Thin Ice 7 - Echoes of Reckoning Page 7

  “Sounds like a good start,” Ryan replied opening the case they’d brought with them and removing two .380’s.

  They’d made the long drive simply because they didn’t like to travel naked and being on a plane didn’t afford them the opportunity to carry their weapons. Ian was still deep in thought as the men talked. True, Gabrielle’s place would make an excellent vantage point for their attack, Ian wanted to see her for himself and ask her about the rift between herself and Ray. The man had never fully elaborated on the details of Gabrielle leaving, though Ian had heard rumors. Hopefully she’ll share it with me as well as let us into her home, he mused as he rose and made another drink. His mind also went to his wife. Kaitlyn was still on a short fuse even after killing Ananda. Ian felt her pulling away from him and their life together; clueless as to the cause. Is she seeing someone else, he pondered, that being the most logical reason most couples grow distant. It was hard to tell with Kaitlyn because there were so many variables, given who she was. Whatever the reason, Ian had to find out and quickly. Then he would be able to help her through it and get their business back on track. He was getting ready to expand again, going back to where it all began for him, Atlanta.

  *****

  Blue watched the man as he sweated bullets. He was handling yet another business transaction on behalf of King Diesel and this particular acquisition was being complicated by an uncooperative seller.

  “Look, I don’t want to sell my place, I told him that,” Wynton ‘Termite’ Beasley was trying to tell Blue, looking down the barrel of the .357 the man held.

  “He offered you a fair price, so why are you making this harder than it has to be,” Blue returned calmly.

  “Shit man, King Diesel already owns half the damned city, why does he want my little dump of a store,” Termite asked, praying they would leave him and his store alone.

  True King Diesel had offered him a good price, but Termite loved his place, loved the location and the store had been in the family for almost three generations now. It was history and he didn’t want to just sell it out to the highest bidder.

  “You can’t win this fight Termite, you do know that right,” Blue returned sighing. “Take the money and keep breathing,” he further advised as Termite sucked his teeth softly.

  “This shit ain’t right man,” he returned almost whining.

  Blue shrugged giving him a look almost asking what’s your point.

  “I remember when the streets weren’t like they are now,” Termite began wistfully. “Black man could own a business and be left alone, hell it was the white man tryna run you outta business then,” he added giving Blue another look.

  “I don’t make the rules Termite,” Blue returned still nonplussed. “I simply enforce them.”

  With the last statement he shot a couple of bottles off the shelf, close to Termite’s head.

  “Sign the deed so I can leave you alone,” Blue told him regarding him once more.

  He was trying hard not to get angry. He needed to conclude this nonsense so he could fly back to Atlanta. According to his sources Lauren was due in the city in the next three days. There was still work to do before she arrived.

  “What if I don’t sign,” Termite threw back defiantly. “It will take him years to go through probate and get it,” he added confidently.

  Blue burst into laughter bringing a confused look from Termite.

  “Do you really think King Diesel would go through all that,” he returned, looking deeply into the man’s eyes now. “He will simply kill every blood heir he thinks could have a claim, hence no more roadblocks or interference,” he finished as Termite swallowed hard.

  He believed what Blue told him. King Diesel had proven over the years that he didn’t have much regard for human life he felt wasn’t useful in some form to him or his organization.

  “Termite, last chance,” Blue told him once more training the gun directly on him this time. “Sign the deed, take the money, open a new store, hell just live your life,” Blue added, growing silent and giving him time to make a decision.

  Blowing a long, heavy breath, Termite picked up the pen and hovered over the signature line. Blue regarded him as the lone tear trailed his face and he wrote his legal name on the document and wordlessly pushed it across the counter to Blue.

  “You made the right choice Termite,” Blue told him somewhat sympathetically, picking up the document and placing the briefcase filled with cash on his counter and walking out, pausing momentarily at the door.

  “The closing crew will be here in 15 minutes, you should be ready to leave then,” Blue admonished as Termite nodded mutely and began gathering personal mementos from behind the counter.

  *****

  Gabrielle heard the knock at her front door and frowned slightly. Who could this be, she wondered, quickly wrapping the scarf around her head, making sure the scarred portion was covered and walking down the short hallway to the sound.

  “Yes, who is it,” she asked timidly.

  “It’s Ice, Gabrielle,” he replied as the door opened almost instantaneously and she stood regarding him with the one eye visible beneath the scarf.

  “Hi Bri, can I come in,” Ian asked softly regarding her calmly.

  Gabrielle frowned slightly wondering if Ray had sent him to hurt her more? Ian saw the distrust in her face and sighed softly.

  “I don’t want anything from you Bri, I just wanted to see how you were,” he assured as she nodded slightly and stepped away from the door allowing him entry.

  Ian saw she’d redone the house and it was actually amazing. Gabrielle had always had good taste and once she was free to do with the house what she desired, she’d turned it into a showplace. The beautiful marble tables contained in the formal living room were complimented by the smoke grey sheer curtains that hung from the windows, the light bouncing onto them from the cylindrical multi-tiered chandelier that hung in the center.

  Ian followed her to the den, approving of the olive green sofa and love seat contained, the aqua and black pillows livening up the otherwise boring color. The tables here were a combination glass and wrought iron, complimenting once again the anchor furnishings.

  “Would you like something to drink Ice,” Gabrielle asked politely.

  Ian asked if she had anything alcoholic knowing she didn’t really drink. Gabrielle smiled and left the room returning with the cognac and handing it to him, as she sat and sipped her tea waiting for him to speak again.

  “I love the house Bri,” Ian told her honestly.

  She smiled again saying thanks.

  “You don’t have to wear that around me,” he began again as her hand immediately flew to her face.

  “Bri, what happened with you and Ray,” he asked gingerly as the tears immediately filled her eyes.

  “Didn’t he tell you,” she threw back and Ian heard the anger in her voice. “He’s your partner after all,” she accused as Ian exhaled quietly.

  “Bri, we may be partners but we don’t share everything, especially personal things,” Ian replied which was for all intents and purposes the truth.

  “I’m sorry Ice, I didn’t mean to snap,” she replied calming slightly.

  Smiling, Ian rose and went to sit next to her on the sofa.

  “It’s okay,” he replied smiling and putting his hand over hers. “Do you feel strong enough to tell me,” he pressed once more.

  Taking a deep breath Gabrielle told him the things Ray had allowed Rahja to do to her.

  “Damn,” Ian swore frowning deeply.

  He understood Ray’s anger, even admitting he might have done the same thing within himself. Ian supposed it bothered him so much because he knew Gabrielle. Reaching up he began taking the scarf off as her hands grabbed his.

  “No, Ice, don’t,” she replied fearfully.

  Ian shook her grip and removed the scarf, his expression never changing.

  “Bri, you don’t have to wear this,” he told her sweetly.

  In his estim
ation the scars weren’t that bad. They just looked like a series of large angry welts. Ian was positive a top notch plastic surgeon could make them almost invisible.

  “You’re sweet Ice, you don’t have to say that,” Gabrielle returned, her eyes dropping to the floor.

  Ian lifted her chin looking into her eyes as he spoke again.

  “Bri, you’re still beautiful,” he told her, his lips finding hers before he could stop himself.

  Gabrielle hungrily returned the kiss, needing to feel wanted and having been without the comfort of a man for too long now. The kiss deepened both of them breathing hard when they finally parted.

  Ian didn’t know what had come over him, but he couldn’t stop. Even now he wanted nothing more than to see Gabrielle’s beautifully sexy body void of clothing. She must have read the lust in his eyes, reaching out and removing his shirt, taking in the chiseled physique staring back at her. Ian returned the favor, unhooking the silken lavender bra and immediately placing the honey colored breast in his mouth sucking gently. Gabrielle moaned deeply loving the feel of his tongue on her. She anxiously undid his pants, helping him of them as well as the underwear; Ian quickly did the same to her, the matching thong easily removed, as his fingers found her clit and began stroking it gently. Gabrielle came hard and fast, needing the release Ian was affording.

  “Bri, are you sure, baby,” Ian moaned poised to enter her.

  Gabrielle put her hands on his firm butt, pulling him willingly inside her. Ian began thrusting deeply into her as she cried out her pleasure reaching orgasm another time.

  “Ice, yes, right there,” Gabrielle moaned.

  She felt nirvana on earth as they both moved in rhythm together, she very near orgasm and his manhood expanding and pulsating inside her.

  “Ice, oh god, don’t stop, please, oh god,” Gabrielle moaned, digging her nails into his back as Ian held her tighter, going deeper and she came hard just as he exploded and filled her with his finish.

  Returning to her lips Ian kissed her softly as Gabrielle sighed gently. She knew what they’d done was wrong, but she’d loved and welcomed every moment of it.

  “Bri, I need a favor,” Ian told her, pulling her into his arms, still naked.

  “Anything Ice,” she replied sincerely, as he smiled and kissed her again, her hands bringing his manhood to life once more as she mounted him and he held her hips while she experienced pleasure upon pleasure, blocking out the world.

  *****

  Ryan picked up his cell checking his messages. He was slightly miffed he didn’t have one from Nikki, but pushed it from his mind. Guess she really doesn’t want this shit anymore huh, he angrily thought pouring himself a drink and knocking it back. The instrument rang as he held it. Looking at the ID he smiled slightly and answered.

  “Yeah, wassup,” he threw out.

  “That’s exactly what I was wondering,” Jaleesa replied.

  Ryan chuckled slightly before addressing her again.

  “We need to talk,” he replied evenly.

  He heard her sigh.

  “About what Ryan, we’re long since over,” she tried reasoning.

  “Hmph,” he replied, sipping the whiskey again and saying nothing more.

  “Ryan,” she questioned after his silence, making sure he was still there.

  “Anyway, I have a ticket waiting for you at the Delta counter,” he told her ignoring her previous statement.

  “Ryan, I can’t just --,” she got out before he interrupted.

  “Tweety, don’t make me come there,” he told her simply, the statement anything but.

  Again the heavy sigh before she spoke.

  “When,” she asked.

  He told her the flight left at 10PM tomorrow night. Ryan knew that would give him time to handle the set up at Gabrielle’s so they could begin to monitor the men they were going to kill.

  “How long are you making me stay,” she asked, assuming he was still in Missouri.

  “You can leave after we talk, but if you want you can stay a couple days, enjoy the Bayou and shit,” Ryan returned finally giving Jaleesa a clue to his whereabouts.

  “You’re in Louisiana,” she asked, the surprise in her voice.

  Ryan chuckled again and told her yes.

  “Ryan, I still don’t get why you want to see me,” Jaleesa tried once more.

  “Because,” he replied, no further elaboration.

  She hated when he did that, but Jaleesa also had sense enough not to press him.

  “OK, fine,” she replied finally, knowing she was cornered.

  Ryan wouldn’t hesitate to show up on her doorstep she was sure and Jaleesa didn’t want that kind of dramatic confrontation knowing someone would end up dead.

  “Good, I’ll have someone bring you to the hotel from the airport, and I’ll see you around midnight,” Ryan told her as Jaleesa again softly told him okay.

  “Good night Tweety, see you tomorrow,” he added and disconnected before she replied.

  He continued to contemplate about the woman as well as Nikki. Too fucking much bullshit going on, his mind taunted. You are your father’s son, it threw at him as Ryan frowned severely. He hated the comparisons even in his own mind. Ryan didn’t want to admit how much it hurt that the old man was gone now. They’d grown into a carefully balanced existence but he did have love for him. Cartier was a hell of a man. He was of course too filled with pride and self pity at the time to admit it, but his father was every bit the legend and legacy he himself wanted to be. Need to get your damned house in order then don’t you, his mind threw out once more as Ryan threw back another shot of whiskey deciding to do exactly that.

  9

  King Diesel was once again enjoying the view from his balcony when Blue joined him, breaking his thoughts.

  “Everything is moving according to schedule,” he said calmly as King Diesel sighed gently.

  “What’s wrong,” Blue ventured.

  He’d seen the moods before. The man would get very quiet, almost sullen; his eyes fixed in a glazed stare without communication sometimes for hours on end.

  “I’ve waited a lot of years for the coming days,” he replied as Blue withheld comment. “I’m just having a case of impatience myself this morning, that’s all,” King Diesel finished.

  Blue nodded, wanting to ask him if he’d changed his mind or was having second thoughts, but didn’t. King Diesel had a penchant for being very volatile if you questioned him one time too many. Blue had seen at least three fellow associates find a bullet to the cranium quickly by pushing their luck.

  “Are you ready to see her,” King Diesel now asked fixing Blue with a hard look.

  It was his turn to sigh now. Blue hadn’t seen the woman his heart still loved in over 12 years. There was excitement yes, but there was also trepidation.

  Blue told King Diesel he was ready as his boss continued to watch him.

  “She’s not 16 anymore, Blue,” he warned.

  Nodding his understanding Blue said nothing. He knew what King Diesel was alluding too. There would be no magical Aesop’s fable of a reunion of the damsel in distress, running into the waiting of arms of her knight on his sturdy white steed. The woman Lauren was now held little to no resemblance of the girl she’d been then. This was going to be every bit the arduous job that King Diesel warned him it would be almost two years ago after training him and finally laying out his entire plan.

  “I know, and I’m fully prepared for that,” Blue returned.

  “Hmph, are you,” King Diesel threw back. “She’s his daughter in every way, don’t kid yourself,” he added as Blue sighed deeply.

  No one knew better than he how much Carlo Cisneros had affected his daughter.

  “I can handle her,” Blue replied confidently.

  “I hope for your sake you’re right, because if you can’t, I will,” King Diesel replied evenly.

  Blue was furious, but his face didn’t betray it.

  “Anyway, that’s still two days away
,” King Diesel began anew. “I have a new task for you,” he added as Blue listened intently and the man made his wishes known.

  *****

  Jaleesa was thinking about Ryan again. What could he want; she thought not liking any of the answers that came to mind. He could whip your ass and no one would know, her mind told her. Sighing deeply she didn’t think he wanted to hurt her, but Ryan could be very unpredictable.

  “Don’t get into trouble,” Jacoury teased coming into the room and finding her packing the small overnight bag.

  Jaleesa felt the guilt hit her like a ten ton weight. He hadn’t balked at all about her going to Atlantic City with KiKi for a couple of days. She was more determined than ever to get this conversation with Ryan over with quickly and back home to her loving man.

  “We’re going to gamble, take in a couple shows, that’s all,” she threw back as he chuckled and kissed her lips heading into the shower.

  What if he wants to start drama again, Jaleesa’s mind began over again. She was absolutely happy and content with Jacoury. Any feelings she had for Ryan were over a long time ago. You sure about that, her mind railed again as her breathing grew slightly uneven.

  Jaleesa admitted only deep in the inner sanctum of her heart she did need closure on the relationship with Ryan. They were both happy now with their respective partners having had children and made new lives, but she understood at least that much of his request; there were loose ends left.

  “You gonna bring me back a souvenir,” Jacoury asked returning to the bedroom and breaking her thoughts once again.

  “What do you want,” she asked smiling back now.

  “Shot glass,” he said simply and she chuckled telling him that was the last thing he needed.

  “What,” he asked feigning innocence.

  Jaleesa burst into laughter as Dre made his way to them.

  “Mommy I want some cereal,” he let it be known when he came inside the bedroom.

  Jacoury smiled taking his son’s hand and heading to the kitchen promising him the frosted flakes he desired. Throwing a few more things into the bag, Jaleesa zipped it, grabbed her text and hit Kaitlyn up. The response was instantaneous with Kaitlyn letting her know about her own trip to Atlanta to spend time with Tariq and the fact that Ice was in Louisiana on business as well. Damn, gotta make sure he doesn’t see me, Jaleesa thought. She knew Jacoury and Ice didn’t talk, but she still didn’t want anyone to know she was meeting with Ryan except the two of them.