Thin Ice Read online

  Ice had to still love her; he just had to, Shelby thought as she sighed deeply. If only she could talk to him without him getting angry. Sipping her drink Shelby continued to watch the various patrons as she and Yvette conversed, all the while keeping a wary eye for Ice. The time of limbo wasn’t long as he walked into the club and sat with Carlos. Yes, she thought excitedly taking him in all over again. He still looked absolutely wonderful. His muscular frame was bulging sensuously in the black silk shirt he was wearing. The matching slacks were clinging nicely to his well toned butt and sexy thighs. She was aroused just sitting there looking at him, quickly forgetting the painful lessons that came from her past meetings.

  I finally get the chance to talk to him again, Shelby thought working up the nerve to actually get up and go over to them. She told herself she only had to get Ice to remember the good times and the love the two of them shared so they could be together again. Shelby took another long swallow from her drink, gathered herself, and headed over to the booth the two men were sitting in.

  “Are you crazy?” Yvette asked as she intercepted her walking across the floor, returning from the ladies room and spotting the two men. “He will beat your ass again Shelby. You know Ice doesn’t like to be surprised,” she finished looking at her cousin evenly.

  Shelby sighed deeply and looked back at her.

  “This may be my only chance Yvette,” she returned. “Ice won’t go off on me here, it’s not his style,” she told her cousin. “And I’m damned sure not stupid enough to go anywhere alone with him again right now.”

  Yvette sighed again. “Be careful Shelby, that’s all, ok?” she told her gently and let her arm go.

  *****

  “Hi guys,” Shelby said amiably speaking to both men, but looking directly at Ian.

  Ian regarded the woman for a moment before returning her greeting.

  “How’ve you been Ice?” she asked trying to prolong the conversation and her time in his presence.

  “I’m actually very well Shelby,” he told her still eyeing her evenly.

  Ian really wanted to slap the hell out of her, but they were in public.

  “That’s good to hear,” she told him kindly.

  Carlos excused himself leaving her and Ian by themselves.

  “Do you mind?” Shelby asked looking at the seat vacated by Carlos.

  Ian shrugged and she sat.

  “What do you want really, Shelby?” he asked point blank. “You’re not even supposed to be here,” he told her plainly. “You what, here trying to rehash what we used to be,” Ian continued never taking his eyes from her. “That would definitely be a wasted effort on your part,” he finished growing irritated and falling silent again.

  Shelby was crushed. That was exactly what she wanted. She wanted her lover back, the man who’d been and done everything for her. Why the hell was Ice still so angry with her? He loved her that had to be it. No man would still be this angry over something that happened almost a year and half ago if he didn’t still care somewhere inside, Shelby thought delusional as she continued to sit waiting on Ian to speak again. Finally after taking another sip of his crown, Ian spoke one last time.

  “Let this be your last visit to Infusion, and don’t test me again,” he said simply and Shelby thought her heart would burst.

  “Now if you’ll excuse me,” Ian began as he looked at his watch. “I need to take care of some business,” he finished and left her sitting alone and dejected once again.

  Shelby felt the tears stinging. She hurriedly made her way to the restroom, not wanting Yvette to know how miserably the meeting had turned out.

  *****

  “Shelby still riding your jock,” Carlos asked him as they were headed out to the meeting spot.

  Ian grunted and Carlos laughed.

  “She is persistent, I have to give her that,” he chuckled again.

  “She’s gonna make me kill her ass, is what she’s working on doing,” Ian said plainly.

  Carlos chuckled once more. He’d been working for Ian the last three years, having grown up here in the city. He was also one of the few people who knew how Ian had really felt about Shelby. He’d really cared for her and she’d broken his heart when she cheated on him. Now he absolutely hated her.

  “You carrying,” Ian asked bringing him out of his thoughts.

  “Of course,” Carlos replied, to which Ian grunted again.

  “That bitch has one more time, and I’ma cancel her ass,” Ian told him evenly as Carlos simply nodded his understanding and continued to drive.

  They were on their way to make a rather large money exchange, with plans to transport it to Alabama. The guys they were meeting were regulars and they’d never had any trouble. Still, you could never be to careful. From there they had a contract to fulfill. One of the local shopkeepers had made the mistake of trying to turn in Ryan, Ian’s older brother, who ran the club and operation there. Ian also needed to talk to Ryan while he was there about teaching Kaitlyn the operation and keeping an eye on her while he set up things here for Landon and Tariq. Ian thought about his plans for the men. He was going to give them each an opportunity to walk away life intact, but if they resisted, well, he wasn’t responsible for their outcomes.

  *****

  “Hello,” Kaitlyn answered softly.

  “Hey baby, did I wake you?” Ian asked calmly, knowing she’d arrived home only a few moments earlier.

  “No,” Kaitlyn said simply.

  “Everything OK,” Ian asked catching the tone in her voice.

  “I’m good,” Kaitlyn replied deceptively.

  How was she going to tell him her mind was on stress overload wondering when he was going to kill her best friend, avoiding both Tariq and Landon, and pretending everything was still right with the world?

  “I’m gonna pick you up tomorrow and take you to the other club in Alabama,” Ian told her calmly.

  “Oh OK,” Kaitlyn replied having no idea anything was amiss.

  “You’ll stay with my brother and he’s gonna show you how things are run,” Ian added once more.

  “For how long,” Kaitlyn asked.

  Ian had allowed them to continue dealing even after Jaleesa’s return. He knew Kaitlyn was nervous and suspicious that he would kill her friend while she was away. That wasn’t his plan, but that didn’t concern her, so he wasn’t going to enlighten her.

  “Couple weeks,” Ian replied calmly hearing her sigh deeply.

  “Mm, OK I guess,” Kaitlyn replied as Ian smiled slightly.

  He knew she would never tip her hand and tell him exactly what she was worried about.

  Kaitlyn made their relationship really easy so far. She wasn’t hard to get along with, moody, demanding, jealous or petty. Ian knew once she truly learned the ropes they were off to the races. He was thinking of adding two more clubs, one in Florida and another in Mississippi. They already had a sweet set up in Louisiana geared completely to prostitution. Now that he had the right partner in addition to his brother Ryan, the newer additions wouldn’t be so taxing for them.

  “Go to bed baby, you sound exhausted,” Ian told her as Kaitlyn yawned in his ear.

  “Goodnight,” he said sweetly as she thanked him and returned his goodnight.

  Ian smiled after he cleared his phone. Kaitlyn was the best decision he’d made in a while, he thought as he once more focused on his business and the task at hand.

  10

  Finally getting a chance to spend a night in her own home for a few days Jaleesa excitedly opened the door and entered her condo. She’d been out of town for almost three consecutive weeks with Tristan at various locations. Stripping once she hit the bedroom, she headed for the shower. Jaleesa exited moment’s later feeling refreshed and invigorated. She was singing along to the music she’d put on when she arrived, heading out of the bathroom, when the open hand slap knocked her off balance and to the floor.

  “I told you I was gonna get you didn’t I?” Evan told her menacingly as he sto
od over her.

  Jaleesa was trying to think of an escape route. She was naked and cornered, with this madman standing over her looking ready to kill.

  “Evan please, just let it go,” she pleaded as she tried to move away.

  Evan moved into her path and slapped her again. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he bellowed.

  “After all the things I’ve done for you, you think you’re just gonna walk away and say to hell with you Evan?” he threw at her.

  He was breathing hard and looking hatefully at Jaleesa.

  “I kept your ass comfortable, bought you things, introduced your hood ass to Tristan, and this is how you repay my kindness?”

  Evan continued to look her over as she sat naked on the floor, feeling himself become aroused. He stood and walked over to Jaleesa, speaking slowly and deliberately.

  “Get up and come over to the bed,” he commanded.

  Jaleesa was repulsed at the thought, knowing what Evan had in mind.

  “Please Evan,” she began pleading as the man hit her again.

  “Shut the hell up,” he said coldly as he undressed.

  He slapped Jaleesa several more times making sure his point got across.

  “Thought you were so damned fly, kicking my ass to the curb and screwing Tristan huh,” Evan railed as he pulled the condom out of his pants pocket.

  He grabbed Jaleesa and turned her over, pushing her face into the pillow and pulling her to her knees, roughly assaulting her.

  Jaleesa was in excruciating pain. Evan was being extremely mean and spiteful.

  “Call my name like you used to bitch,” he commanded as he continued to thrust into his ex-lover. “Say it!” he yelled again.

  Jaleesa did as she was told hoping the carnage would soon end.

  “I’m the best fuckin’ man you’ll ever have,” Evan told her again as he continued, “No one else will ever give it to you better than I can,” he finished as Jaleesa felt him reach his peak.

  He collapsed on top of her, still whispering in her ear.

  “Don’t even think of telling anyone about my visit tonight or I’ll kill you,” he said harshly.

  Jaleesa was near tears. She was unarmed, thinking she was safe her in the penthouse. If I had my .380 right about now, Jaleesa thought remaining mute. She just wanted Evan to leave.

  “OK Evan, I hear you,” she finally replied as he rose and removed the condom dropping it on the floor beside the bed.

  “You ain’t as slick as you think your ass is,” Evan told her cryptically as he dressed and Jaleesa lay in bed watching him warily.

  “Thanks for the ass,” he told her cruelly throwing a one dollar bill on the nightstand. “I hope you saved some money, cause Tristan’s gonna find a new piece of ass here soon, and you’re going to be back in southwest where your trashy ass first started,” Evan finished and added a final insult by spitting on her before turning and leaving the way he came in.

  As soon as the door closed Jaleesa broke down sobbing deeply as she ran and locked the door, propping a chair behind it, then heading once more to the shower to wash off the grime she felt coating her skin from Evan’s touch.

  *****

  Kaitlyn sighed deeply and dialed Jaleesa’s number. They were supposed to have dinner tonight and she wanted to make sure they were still on. It’d been a while since they spent time; because of Jaleesa’s constant traveling. Tristan wanted her to be there every time he flew anywhere which was frequently. She doesn’t understand how deeply in the quicksand she is, no one does, Kaitlyn thought tiredly, trying daily to find a way out of the mess and save her friend’s life.

  “Hey girl,” Jaleesa answered trying to sound like herself. “You’re not canceling are you,” she asked, needing very much to get out of the apartment and enjoy a normal evening.

  Kaitlyn chuckled slightly and told her no, she was actually confirming. They both laughed and Jaleesa told her they were still on.

  “Great, I’ll meet you at Savannah Grill in twenty minutes,” Kaitlyn replied still chuckling as they disconnected.

  *****

  Jaleesa arrived first and headed inside garnering them a table by the window. As she sat and waited, Jaleesa ordered a drink and tried to relax. Her mind replayed for her the horror she’d endured only a couple hours earlier. That damned man is a walking damned time bomb, she thought her hands shaking as she sipped her drink. Kaitlyn arrived moments later and joined her at the table smiling.

  “Damn stranger,” Kaitlyn teased as the two embraced.

  “Girl I feel like a gypsy,” Jaleesa returned.

  “What the hell you been putting on that man,” Kaitlyn teased again as Jaleesa laughed.

  “Hey girl, you know how we do, don’t act new,” she replied as they both roared with laughter.

  The server came and took their order as Kaitlyn regarded her friend. She’d noticed the tremors and jumpiness, at first dismissing them, but now she needed to address them. Kaitlyn also needed to warn Jaleesa, tell her to the get all the money she could and get the hell out of Atlanta immediately.

  “What’s wrong,” Kaitlyn asked calmly sitting up and looking right in Jaleesa’s eyes.

  “Everything’s cool KiKi,” Jaleesa lied.

  “No it’s not, so why you tryna play me of all people, Tweety,” Kaitlyn threw back as Jaleesa sighed deeply.

  “It’s cool KiKi, let it go,” she returned knowing Kaitlyn’s reaction and the actions to follow.

  “I’ma ask you again, Tweety,” Kaitlyn started once more her tone tense. “What’s wrong,” she asked slowly and deliberately.

  “Not here,” Jaleesa replied simply as Kaitlyn nodded.

  Their food arrived and they ate having guarded conversation. After paying the check they left and Kaitlyn followed Jaleesa back to the condo.

  “Spit it out,” Kaitlyn told her after they arrived and Jaleesa was still silently holding back.

  “Evan came to see me today,” she told her friend unable to maintain eye contact.

  “What did he want,” Kaitlyn asked trying to contain the anger she felt rising, having a sneaking suspicion of the circumstances surrounding his visit.

  “To get his payback,” Jaleesa said plainly as the tear rolled down her cheek.

  “What was done,” Kaitlyn asked again as Jaleesa looked up at her knowing the tone very well.

  “Leave it alone KiKi,” she told her friend vainly already seeing the look set on her face.

  “He took it,” she asked never removing her eyes from Jaleesa.

  Looking away unable to answer verbally, Kaitlyn had all she needed.

  “I had actually planned to tell you some info I found out about his nasty ass tonight,” Kaitlyn told Jaleesa allowing the previous conversation to rest for the moment.

  “What,” Jaleesa asked simply.

  “He’s on the down low,” Kaitlyn told her as Jaleesa felt herself become physically ill thinking of the blow jobs and unprotected sex they’d had while she was with him.

  “How you know that story is true,” Jaleesa asked not wanting to believe it.

  “His lover buys weed from me,” Kaitlyn told her as Jaleesa’s mouth dropped and her eyes filled with unshed tears.

  “I found out by accident last week when he made a buy driving Evan’s car,” Kaitlyn went on to tell her. “I questioned him a bit and managed to get the information out of him,” she finished as Jaleesa began to wretch.

  Running from the room she managed to make it to the toilet before the onslaught hit and she regurgitated her earlier dinner.

  Hearing the water running finally, Kaitlyn took the opportunity to slip Evan’s house key off Jaleesa’s key ring and check the .9mm in her purse. She was going to pay that ass a little visit, and when she left his trifling, double-dealing ass, Evan wasn’t going to be a bother to anyone else ever again.

  “You OK,” Kaitlyn asked as Jaleesa came back into the room.

  “Yeah, I’m gonna be,” she told her friend as she headed in
to the kitchen and grabbed herself a soft drink. “I’m headed to my doctor in the morning and getting myself tested again,” she told Kaitlyn.

  “You just had an AIDS test didn’t you,” Kaitlyn threw back as Jaleesa confirmed she had. “Then you’re good till next year,” Kaitlyn replied telling her to calm down. “Did he use a condom tonight,” Kaitlyn asked giving her a look once more.

  Jaleesa nodded that he had and Kaitlyn let it go. They chatted a little while longer, even watching a movie and laughing together before Kaitlyn told Jaleesa she was headed out.

  “Thanks for coming over KiKi,” Jaleesa told her hugging her friend tightly just as her cell rang.

  “Tristan?” Kaitlyn asked as Jaleesa chuckled and nodded yes.

  Kaitlyn waved and let herself out as Jaleesa began talking to her lover.

  11

  Kaitlyn had been sitting outside in her car watching the building for the last few hours, waiting for traffic or people to come and go. It’d been a long week as she patiently waited for Evan to relax and think he was safe. Finally it was the weekend again, and the time was right for her visit. Kaitlyn didn’t want anyone to see her enter or exit. Most people were either already in for the night, or wouldn’t be in until later, she thought knowing the timeframe of the Atlanta nightlife crowd. Finally getting out, Kaitlyn carefully crossed the street and entered the building through the parking garage, being careful to stay close to the sides of the wall out of camera vision.

  She calmly summoned the elevator and headed up to his floor, checking her pocket once more, finding what she needed contained. Arriving, Kaitlyn stealthily made her way down the hallway to the penthouse where Evan lived. Quietly using the key she’d taken from Jaleesa and entering the unit, she allowed her eyes to acclimate to the darkness. There was nothing on, so the apartment was deathly still and silent. Kaitlyn took her shoes off, deciding to walk in her bare feet. She didn’t want any sound to give away her presence until she was ready to announce it. She took the gun from her pocket and headed down the hallway to bedroom.