Thin Ice Page 5

  *****

  Evan returned home and made himself a drink. Paybacks a bitch stupid trick, he thought acidly of Jaleesa. Evan hated to be outsmarted and she’d run circles around him in this last deal. He’d found out quite by accident that she and Kaitlyn dealt, after witnessing an exchange with some of the visiting players during a game. Thinking about Kaitlyn brought a small smile to his face. Landon’s a lucky muthafucka, he thought of his friend bedding the woman on the regular. Truthfully, the night they met Kaitlyn, Evan immediately wanted her instead of Jaleesa, but his lot already cast, he made the best of it. Picking up his cell Evan made another call.

  *****

  Landon sipped his drink as he waited for the recording to finish. “This is Kaitlyn, sorry I can’t get to the phone right now,” her voicemail went on as he smiled. Once the recording was complete, Landon left his message. He sat back after the call reflecting on the woman and how quickly they’d meshed. He also thought about Ian and how Evan told him the man was interested in Kaitlyn.

  That damned thug needs to step the fuck off, Landon thought angrily. Why won’t he just find himself another hood chick and get with her, Landon thought recalling Shelby, Ian’s last girlfriend. He’d seen her around and at some of the parties Ian had managed to get himself invited to at the arena. Landon learned Shelby was a stripper, which came as no surprise considering her dress and demeanor. Kaitlyn was definitely way out of Ian’s league as far as Landon was concerned. He continued to stew about the man’s affection as well as his own hopes and dreams for his relationship with her. There was still Kaitlyn’s reluctance to completely commit to him and her vagueness when he would try and steer her down that highway. What is she running from, Landon questioned. Women always sayin’ they want a good man, but when he shows up, they trippin’, Landon continued to think finishing his drink. Pushing the thoughts away, he finally rose and headed to his bedroom exhausted from his earlier workout at the gym, as he lay down and sleep quickly found him.

  *****

  Bryce was just completing his purchase when his cell rang. He fumbled for a moment adjusting his bags trying to answer the instrument, finally managing to get it to his ear.

  “Hello,” he chirped happily into the phone, unaware of who was on the other end. “Where are you?”

  Bryce immediately became alarmed. This wasn’t someone he wanted to make angry.

  “You said eight baby, it’s only a little after seven,” he replied trying to appease the person on the other end of the line.

  “Are you out spending my money again?” the voice shot back, still angry, assuming a tone Bryce hated to hear, knowing it meant pain for him.

  “I only bought a couple of things,” he replied subdued. “I’m on my way now baby,” he tried again. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” he finished and waited for a response.

  He heard a non-committal grunt.

  “Stop at the liquor store and bring me a bottle of cognac on your way,” the voice told him, starting to sound a bit calmer.

  Bryce slowly let out the breath he’d taken and said he would. They ended the call and he hurried to his car. Why do I keep letting myself be treated this way, he wondered. Bryce Palmer was a good looking man, had a good job, and a great personality. So why was he allowing himself to be constantly abused, he asked himself for what seemed like the tenth time today. He already knew the answer. He was in love and scared, more of the second than the first. Bryce sighed deeply at the revelation and pulled into the liquor store parking lot.

  *****

  Ian was thinking about Kaitlyn, his mind racing as he drove. He was tired of dating silly women with no intellect; tired of investing money without seeing any return. Not one of them had shown an ounce of interest in what he did or helping him to do it. As long he bought them a few clothes, or some cheap jewelry, everything was fine. Ian wanted more, a whole lot more. They were always easy, which he had to admit, was what drew him to them most times; easily manipulated and gullible. A couple of them he’d actually slept with at the club, in his office, without even having to buy them a drink. Stupid wanna-be gold diggers were all they were.

  That time was over for him though; Ian was trying to become even more wealthy and powerful. He needed a woman with brains, one that could help him run his empire and keep things flowing smoothly. From everything he’d seen and learned about her, Kaitlyn was the one. Even though he owned Inferno, and Castles, the club in Alabama, there was always room for more. Once he and Kaitlyn were together, things would definitely change quickly and for the better, Ian thought exiting the interstate and making a left turn.

  *****

  “Baby, I’m here,” Bryce sang out as he arrived letting himself inside the house, liquor in tow.

  “Fix me a drink,” was the command issued in lieu of a greeting.

  “Here you go honey,” Bryce said quietly as he entered the bedroom and handed the drink over.

  He was given the once over, and began to get nervous all over again from the look he received. The slap came out of nowhere and knocked him onto the floor. Bryce sat there quietly, afraid to say anything else to add fuel to the fire.

  “Who the hell is Diego Rodriguez,” Evan growled angrily, towering over the man still cowering before him. “You screwing around with that joker?” he yelled, preparing to hit Bryce again.

  “No, I swear, I didn’t!” Bryce told him emphatically.

  He didn’t want another beating at this man’s hands.

  “He’s just a friend of mine. That’s all I swear,” he told him again beginning to cry softly, praying Evan believed him.

  Evan sipped his drink as he continued to stare at the man on the floor. His anger finally abating he spoke.

  “Come here,” he said gently and Bryce obediently complied. “I’m sorry,” Evan told him lovingly caressing his face. “I just get really jealous thinking of someone else touching you and being with you.”

  Bryce wanted to tell Evan he felt the same way every night when he was with his other, but he knew that would only get him another beat down. Instead he smiled and began to caress his lover’s chest.

  “You know I would never cheat on you,” Bryce told him as they began to kiss again and he found himself becoming aroused.

  “You better not,” Evan told him forcefully as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of Bryce’s mouth enveloping his fully erect member.

  8

  Kaitlyn turned off the water and exited the shower. She’d ended her day early as the heat became unbearable, retreating to the coolness of her apartment deciding to relax for a few hours before heading out to see Tariq. Drying herself and wrapping the towel around her, she headed into her bedroom, stopping in her tracks seeing Ian sitting on her bed patiently waiting for her, .10mm in hand.

  “These surprise visits gotta stop Ice,” Kaitlyn returned trying to calm her frazzled nerves.

  How the hell does he keep getting into my house, she wondered. She’d changed the locks after his first visit, yet here he was again.

  “Why you got the piece,” she asked again still standing in the door frame of the bathroom, watching him carefully.

  “Didn’t I warn you KiKi,” Ian said calmly never raising his voice or changing his position.

  “What are you talking about Ice,” Kaitlyn tried again.

  “Come in here,” he replied instead, his tone leaving no room for discussion.

  Obediently Kaitlyn came into the room and stood across from him leaning on the wall next to her dresser.

  “I thought you were smarter than this , KiKi,” Ian told her as he once again looked into her eyes.

  “Ice, if I had a clue what the hell you were talking about, I might have an answer for you,” she replied her mind whirling trying to come up with a way for her to get to the switchblade she kept between the mattress, or the gun hidden behind her nightstand.

  “I’m talking about you and Tweety dealing through the arena league and invading my territory,” he replied angrily as Kai
tlyn jumped slightly from the force of his statement.

  “Ice, we don’t sell to your group,” she told him trying to stay calm.

  “It’s all my group,” Ian returned rising and walking over to where she stood.

  “You and Tweety thought not selling locally was what, a technicality,” he threw out looking into Kaitlyn’s eyes and seeing the fear. “You two managed to mess up years of hard work, securing contacts, lining up delivery points, and percentages,” Ian told her close enough to Kaitlyn for her to feel his body heat.

  “Ice, look,” Kaitlyn started before Ian told her to hush.

  “Right now you better be concerned with your continued existence,” he told her ominously.

  Ian wasn’t going to hurt Kaitlyn. He was completely caught up with her.

  Swallowing hard, terrified Ice would indeed kill her Kaitlyn remained mute waiting for him to say something more. Ian fed off the fear he saw in her eyes as he held her gaze.

  “When did you turn into Tweety,” he asked as Kaitlyn gave him a quizzical glance. “Trading ass for connections,” he told her distastefully as Kaitlyn blushed deeply and looked away.

  Ian smiled slightly seeing her blush, then returned to his serious expression as her eyes returned to his own.

  “I didn’t do that,” she replied quietly.

  “So why you screwing Landon then,” Ian threw at her as Kaitlyn once again averted her gaze.

  “I told you to keep your legs closed didn’t I,” Ian asked again.

  “Yes,” Kaitlyn replied softly.

  She felt completely helpless and abhorred it.

  “What happened with the junkie,” Ian continued cruelly seeing the tears come finally.

  He needed to break Kaitlyn and she was proving extremely difficult.

  “You decided since you couldn’t lower yourself to fuck the user, you’d just screw another loser,” Ian badgered her.

  Kaitlyn continued to endure not wanting to hasten Ice’s abuse, knowing he planned to hurt her badly before he left, and that was at the very least. She took another deep breath and continued to pray he didn’t kill her.

  Ian saw he was cracking her armor, but she was still holding on. Taking the gun and placing it on the dresser next to her he didn’t say another word, instead Ian grabbed her arms put them above her head and held her fast with one hand, while slapping her hard across the face with his free hand. Kaitlyn was stunned, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of crying.

  “Let me go!” she screamed, anger kicking in, as she began trying to free herself thinking if she were going to die, she was going to die fighting.

  Ian held her fast. He was much stronger than Kaitlyn and holding her arms above her head kept her at a distinct disadvantage.

  “Shut up!” he barked, and Kaitlyn ceased struggling for the moment, waiting on his next move.

  Ian got closer to her face and spoke again.

  “I told you before, I don’t like repeating myself,” he said harshly, referring to his territory and her sleeping with Landon.

  “You are going to learn not to try me,” Ian said again taking the towel in his hand and ripping it from her, leaving her body completely exposed.

  “Get off me Ice!” Kaitlyn screamed at him, tears forming in her eyes.

  Still she fought not to spill them.

  “Leave me alone!” Kaitlyn yelled again, trying once more to free her hands.

  Ian slapped her for a second time. Still Kaitlyn wouldn’t cry or give in. What the hell is this girl thinking, he thought as he grabbed the gun and continued to hold her by her arms.

  “Do you believe that I will kill you?” Ian asked calmly as he caressed her face with the loaded gun, the cold steel unyielding as it traveled downward toward her breasts. Kaitlyn gasped as Ian touched her with the gun and threatened her.

  “I warned you not to mess around in my territory or screw some other joker didn’t I,” Ian growled still holding the gun and looking at her hard.

  “Fuck it, kill me Ice, otherwise let me go!” Kaitlyn yelled, still frightened, but determined to stay strong, as she looked him in the eye.

  Ian put the gun down and slapped her once more, harder than before. This time she did cry. Damn, about time, Ian thought watching the tears roll down her face, as Kaitlyn looked at him hatefully. Ian leaned against her, pushing her into the wall, never losing eye contact as he spoke.

  “I will hurt you if you make me KiKi, feeling you or not, don’t mess with me like this,” Ian told her harshly.

  “What do you want from Ice, damn,” Kaitlyn replied still crying softly.

  “To grant your wish,” he returned cryptically.

  “Don’t talk in circles,” she told him tiredly.

  Being this close to her naked body Ian was completely aroused as he gripped her butt and began grinding slowly against her.

  “You want what I got don’t you KiKi,” he asked.

  Kaitlyn was confused not sure if he were talking about his business or the erection she felt as he continued to touch her.

  “You wanna roll like I do, big money, businesses, houses, cars,” Ian threw out again clarifying the question for her.

  “Yeah, so,” Kaitlyn returned resentfully, her tears finally abating.

  “So, commit to me, and I’ll show you how, give you the world KiKi,” Ian told her honestly.

  “How do I know that Ice,” Kaitlyn questioned as he kissed her neck softly. “I know your reputation,” she added as his hand found her breast and Kaitlyn felt the heat in her body begin to rise.

  “KiKi, you and me would be an unstoppable team,” Ian told her as he kissed her lips and she kissed him back. “You’re smart, you’re hard enough to run things,” he went on as they kissed again. “Baby, you’re the kind of woman I’ve been waiting for,” Ian added, feeling Kaitlyn’s hands begin to gingerly caress his own body. “Stop running KiKi,” Ian told her looking into her eyes now.

  “I know Tweety’s your girl and all that ,” he went on as Kaitlyn never took her eyes off him. “But she’s already signed her death sentence,” Ian said frankly as the horrified look came across Kaitlyn’s face. “The question now is, do you go down with her, or are you smart enough to bail yourself out,” Ian finished completely ignoring the pain he now saw in her face.

  “Ice, please,” Kaitlyn began as he kissed her again.

  “No,” Ian said evenly already knowing what she was going to ask. “Tweety did this to herself KiKi,” he returned still holding her and caressing her body. “What is KiKi going to do?”

  Kaitlyn was in too much pain to talk. Ian was standing in front of her calmly talking about killing her best friend. He’s offering you continued life and everything you’ve ever wanted to enjoy it too, her mind kicked in. Kaitlyn felt like a complete fraud. She honestly had to admit right now saving her own life was more important than her friend. Tell him no, don’t sell out your girl, her mind told her as Ian’s hand slipped between her legs. Returning to her lips, Ian kissed her once more.

  “Yes or No, KiKi,” he questioned waiting tolerantly for an answer.

  Swallowing hard once more, Kaitlyn sighed deeply and answered his question.

  “Yes,” she said softly looking Ian in the eye, a mixture of guilt and relief flooding her mind as Ian smiled and kissed her again leading her to the bed, undressing and climbing in with her.

  Ian began kissing her lips gently, moving down her neck to her breasts, taking one of her nipples in his mouth and licking it. Kaitlyn moaned deeply, Ian’s actions turning her on. Returning to her lips, they began to kiss again as Ian felt her hands eagerly caressing his body.

  Kaitlyn took his fully erect member in her hands, sighing lightly as she held it. Ian kissed her again and moved on top of her. She guided him to her entrance and he entered her. Kaitlyn moaned again with pleasure as Ian began to thrust into her, kissing her neck gently as he made love to her. Kaitlyn felt the heat rising in her body and knew she was nearing orgasm. No sooner had the thought l
eft her mind than she felt the tremendous rush of pleasure. She cried out his name in ecstasy, as Ian came hard behind her, groaning loudly.

  Thank God for the pill, Kaitlyn thought, remembering the condom as an afterthought. She was lying on his huge chest as he held her, stroking her face gently. What the hell just happened here, she asked herself trying to get a handle on the turn of events that had taken place. She was getting a headache trying to sort it all out right now. Kaitlyn closed her eyes instead, deciding she would deal with it all later.

  Ian held her and looked at the ceiling. His mind was already racing ahead to killing Jaleesa. I’ma let that bitch squirm for a while, let her think she’s still runnin’ the show, he thought ominously before glancing down at Kaitlyn asleep on his chest. Gonna hafta send you on a little trip while I handle some immediate business, Ian thought as Landon and Tariq came instantly to mind. Kaitlyn stirred slightly, repositioning herself, and quickly drifted off again. Pushing everything else out of his mind for now and enjoying her presence Ian closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax and sleep.

  9

  “You need to stop thinking about Ice and get your life back together,” Yvette was telling her cousin as they entered the club.

  Shelby knew she was trying to help, but Yvette didn’t understand the depth of emotion she carried for Ice. She’d seen him a couple of times in the last month since the beating. Though he hadn’t been social, he hadn’t chased her or kicked her ass again either. Taking a deep breath trying to calm her nerves, Shelby sat down in the booth Yvette led her to. She ordered an apple martini and tried to relax, the warning Ian gave her about coming to the club looming large in her mind’s eye.