Thin Ice Read online

  “Come on, I’m hungry,” Kaitlyn sang out as she breezed through the bedroom and headed into the living room.

  Chuckling, Ian rose and grabbed his keys meeting her at the door and debating which restaurant they were going to dine at.

  14

  Kaitlyn was astonished at the volume of dope and money that came in and out of the club. She was paying rapt attention as Ryan explained each operation, contacts, their percentage and transport. Ice had left her hours earlier heading back to Atlanta saying he had business to handle. Kaitlyn was immediately nervous thinking he was going to fulfill his promise to kill her best friend. She still didn’t know for sure he wasn’t, she just continued to pray that was the case.

  “We order liquor through Sam & Ken,” Ryan told her bringing Kaitlyn back to the present.

  She looked him over again thinking how much his physique reminded her of Ice. He had the same brooding eyes and strong chin, as well as the huge biceps; he was the taller of the two at 6’1”. “Double check invoices when the stock comes in, make sure there’s no mistake,” he added as Kaitlyn looked at him, and confirmed her understanding.

  “You carry anything,” Ryan asked curiously.

  Kaitlyn showed him the switchblade in her pocket. “I carry a .9mm when I’m working,” she concluded as Ryan smiled and told her that was good.

  “I’ma introduce you to something smaller but just as powerful later,” he added talking about another weapon. Kaitlyn again conveyed her understanding as they continued conversation.

  *****

  “He looks so peaceful,” Bryce said quietly as he looked into the coffin where Evan rested. Diego didn’t comment, not caring how the man looked. He was glad Evan was dead and no longer a presence in their lives. He’d only accompanied Bryce to the funeral home because he didn’t want him to be alone. Sighing slightly Diego continued to stand and endure as Bryce continued looking at the dead man in the coffin.

  Jaleesa entered the room quietly standing in the back as the two men paid their respects. She assumed they were work associates or team members. Bryce began to cry softly and Diego put his arms around him.

  “Come on baby, lets go,” he told him gently as he pulled him away.

  Bryce nodded his head and turned to leave with his lover, spotting the woman as they passed. Diego spoke and Jaleesa returned his greeting. Bryce managed a weak smile and a soft hello, before leaving with Diego.

  Watching them leave Jaleesa knew without a doubt the one crying was Evan’s secret lover. Taking a deep breath to calm her anger she pushed the thought aside and turned her attention back to the task at hand.

  “They did a really good job,” Jaleesa commented to herself, looking at her dead ex-lover. “You were always hateful,” she said quietly, “You deserved that damned bullet,” she continued angrily never taking her eyes from his corpse.

  Several other people began coming into the chapel, and Jaleesa headed to a seat. Finally after the room was filled, she saw Landon come in. He was accompanied by Tristan, and several other men she assumed were team officials and a woman she’d never seen before.

  Jaleesa watched as they all went to the first pew of the chapel and were seated. The attendant came over to the woman and helped her to the still open coffin, standing beside her as she looked inside. The woman began to weep openly and placed the single red rose she carried inside resting on his hands. Landon rose and gently led her back to her seat.

  Who is she? Jaleesa thought curiously. Everyone returned his or her attention to the minister who’d stepped up to the pulpit to conduct the service. It was a very pleasant gathering, considering the circumstances, and they were soon leaving.

  Everyone was hugging and greeting each other, as Jaleesa made her way to Landon. “How you holding up?” she asked looking deeply into his eyes.

  “I’m OK,” Landon replied calmly.

  Jaleesa knew he was still smarting over the breakup with Kaitlyn as well as losing his friend so she didn’t push, instead choosing to change the conversation.

  “Who was the woman grieving really hard?”

  Landon sighed deeply and asked her if they could talk outside. She nodded yes and they went outside the mortuary.

  Landon sighed deeply and looked at her once they found an inconspicuous corner to talk in. “She’s Evan’s wife,” he told her calmly.

  Jaleesa’s mouth dropped. “His what?!” she asked again, becoming slightly excited. “Evan never told me he was married,” Jaleesa said again thinking what a complete loser Evan Henderson really was.

  “They had been separated for a number of years, but they occasionally spent time together and were still legally married,” Landon told her.

  “Well damn,” Jaleesa returned. “That muthafucka was just full of secrets wasn’t he,” she blurted before catching herself. “I’m sorry Landon,” she replied gently as he smiled slightly. “Look I won’t keep you,” she began again. “Go ahead and handle your business with the other mourners and stuff,” she finished as Landon thanked her.

  “Jaleesa,” Landon began hesitantly.

  “Yeah,” she threw back waiting on his question.

  “Did Kaitlyn care even a little bit about me,” he asked longingly.

  Jaleesa sighed lightly. Kaitlyn was right; he was in way too deep.

  “She did Landon,” Jaleesa began. “But she wasn’t in love with you,” she finished soothingly as he nodded slightly and hugged her tightly, thanking her for coming and for being honest with him.

  Turning Landon returned to the mourners still present leaving Jaleesa alone in the dark sighing deeply as she watched him walk away.

  *****

  Leaving Kaitlyn in the product room with his lead packer, Ryan took the opportunity to call Ice.

  “Yeah man, Wassup,” Ian answered amiably seeing his brother’s name on his cell ID.

  “You get your loose ends tied up,” Ryan threw back knowing what Ice had gone to Atlanta for.

  “One of them, the rest I’ll be doing later tonight,” he replied calmly.

  “How’s my baby,” he asked of Kaitlyn.

  “That damned girl is off the chain,” Ryan replied completely impressed with the woman.

  Ian chuckled slightly.

  “She don’t miss nothin’, and she gets it the first time,” Ryan told him again. “You picked a good one this time little brother,” Ryan teased as Ian laughed aloud.

  “Yeah she’s straight, gonna work out real good,” he told him as Ryan agreed.

  “Hit me back later after you settle your business,” Ryan told him, wanting to get back to Kaitlyn and show her yet another facet of the operation.

  “I’ll do that,” Ian told him. “You make sure you take good care of my baby,” he added as Ryan told him that went without saying as the two men disconnected.

  *****

  Tariq finally allowed the call to connect as Kaitlyn’s voicemail picked up.

  “Hey,” he said simply trying hard to formulate his thoughts. “I know you told me to leave it alone,” he began. “I can’t KiKi,” he added tiredly. “I miss you, and I sure hope Ice is treatin’ you good baby,” he added softly before telling her goodbye and disconnecting.

  Sighing deeply Tariq turned and opened his apartment door letting himself in and turning on the light.

  “What the hell,” he questioned rhetorically.

  The apartment looked like a war zone. Things had been overturned, ransacked and torn apart. Great, just what I needed to end this night, he thought tiredly as he began picking up various items, all the while doing mental inventory to see if anything was missing. After taking a quick tour of the apartment he found nothing missing, just out of place. That’s crazy, he thought again trying to figure out why anyone would take the time to break in just to mess up stuff. Continuing to pick up things Tariq finally got the majority of the mess off the floor and onto the tattered couch in the living room.

  The knock at the door startled him as he rose grudgingly to answer i
t.

  “Yeah, who is it,” Tariq asked not receiving an answer.

  He asked again still receiving silence. Turning away he was about to return to the couch thinking someone had knocked in error when it came again more forcefully this time. Irritated he snatched the door open finding Ian standing on the other side. Not waiting for an invitation Ian walked into the apartment and commanded Tariq to close the door. “Why you in my house man,” Tariq asked Ian completely cognizant of who he was.

  “Listen,” Ian said plainly getting directly to the point. “I want you to stay the hell away from KiKi and stop tryna contact her,” he threw out angrily while continuing to regard the man in front of him.

  “What are you talkin’ bout Ice,” Tariq queried again. “KiKi is with you, so why the hell you up in my house rantin’ like some bitch,” he threw back condescendingly as Ian’s fury grew.

  Taking a deep breath to calm himself and complete his purpose for the visit he pulled his own cell from his pocket and pressed a button. Tariq watched, intrigued, trying to figure out what the man was trying to prove. Shortly afterward, the call connected and Ian allowed Tariq to listen via speaker as the message he’d just left Kaitlyn replayed itself.

  “She won’t ever get this nonsense,” Ian told him plainly as he erased the message.

  “What the hell,” Tariq queried inaudibly completely mystified how his message ended up on Ian’s phone.

  “OK, so mission accomplished,” Tariq threw back instead. “Now you can get the hell outta my house,” he finished never taking his eyes of his visitor.

  “Not until we come to an understanding,” Ian began again. “KiKi is off limits to you,” he continued flatly. “If you try and contact her again, see her again, even damned think about trying to be with her again,” Ian continued his tone never changing and his gaze never wavering. “The next call you get about Hasaan will be to ask you which mortuary you want to pick up his body,” he finished as Tariq looked at him astonished.

  “What the hell does my brother have to do with this ,” he shot back angrily.

  Ian chuckled slightly.

  “First of all I owe the muthafucka anyway, but more importantly he’s your Achilles heel,” he told the man as Tariq tried to gather himself.

  “KiKi already told me she didn’t want me,” Tariq replied.

  “Yet you’re still try to get back into her life,” Ian threw back. “Leave the woman alone and live, keep playing with it and watch your brother die,” Ian finished icily as he prepared to leave.

  “You might wanna find a new place too,” he added opening the door and casting a quick glance at Tariq. “Next time you might be here when they break in, and it might not end nicely,” he finished as Tariq caught the underlying threat.

  “We straight,” Ian asked once more standing with the doorknob in hand ready to close the door.

  To angry to speak, Tariq simply gave a quick nod as Ian chuckled softly and left, slamming the door behind himself.

  As soon as he left Tariq cursed aloud, kicking some of the clutter that was still at his feet. That sonofabitch deserves a bullet in the worse way, he thought his rage continuing to simmer. Once his anger began to abate, Tariq realized the hopeless helplessness of his situation. He loved Kaitlyn with his whole heart, but he couldn’t risk his brother’s life. Not to mention the subtle threat on his own life Ian made before departing. Why the situation gotta be so hard, he thought again grabbing his bag of weed from the kitchen drawer and rolling himself a blunt.

  15

  “You missed me?” Ian asked Kaitlyn as he kissed her softly.

  He’d arrived this morning to pick her up and bring her home.

  “Yes,” Kaitlyn replied simply as Ian continued to touch her.

  They hadn’t been together for almost three weeks and she needed him.

  “I missed you too baby,” Ian replied as they kissed deeply continuing to touch and arouse each other.

  Kaitlyn was moaning softly as Ian continued to kiss her body and turn her on.

  “Mmm,” she moaned again as his tongue began to work its magic and she felt herself fall over the edge. Ian smiled with satisfaction as Kaitlyn came hard and her body trembled. Finding his way back to her lips he began kissing her again as he rolled her over on top of him. Kaitlyn deftly placed Ian inside of her as they began making love enjoying each other completely oblivious to the outside world.

  *****

  Ryan smiled hearing them inside his guest bedroom as he stood on the other side of the locked door. Walking quietly away his mind continued to race. He and Ice were close, extremely close, and he hadn’t seen his brother this happy and content with a woman ever that he could recall. KiKi was absolutely perfect, not only for his brother, but for their business. Ryan wasn’t going to let anything or anyone rip her from their family now that she’d become a part of them. Ice confided to him the attraction he felt she still held toward Tariq. Ryan didn’t think KiKi would cheat on his brother, but having that temptation still lingering wasn’t good in his estimation.

  Grabbing his overnight bag, Ryan headed to his car. It was a short four hour drive to his destination. Relaxing and enjoying the scenery as he drove, Ryan’s mind continued to work. He thought about the other loose end Ice told him about, still contemplating what they wanted to do about it. Finally pushing it out of his mind again Ryan began making new plans for KiKi’s continued immersion into the family. She needs to head down to Mississippi, he thought to himself of their operation. Ryan believed KiKi could run it just as well as he or Ice and it was time for her to test her wings. Deciding he would tell Ice about his plans once he returned, Ryan turned up his radio, set his cruise control, and sang along smiling as he looked excitedly forward to reaching his destination.

  *****

  Kaitlyn awoke to find herself alone in bed. She’d awakened suddenly with a deep sense of dread and Tariq flashing in her mind’s eye. Kaitlyn sighed deeply thinking about him. They hadn’t spoken in almost two months leaving a huge hole in her heart. Why can’t I let go of this man, Kaitlyn questioned sighing deeply. It was futile for her to continue to carry the emotion she carried for Tariq. Their relationship had been doomed from day one. Why couldn’t he have told me the truth earlier, she wondered again still wrestling with her feelings. Kaitlyn’s thoughts were interrupted by Ice’s voice. He was on his cell talking angrily to someone. As bad as she felt for it, Kaitlyn listened to the conversation.

  “Man, I don’t wanna hear that ,” Ian was going on angrily. “I want it done by the end of the month,” he continued to rant. “Yeah, I’ll be there tomorrow and I’m going to see to it, my orders are carried out,” he told them as he disconnected.

  Kaitlyn sighed deeply. She knew Ice was going to be on a short fuse today effectively ending her plans to try and talk to him about not killing Tweety. Kaitlyn knew for a fact all the clientele had been turned over to Ice as well as the potentials. He hadn’t said anything lately to her in any of their conversations, but Kaitlyn was still unsettled. Ice was unpredictable and she wouldn’t take that chance with her friend’s life. If Jaleesa could find a way to disappear, Ice would have no choice but to let her go. Kaitlyn crept quietly back into the bedroom, going into the bathroom and closing the door. She hit the speed dial on her phone waiting for the call to connect.

  *****

  “KiKi?” Tariq questioned as he answered the cell seeing her name on the caller ID.

  “Hey,” she replied quietly.

  Tariq smiled as he returned her greeting. “You OK,” he questioned again as Kaitlyn sighed deeply.

  “Yeah, I just wanted to check on you, and see how Hasaan was doing,” she replied truthfully.

  “He’s coming along,” Tariq replied calmly trying not to let his nerves get the better of him.

  Honestly he wanted to tell Kaitlyn how much he loved her and wanted them to be together. Still her calling was a good sign in his mind, so Tariq decided to continue to play it cool.

  “Mm, that�
��s good,” Kaitlyn replied breaking his thought. “How bout you,” she threw out once more. “How are you doin’?”

  “I’m cool KiKi,” Tariq replied. “Just tryna stay busy, you know, the usual.”

  “Do you still love me KiKi,” Tariq asked out of the blue.

  The question brought all the pain and anguish crashing back for Kaitlyn and she closed her eyes to shut it out, taking a deep breath and releasing it before answering his question.

  “Yes,” she replied simply. “I’ll always love you Tariq, but this is the last time I’m going to call you,” she added, digging deep and reinforcing her will.

  “KiKi,” Tariq began softly. “Don’t do this to us,” he pleaded. “Baby, leave Ice alone and come to me, where you belong.”

  Kaitlyn took another deep breath and forced her emotions off.

  “No,” she replied plainly. “We’re over,” she told him once again. “I shouldn’t have called,” she added preparing to disconnect.

  “You called because you know what I’m saying to you is true,” Tariq responded a bit more forcefully. “You don’t love Ice,” he said plainly daring her to refute it.

  “Yes, I actually do love Ice,” Kaitlyn replied crushing Tariq’s heart. “I just don’t love him the same way I love you,” she added as Tariq questioned her yet again.

  “So you love what Ice represents,” he threw out as Kaitlyn remained mute. “That’s not love KiKi and you know it,” he chastised her.

  “Maybe not in the old fashioned romantic sense of the word,” she began. “But I do have love for Ice and he’s been more than good to me,” Kaitlyn replied forcing her emotions to grow cold. “Anyway, I’m sorry I called and opened this can of worms again,” Kaitlyn told him her tone taking on an unemotional chill as she fought to stay sane.

  As much as she wanted to deny it, Kaitlyn loved Tariq and that was just that.

  “I hope Hasaan does well in rehab, and I hope you move on with your life and find someone to share it with,” she added, her tone the same. “Good bye Tariq, be well,” she finished and was about to disconnect when he spoke.