Hide & Seek (15 page)

“
Top is very pleased with your help and how efficiently you and your boys have been handling business,” LaRon told him as Tyreece smiled into the receiver.

He smugly thought about Ryan and Ice and how they were being brought down a peg or two. Tyreece was still smarting over the way Ice had humiliated him and taken his club.
Sending that bitch in there like that,
he thought but didn’t voice. He wanted to get even with Tate too. He’d given the burly ex-bouncer a job when no one would hire him, treated him well, paid him good and he’d turned on him like a fake gold chain.

“
Did you find a safe house,” LaRon asked breaking Tyreece’s thought.

“
Yeah, I’m about to leave now,” he told him as LaRon voiced his understanding and gave him new instructions.

“
LaRon,” Tyreece began. “When do you think I could finally meet Top myself,” he asked waiting for the man’s response.

LaRon sighed lightly, promising to address it with his boss when they met again. Appeased for now, Tyreece dropped the subject as the two disconnected.

Grabbing his last small overnight bag, Tyreece headed for his front door as the two cars drove up.
Shit,
he thought seeing the men get out and recognizing the first two immediately. Tyreece knew if they found him here they would kill him and all his hard work would be in vain. Thinking fast he headed for the kitchen and the backdoor affixed. Just as he arrived he saw the shadows of the two other men accompanying Ryan and Tate. Tyreece was starting to panic. He had to get out, he just had too.
Think fool,
his mind was tormenting him. Tyreece began to think of places he could hide and avoid detection. Heading for his hallway, he grabbed the cord hanging from the ceiling, his thought, getting to the attic and blending in with the various junk stored there. His plan was cut short however as he heard his backdoor splinter and knew the men were probably inside now. Tyreece instead turned and quickly made his way inside the small bedroom once occupied by his son. Thankfully both he and his mother were safely inside the new residence he’d gotten per LaRon’s instruction. Cursing himself for staying too long, Tyreece hid in the darkest part of the closet and prayed he wasn’t found.

*****

LaRon called Tariq to update him on the latest developments. Things were going very much according to plan and LaRon believed they would accomplish their goal in record time.

“
That will keep Ryan busy and away from Ice,” Tariq told him as LaRon grunted his understanding. “Did you show Tweety the pictures yet?”

LaRon told him he hadn’t yet.

“
Time isn’t right,” he replied evenly as Tariq breathed deeply.

He assumed LaRon had his own rhyme and reason and he wasn’t going to interfere. “Tonight is going kick everything into overdrive,” Tariq told him.

“
Hell’s gates are gonna open,” he replied as Tariq sighed deeply telling him how right he was.

“
I’ll see you at 11:00,” Tariq told him as LaRon acknowledged it and disconnected. LaRon took another deep drag from the black and mild he was enjoying thinking about tonight and the step they were taking.

If they didn’t pull this stunt off just right it would be over. Everything they’d worked for would be wasted and Ice would beat them. That price was far too high in LaRon’s estimation. He had his heart back. Even though Jaleesa was still distant and afraid, she was with him and he had her undivided attention. They’d had sex again last night and while she’d at least put forth effort this time, LaRon could tell she hadn’t enjoyed it.
All I wanna do is love her, why won’t she even try,
he thought sighing deeply. Pulling out his cell he called DeNoah. He needed to make sure everyone was on point. He answered on the third ring and confirmed his readiness. LaRon gave him a few more instructions and then disconnected.
Who is this chick got his head blown already,
LaRon thought hearing the woman in the background ordering something to eat as they talked. DeNoah shared his good fortune of finding someone romantically when they’d talked the other day. While LaRon was happy he’d found someone, he warned the man to be careful. There were a lot of unscrupulous women in the world and LaRon knew DeNoah was an easy target.

Pushing the thoughts away he called Spider this time.

“
Wassup man,” LaRon greeted him.

Spider returned his greeting as LaRon began to shore up instructions and roles with him for tonight as well.

“
We gonna bring it,” Spider told him confidently as LaRon told him that what he wanted to hear.

“
A’ight man, I’ll see you there,” LaRon told him as they too disconnected.

LaRon thought Spider was good people. He didn’t talk a lot, but that was cool with him. Fools that talked all the time were normally up to no good, LaRon pondered as he pulled out the two .10mm’s he planned to take with him tonight, cleaning and loading them along with the other tools they were taking and putting it all in his car. They were picking up another vehicle on the way tonight so no one could trace them. Feeling a slight tinge of anxiety, LaRon made himself a drink. He would only have the one though. He needed his mind tight and sharp for tonight.
Once this shit is taken care of, me and Tweety gonna have a long talk about her man,
he thought chuckling slightly, glancing at the manila envelope lying on his counter.

12

Ryan was still pissed off that they hadn’t been able to find and kill Tyreece.
Soon fool, soon,
he thought sourly to himself as Caramel came out of the bathroom still wrapped in her towel.

“
Hey,” he greeted her smiling slightly.

“
Hey Ryan,” she returned.

Her mind was in overdrive right now. Her cycle was late and she was worried he would whip her ass when she told him what she knew.

“
You okay,” she asked picking up on his anxiety.

He’d been quiet and pensive for the last few days and Caramel had no idea why.
Is something going on with him and Tweety,
she wondered, ashamed that the thought brought her pleasure.

“
Just a lot going on,” Ryan replied evenly and she left the subject alone.

“
You want me to get you a beer or something,” Caramel tried again.

His mood was beginning to actually rattle her. When he got quiet and moody like this anything could set him off. Caramel didn’t want to find herself on the wrong end of his temper tonight.

“
Yeah, that would be cool,” Ryan told her as he stood and began to undress. “I’ma grab a shower,” he told her dropping his pants.

Caramel told him okay and left to get his beer.

Standing in the shower Ryan’s mind was still spinning as he thought about Jaleesa, her being missing, Caramel and the sordid mess his romantic life was in right now. Ryan knew he was wrong for cheating on Jaleesa. He just didn’t know how to stop.
You don’t wanna stop,
his subconscious sold him out. Sighing deeply he knew his mind was right. He absolutely enjoyed the time he spent with Caramel. The feel and taste of her, the lightness of her touch as she made love to him, turned Ryan on, even now.
Your woman is missing fool,
his mind picked up again.
You need to finish shit here and go find her,
he continued thinking hearing the door close and surmising Caramel was back. Ryan finished his shower and got out grabbing a towel and drying himself. He walked back into the room, nude, as Caramel sat in bed. He grabbed the beer on the nightstand sliding in beside her.

“
Looks like we had a good day, today,” Ryan told her about the house receipts.

“
Yeah, pay week for the city workers,” Caramel replied as he grunted shortly.

“
Something up,” Ryan asked watching her play with her fingers. It was a nervous habit she had.

Taking a deep breath and praying she didn’t catch an open hand slap, Caramel turned to Ryan and made her mouth work.

“
I’m late,” she said apprehensively her voice almost a whisper.

He continued to drink his beer, regarding her silently a few minutes more, deepening Caramel’s sense of dread.

“
You take a test,” Ryan asked calmly.

Swallowing hard, she shook her head yes.

“
And,”

“
Positive,” she replied at that whisper level once again.

“
You wanna keep it,” Ryan asked never missing a beat.

“
I, I mean, I,” Caramel stumbled as Ryan saw the struggle going on inside.

“
Yes or No, Caramel,” Ryan told her taking some of the edge from his voice.

She didn’t say anything, lowering her head and taking a few more deep breaths trying to form the words.

“
Look at me,” Ryan told her as she slowly lifted her eyes to his own. “Yes or No?”

Swallowing the fear in her throat, Caramel answered. “Yes,” she replied frightened, tensing for the violence she was sure would ensue.

Sighing lightly Ryan leaned over and kissed her lips gently.

“
Okay,” he said simply and returned to his beer.

Caramel was confused and guarded.
What the hell is he up to,
she wondered as Ryan finished the beer and pulled her close holding her in his arms as he stroked her gently. He stopped and she glanced up to find him sleeping peacefully. Following his lead, Caramel closed her own eyes and drifted off into a troubled sleep praying tomorrow wouldn’t bring the storm she was dreading.

*****

“
So what’s on tap tonight,” Halle asked casually.

DeNoah was putting his clothes on preparing to leave. They’d spent the afternoon well into the evening together. They’d of course made love upon returning to her apartment.

“
Gotta handle some business tonight baby,” he answered absently as Halle continued to watch him.

“
So you’re a dope boy,” she threw out knowing the answer already.

“
Nah,”

“
So what then,” she asked giving him a look as DeNoah chuckled slightly.

“
I don’t sell dope, Halle,” he told her again. “I work with some other dudes who do bigger and better stuff than corner hustling’,” he told her, pulling on his shoes and tying the laces.

“
Bigger and better like what,” Halle pressed.

She needed DeNoah to talk, to give her intimate details of what Top was planning right now.

“
Don’t worry about it baby,” DeNoah replied fully dressed and readying himself to leave. “It won’t affect us,” he added as Halle gave him a look.

“
If you’re here with me and shit goes down it will,” she threw out pouting slightly.

DeNoah looked at her for a while before speaking.

“
We got this enterprise,” he began hesitantly as Halle pulled him back onto the bed and sat up beside him.

“
Tell me DeNoah,” she prodded. “I won’t tell anybody, and we’re supposed to be a couple, right,” she added as he took the bait and began telling her far more than he should have about Tariq and the entire operation.

“
I heard of this dude, Ice,” Halle replied after the information was disclosed. “He’s supposed to be like once removed from the devil he’s so mean,” she added pretending to be afraid.

DeNoah chuckled at her reaction. “He ain’t all that,” he replied. “We bout to take that ass down a notch or two,” he added as Halle smiled slightly.

“
I don’t want you to get hurt, DeNoah,” she told him making doe eyes at him.

Again falling for the act DeNoah assured her everything would be fine.

“
Is that where you’re going tonight,” she fished.

He answered her question in the affirmative once again rising and telling her he had to leave.

“
Come back later,” Halle asked as DeNoah smiled and told her yes.

Waiting until she saw his car go down the street, Halle picked up her cell and dialed his number. Freight answered calmly seeing her name on the ID.

“
What you got,” he asked in lieu of greeting.

Halle replayed the entire conversation with DeNoah for him as he listened silently.

“
So they’re gonna kill him tonight,” he asked as Halle told him she wasn’t sure as DeNoah didn’t get really specific.

“
Hmph,” Freight returned.

Halle heard the woman’s laughter in the background her jealousy immediately flaring.

“
I’ll let you go, seeing that you’re busy,” she told him brusquely.

Freight burst into laughter before getting serious again.

“
Lose that fuckin’ attitude,” he told her in a no nonsense tone.

Halle felt the tears immediately come. Why did he always have to hurt her like this?

“
You have some damned nerve getting’ bent outta shape about me having a woman around,” Freight told her knowing he was making her cry. “Just do your job,” he added nastily. “I’ll be there soon and shit better be in order,” he finished and hung up on her.