Thin Ice 3 - Armageddon (6 page)

“
Well we’re friends, and we hadn’t seen her in a while, so KiKi invited her,” Jaleesa told him nonchalantly.

LaRon grunted but said nothing more.

“
Did you check on Jashon,” he asked, changing the subject.

Jaleesa assured him she’d called her mother earlier checking on their son.

“
He’s fine,” she told LaRon, finally pulling back the comforter and climbing in. “Full of pound cake that mama made, but fine,” she chuckled as LaRon smiled with her.

His phone vibrated as he snatched it from the nightstand.

“
Business,” Jaleesa questioned, giving him a look.

“
Yeah baby, sorry,” he told her as she shrugged slightly and turned over closing her eyes.

LaRon rose and made his way into the living room, careful to close their bedroom door behind him. Dialing the number, he waited for it to connect.

“
Hello,” Kysha answered calmly.

“
Why the fuck are you texting me this late and you know I’m at home with my girl,” LaRon hissed in the phone, careful not to talk too loudly.

“
I texted you cause I wanted to talk to you,” Kysha threw back smartly. “I keep telling’ you I ain’t goin’ away and neither is this baby,” she added as LaRon continued to see red.

“
What do you want,” he asked simply, wanting to get her off his phone so he could go to sleep.

“
I need some money,” she told him as LaRon sighed deeply and asked how much.

Kysha gave him the amount and he promised to deliver it in the morning.

“
That’s cool,” she replied calmly. “Are you going to my doctor’s appointment with me,” she threw in as LaRon again sighed deeply and told her yes.

Satisfied for the moment, Kysha told him goodnight and disconnected. LaRon went into the den and grabbed the vodka from their bar, making himself a stiff drink and gulping it down.

You gotta do something about this damned hood ass girl or she’s gonna destroy your life,
he thought as the liquor warmed him. LaRon continued to brood in the dark for the next forty minutes. Rising finally his mind somewhat at peace, he ventured back into his own darkened bedroom finding his wife fast asleep. LaRon gingerly climbed in bed and pulled Jaleesa close. He began kissing her lips and neck softly, fondling her breasts until she awakened enough to kiss him back. He took his time and slowly, meticulously, and lovingly, aroused his wifey until he had her begging him to enter her. LaRon closed his eyes as he made love to Jaleesa inhaling her scent and loving every nuance of her body. He couldn’t lose her. No matter what he’d done or how stupid he’d been, he could never let this beautiful woman leave him. LaRon heard Jaleesa cry out her pleasure as he felt her body respond. Returning to her lips he kissed her deeply, telling her how good she felt to him in her ear after the kiss ended. Jaleesa moaned deeply as LaRon again found her spot and stroked her to orgasm.
Please let her get pregnant again,
LaRon prayed silently as he finally reached his peak and came hard, collapsing on top of his beautiful wifey who was still softly moaning her pleasure at the act they’d just completed.

*****

Kaitlyn and Tariq were relaxing and enjoying a drink now that all the guests were gone.

“
Did you have a good time baby,” he asked looking into her eyes.

“
Yes, it was wonderful,” Kaitlyn replied honestly.

Tariq smiled and told her he was glad.

“
What’s that look for,” she teased knowing very well what was on her husbands mind.

“
Just thinking how damned beautiful you are,” Tariq replied as Kaitlyn blushed slightly. “You and Tae finalize your plans for your trip,” he asked, changing the subject for the moment.

“
Mmhm,” Kaitlyn replied smoothly. “I think Tweety is coming too,” she added as Tariq nodded and told her it sounded like a plan.

“
I want you to have a good time, baby,” he told her sweetly, bringing all the guilt of her lies and deception crashing into Kaitlyn’s psyche.

She couldn’t tell him the truth though. Tariq would never willingly let her get back in the game. Right now she needed the thrill and distraction of being back inside the underworld.

Standing Tariq walked over to her, taking Kaitlyn’s hand and helping her from her chair. As she stood facing him looking into his eyes, Kaitlyn kicked herself for lying to him.
Don’t do this to this wonderful man,
her conscience was trying to tell her. Kaitlyn pushed the voice away as Tariq leaned in and kissed her deeply, pressing himself against her as she felt his erection. Giggling slightly, Kaitlyn allowed Tariq to lead her to the bedroom where he once again pulled out all the stops and made love to her. Kaitlyn again prayed she didn’t conceive as Tariq arrived, staying inside her. He held her as he slept. Kaitlyn was awake, her mind racing. What she about to do was dangerous as hell. Not only from the mere standpoint of being illegal, her marriage would be over if Tariq ever found out about her activities. Kaitlyn closed her eyes blinking back the tears that wanted to come. She promised herself that she wouldn’t cry again, not ever, about anything. She’d let love make her weak, soft, and then love ripped her heart out when her daughter died. She knew Tariq wanted another child, but Kaitlyn couldn’t fathom going through that hell all over again. Carrying a child and loving it more than life itself, only to have it taken without thought. No, her childbearing days were over.
Why don’t you just tell him the truth,
her pesky conscience was back. Kaitlyn sighed deeply. Tariq would never understand how she felt. He would never agree to not having children again. Dismissing the truth as a non-viable option, Kaitlyn closed her eyes and let sleep take her, thoughts of their first run playing in her subconscious.

4

Ian was awake and alert when Seth and Peyton returned to the house the following morning. Truthfully he hadn’t slept at all and had been up most of the night. He’d been tempted to take one of the sedatives Teresa prescribed, but fought the urge wanting to break the habit before getting back with Kaitlyn.

“
Anything of interest,” Ian asked calmly as the two men, fell into easy chairs that adorned the living room.

“
Missy Tae leads an interesting life,” Peyton remarked as Ian waited for him to elaborate.

“
She left the house again right after we got there,” he told him as Ian continued to listen. “Went to some deserted looking area and met a guy, did some business.” Ian nodded knowingly.

“
What is she into,” Seth finally asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“
Gun running, dope, money transport,” Ian answered as both men gave him an incredulous look.

Ian chuckled at their reaction.

“
Don’t let any of these ladies we’re about to tangle with fool you,” Ian warned. “They are twice as deadly as they are beautiful,” he told them.

“
Even KiKi,” Peyton asked as Ian nodded.

“
Especially KiKi,” Ian returned.

Seth’s mind was racing as was his brother’s he was sure. They’d seen a lot but in the parish the only dangerous women were the ones in the brothels. They would rob you blind if you let them or weren’t careful enough to pay attention. He knew there were women who were into the game like that, he just never thought he’d meet them. “What did the man look like that she met,” Ian asked his mind again racing.

“
Tall, dark skin, walked with a limp,” Seth told him.

Peyton hadn’t really been paying that much attention to the man. Tae was much more interesting to look at with her sexy frame.

“
You know who it was,” Seth asked as Ian frowned slightly.

“
Possibly,” he replied pulling out his cell. “You two get some rest,” he told them. “Let me make some calls, maybe a run or two, and I’ll be back.”

Peyton welcomed the opportunity for sleep, rising quickly and heading to the bedroom he’d chosen. Seth nodded his understanding to Ian, but headed to the kitchen and made himself a bowl of cereal. As he ate his mind continued to process everything he was seeing and hearing since their arrival. He again thought of Kaitlyn and how beautiful she was. Now he had to factor in how deadly she was too, according to Ian.

Seth’s cell vibrated and he glanced at the message, sighing deeply and dialing his home number.

“
Hello,” Gabrielle answered when her brother called.

“
Hey Gabrielle,” Seth responded, going on to ask her what was wrong.

“
Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you or Peyton,” she told him, going on to say she hadn’t heard from them and was worried.

Seth immediately felt guilty. He knew both he and his brother were all the family they each had left. Sometimes they forgot how vulnerable Gabrielle was because of the brave front she kept in place.

“
We’re fine,” Seth told her. “Been doing a lot of runnin’ around that’s all,” he added as she sighed lightly and told him that was good to hear.

“
Has he seen her yet,” she asked quietly and Seth knew she was referring to Ian.

“
He hasn’t talked to her, if that’s what you’re asking’,” Seth replied.

Gabrielle simply sighed her understanding and left it alone.

“
I’m having lunch with Corey today,” Gabrielle told him, knowing it would make him happy.

Seth smiled and told her that was good to hear.

“
He’s a good man Gabrielle,” he told her as she again sighed her understanding. “Have a good time and really enjoy yourself, okay,” he added gently.

Gabrielle promised she would and disconnected. Seth finished his cereal and headed for his own room deciding to give further thought to his circumstances, later.

*****

Kim was up and her nerves were shot. She heard the click of the card key in the lock and steeled herself, unsure of what mood her man would return in.

“
Hey,” Mook greeted her ambiguously as he entered.

“
Hey,” Kim replied softly, never taking her eyes off him.

Mook came in and sat on the small love seat contained in the suite, looking at her, still silent. Kim’s heart sank. He was obviously still angry and who knows what he might be thinking at this point.

“
I’m sorry,” he told her, never taking his eyes from her own.

“
Me too,” she replied smiling slightly, happy that the drama seemed to be calmed for now.

“
Mook,” she began timidly.

“
Yeah,” he answered still looking directly at her.

“
Do you really feel like that,” she asked, taking a deep breath, not wanting to cry.

“
Like what,” he asked, forcing her to say the entire question.

Taking another breath and blowing it out slowly, Kim spoke once more.

“
Like you’re second to Top,” she finally managed to get out.

Now it was Mook’s turn to sigh deeply. He rubbed his hands over his face, keeping his eyes closed for a few moments more as he thought about his answer.

His silence was deafening in the room and the longer he stayed that way, the more Kim dreaded what would fall from his lips once he actually opened them to speak. Clearing his throat slightly, Mook again regarded her and answered her question.

“
I been with you for four years Kim,” he told her calmly as she nodded in acknowledgement. “In those four years, I’ve dealt with your feelings for Top when we would visit, or he would come to Miami and handle business,” he went on as Kim felt smaller and guiltier. “I could see it in your eyes, you love him,” Mook told her as Kim continued to sit and endure. “I never said anything because we were together, and I figured you had to love me to be with me and have my son, but last night when you came at me like you had never done anything wrong,” he paused, gathering himself again. “All those feelings of jealousy and competition came out,” Mook finished as Kim weighed what he said. Rising she went to him, sitting on the loveseat with him, looking into his eyes as she began to talk to him.

“Mook, I’m sorry for that,” Kim told him earnestly. “I have never, ever, intentionally meant to hurt you or make you feel that way,” she explained. “I had some very deep feelings for Top once, I’ll admit that,” she went on as Mook continued to listen and watch her wordlessly. “And I guess I still have some of that schoolgirl crush drama going on when it comes to him, but Mook, I love you baby,” Kim iterated as the first tear rolled down her cheek.

“
You are not now, nor have you ever been, second to anybody, including Top,” she tried, praying her man was listening and that he believed her. “It scared me so badly when you left last night,” she told him honestly. “I thought you might never come back, and that thought almost killed me,” Kim admitted finally breaking down as Mook took her into his arms and held her.

“
Baby, I love you too,” Mook told her softly as he continued to hold her. “I shouldn’t have disrespected you like that last night, I lost my head,” he explained. “Please forgive me, and I promise not to do that again,” Mook told her as Kim hugged him tighter. “I won’t ever leave you baby,” he told her again lifting her tear stained face to his and kissing her lips softly.

*****