Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate (27 page)

“
Hi Miss Leatha, is KiKi here,” Tariq asked pleasantly.

She frowned slightly before telling him Kaitlyn had already come and gotten the girls almost twenty minutes ago.

“
I thought you were waiting downstairs,” the woman told him as the coldness began to form in Tariq’s belly.

Maintaining his cool, he thanked the sitter and told her they must have gotten their signals crossed, before leaving her to enjoy the rest of her day. Returning to their suite, Tariq looked for their luggage, finding everything in place, except the large diaper bag. Kaitlyn’s purse and some of the clothing were also missing.
Fuck,
Tariq thought, already knowing that she was gone. Kaitlyn wasn’t going to risk losing her babies and she’d done the unthinkable.

“
Baby, shit,” Tariq mumbled sitting on the couch and calling Mook back.

They had to find her and find her fast or she was looking at jail and there would be nothing Tariq could do to help her.

23

Everyone was assembled once again as Judge Baiswell entered the court room. Akil was looking uncomfortable sitting alone at the defendants table. He talked to Tariq earlier who told him he was still trying to find Kaitlyn.

“
Counselor,” Volena addressed Akil. “Where is your client,” she threw out.

Akil smoothly explained that Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had instructed him to complete their case without their presence.

“
As your honor can surely empathize, my clients are going through a rough moment after this morning’s disclosure,” he finished eloquently.

Judge Baiswell nodded slightly, telling them she would now allow the amendment of the petition as well as make her ruling. Ray wasn’t worried; he’d had a long talk with Volena during the recess, reminding her of the favors she owed to him and several other powerful people who had an interest in this case. Clearing her throat, Volena began to speak.

“
In the case of Bailey versus Taylor, I find that there is enough compelling evidence that an attempt was made to keep the parentage of his children a closely guarded secret and thus cut Mr. Bailey, their biological father, out of their lives,” Volena said as Akil’s heart dropped.

“
I believe that given Mrs. Taylor’s history and mental questionability even now, that the minor children’s interests would best be served by granting their father, Mr. Ian Bailey, sole physical custody, with liberal visitation rights awarded to Mrs. Taylor,” Volena ruled as Ian smiled inwardly.

Outwardly he maintained the same stoic expression he’d worn throughout the trial.

“
It is also the ruling of this court that the exchange in physical custody happen immediately following the adjournment of this proceeding,” she went on giving each counselor a look. “Will I need to send police presence or can this be worked out amicably between the parties,” she asked.

Ray assured her Mr. Bailey would not seek to antagonize Mr. or Mrs. Taylor in any way.

“
My client simply wants to have his children with him,” Ray told her calmly.

Akil, though not fully believing it, replied that he was sure his clients would also comply peacefully with the judge’s ruling. Satisfied, Volena finished the ruling, had it entered into the records and dismissed the court. Ian wanted to go right away and get the girls, but Ray told him they would need to wait at least an hour while the documents were logged, signed, and they were given copies of the order.

“
That’s fine,” Ian replied calmly, Ryan by his side. “I’ve waited this long, one more hour won’t change a thing,” he finished as they all celebrated their victory, planning their celebration later this evening.

*****

Kaitlyn flipped the lights on as she walked into the condo. The girls were still asleep, one on each shoulder. She carefully maneuvered her way to the bedroom, laying them down onto the king sized bed. They immediately moved close to each other and continued sleeping. She smiled looking down at her daughters, the tears coming as she thought about Ian being their father.
You needed a reason to cut ties with Tariq, well here it is,
her mind told her as Kaitlyn sighed deeply. The problem now was Ian. She knew he wouldn’t rest until he found her and took the girls from her.

“
Why can’t I get away from this damned man,” Kaitlyn groused as she left the girls in the room headed to the kitchen.

She bought the condo almost two years ago and had been renting it out. When she first received word of the custody fight, she’d contacted her property manager, learning her tenants lease was up in the next month. Kaitlyn then advised him to keep the property vacant. She had the furnishings delivered and set up last week, when the feeling first started in her stomach.

Her cell vibrated and Kaitlyn picked it up seeing yet another message from Tariq. He was imploring her to tell him where she and the girls were. Assuring her he wasn’t angry and he knew she didn’t know about both twins. He told her how much he still loved her and simply wanted to be with her.

“
You need to live your life, Riq,” she said softly aloud the emotion in her voice.

Tariq needed to let go of the fantasy, just as she did. It was fate that kept breaking them up. They were never meant to be together and she was slowly coming to realize and believe that.
Then it must be karma that you and Ice be together, after all, you have his babies after only one night of sex,
her mind challenged. Kaitlyn frowned deeply at the thought, pushing it away as she sent Tariq a reply telling him she and the girls were fine, but she would never tell him where they were. She admonished him to get the divorce, stay with Carlita, or find someone new, but to live his life and forget about her. The reply was instant. ‘Fuck that,’ it read. ‘I want you and only you,’ it read as Kaitlyn sighed deeply and put the phone down, going into the kitchen to make herself something to eat.

*****

Armed with their order, Ray, Ian and Ryan headed over to the hotel where Kaitlyn and Tariq were staying.

“
You sure we don’t want an officer to meet us there,” Ray asked, giving both men a look.

“
Nah,” Ryan replied. “I doubt it comes to that,” he told Ray evenly. “He’s not going to do anything to risk the babies getting hurt,” he explained as the attorney nodded thoughtfully.

Ray was still happily thinking of Gabrielle being at home waiting for him. His mind also reminded him he was sleeping with a much younger woman and she could easily conceive if he wasn’t careful. Ray definitely didn’t want that to happen.
Why not, you two would have a beautiful baby together,
his mind told him. Ray honestly was thinking of his first wife Serena and how after having Brent she shut down sexually and became frigid. In his mind all women went through this after giving birth and he didn’t want to take that chance with his beautiful Gabrielle. They arrived at the hotel and all other thoughts were pushed to the side as they got out and went inside, taking the elevator to the suite.

Knocking forcefully, they heard Tariq ask who it was. Ray identified him as the man finally opened the door eyeing all three men distastefully.

“
What,” he barked, too angry to be concerned that he was alone.

“
We have a court order for Ice to get his children,” Ray told him nonchalantly. “He has been awarded sole custody of them,” he added as Tariq chuckled bitterly.

“
Yeah, figures that bullshit would happen,” he replied as Ian felt his anger rising. “Well you and your crew are shit outta luck partna,” Tariq told Ian, looking directly into his eyes. “KiKi is gone, her and the girls,” he told him plainly.

“
What the fuck do you mean gone,” Ian flared.

“
Just what I said, are you stupid as well as an asshole,” Tariq returned.

“
Where the fuck is she,” Ian yelled. “Where the hell are my babies,” he ranted.

Before Ray or Ryan could react Ian was inside as he and Tariq finally came to blows. Ray moved to intervene when Ryan stopped him.

“
Let them have this,” he said calmly allowing the two men to fight.

Tariq hit Ian squarely in the mouth, busting his lip and drawing blood. Ian gave as good as he got, returning the favor moments later they continued to grapple knocking over tables in the suite, breaking furniture in their violent wake.

Ryan and Ray were so engrossed in watching the conflict they never saw the officers disembark from the elevator. Miss Leatha had called hotel security hearing the sounds and peeking out of her door seeing the two men standing inside the jam.

“
What’s going on here,” the officers barked, one keeping an eye on Ray and Ryan, weapon drawn, while the other two that accompanied him pulled the two men apart, quickly cuffing and sitting each one on the floor.

“
Just what the hell is all this about,” the officer asked.

Ray took charge then, explaining their order and that Ian was simply here to pick up his children, when Mr. Taylor attacked him in a violent rage. Tariq’s eyes narrowed as he eyed Ray lying smoothly to the police. He didn’t bother to try and defend himself however; knowing now was not the time or place.

“
Mmhm, well we’re taking them both downtown,” he told the high powered attorney giving him a distasteful look.

Ian and Tariq were hauled up from the floor and taken, in separate elevators, downstairs to waiting squad cars and the county lockup. Ray and Ryan hailed a cab, following so they could quickly post Ian’s bail. Miss Leatha left the hotel ten minutes after the group also heading downtown with cash in her purse.

*****

Kaitlyn felt much better after her meal and taking a long hot shower. She stood at the window taking in the view thinking how much she missed the city in her absence. The girls giggling caught her attention as she smiled and returned to the bedroom finding them awake as they played and entertained each other. “What are you two up too,” Kaitlyn teased as they both looked at her with those beautiful bright brown eyes and smiled.

Helping them from the bed, she allowed them to explore their new surroundings. They had just turned 11 months and were walking. Both girls immediately began pulling down everything within their limited reach. Kaitlyn chuckled and let them have their way, vowing to clean up later. She also had to face the task of hiring someone to watch them for a few hours each day. She had business to get settled so they would be secure and out of harm’s way. Making a quick call, she was advised the packages she sent to herself almost five months ago had arrived. Thanking the clerk, she disconnected, scooping the girls up amidst adamant protest on their part and headed out of the door, reminding herself to stop on the way back and grab a double seated stroller.

The walk was short, even with the two babies on her hip. Kaitlyn arrived at the small shipping store and went inside.

“
How are you going to manage these boxes with the babies,” the clerk asked, obviously flirting with her.

Kaitlyn smiled, telling him she hadn’t thought of that.

“
Tell you what, I can bring them to you,” he offered. “I’m about to take lunch,” he added.

Kaitlyn smiled slightly and thanked him, waiting the five minutes for him to clock out. The young man followed her back to her building, bringing the boxes in and loading them on the elevator. He tried his best to make a case for them going out later as the elevator ascended to her floor. Kaitlyn smiled again, telling him she really couldn’t think about going out anytime soon.

“
I’m really just getting settled, seriously,” she told him sweetly as he stacked the boxes for her, outside the door.

“
Well okay, but,” he began as she smiled again, indulging his fantasy a bit longer. “I’m going to ask you again in a month, and then you won’t have any excuses,” the young man told her as Kaitlyn chuckled and told him okay.

Leaving her finally he went back to the elevator boarded and waved as the doors closed.

Kaitlyn was still chuckling slightly as she opened her door and put the girls inside, coming back and easily retrieving the boxes. Opening the first one, she took out a substantial amount of the cash inside. Kaitlyn wasn’t stupid. She knew that if she used her credit or debit cards she would be found out in no time flat.

“
You don’t grow up with a Kingpin for a father and not learn something,” she murmured aloud going into the bedroom and putting the other boxes inside her closet, behind the numerous shoe boxes already stacked inside, rendering them invisible to the naked eye.

The girls soon discovered the kitchen, pulling pots and pans out, spreading them on the floor, occasionally banging on them.

“
You two are off the chain,” Kaitlyn chuckled as they regarded her, giggled and went back to their play.

Her cell vibrated once again and she sighed deeply picking it up. Clicking on the text icon, she expected yet another message from Tariq. ‘Hangman’s daughter, I see you’ve settled in,’ the message read as the hair on the back of her neck rose. ‘I will send someone to care for the girls, she is one of the best, with impeccable pedigree,’ the message continued. ‘You and I will finally talk,’ it ended, giving her the woman’s name and what time to expect her. Sighing deeply Kaitlyn again turned her attention to the girls, dreading the meeting but knowing that the text wasn’t a request and her refusal to show up, a signature on her and the girl’s death warrant.