Hide & Seek (41 page)

Putting the phone on speaker she sat it on the table as she peeled her orange and began to eat it.

“
What the fuck does that mean,” Ryan asked again making no attempt to hide his anger now.

“
It means I didn’t intentionally join the other side, but shit happens, you of all people should know that, huh,” Jaleesa replied calmly still enjoying her orange.

She was surprised how cold she felt talking to him; almost as if they’d never shared a day together.

“
So which one you with,” Ryan asked his hostility still full blown.

Jaleesa knew he felt betrayed but so did she.

“
You can kill that attitude,” she told him evenly. “You were busy fuckin’ Caramel while I was god knows where as far as you knew,” Jaleesa told him. “So please don’t come at me now with no bullshit ass attitude ‘cause you feel betrayed.”

Ryan couldn’t believe how cold Jaleesa sounded. He’d seen her angry many times, but she didn’t sound angry now, just distant. He was surprised at how much the revelation hurt. He supposed there was still a very big part of him that loved this woman deeply.

“
I was worried about you Tweety,” he told her, his tone softening significantly. “I had to handle shit in Mississippi and Ice was trying every trick he knew to find you and KiKi,” he told her as she rolled her eyes, unseen by him.

“
Yeah?” she questioned. “It sure as hell didn’t seem to affect your libido,” Jaleesa told him hearing him sigh deeply.

“
OK, it’s done, now what,” Ryan returned not wanting to discuss it any more.

“
You do you, and I’ma do me,” she replied without emotion.

“
Just like that, three years just say fuck it,” Ryan questioned.

Jaleesa actually did laugh this time.

“
Are you serious,” she asked. “You fucked around on me Ryan,” she told him her anger rising now. “I could have been dead, hell strung out on a corner somewhere, any damned thing,” she went on. “But you were too busy with your dick hung up in Caramel’s pussy to worry about what the fuck was going on with me!”

“
But you know what,” Jaleesa began again, calming herself immediately. “I gotta thank you,” she told him as he frowned deeply unseen by her. “Because if you hadn’t fucked up I would have let a man who really and truly loves me leave my life again, trying to hold onto a damned fantasy,” she threw out as Ryan sucked his teeth slightly.

“
That’s fucked up Tweety,” Ryan told her, hurt.

“
Fuck you,” she replied smartly.

“
Well enjoy his ass, cause when this shit is said and done, I’ma put a bullet or two in him,” Ryan told her coldly.

“
I somehow doubt that,” Jaleesa told him. “But whatever gets you through the night, believe that shit and move on,” she went on. “You and Caramel do your thing, she can have you,” Jaleesa continued to talk. “I’m fine, being loved and cared for, and knowing that when our baby gets here, he will be too.”

Ryan cursed aloud as she smiled hearing him.

“
What fuckin’ baby,” he barked.

“
The one I’m carrying’, are you stupid,” she again retorted.

“
So you can get pregnant with this joker, but you telling’ my ass you didn’t want kids,” Ryan raged. “Ain’t that bout a bitch?”

Jaleesa again laughed aloud.

“
No asshole, that’s karma,” she replied and disconnected before he could reply.

The phone remained silent just as she knew it would. Ryan had far too much pride to beg. Feeling energized and refreshed, Jaleesa grabbed another orange and headed to her bedroom, finding her favorite DVD, popping it into the player and pushing play.

*****

He was on the phone almost instantly after talking to Jaleesa.

“
So she’s with this crew now,” Ian asked incredulously.

He’d always had a distaste for the woman but this a new low even for her.

“
Yeah, doin’ it big, kid and all,” Ryan spat and Ian heard the bitterness in his tone.

“
She know about you and Caramel’s seed,” he asked bringing his brother back to reality momentarily.

“
Nah,” he replied as Ian grunted slightly. “Well that’s her choice, but her kid is gonna be fatherless,” he went on as Ryan readily agreed.

“
What if she’s there when it goes down,” Ian asked his brother, wanting very much to know where his head was on the situation.

“
That’s her call,” he replied. “She can choose to live or die, at this point, I don’t really give a damn.”

Ian again acknowledged comprehension.

“
We’re doing a dry run tomorrow,” Ian began again, garnering his brother’s full attention.

“
Is that a good idea,” Ryan asked thinking if they were seen it would blow their plan of surprise.

“
We’re going at night, and not to the exact house, to another about half mile away that’s abandoned,” he clarified for his brother.

Ryan told him that made sense and asked what time they were heading out.

Ryan’s next call was to Caramel. She answered on the fourth ring and they began to talk. He told her about his conversation with Jaleesa, leaving out the part about how deeply angry and hurt he was that she was carrying another man’s child.

“
You been eating like you should,” Ryan asked as she chuckled and assured him she was. “Are you sure everything is okay,” he asked out of the blue.

Ryan couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something markedly different about their conversation.

“
I’m fine, Ryan, really,” Caramel replied her mind racing.

Tank was watching her intently and with the phone on speaker there wasn’t a lot she could do or say to tip him off.

“
I could have Taye or Sidell come out and check on you if you want,” Ryan offered.

Tank gave her a look and she quickly told him that wouldn’t be necessary.

“
OK, well at least go by the house and check on things for me,” he requested once more.

Caramel told him she would, already having the excuse of being nauseated when he inquired about her not showing up.

“
You’re sure everything is cool, Caramel,” Ryan asked once more.

Forcing the laughter she again told him she was fine.

“
You know what, Ryan Alexander, I’ma need you to relax,” she threw out hoping he would catch the hint.

Ryan frowned slightly. Caramel never used his middle name. They’d agreed to call the baby RJ, not even using it for him. Was she trying to tell him something?

“
Is Cotton Candy acting right at the house?” Ryan asked calmly.

“
No, she’s still MIA most of the time,” Caramel answered.

He got it this time. Cotton Candy hadn’t been with them for a year and half now. Caramel was in trouble and she wasn’t at the house.

“
OK baby, well get some rest, gotta get on that trail in the morning,” Ryan replied, alerting her he understood what she was trying to tell him.

Caramel breathed a small sigh of relief as they disconnected. Tank, none the wiser of the transaction, left her alone in the room taking the cell with him and locking the door.

34

Kaitlyn smiled slightly as Tariq kissed her hand, holding it as they rode. Turning away again looking out of the window, her mind continued to race. They were headed to Buckhead and the apartment Tariq told her about. Kaitlyn couldn’t help the growing sense of dread and despair she felt in her stomach knowing things were about to get very deadly.

“
It’s gonna be fine, KiKi,” Tariq told her softly, reading her mind.

Sighing gently she nodded slightly, the lump in her throat making it too hard to speak. All she could think about was the first time she’d lost Tariq and how deeply it had hurt. Then there was Ice and how good he’d been to her the last three years of her life.

“
Come on, we’re here,” Tariq prodded, shaking her thoughts once more as she exited the car inside the darkened parking deck.

Making their way to the elevator they boarded. Tank had driven them and now accompanied them to the 16
^th
floor, where they got off. Giving him a slight nod, Tank stopped short of the actual unit, lingering in the hallway. Kaitlyn again sighed gently, the gravity of the situation once again hitting her squarely in the face.

Using his key, Tariq unlocked the door and flipped on the lights as they entered the unit. Kaitlyn couldn’t deny how beautiful the condo was. The vibrant colors of the décor jumped out at her as soon as Tariq opened the blinds and allowed the sun to cascade inside. She loved the antique style fireplace that occupied the living room area, as well as the tastefully placed African artwork. There were two magnificent paintings of generations, both male and female, adorning the walls on dueling sides.

“
You like it,” Tariq asked hugging her from behind.

“
Yes baby, it’s beautiful,” Kaitlyn answered honestly. Turning her to him, Tariq began to speak.

“
I know you’re worried, KiKi,” he told her as she tried not to cry.

Kaitlyn was more than over the hormonal changes she’d experienced since becoming pregnant. Never in her life had she cried this much and felt this vulnerable. She hated the feelings.

“
Things are going to be fine,” he tried to assure her. “But,” he began and she automatically tensed. “In the event something happens to me,” he tried as Kaitlyn interrupted.

“
No,” she told him forcefully. “I don’t wanna hear that,” she continued, trying hard to stay her tears. “You promised me you wouldn’t leave me again, you promised,” she repeated breaking at the end and sobbing deeply.

Tariq held her as she cried, soothing her, but needing her to hear what he had to say.

Managing to gather herself finally, Kaitlyn dug deep and stoically listened as Tariq told her about accounts and safe deposit boxes. He told her key locations for the various houses they held around the city. Lastly he made her promise to get out of the game and leave Atlanta forever if for some reason he didn’t make it back to her. He asked her to tell their child all about him and let them know how much he loved them, as he told Kaitlyn how very much he loved her.

“
Can you promise me, KiKi,” he asked at the end of the instruction.

She held his gaze as he saw the love mingled with fear reflected back at him.

“
I promise,” she told him resolutely, bringing a smile to his face.

“
I have a surprise for you,” he teased now, kissing her neck softly.

“
Really now,” she returned as her hand snaked its way down his pants.

“
See there you go starting shit,” he murmured already at full attention.

Giggling slightly she unzipped his pants, freeing the erection. Tariq wasted little time stripping her there on the sofa, arousing her with his hands and mouth until she was loudly proclaiming her delight. Entering her at last, Tariq made love to Kaitlyn with reckless abandon, both of them needing to consume the other. They reached orgasm together, holding on tightly to the other, afraid to break the connection.

“
What’s the surprise,” Kaitlyn asked as they gathered themselves and dressed once more.

As if on cue, they heard another key slide into the lock. Kaitlyn tensed waiting for whoever was on the other side. Tariq relaxed and kicked back on the couch. LaRon walked in first, Jaleesa three steps behind him.

“
Tweety,” Kaitlyn cried out jumping from the couch.

“
KiKi,” Jaleesa yelled back running to her friend as the two embraced, tears flowing.

LaRon came into the living room, sitting across from Tariq as the two greeted each other. Finally breaking the embrace the two women stood looking at each other a few moments more before turning and going into the living room where the two men sat. Jaleesa stopped in her tracks as she looked into Tariq’s face, stunned.

“
Hey Tweety,” Tariq greeted her calmly.

“
What the hell,” Jaleesa managed to get out before Kaitlyn told her she’d explain it to her later.

It was Kaitlyn’s turn to be stunned as she finally recognized LaRon, having barely seen him earlier when Jaleesa walked in the door.

“
Deuce,” Kaitlyn questioned as he greeted her in return.

Giving Jaleesa a questioning look, her friend repeated her own earlier admonishment of later explanation.

“
Sit down you two,” Tariq told them as they immediately complied.

He told them they had free reign of the condo, but they shouldn’t leave the unit.

“
We’re trusting you both,” he told them looking directly at Kaitlyn.

“
Please, for your safety, stay here until we come to get you,” Tariq finished as they both nodded, knowing all too well what was at stake. Satisfied, both men rose hugging their respective partners, sharing a last kiss before heading to the door.

“
We’ll see you both in a few days, OK,” Deuce told them as they both nodded wordlessly and watched them leave, locking the door behind them.

*****

Ian had everyone on high alert. They were a day away from the raid and he didn’t want any mistakes. Ryan had informed him about Caramel’s abduction and they were working on finding her as well. His brother entered his office as Ian continued loading the various weapons lying on his desk.