Thin Ice 4 - Resurrections Read online

  Jalen was listening intently as Creeper talked. “So you need to meet me in Atlanta, tomorrow,” he told him plainly as Jalen sighed lightly and told him he would. “Who am I meeting,” he asked of the person Creeper had mentioned earlier.

  “Someone who knew both your brothers well and how you all ended up separate,” Creeper replied calmly.

  “OK, I’ll find a flight now,” Jalen replied actually pulling up airlines as he talked.

  “You don’t hafta get a hotel if you don’t want too,” Creeper told him again. “They actually have a nice sized house and said you were more than welcome to stay with them,” he added knowing Jalen’s curiosity had to be over the top by now.

  “Well, that’s really kind of them,” Jalen replied desperate to know who the benefactor was.

  “Yeah, they’re straight folks,” Creeper replied inhaling the black and mild as he chatted.

  “I’ll definitely take them up on it,” Jalen replied his mind already racing ahead.

  Creeper told him that was fine and he’d see him tomorrow, disconnecting.

  Jalen’s mind had already taken full flight and he was imagining all sorts of scenarios. Maybe it’s someone they used to run with, he thought as he found a flight and booked it. He hadn’t talked to Penny since their big blowout. Not that he minded not hearing the constant nagging and harping, but Jalen was horny. He could, without a doubt, use some sex in the worst way. Sighing deeply and pushing the thoughts away Jalen rose and headed into his bedroom to begin packing. He was still deep in thought as he took clothes from his closet and put them in the suitcase. Why would mama lie to me all these years, Jalen brooded. Hell why is she still lying to me, he asked himself sighing deeply. Every since he’d broached the subject with her, his mother had been distant almost hostile. He’d even taken the extraordinary step of lying to her, telling her he wasn’t interested in learning about Ian or Ryan anymore. That seemed to calm her down and they’d resumed some semblance of a relationship again. “Forgive me mama, but I need to know,” Jalen said aloud as he closed the suitcase and dressed for work. His flight left first thing in the morning, so he planned to only work until midnight then leave the other bartender to close up. Finally gonna get some answers tomorrow, Jalen mused happily as he grabbed his keys and headed out, whistling softly as he headed for his car.

  *****

  “Come on Gabrielle,” C-Rod was cajoling.

  Laughing she finally told him okay as they left campus and began walking down the block to the wing place he wanted to visit. Gabrielle normally never ventured away from campus. Jaron made her promise never to go anywhere alone or without telling him where she was. This trip can’t hurt, Gabrielle thought as they finally arrived and went inside.

  “You want something,” C-Rod asked, offering to pay for it.

  Gabrielle laughed and told him she had money.

  “I know that girl, I’m just being a gentleman, sheesh,” he joked as she laughed and told him what she wanted.

  C-Rod stepped up and ordered their wings as Gabrielle found them a seat and opened her book. They had an exam tomorrow and she trying to make sure she passed. “Gabrielle,” the soft whisper passed her ears making her head snap up. Gabrielle looked around but saw no one. Swallowing hard she pushed the thought away as identification came immediately to her mind. Seth is dead, her mind told her as C-Rod arrived at their table with the food.

  “What’s wrong,” he asked, seeing the expression on her face.

  Gabrielle quickly gathered herself and told him nothing.

  “Girl, see that book got you all jacked up,” C-Rod joked, reaching over and closing it.

  Gabrielle laughed aloud the previous moment forgotten as she began to eat her wings, laughing and joking with C-Rod. She never noticed Victor as he walked by her and out of the door, the small mini cassette recorder still in his hand. Stopping once he was outside, his eyes met C-Rod’s who gave him the slight nod letting him know the tape had the desired effect. Victor smiled slightly, turned and walked away. C-Rod immediately returned his attention to Gabrielle and began eating once more.

  “We should get back,” Gabrielle told him, finally noticing the time.

  C-Rod nodded and rose, throwing away their trash and holding the door for her as she exited.

  “Those wings were good,” Gabrielle remarked as C-Rod teased that he’d told her as much.

  “So now maybe I won’t hafta twist your arm to get you to come back,” he threw out as Gabrielle assured him he wouldn’t.

  Jaron was waiting when she returned, trying hard to keep his temper in check. “Hey,” Gabrielle greeted him sweetly.

  “Hi baby,” he returned hugging her lightly, giving C- Rod a look behind her back. “Where are you two coming from,” he asked causally.

  “Oh, this wing place C-Rod took me too,” Gabrielle returned innocently.

  Jaron already didn’t like C-Rod and he’d just met him.

  “Really,” he asked as she told him where it was and the name of it. “Well that’s cool, but next time let me know baby,” Jaron chided gently.

  Gabrielle told him she was sorry and she would.

  “Let me go grab my bookbag and I’ll be ready,” she told Jaron as he smiled and told her okay.

  As soon as she was out of hearing range he addressed C-Rod. “Stay the hell away from Gabrielle,” Jaron told him plainly.

  C-Rod sighed deeply. “Look, I ain’t tryna push up on Gabrielle,” he told him diplomatically. “She’s good people, she’s really nice to me, and we’re clinical partners,” C-Rod explained. “That’s it, nothing more,” he finished just as Gabrielle walked outside. Jaron had to hold his tongue for now, but he had the feeling he and C-Rod would have a meeting of the minds one day in the very near future.

  *****

  Seth frowned deeply watching Jaron interact with Gabrielle.

  “Relax, it’s all going according to plan,” Victor told him, seeing the scowl.

  Nodding slightly Seth took another deep breath and relaxed a bit.

  “So she recognized the voice,” he asked as Victor assured him Gabrielle did indeed.

  “I think it scared her,” Victor told him chuckling slightly.

  Seth smiled. It wasn’t his intention to scare her; he simply wanted her to begin to think of him on a more regular basis.

  “Follow them,” he told Victor calmly as Jaron started the mustang and headed for the expressway.

  Keeping a safe distance, Victor followed in the rented Chrysler 300. They watched the black muscle car hit the interstate and immediately pick up speed. Victor was doing 90mph just to keep up with him.

  “Fool thinks this is the raceway or what,” he mumbled as Seth grunted his agreement.

  Jaron whipped the mustang in and out of lanes, causing Victor to call upon driving skills he hadn’t used in a long time.

  “This muthafucka is crazy,” Seth mumbled as they finally slowed slightly and Jaron got off at the exit.

  Victor followed the vehicle, again keeping a safe and discreet distance as it turned right and they began traveling through a residential area.

  “Remember these streets,” Seth told C-Rod as he rode in the backseat.

  He’d slipped into the car just before Jaron and Gabrielle left the school.

  “Yeah,” he replied simply, scribbling some of them down as well as landmarks he could remember.

  They drove another three or four miles until Jaron again slowed and turned into a gated community.

  “Keep driving,” Seth instructed as they passed the outer fence and C-Rod wrote down the name.

  “Hillcrest Manor,” he repeated as he wrote.

  Seth nodded again as Victor slowed the car and they watched the mustang go under the mechanical arm and the gate close behind them.

  “That’s going to pose a slight problem,” Seth murmured. “Find us a way in,” he told C-Rod who replied he would.

  Turning the car around at the next subdivision, the three men began making their w
ay back to the interstate and their rented home. Victor was deep in thought as they drove. Seth was starting to come unglued. He understood the man was in love with the woman, but if he started acting erratically he would get them all killed. Sighing lightly, he decided to keep a closer eye on Seth and have a private conversation with C-Rod. He didn’t come all the way to Atlanta to get killed because Seth couldn’t keep it together.

  *****

  David was admiring their sexy new waitress and thinking how much he wanted to screw her. Damned Jacoury already eyeing her, he thought as Tyashia came over to the bar to put in her latest order.

  “How’s it going,” he asked casually, leaning close to her.

  “Busy, but good,” she replied amiably.

  “That’s good,” David replied, running his finger down her arm softly. “Lots of good tips for you tonight,” he added as Tyashia smiled and moved away from him.

  She wanted to work and be left alone and she certainly hoped David wasn’t going to be trouble. Call Jacoury and tell him, her mind threw at her. Her boss was definitely sexy and he’d given her an all too familiar look before he left today. Tyashia decided if he made a move she would accept his advances. Being cozy with the boss could never hurt, she thought as the bartender handed her the two mojito margaritas. David put his hand on her arm, stopping her before she could walk away.

  “Why don’t you take your break after this table,” he told her sweetly.

  Tyashia smiled and thanked him, walking away as David watched her butt swing side to side.

  She was grateful for the break as she relaxed on the small couch in the employees lounge. A couple of the other girls were taking a break as well, but they’d gone outside to smoke.

  “Hey,” David greeted her as he entered the room.

  “Hi,” Tyashia threw back not sure she liked him being in the room with her.

  “We are jumpin’ tonight,” he told her, making conversation as he sat next to her.

  “Yeah, but like you said, great tip potential,” Tyashia threw back trying to make conversation.

  It happened so quickly she couldn’t react. David pinned her to the couch, his weight on top of her as he kissed her hard, smashing his lips against her own, using his hand to force her mouth open and his tongue inside. Tyashia swung, hitting him in the temple, knocking his equilibrium off. Pushing him off her she kicked him hard straight in the stomach close to the groin.

  “Touch me again and I’ll kill your ass,” she hissed in his ear.

  David simply nodded, trying to breathe and ease the pain in gut at the moment. Grabbing her pad and pen, Tyashia opened the door and headed back into the club, no further thought given to the man lying inside the open lounge door still writhing in pain.

  *****

  Kaitlyn was deep in the throes of a nightmare as she tossed and turned in bed, moaning softly aloud. “Baby, stop it,” Ian told her as he pulled her forward. “No, where are you taking me, what’s going on,” Kaitlyn tried, pulling away. “Baby, I love you, you know that,” Ian told her once more as the door opened and all she saw was darkness. “No, Ice, please, no, don’t hurt me,” she began to cry as Ian took her in his arms. “I would never hurt you KiKi, you know that,” he told her sweetly. “Tariq would though,” he threw out as she looked at him quizzically. “He has secrets KiKi,” Ian went on speaking softly and soothingly. “Deep, dark, hurtful secrets,” he added as she asked what they were. “Ask him,” Ian told her instead. “But after you come back,” he threw out trying once again to pull her into the darkness she saw. “No, don’t,” Kaitlyn screamed as Ian covered her mouth with his hand, whispering it was alright in her ear. He picked her up and began walking with her into the darkness. “See, I told you, I would take care of you,” Ian told her gently, putting her down. Kaitlyn could still see the darkness, but she wasn’t scared anymore. It was actually soothing to her now as Ian began kissing her neck. “I’ve missed you baby,” he told her removing her shirt as Kaitlyn offered no resistance. “I want to make love,” Ian told her as he stripped her and himself. They were lying together, naked, as he touched her and kissed her neck softly. “Ice,” Kaitlyn said calmly as he stopped his work and looked into her eyes. “Yes baby,” he answered sweetly never taking his glance away. “You’re dead,” Kaitlyn told him matter-of-fact. Ian smiled again and spoke. “That’s alright baby,” he replied. “So are you.”

  Kaitlyn woke screaming as Tariq rushed into the bedroom, grabbing her and hugging her tightly to him.

  “Its okay baby, I’m here,” he told her as Kaitlyn shook violently. “Shhh, it was only a dream baby,” Tariq reassured her, holding her face now looking into her eyes.

  He didn’t want her to relapse on him now. They’d come way too far for that.

  “I’m okay,” she said finally as she stopped shaking and drank the water Tariq retrieved.

  “You want to talk about it,” he asked gently.

  Shaking her head no, Tariq told her okay and didn’t press.

  “When is the service for Tweety,” she asked, changing the subject.

  Tariq told her day after tomorrow and Kaitlyn again nodded wordlessly.

  “I want something to eat,” she told Tariq rising.

  He smiled thinking that was a good sign, taking her hand and leading her to the kitchen where he would prepare her a steak with the works.

  “Do you think she suffered, Tariq,” Kaitlyn asked as he cooked their dinner.

  Sighing softly, Tariq told her he doubted it.

  “She would have passed out from the oxygen deprivation,” he told Kaitlyn as she nodded slightly, happy for that much.

  “I’m going to miss her so much,” she added almost inaudibly before breaking down and sobbing deeply.

  Turning off the stove, Tariq came and hugged her again, letting her pour out her hurt and loss one more time.

  Part II : The Arrivals

  9

  Ian smiled as he looked around the airport. He hadn’t been home for a long time. Smiling still as he exited, Ian hailed a cab and gave him the address, sitting back and enjoying the scenery along the way. He thought about his time away, his time in the hospital, the bullets put into his body. Ian thought about the smug look on Tariq’s face as he planted that .380 slug into his head, a portion of which still remained. Well let’s see how smug that bastard is when I return the favor, Ian thought ominously as the driver got onto the interstate and continued driving. Ian’s thoughts immediately turned to Kaitlyn finding out exactly what was going on with her. He was going to have Pirate get his friend to press DeNoah harder for answers. I have a few other avenues to exploit as well, he continued to brood. He and Kaitlyn had been apart far too long, Ian’s mind told him. She’s my destiny and I’m damned tired of Tariq trying to make her his, Ian thought angrily as the cab driver announced they’d reached his destination.

  Shaking the thoughts, Ian exited the cab and paid the driver, adding a handsome tip. The man smiled and thanked him profusely as he finally drove away. Walking inside his home Robert was there to greet him.

  “How was your flight,” he asked amiably as Ian assured him it was fine.

  “You have everything in order the way I requested,” he asked as the attorney assured him he did.

  “Here are all your credit cards, bank cards and account information,” Robert told him, passing the manila envelope to him.

  “Good job,” Ian replied making himself a drink from the fully stocked bar. “What have you found out about Kaitlyn,” he asked, sitting and waiting for the attorney to speak.

  “This was extremely hard to come by,” he told Ian handing him a thick file folder.

  “I knew if anyone could do it, you could,” Ian assured him as he put the file down beside him. He would read it thoroughly once he was alone. “Jalen is due today,” he told Robert who voiced his acknowledgement. “Do you have the paperwork for him as well,” Ian asked as the attorney handed it over. “You do excellent work,” Ian replied once more as Robert rose
to leave. “I’ll be in touch in a few days,” Ian threw out as the attorney nodded once more and left the man’s presence.

  *****

  Mook and Tariq greeted each other as they came inside the house at his invitation.

  “You guys just get here,” he asked as he hugged Kim lightly as well.

  Mook told him they hit the city only about an hour ago.

  “OK, then let me get keys and such so you guys can go get settled and relax for a while,” Tariq replied as Mook thanked him.

  Kaitlyn came into the room moments later and greeted them both. Kim could tell the woman was under duress. She looked like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Thank god for medication, Kim thought to herself scared Kaitlyn would relapse and deadly Lauren Cisneros would be standing in their presence again. Everyone else seemed to forget that part when talking about the abuse of her father, but Kim hadn’t. She knew Carlo Cisneros to be deadly and he’d taught his daughter to be just as deadly. Please don’t ever let that side of her surface or we’re all fucked, Kim continued to brood as Kaitlyn invited them into the den and offered everyone a drink.

  Kim soon let her trepidation go as they all began to laugh and talk. Tariq started the grill and they had lunch together, enjoying the fabulous porterhouse cuts that were served.

  “Where’s your son,” Kaitlyn asked casually.

  Kim told her he was with relatives, not elaborating. Kaitlyn simply sighed and let the conversation go. They continued to talk about other things until Mook rose saying he wanted to get to the house and get settled. Kim was definitely thankful to be leaving. While she didn’t dislike Kaitlyn anymore, the woman still unnerved her. There was something very cold, very dark, and very sinister about her at times. The woman’s bestfriend just died, cut her some slack, Kim’s mind threw out. She felt immediately remorseful, but still kept her guard slightly up. Tariq gave them the key, directions, and told them to do whatever they wanted to the house. Kim saw him pull Mook aside, pretty sure giving him instructions on their next meeting. She didn’t speak on it, not even on the drive to the new house. Kim had to admit it was a beautiful structure once they got there, but it wasn’t Miami, there wasn’t an ocean behind it, and she was sure all hell was about to break loose in Atlanta.