Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate (3 page)

“
What the hell is that supposed to mean,” she asked tightly.

“
Nothing,” Tariq replied waving it away.

“
If you’re referring to my past and shit, you already know what the deal was there,” Kaitlyn told him growing angry herself now.

“
Yeah KiKi, shit, whatever,” Tariq replied nonchalantly.

She was pissed now.

“
Look, I get that you’re pissed and you know what, you even have a right to be,” she told him raising her voice slightly. “But you’re treading some seriously foul territory right now, you might wanna slow your roll a little,” she warned.

“
What the fuck you want me to say KiKi, oh, it’s all cool,” Tariq threw back, his voice rising to meet her own. “You have me once again looking like a jackass because you decided for me what I could or could not handle,” he ranted.

“
So why the hell did you even go to the attorney today,” Kaitlyn threw back. “I can handle it by myself, she’s my daughter,” she screamed.

Tariq jumped in her face, breathing hard as he glared down at her. “Don’t you ever say that bullshit again,” he told her low and cold. “That little girl is my child, period. I don’t give a fuck about Ice or any of his bullshit,” Tariq continued. “I was there through your pregnancy, I saw you through labor, I’m the muthafucka that cut those cords,” he went on. “Tejdra and Tajdra are my daughters, do you hear that shit KiKi,” he asked finally finishing.

“
All I hear is your accusing me of being a whore and intentionally tricking you,” she told him still hurt and angry that Tariq had stooped so low as to bring up her own sordid past.

“
At this point KiKi what the fuck do I care what you hear,” he returned acidly.

“
You know Ice keeps sniffing around for some damned reason,” he began anew. “Shit, for all I know you’re leading this fool on. How the fuck I know what you whisper in his ear when he supposedly snatches you,” Tariq once again accused.

Kaitlyn punched him hard to the jaw. He slapped her in return as they began to fight for the first time in their history. Tariq threw her onto the sofa and screamed at her to stay there.

“
Stop, shit,” he yelled, completely disappointed in himself for ever putting his hands on her.

Kaitlyn glared at him, tears rolling down her cheeks. She finally gathered herself and went to the twin’s room, slamming and locking the door behind her. Tariq sank to the recliner, head in his hands.

*****

Nikki was standing at the clerk’s desk waiting for them to stamp the documents she’d presented. She knew this case was a critically big deal and she took that seriously. Nikki always took her work seriously. The law was no joke and it could quickly make or destroy your life with a few strokes of a pen or a bang of a gavel.

“
Here you are,” the clerk returned amiably, stamping the documents.

“
Can you schedule this for the judge’s calendar in the morning,” Nikki asked, knowing Ray would want it heard as soon as possible.

The clerk looked over the docket and told her she would squeeze it in.

“
Thank you so much,” Nikki returned, giving her best smile.

The clerk told her she was welcome and Nikki left the woman’s presence. She called Ray as soon as she left the room, updating him. He thanked her for her professionalism and disconnected. She sighed lightly thinking of her boss. Ray Lockhart was a sexy man, very sexy. The fact that he was considerably older than her didn’t bother Nikki at all, but she knew they would never connect. He’d made a point of telling her he didn’t mix business with pleasure. Shrugging slightly she dismissed the thoughts and continued her day.

Nikki arrived for her spa treatment humming lightly as she enjoyed the full body massage she was getting. Ray paid her well, she couldn’t complain on that end; still it would be nice to have a sponsor. Nikki chuckled at the thought. Granted she was independent to a fault, she liked the idea of saving her own money and spending someone else’s.
All in due time chick,
she chided herself closing her eyes and relaxing. Her mind went back to her last relationship almost a year ago. Stan was a decent enough guy. He was a paralegal so they had that in common, but little else. He couldn’t do the things for her that Nikki would have liked, but she didn’t hold it against him. She wasn’t a gold digger, not at all, she just liked to be pampered and spoiled. When money began to become more and more of an issue, she decided it was time to call it all off. Stan of course went off the deep end, acting a complete ass. He harassed her at work, stalked her home, and destroyed her property by flattening her tires and keying her car.
You telling him he was acting like a bitch probably didn’t help either,
her mind threw at her as Nikki chuckled aloud. She wanted someone in her life now. She’d had time to heal and let go of any feelings that may have still been present for Stan. Even if it was only sex, she wanted a warm blooded, well endowed, man in her bed.

*****

Mook’s mouth was hanging open as he listened to Tariq explain what was happening with him and KiKi now.

“
Are you fuckin’ with me Top,” he asked, praying the man was joking.

Tariq assured him things were just that bad.

“
Man, why won’t this muthafucka catch a hint, damn,” Mook replied tiredly.

Ian had been a thorn in their flesh for way too long now.

“
What’s the plan,” he asked Tariq.

He sighed deeply before telling Mook that one way or the other, this had to end now.

“
If by some fucked up miracle a judge gives that fool custody of Tajdra, KiKi will lose her damned mind,” he told Mook.

“
I know she will,” he agreed.

“
Who’s his attorney,” Mook asked curiously.

“
Who else,” he replied as Mook swore under his breath.

“
Figures,” he replied. “Look, I got a thought, but I don’t wanna talk about it on this phone,” he told Tariq.

Intrigued he asked him where he wanted to meet. Mook told him they could hook up at Baccheus, Jacoury and Ramell’s club in an hour.

“
Cool,” Tariq replied. “I’ll be there.”

Mook told him that was straight and disconnected.

He immediately made another call.

“
Hello,” the soft feminine voice answered.

He was taken aback, not expecting it.

“
Hey Tae,” Mook greeted her, the lump immediately in his throat.

“
Hi Mook,” she returned sweetly. “Shells is in the shower,” she explained, answering his unasked question why she greeted him.

“
Can you tell him to hit me back as soon as he’s out, it’s important,” Mook told her.

Tae assured him she would and he thanked her, disconnecting. Kim walked into the room seconds later and he silently thanked God she hadn’t been in the room that much earlier.

“
Where you headed,” she asked, seeing his keys in his hand.

“
Got a meeting with Top,” he explained as Kim shrugged slightly telling him okay. “I won’t be long I don’t think,” Mook added.

“
I’m going to hang out with Sam a little while anyway, let the boys play,” she told him.

Mook told her that sounded like a good idea and to have fun. He was happy she had someone to spend time with now. Kim and Sam seemed to be able to understand each other’s point of view and it definitely made his life a lot easier. Now he didn’t feel so guilty when he had to handle business and leave her alone handling Sean. They still hadn’t had another child, but Mook was slowly coming around to the idea that one was sufficient. The current drama with Tariq and Kaitlyn definitely didn’t support expanding a family anytime soon. Sighing once again Mook turned and headed out of the door to his truck. What he was thinking was dangerous as hell, but in his mind it would definitely eliminate the problem.

3

Ryan was enjoying his time at the Cajun diner. Caramel and RJ were attending a birthday party for one of his son’s classmates. As much as he loved his family, Ryan relished the time alone. He was still enjoying his po’ boy when the two men caught his eye. They were vaguely familiar to him and his mind was racing trying to recall the how. Continuing to eat Ryan kept watch on the men. He could tell by their demeanor they were in the game. As fate would have it, the bigger of the two men looked up, their eyes connecting. Ryan saw the man’s expression, knowing that he too was curious of the other. There was a look of disbelief mingled with astonishment. Ryan never looked away as the man said something to his friend, as he too turned and regarded Ryan still casually enjoying his sandwich.

Ryan smiled slightly to himself as the two rose and walked over to his table.

“
Wassup,” Creeper addressed Ryan, still watching him carefully.

“
Can’t call it, you,” Ryan returned casually.

“
Can we join you,” Pirate asked.

Ryan shrugged slightly and the men sat down.

“
We met,” Ryan asked Creeper getting directly to the point.

“
We’ve met,” Creeper returned still slightly guarded.

He didn’t know why it was so hard for him to believe Ryan was alive. Ian hadn’t been dead as reported either.

“
Hmph,” Ryan again casually replied.

“
I’m Creeper and this is my partner, Pirate,” he introduced finally.

Ryan again nodded and withheld comment. Finishing his sandwich, Ryan wiped his hands and mouth, sipping his drink, taking his time to speak again, before looking each man over. He then returned his attention to Creeper.

“
I’m Ryan Bailey,” he said smoothly as both men smiled fully.

“
Shit,” Pirate uttered. “You and Ice must have immortal blood in your veins.”

Ryan turned to him at that statement, eyes blazing.

“
What do you know about my brother,” he growled angrily.

“
Slow down man,” Creeper quickly interjected.

Ryan had a reputation for being the prototype of Ian’s violent ruthlessness.

“
He’s just saying it’s amazing both you and Ice survived attempted assassination.”  

The gravity of Creeper and Pirate’s statements hit him hard as Ryan’s mind tried to grasp the inference.

“
Ice is alive,” he finally asked, praying they said yes.

“
Yeah man, he’s in MO,” Creeper told him.

“
Missouri,” Ryan asked giving him a new look. “What the hell is he doing there?”

Creeper and Pirate told him it was a long story. “Come ride with us while we handle this business,” Pirate suggested.

Ryan agreed. Following them from the café he took his truck, as they followed, dropping it off at his house. Ryan climbed in the vehicle with the two men and listened carefully as they connected the dots over the last year plus for him.

*****

Mook, Tariq, Jacoury and Ramell were already at the club having a drink. Shells was on his way. Jaron was out of the country, taking sanctioned time off for himself and Gabrielle.

“
How you holdin’ up Top,” Mook asked.

It had been almost two weeks since the truth came out about the babies and his and Kaitlyn’s marriage hit the skids.

“
Just tryin’ to get through this bullshit,” he replied, tone edgy. “Ice gets his first visit this weekend,” he added as the other men voiced their understanding.

Mook was worried about his boss and his marriage. For the years he’d been with Tariq he’d never seen him and Kaitlyn have a disagreement of this magnitude. Sadly it didn’t seem to be getting any better. Mook wondered if this would finally be the straw that broke the back of their union. A child fathered by another man was bad enough, but a child fathered by your worst enemy had to make it unbearable. Shells walking into the club disturbed his thought and brought him back to now as Mook again prayed some way, somehow, Tariq and Kaitlyn got through this in one piece.

“
Hey Top, how you doin’,” Shells greeted him sympathetically.

Tariq forced a slight smile and repeated his earlier response. Everyone gathered their drink and headed to the private VIP area of the club. Taking their seats, Tariq thanked them all for coming and gave Mook the floor to lay out his plans. Tariq had already been briefed almost a week earlier, telling his right hand he wanted to think about it before they announced it. Today he was ready and he felt it was their only recourse given the circumstances before them. Everyone turned their attention to Mook waiting for him to speak.

“
We gotta put an end to all this bullshit and Ice once and for all,” Mook began. “I’ve thought of a way to make a serious dent in his plans,” he went on as they all listened.

Mook explained in vivid detail his thoughts and all the players involved. After finishing he looked to Tariq who immediately took the reins once more.

“
If anyone isn’t down, or wants to walk way, that’s straight,” he told them. “Just let us know now.”

No one spoke or moved.

“
Shells you good with this,” he asked, eyeing his friend closely.

“
Yah man, you know I’m always down with a good plan,” Shells told him evenly. “And I like this one much,” he added as Tariq smiled slightly.