Hide & Seek (49 page)

Ian asked who was supplying them now that their contact, Freight, was dead.
“You know how it goes, Ice,” Peyton replied using the street name as Ian asked. “One of his boys stepped in, shit just kept rollin’ on.”
He was the brains behind the operation with his brother. Seth was good people, but he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. He was deadly though, and that made him an invaluable asset as far as Ian was concerned. A big man at 6”10” he was gangly but stronger than an ox. He had deep brooding eyes that always seemed to be looking through you as he regarded you. Peyton was the pretty boy of the crew, 6’6”, well built, with muscular arms. He was a smooth talker who mesmerized the ladies with his natural sea green eyes. Ian had seen at least 5 different women, in as many days, accompany him home and willing give him what he wanted from them. Ian told them about his operation, about his ending up at Cardale and about the revenge he wanted to exact.
“You need us to front you some money,” Peyton had asked amiably.
Ian thanked him for his generosity but he had money of his own. One thing he and Ryan never were was stupid. They’d set up four very private accounts under assumed names and social security numbers of dead relatives or associates. They were each other’s beneficiaries assuring the money would go where it was supposed to.

Ian had immediately claimed the monies and set up new accounts. He, along with Peyton and Seth, began to plot his revenge.
Now if I could just get rid of these damned nightmares,
Ian thought as his eyes began to grow heavy from the sedative. He didn’t have them nearly as frequently, but definitely more times than he’d like. They were always the same thing. He was strapped to the huge metal table, electrodes attached to his head, heart, legs, and groin. He could hear the laughter as he struggled against the restraints, eyes big with fear, knowing what was coming next. Ian frowned deeply, awake, but still hating being powerless even in his sleep. He could see Tariq standing at the switch, white lab coat on, gloating as his finger drifted to the switch.
“Watch this baby,” Tariq said laughingly as he pushed the button and the currents raced through Ian’s body.
Screaming from the pain, Ian’s glance fell on Kaitlyn as she watched him, expressionless.
“KiKi, baby, please, help me,” Ian begged pitifully as Tariq sent yet another wave of electricity through his body.
Just as before with each nightmare, she’d turned away and walked out of the room without a word. Sighing deeply Ian shut his eyes as he allowed the drug induced sleep to take him. His final waking thought, getting to Atlanta and taking back what was his.

*****

“
He alright?” Seth asked Gabrielle after she returned from Ian’s room.

“
Yeah, another dream,” she said simply as her brother shook his head understanding the statement.

“
You know it ain’t gonna ever happen right,” he said never taking his eyes off her.

Gabrielle smiled sadly but said nothing as her brother continued to eat his chocolate pudding. “What you two doing up,” Peyton asked as he came into the kitchen where they sat, grabbing 2 beers, alerting the others he had company again.

“
Are you at least strapping’ up with all these sluts, Peyton, damn,” Gabrielle threw out, angry that her brother was such a whore.

Their parents had been good people. Simple folk who lived a simple Cajun life, but they’d taught them morals at least.

“
Gabrielle don’t start that bullshit tonight,” Peyton threw back his temper flaring.

He was a hothead and it was Seth who usually kept order between the two.

“
I’ma young man, and I like pussy, so what’s the problem,” he told her bluntly as she sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes at him, walking out of the kitchen.

“
You shouldn’t talk to her like that,” Seth told him calmly eating his pudding still.

Peyton gave him a look but didn’t say anything. He wasn’t stupid. Seth might have been slow, but he would have kicked his ass without effort.

“
Ice says we’re going to Atlanta this weekend,” Seth told his brother as Peyton smiled brightly. “Well damn, that sounds like fun,” he told his older brother as Seth grunted his acknowledgement and Peyton left the room.

Gabrielle appeared again moments later and returned to her seat.

“
How’s Corey doing these days,” Seth asked deliberately.

Corey Fontaine was in love with Gabrielle and he could give her a good life. A life far removed from all the illegal stuff they did. Problem was Gabrielle was in love with Ian. She’d been smitten with him from the day they brought him home. Seth had to give the man credit and respect however when he didn’t take advantage of the young woman’s infatuation. Frankly, for a while both he and Peyton wondered if Ian weren’t gay. That quickly changed when he’d told them about Kaitlyn. Seth could tell the man really loved the woman, and after seeing her photo, he understood. She was beautiful. Of course he kept that opinion to himself. It wasn’t good business to let your new partner know you were attracted to the woman he loved.

“
He’s fine I guess,” Gabrielle returned breaking his thought and bringing Seth back to the now. “Why won’t you give that man a real chance, Gabrielle,” he asked giving her a new look.

Sighing deeply she again chose not to answer, instead rising and bidding her brother good night as she left him once again alone.

Seth thought about the trip to Atlanta this weekend and wondered what they were going for.
I wonder if we’ll see her,
he thought to himself of Kaitlyn. The thought warmed his heart as he smiled to himself. Seth was well aware of everyone’s opinion of him, that he was slow and didn’t quite get it. He smiled again thinking how very wrong they all were and how surprised they were going to be once he decided to enlighten them. His cell rang and broke his thoughts once more as he saw Voncile’s name on the ID.

“
Hey girl,” he greeted her pleasantly. Voncile was his current flame for the time being. She was good in bed and he enjoyed her immensely when they were together. Voncile told him she was fine and to come on over. Seth mulled it over for a moment. Going to see Voncile was an hour’s drive and he’d have to stay overnight.

“
You can stay over,” she told him, reading his mind.

“
Who else is there,” he asked, knowing she usually had a girlfriend or two visiting.

“
Just me and Drina,” Voncile replied.

Seth smiled wider at the mention of her girlfriend’s name. Drina; was sexy as hell and he loved looking at her on the sly when he was with Voncile.

“
OK, I’m on my way,” he replied still smiling and picking up his keys from the table, walking out of the front door.

*****

Gabrielle watched him as he slept admiring his sexy physique. Sighing softly she thought of how in love with Ian she was, and how in love he was with someone else.
What the hell does she have, that I don’t,
Gabrielle thought longingly. Ian stirred slightly as the covers slid down exposing his barreled chest and abs. Gabrielle lustily took him in, unconsciously licking her lips as she touched her breast. “Just once,” she murmured rising and taking off her robe, naked underneath. Gabrielle slid carefully under the covers and snuggled closer to Ian, assured he wouldn’t wake due to the sedation. Her hands smoothly glided over his creamy caramel skin, enjoying each and every ripped mound she touched. She stroked his face gently and stole a sweet, gentle kiss as Ian continued to sleep, undisturbed.
I’m the one for you Ice,
Gabrielle thought as she continued to lay with him and enjoy his warmth. She knew Seth wanted her to settle down and be with someone who wasn’t in the game, but Gabrielle wanted a king pin. She wanted to be a kept woman who never worked, who never struggled, who had the world handed to her on a silver platter. Ian was the man who had the ability to give it to her.

Too bad he’s not even thinking about you like that,
her mind reminded her, brutally ending the fantasy. Ian unexpectedly shifted and awakened feeling the body next to him. “Brie, what the hell,” he told her jumping from the bed and giving her a bewildered expression. Gabrielle smiled slightly at the nickname. She loved it and only Ian was allowed to call her that. They’d tried years ago to call her Gabby but she absolutely abhorred it and made them stop. From that day to this everyone called her by her full name. “I didn’t mean any harm,” she replied sweetly never taking her eyes from his own. “I just wanted to make sure you were all right,” Gabrielle finished, rising from the bed as Ian quickly turned his head. Sighing deeply, she tied the robe around herself again and walked over to him. “What’s wrong with me,” she asked, the hurt mirrored in her face. Ian sighed deeply, not wanting to hurt her feelings, but needing her to give up. “You’re not KiKi,” he said simply as Gabrielle’s jaw clenched and she turned striding out of the room, slamming the door behind her. “I’ve got to get the hell out of here and soon,” Ian mumbled, sleep done for now as he dressed and headed out into the night. There were lots of things to occupy him in the Bayou at night and tonight was as good as any to go ahead and start the wheels turning on his first order of business, Ian perused to himself as he pulled out his cell and started the sands of the hourglass shifting.

The Beginning

Dixon was looking forward to seeing his family as the plane landed and they began to disembark. He came home as often as time would allow, but it wasn’t like when he lived in the city. He couldn’t complain though, Miami was a great place and Mook had been more than good to him over the course of the almost 6 years he’d been working with the man. Dixon was looking excitedly forward to the huge family reunion this weekend. His mother had been calling him all week to make sure his plans hadn’t changed and he was still coming. Rebecca Dixon may have only been five feet tall, but she was absolutely no joke. He remembered her grilling him for almost an hour at age 16 when she discovered he wasn’t using his first name, but his last to be identified with.
I named you George Albert Dixon, so why you can’t use them names, Rebecca asked pointedly.
Dixon smiled to himself thinking of how he’d gently tried to let her know it wasn’t personal he simply liked his last name better and it was easier for everyone to call him that. Still unconvinced but willing to leave it alone, Rebecca moved on and didn’t question it again. Truthfully, Dixon hated both his first and middle names thinking they were too old sounding for someone his age. He learned later that he was name for both his maternal grandfather and great grandfather.

Dixon admired the city as he rode in the cab, heading for his hotel. He was going to see his mother later. Rebecca asked him why he was staying at a hotel, when his old room was available. Dixon feigned concern for other family coming from out of state and them having a free place to stay. He assured his mother it wasn’t an issue and she of course knew he could afford it. He actually stayed at the hotel so he could visit a couple of his old cut buddies and possibly talk one or both of them into returning to his room with him. Arriving finally, Dixon exited the cab and paid the driver, adding a hefty tip. He headed inside and stopped at the front desk, getting his key and asking a few questions about the hotel. Satisfied moments later he headed to the elevator and boarded, pushing the button for his floor. “Lucky number 7,” he mused, chuckling at his own joke. Dixon was impressed with the suite as he entered and threw his bag on the small folding table in the corner. He took in the living area, leading into the kitchen.
This shit is sweet,
he thought, admiring his ability to live the high life. Pulling out his cell Dixon called his mother letting her know he’d arrived. She of course insisted he come right over and have something to eat. Dixon chuckled as he disconnected and headed to the shower, his next destination, home sweet home.

*****

Jaleesa was watching LaRon warily as he drank his beer and watched Sports Center. He’d come home in a foul mood again, reeking of alcohol. He’d started drinking heavily the last 6 months or so and Jaleesa couldn’t figure out what had triggered the marked change in him. They were at each other’s throat almost daily now, fighting about the most miniscule things. He’d even taken to hitting her here and there once more, but this time Jaleesa surprised him by hitting him back.
What the fuck is going on with him,
she thought continuing to cut vegetables and keep an eye on her husband. She tried wracking her brain to think of any one event that would have caused such a dramatic twist in his personality. Granted they’d lost a child, but that had been over a year ago now. Jaleesa had miscarried in her fourth month when she accidentally fell down the stairs in their house, talking on the cell and not paying attention, missing a step and losing her footing.

Does he still blame me for that,
she wondered as LaRon stirred and headed back into the kitchen. Jaleesa immediately stiffened as he passed her to get to the fridge.

“
What’s wrong with you,” he asked, feeling the change in her body language.

“
Nothing,” she replied trying to keep her voice even.

Jaleesa wasn’t in the mood to fight with him tonight. She just wanted to get through dinner and maybe get a chance to read a book while he went out. LaRon usually met up with Tariq every night after dinner as the two of them handled their business dealings. For the past three nights he hadn’t left at all, spending the time picking an argument every chance he got.