Thin Ice 3 - Armageddon (10 page)

“
Wassup,” Kaitlyn finally spoke breaking the silence.

“
How are you ladies,” Kareem returned pulling his mind back to business.

Jaleesa took the men in, noticing the one speaking hadn’t taken his eyes off Tae since they found her.

“
I’m Kareem,” he spoke again, introducing himself to them. “This is Mecca,” he added, referring to the brutha on his immediate right. “And this is Belch,” he added nodding slightly to the one on his left.

Jaleesa continued regarding the men and how sexy the first two were.
Always gotta be a dud in the group,
she thought of Belch.
What kinda fucked up nickname is that anyway,
she thought again, her eyes once more finding Mecca and Kareem. Both men were tall, well over 6’5” she was sure. Kareem was the thicker of the two, all the muscles in the right place. He had brooding brown eyes and tiny dimples adorning his face, complimenting the beautifully white teeth set inside his mouth. Mecca was equally attractive, slimmer, but definitely fine. No dimples, but a charmingly pleasant smile as well. He sported two diamond caps on his lower incisors, but they didn’t come off as gaudy. Belch wasn’t ugly, but he wasn’t cute either, Jaleesa observed. He was barely tolerable and she supposed if one were desperate he wouldn’t be the worst they could do.

“
Can we get to business,” Kaitlyn asked, breaking Jaleesa’s thought.

“
We don’t have to be so formal ladies,” Kareem returned, rising from his seat.

Tae caught her breath when he stood. The man was stunning and the jeans wrapped around his magnificent butt, made her mouth water with lust.

“
We don’t even know your names,” he tried again as Kaitlyn sighed lightly.

“
I’m KiKi, this is Tweety, and that’s Tae,” she told him calmly, wanting to do the deal and leave.

“
It’s a pleasure,” Kareem replied. “Would you ladies like a drink, some smoke perhaps,” he threw out as they accepted the drink, but not the weed.

Sitting and talking as everyone enjoyed their drink, Kareem continued to observe the women. He had a good feeling about them. They weren’t the usual bad ass chick wannabes that he’d so often done business with, only to find them soft and unreliable. These women were deadly and of that he had no doubt.

“
Belch,” Kareem called out as the man sullenly turned to him waiting further instructions. “Bring the payment,” he said simply as the man complied and left them alone for a moment.

Jaleesa noticed he hadn’t introduced the other 3 men present in the room and assumed they weren’t anyone of importance other than muscle. Belch returned quickly and sat the briefcase in front of them, opening it and turning it for the ladies to see. Kaitlyn calmly counted the stacks, doing the math quickly in her head and assuring her partners the amount was right. Tae rose and retrieved the bags they’d entered with, placing them in front of Belch as Kareem instructed. He opened them and examined the weapons and dope contained.

“Yeah it’s straight,” he replied. “Guess the bitches are good for something,” he added nastily.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Jaleesa had the .380 at his head.

“
Call us bitches again, just one more muthafuckin’ time,” she told him coldly.

Kaitlyn and Tae were both brandishing their own weapons as Kareem calmly spoke. “Apologize,” he told the man sternly, his gaze never leaving him.

Belch huffed and puffed, but opened his mouth and uttered the words as Jaleesa finally took the gun from his head. Smiling slightly, Kareem tossed Mecca a look. His right hand smiled back, knowing what his friend was thinking. They’d finally found what they were looking for.

“
I’m sorry ladies,” Kareem apologized again. “Belch is more brawn than brain,” he again supplied as Tae smiled but said nothing.

“
We’re leaving,” Kaitlyn said simply, still irritated.

“
Please, don’t go just yet,” Mecca threw out this time.

“
Yes, there’s some business we want to discuss,” Kareem added as the women regarded them curiously.

“
Can we persuade you ladies to join us at our spot and we’ll continue the conversation,” Kareem asked, looking directly at Tae.

Jaleesa was undone to find herself under the intense stare of Mecca as they waited for an answer.

“
Sure, okay,” Kaitlyn replied her curiosity peaked.

Smiling again, the men gave quick instructions to their workers and left following the ladies to the parking lot, getting into their own vehicles as the Benz truck followed the black Range Rover to the spot and the answers to all their questions.

7

Kim was still brooding about the argument, even now almost four days later. She was doing a little shopping today, hitting some of the familiar boutiques in the Buckhead area. After browsing for the next four hours, Kim made several purchases, including some lingerie. She had plans for her man tonight. She had to admit Mook had been really good, saying or doing nothing out of the way.
Why is he so preoccupied though,
her mind began to question as she arrived at Mardi Gras, preparing to have lunch. Frowning slightly Kim thought about how distant Mook had been since his meeting with Tariq.
What the hell is going on with them,
she again wondered. Mook wasn’t talking and she didn’t dare ask Tariq. Kim wasn’t stupid though. Something big was brewing and her gut told her it was deadly. Sitting she grabbed a menu, pleased to see that the selection had been vastly improved since Tariq’s organization took over. The waitress came and took her order, returning shortly afterward and leaving her sprite at the table.

“Hi Kim,” Kaitlyn greeted her smiling as she stood by the table.

Kim caught herself before she could frown and returned a cool greeting of her own. Frowning slightly, Kaitlyn caught the tone.

“
What are you doing today,” she asked amiably still standing.

Kim sighed softly and invited her to sit down, grudgingly.

“
Just a little shopping, nothing big,” Kim replied her tone still cool, almost hostile. Kaitlyn continued to regard the woman quietly after the waitress brought her the drink she’d asked for. Kim thought it odd the woman was drinking at 12:00 in the afternoon but said nothing.

“
Why don’t you like me, Kim,” Kaitlyn asked point blank, sitting back in her chair and continuing to regard the woman across the table from her.

Kim sighed deeply, questioning if she even really wanted to get into this conversation. She thought about Mook and his reaction, as well as Tariq’s if she offended the woman. “Who said I didn’t like you,” Kim hedged.

Kaitlyn smiled and took another sip of the liquor before addressing her again.

“
I’m not stupid Kim,” she told her. “I’ve known for a long time you didn’t really care for me, but I respected you and what you did for Tariq, so I’ve never addressed it,” Kaitlyn finished as Kim continued to regard her and the anger simmered.

“Well since you asked,” Kim began, feeling her ire reach full throttle.

Kaitlyn sat back and waited on the woman to speak. Kim poured out every thought and feeling she had about Kaitlyn. She told her how much she loathed the fact that she’d taken Tariq through hell. The fact that he’d lost his brother trying to love her, when she simply walked away with Ice. How in Kim’s opinion, Kaitlyn didn’t know the meaning of love or loyalty.

“
Basically, Top is way too damned good for you,” Kim railed as Kaitlyn continued to sit. “You should leave him and go back to Ice, you both are perfect for each other,” she went on. “Two cold, uncaring, unfeeling, whiny ass people who think the world owes them a living,” Kim finished finally, as Kaitlyn drained her glass and set it down on the table.

Leaning forward, Kaitlyn addressed Kim looking her right in the eye.

“
Who died and made you God,” she asked plainly. “What the fuck you know about me, or my life,” Kaitlyn threw out again before Kim could speak. “You don’t know my life,” she said again in a death knell monotone.

Kim wasn’t as upset with what the woman said as the look in her eyes when she spoke.

What the hell,
Kim thought as she looked into Kaitlyn’s eyes and saw hurt. All she could see was pain with each word that floated from the woman’s mouth.

“
I can’t speak for you, cause I don’t know you,” Kaitlyn told her coldly. “But unlike you, I won’t judge how you act or why you do what you do,” she went on as the pained fire in her eyes raged. “I’m glad you’re life was good and the rose colored glasses you’re fitted with help you see rainbows and lollipops, but my world consists of black and white, maybe the occasional shade of gray,” Kaitlyn rattled off before abruptly switching gears.

“
Do you use blue magic,” she asked as Kim frowned deeply and gave her a quizzical look. “The hair grease,” Kaitlyn clarified.

“
No,” Kim returned still confounded.

“
Hate that shit,” Kaitlyn mumbled as Kim continued to watch her.

The pain had left her eyes, replaced with despondency.
What is going on with this woman,
Kim continued to think as Kaitlyn rose and prepared to leave her presence. “I’m sorry you don’t like me Kim,” she told her frankly regarding her once again. “I honestly think you’re good people,” Kaitlyn finished simply and walked away as Kim continued to sit, not sure how to feel at the moment.

Recalling the entire conversation, Kim was deeply disturbed at the things she observed in the woman’s attitude and demeanor.
There is some deep shit going on in that chick’s head,
Kim thought wanting to dismiss it and move on. Her mind however had other ideas. Kim’s conscience kept recalling the last thing Kaitlyn said before walking away.

“
What am I supposed to do,” Kim mumbled aloud.

Her mind immediately supplied the answer. Sighing deeply and knowing she had to have way more information that she did now, Kim paid her check and rose headed out into the city and the public library. That was as good a place as any to start she reasoned while she drove. Kim couldn’t shake the memory of the hurt she saw in Kaitlyn’s eyes as she talked.
Was that from the whole Ice thing, Tariq, shit, what,
Kim continued to question as she drove. The mystery was eating at her and one thing Kim didn’t like was loose ends. Her cell rang and she saw Mook’s name on the caller ID. Pushing Kaitlyn out of her mind for now, Kim answered and began to converse with her man as she continued to drive.

******

Kysha was on pins and needles. The results from the amniocentesis were due back today.
Shit, this test better come back right,
she thought to herself as she showered and dressed. Kysha had been faithful to LaRon, for the most part. There was the matter of that one night with her ex almost six months ago.
The same time you got pregnant,
her mind warned as Kysha sighed deeply and prayed for the right results again. The knock at the door startled her and she went to open it. LaRon looked her over as he walked inside, but said nothing. Kysha was even more nervous now as he continued to regard her silently.

“
What’s wrong,” she asked trying to keep the nervous tremor out of her voice.

“
You ready to go,” LaRon replied instead of answering her question.

“
Yeah, I’m ready,” she replied amiably trying her best to stay on his good side.

Grunting slightly, he held the front door as she walked through and closed it behind them both heading to the car.

The ride over was as quiet as his initial visit to the house. Kysha was shaking so badly she hoped she didn’t fall out of the chair as they sat in the waiting room. She had the worst feeling in her gut about the results and LaRon’s reaction. Her only solace at the moment was that if he weren’t the father, he wouldn’t go off on her here. Checking her purse quickly, Kysha was slightly relieved to see she had enough money to call a cab or take the bus if need be. The nurse called her name and Kysha rose, feeling like a death row inmate taking that final walk down the hallway. LaRon rose wordlessly as well and followed both the nurse and Kysha to Dr. Finkle’s office, where she directed them to have a seat.

“
He’ll be in shortly,” she added sweetly as Kysha thanked her quietly and woman smiled, leaving and closing the door behind her.

Kysha chanced a look at LaRon finding his eyes closed in deep thought.
Please God, please,
she began to pray again. She was so in love with the man sitting next to her and this baby would give her the permanent tie to him she so desperately wanted. The matter of him providing her a lavish lifestyle was definitely a plus she could live with, Kysha continued to ponder.

“Are you gonna be with me once this test comes back and shows you’re the father,” Kysha asked softly breaking his thought obviously as LaRon turned and regarded her silently.

“
I ain’t ever leaving’ Tweety,” he told her plainly. “I’ll take care of my seed, if it is mine, but that’s it,” LaRon made perfectly clear.

“
Damn, so it was just what, pussy for you,” Kysha fired back, angry and hurt all at once.