up and eat.

  “Drop in around 7:30 or 8:00,” Kaitlyn returned.

  “What you want me to bring,” Tae asked again, sipping her water and blowing a kiss at her date, who smiled and continued to eat his steak.

  “We got plenty of everything, so hell, bring whatever,” Kaitlyn returned as they both laughed.

  Telling her she would be there and couldn’t wait to see them both, Tae disconnected and returned her attention to her date, sweetly apologizing as he smiled back and assured her all was forgiven.

  Kaitlyn was still smiling as she finished the drink and made another. Brown liquor always made her mellow and today Kaitlyn needed to relax. It was the nine month anniversary of Khari’s death. Pushing the dark thoughts aside, she dialed Jaleesa next. “Wassup chick,” her best friend greeted her cheerfully.

  “Hey girl,” Kaitlyn replied. “You’re still coming right,” she asked as Jaleesa assured her nothing would keep them away.

  “We’re dropping’ Jashon off at mamas,” she told Kaitlyn who grunted her understanding. “What are you doing,” Jaleesa asked catching a tone and feeling something amiss about her friend.

  “Having a drink,” Kaitlyn replied flatly.

  Jaleesa frowned slightly. Kaitlyn hadn’t drunk hard liquor in a long time. Not since she had Khari. She’d switched to wine and the occasional beer, but never the Crown again. “Are you alright,” Jaleesa asked hearing a quiet coldness she hadn’t heard in her friend’s voice since they ran together and Kaitlyn hooked up with Ice.

  “Yes,” Kaitlyn returned simply, which further let Jaleesa know something was wrong.

  “Tae’s comin’ to the party,” Kaitlyn told her disturbing her thoughts once again.

  “Wow, that’s straight,” Jaleesa returned, genuinely excited.

  The three of them hadn’t hung out together for a long time and she missed it. She missed a lot of things about her old life, Jaleesa thought silently as Kaitlyn continued to talk.

  “Mook and Kim got in this morning, so they’ll be here too,” Kaitlyn interrupted her thought once more.

  “Cool,” Jaleesa replied. “Gonna be a whole family reunion,” she chuckled as Kaitlyn joined her.

  “I’ll see you in a couple hours,” Jaleesa told her as Kaitlyn returned the sentiment and disconnected.

  *****

  Tariq was surprised to hear the music already as he arrived at the house and let himself in. He’d fully expected to have to come home and get everything started himself for the barbeque tonight. He’d planned the gathering as a means of helping Kaitlyn get back into the swing of life. After talking to Mook the other evening and discussing some of the issues he and his wife were having, his friend suggested submerging her back into the scene with the simple gathering, surmising that if Kaitlyn were surrounded by family and friends, it might help her get past the grief and live again. Smiling as he watched his wife dancing along to the music while marinating the ribs, Tariq couldn’t help but think Mook was absolutely right. He hadn’t seen her this animated and complete in months.

  “Hey baby,” Tariq greeted her as Kaitlyn turned to him still smiling.

  “Hi,” she replied happily walking over and kissing him softly.

  Tariq returned the kiss taking the time to gently caress her face. He loved this woman so much and her being in pain all these months was killing him.

  “Did you get everything,” Kaitlyn asked, peering into the bags he’d placed on the counter.

  “Yeah,” Tariq replied, adding that the alcohol was being delivered in about an hour or so.

  “Good,” Kaitlyn replied, sipping the drink again.

  Tariq noticed the brown liquor and frowned slightly but said nothing. It wasn’t a crime that she was drinking and she was happy, so he decided not to address it.

  “Well, all the meat is marinating, and I’ve made the kabobs and put them in the fridge,” Kaitlyn told him as Tariq continued to gaze lovingly in her face, loving the life he saw there now.

  “Tweety’s gonna help me with the salads when her and Deuce get here,” she added as Tariq nodded his understanding.

  “I’m sorry baby,” Kaitlyn told him as she sipped her drink again. “I’ve been so rude, do you want a drink,” she asked as Tariq smiled slightly and pulled her into his arms.

  “Not right now,” he told her softly as he kissed her lips gently.

  Pulling away, he looked into her eyes as Kaitlyn smiled back at him, and stepped closer kissing him once more. Holding her tightly, Tariq kissed his wife passionately, his longing apparent as both their breathing became labored.

  “I want you so much,” he told her softly as he continued to hold her and stroke her back. “Can we make love KiKi, please,” Tariq asked quietly in her ear, kissing her neck gently.

  Fully expecting her to pull away at this point, he was eternally grateful she didn’t. Without a word, Kaitlyn took his hand and led him to their bedroom. As soon as they were inside, clothing flew off as they attacked each other in a heated frenzy of activity. “Shit,” Tariq murmured as Kaitlyn pushed him back on their bed and took his erection in her mouth, pleasing him as she worked him aggressively.

  Tariq was breathing hard trying to take his mind off how good his wife’s mouth felt on him. He didn’t want to finish and not get a chance to make love to her. Today was an answer to his prayer and he wasn’t about to shortchange himself or Kaitlyn. Pulling her away, Tariq pulled his wife up to him and began kissing her as his hands roamed her body freely.

  “KiKi, mmm,” he murmured once more rolling her on her back as his mouth slowly made its way down her body.

  “Aah, Tariq,” Kaitlyn moaned softly as she felt his tongue for the first time greedily sampling her wet offering.

  As she enjoyed her husband, Kaitlyn let herself go. She surrendered every dark thought and contemplation, focusing solely on the man loving her. Tariq heard her sigh deeply and felt her body convulse lightly letting him know she’d reached orgasm. Taking his time caressing her again as he returned to her lips, Tariq kissed her deeply, gently parting her legs and sliding inside her as they both uttered deep guttural moans at their joining.

  “Baby, I’ve missed you so much,” Tariq told her honestly as he continued to thrust deeply into her and Kaitlyn allowed him full access.

  “Yes, right there, oh god,” Kaitlyn breathed as yet another orgasm ripped through her and she pulled Tariq deeper into her being.

  His pace began to increase and she felt his erection stiffen even more alerting Kaitlyn her husband was almost at his end. Tariq buried his face in her neck, breathing harder as he held her tightly, pushing himself as deep inside her as he could and releasing his seed. Kaitlyn gasped as she felt her husbands finish, her own org
asm descending simultaneously. Oh god, she thought as realization hit her. Kaitlyn didn’t want to get pregnant again. She was terrified of losing another child. Please don’t let that happen, she thought while Tariq continued to kiss her neck softly. Absently Kaitlyn stroked his back as she made a mental note to see her doctor and get fitted for an IUD.

  *****

  LaRon was trying not to lose him temper and kill the woman standing in front of him going off on yet another tangent.

  “I ain’t gonna be in the fuckin’ dark, Deuce,” Kysha growled angrily rolling her neck as she stood, hand on her hip addressing the man she was five months pregnant from. “Me and this baby deserve as much as that bitch you livin’ with,” she spat nastily referring to Jaleesa.

  LaRon sighed deeply. Kysha Brown was a mistake he prayed everyday he could erase and wished to God he’d never made. She worked for them at Mardi Gras as a waitress. They’d flirted off and on, but nothing serious. That all changed after Jaleesa miscarried and LaRon found himself blaming her for the loss. Kysha had been there to comfort him and support him in his self pity. They’d only kissed at first. Then she gave him head as he returned the favor. They finally connected after a celebrity birthday bash at the club. LaRon admittedly was drunk off his ass that night, but he knew better.

  “Kysha, what the fuck do you want from me,” he threw back, tired of the games. She’d promised to get an abortion two months ago. LaRon again kicked himself for being stupid enough to trust her and not go with her to the clinic. She didn’t tell him until she was four months gone that she’d changed her mind. Now he was subject to any and every demand Kysha made if he didn’t want Jaleesa to find out about his cheating and leave him, taking their son with her.