Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate (4 page)

“
This is going to be more dangerous than anything we’ve ever done before considering the players involved,” Tariq warned.

Again as before, no one moved or backed out.

“
When you want to make a move,” Ramell asked calmly.

Tariq smiled slightly once more, again overwhelmed by the loyalty of his people.

“
This weekend,” he replied, already thinking ahead.

“
Straight,” Jacoury replied. “Let’s work out details,” he added as they summoned Sabrina, ordered another round of drinks and began to plot.

*****

Ray and Ian were enjoying their day at the country club. Neither golfed but they came for the ambiance and of course the high powered players that frequented the establishment.

“
Where are we with the custody case,” Ian asked enjoying the cigar he was smoking.

Ray sipped his brandy and sighed lightly.

“
We’re actually in very good shape,” he told Ian. “I’m in the process of finagling us a judge to hear it,” Ray added as Ian murmured slightly. “Are you excited about this weekend,” Ray ventured to ask.

Ian smiled slightly and told him he was indeed pleased to be finally meeting his flesh and blood.

“
She’s almost a year old and I’ve missed all of it,” Ian added matter-of-fact.

Ray heard the slight edge and knew the matter was affecting his partner more than he wanted to admit.

“
It will be over soon enough, Ice,” Ray told him.

Ian again smiled slightly but said nothing as Ray recognized a colleague.

“
I’m going over and see what I can get out of this guy,” he told Ian rising and walking away.

Alone, Ian’s mind began to race as he thought about Saturday. He would see not only his daughter, but also the woman who still possessed his heart completely. Frowning slightly Ian began getting his mind mentally prepared to deal with Kaitlyn. He wasn’t going to allow his heart to overrule his brain this time. Everything would be approached with the same logic and precision that kept him on top of his business empire with ease. Ian couldn’t lie and say he didn’t love her, but the game was on a whole new playing field now. Ian picked up his phone from the table, opening and finding the picture he was looking for. He felt his chest swell with pride looking at the beautiful little girl the image contained.
We did good,
he thought taking a long drink of the crown and coke.

He began to reflect on the entire custody proceeding and how it was affecting Kaitlyn and Tariq’s marriage. The knowledge that they were on the verge of collapse made him smile again.
Karma’s a bitch,
Ian continued to cheerfully muse. Ray finding them a judge all but guaranteed he would win the custody battle, taking the child from Kaitlyn.
She’s not going to give her up without a fight,
Ian continued to ponder. He had to be careful. Kaitlyn was no pushover and he knew killing him wasn’t beyond her plane of reason. He knew she was extremely protective of the girls and any perceived threat she would swiftly eradicate. He had to be ready when that decision came down or he wouldn’t survive to finish what he’d started. Ray returned to the table and disturbed his thoughts as he began to speak.

“
OK, he was very helpful information wise,” he told Ian who nodded his understanding.

Ray began to elaborate and Ian’s smile widened with each word. Pulling his own cell from his pocket, Ray called Nikki and gave her a new assignment.

“
Let’s order, shall we,” Ray told Ian who cheerfully agreed as they summoned the waiter over.

****

 “
I’m not looking forward to all this damned drama,” Kaitlyn told Tae crossly as they ate.

They met up at the local steakhouse and were enjoying a leisurely dinner.

“
How the hell did he even find out,” Tae asked frowning slightly.

She was definitely sorry for all the drama her friend was enduring. It just seemed that no matter how hard they tried, Kaitlyn and Tariq could never stay happy together without interference.

“
I don’t know, but I’d sure as hell like too,” Kaitlyn replied angrily.

If she ever found out how Ian discovered Tajdra’s true parentage she was going to kill the messenger.

“
How long does he have with her,” Tae ventured seasoning her baked potato.

“
All day Saturday, half day Sunday,” Kaitlyn returned tiredly. “Unsupervised,” she added as Tae rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth.

“
Hell, is Tajdra gonna even stay with him without screaming her head off,” Tae asked in between bites of her steak.

Kaitlyn sighed deeply once again.

“
She doesn’t know him,” she replied finally. “I mean Tajdra is a good baby, but he’s going to be totally foreign to her,” Kaitlyn added as Tae nodded her understanding giving her another look.

“
So you’ll be forced to stay with her,” she finally put into words.

Dropping her fork, Kaitlyn sat back and took several deep breaths trying to gather herself. Every time she thought of the situation the rage threatened to overtake her.

“
Unless a miracle happens and she just immediately takes to him when I get there, then yes,” Kaitlyn replied.

“
Damn,” Tae replied. “The guys are up to something,” she threw out as Kaitlyn regarded her.

“
What,” she asked simply.

Tae told her she didn’t know but she knew they were meeting tonight and she’d overheard bits and pieces of Shells conversation with Mook earlier.

“
I have hurt my husband so much,” Kaitlyn told Tae, voice dripping with defeat. “I can’t imagine what the hell must be going through his mind right now.”

“
Still doesn’t excuse him putting his hands on you,” she replied tersely.

Kaitlyn sighed deeply telling her she wasn’t angry about that.

“
Tariq isn’t like that,” she told Tae sincerely. “He was in pain, and I was the cause of that pain.”

Tae again sighed deeply but said nothing more.

They continued to eat, each lost in their own thought. Kaitlyn had no idea how her baby would react to Ian, nor how she herself would react seeing him in the flesh knowing all the havoc he was intentionally wreaking.
Why couldn’t he have just stayed a part of the past,
she thought gloomily. There was also the fear that Ian could feasibly win this case if they landed in front of a judge sympathetic or vindictive enough to give him Tajdra.
I will never let him have my daughter, law or no fucking law,
Kaitlyn thought angrily her jaw clenching involuntarily.

“
You want desert,” Tae asked bringing her back to now.

“
No, I’m good,” she answered as the waiter thanked them and left them alone.

“
What are you plotting,” Tae asked point blank looking her in the eye.

Kaitlyn smiled slightly telling her friend to get out of her head.

“
You talked to Tweety,” she replied instead, changing the subject.

Tae shook her head no and Kaitlyn frowned slightly.

“
Something’s going on with her,” she told Tae who asked her to elaborate.

“
I don’t know,” Kaitlyn told her. “That’s the problem, she won’t talk to me and that’s not like her at all.”

Tae agreed and replied she would make it her business to contact Jaleesa later this week. Paying their check the two women rose and headed to the parking lot.

“
It’s going to work out KiKi,” Tae told her friend, hugging her lightly as they stood beside her truck.

“
I sure hope so,” Kaitlyn replied quietly, opening the door and climbing inside.

Watching Tae to make sure she got to her own vehicle and inside safely, Kaitlyn started the truck and headed home, her mind still planning meticulously her next steps.

*****

 
Ryan’s mind was still trying to process all he’d learned from Creeper and Pirate today. He liked both the men, finding them to be straightforward and capable. He understood now why Ian left them to handle the bayou. He needed to get to Missouri and reconnect with his baby brother, but he wanted answers to some questions first.
Did she know my brother was alive all this time and didn’t tell me,
Ryan thought of Caramel. There was one sure way to find out and he was looking for it now as he went through the dresser drawers. Caramel kept a diary. She had for years. Ryan had read it once before unknown to her, when she first started working for them at the house. He knew everything there was to know about her past, the how and the why of her becoming a prostitute. He didn’t want to believe she would keep something so vital from him, nor that she would continue to lie about it, even now.

Finding nothing in the dressers, Ryan headed to the closet. He stood and looked at all the boxes lining the top shelf inside the enclosure, his eyes resting on one in the corner that was askew. Reaching up he carefully removed it and placed the small box on the floor. He kneeled beside it opening the top, and finding what he sought. Ryan opened the book flipping through the numerous pages until he reached a familiar date over a year ago. Knowing he could hear the car as the garage lifted, Ryan sat down and engrossed himself in the entries contained in the diary. He read all the declarations of love she wrote concerning him and their son. He read about the day to day struggles she endured providing for her and RJ as he remained in a coma. Finally Ryan found the entry that interested him most. It detailed Caramel seeing Ian at RJ’s school and how she was sure he had set up the trust fund that now supported them.
So she knew,
he thought, a mixture of anger and hurt flooding him. Ryan finished reading the entries after that each one declaring how much she didn’t want him to find out Ian was still alive. He rose, closed the diary and replaced both the book and the box where he retrieved them. Heading to the computer Ryan booked his flight. Packing his clothing he left her a note and headed toward the front door. Stopping briefly at the foyer table, he picked up the photo of the three of them and placed it in his bag. Opening the door, Ryan took one last look at the apartment and closed the door, Missouri bound.

4

For the last two days Kim had been good. Today she wanted answers. Something big was about to happen and she didn’t like the way it was shaping up. Mook being this secretive meant it was dangerous as hell and that bothered her. Heading into the bedroom where he was relaxing watching the fight, Kim climbed into the huge California king with him and lay on his chest.

“
Wassup Miss Kim,” he greeted her, caressing her softly.

“
Just came to see what you were doing,” she replied innocently.

Kim had to play this just right or she would leave just as in the dark as she entered.

“
Chillin’,” Mook replied, his eyes still on the two men in the ring.

“
Is Top cool with KiKi leaving tomorrow,” she asked finally, seeing that her man wasn’t going to volunteer any information.

Mook sighed deeply and told her Tariq was a good as could be expected.

Kim sucked her teeth softly before she spoke.

“
She always has some kind of drama,” she half mumbled of Kaitlyn.

Mook frowned slightly his mind immediately reminding him of Kim’s former feelings for Tariq.
She still wanna get with him,
he wondered. If the two divorced, that would leave his boss a single and eligible bachelor. Mook found he didn’t like the thoughts or the feelings they stirred so he changed the subject.

“
You and Sam hang out today,” he asked of Ramell’s girl.

Kim told him they did, giving him a detailed account of their day and the shopping they did.

“
Mm, I’ll be checking out those dresses later,” Mook said giving her a look.

Kim playfully rolled her eyes as he laughed aloud.

“
Anyway,” Kim replied still smiling slightly. “Is that what the meeting was about,” she pried.

Mook looked into her eyes for a long time without speaking, beginning to worry her even more.

“
Sorta,” he replied finally adding nothing else.

Sighing deeply Kim finally decided to just be direct. The beating around the bush was getting her nowhere.

“
What dangerous shit you about to do Mook,” she asked bluntly.

He never took his eyes from hers when he answered. “I’m not going to answer that,” he replied calmly.

Kim was livid.

“
What the fuck you mean you’re not going to answer,” she yelled. “You can’t just leave me in the dark and you’re about to get into some bullshit that could affect us both,” Kim railed. “All this for that damned drama filled chick!” 

Mook continued to watch her wordlessly the doubt and suspicion resurfacing.

“
Guess you just wish Top would divorce her ass huh,” he asked, calmer than he felt.

Kim, missing the leading question, answered honestly.

“
Shit, he would be better off,” she replied as Mook sighed again.