Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate (6 page)

No more than five seconds passed before the door opened and Carver again stuck his head inside.

“
Here he is boss,” he replied calmly stepping aside as Ryan walked in the door and Ian dropped the glass he was holding, splintering as it hit the floor.

*****

Jalen caressed the barrel of the .380 continuing to watch attentively as the couple made their way from the restaurant to the parking lot. He frowned deeply as Shells pulled Tae to him, kissing her as they arrived at the truck and prepared to get inside. Jalen was glad Ian hadn’t balked when he told him he was taking a weekend to himself. He had to see her, to know what she doing now and if she was still with Shells. Gleaning the answer to his last question caused the anger to rise and almost spill over, as he watched Tae caress her lovers face. Jalen couldn’t understand why he was still so deeply attracted to her but he was. He wanted nothing more than to be in Shells place right now. He should have been the man holding Tae in his arms, kissing and caressing every sexy and sensual part of her.
Soon enough,
Jalen thought darkly, smiling as he pointed the gun at Shells and pulled the imaginary trigger in his mind.

Starting his own vehicle, Jalen continued to follow them wanting to know what else their evening out entailed. He hadn’t seen the child with them, though he knew Tae had given birth about a year or so earlier. He didn’t know the child’s sex or name however, but he was working on it. Jalen wasn’t upset about that. Besides, with a child that young the transition of him becoming daddy in their life would be simplistic and quick. The trucks right turn signal broke his thought as Jalen again began paying attention and turned as well, the huge neon sign directly in front of him advertising the Soca and Dancehall. He watched once again as Shells got out and went to the passenger side opening Tae’s door and helping her out.
She’s still so damned sexy,
Jalen continued to brood taking in the woman’s shapely legs, following the curve of her calves to her thighs, hips, sexy tapered waist and full firm breasts, as she walked with her man.

Jalen thought green was a good color on her. The dress was form fitting allowing his imagination to run rampant while his manhood fought its primal urge to rise to the occasion.
You’re out of your league on this one,
his mind told him.
You need to ask Ice for help,
Jalen’s common sense was trying to weigh in.

“
I don’t need him,” he spat defiantly.

Jalen wanted to do this on his own. When his brother found out anything about it, the coup d'état would be complete. Tae would be on his arm and in his bed. Jalen got out of his truck putting the sunglasses on and heading to the front door of the club. The bouncer asked for ID and the $20.00 cover charge before opening the door and allowing him inside. He stood at the opening to the dance floor while his eyes scanned the club. He finally found them tucked away at a table in one of the dimly lit corners. They were kissing again as Jalen’s eyes narrowed in hatred taking in the sight. Stopping one of the waitresses he asked for vodka and cranberry. Receiving his drink, Jalen found a table across from them on the other side of the club. Here he could continue to observe and plot without interruption. Not that they would have noticed anyway. The couple hadn’t stopped softly kissing and caressing each other since he walked in.
Enjoy it now fool,
Jalen thought hurriedly downing the drink and requesting another. Jalen frowned deeply watching the last kiss turn passionate, with the couple rising and paying their tab immediately after, walking out of the front door and he was sure headed home to make love.

*****

Ian couldn’t form words to express what he felt looking into his brother’s eyes. Carver chuckled aloud as Ian turned his head toward him.

“
You better be glad,” he joked with his bodyguard before the man closed the door and left them alone.

Ian quickly introduced Brent and Santana to his brother before asking them to give them a few moments alone. Both men graciously acquiesced and headed out into the club.

“
What the hell,” Ian asked as soon as the door closed behind them.

Ryan sighed deeply and explained his whereabouts for the past few years. Ian commiserated and shared his own turmoil with his older brother, who explained his meeting Creeper and Pirate, finding out where Ian was now.

“
Yeah, those two were excellent additions,” Ian spoke, regarding the two men.

Ryan immediately agreed, bringing him quickly up to speed on things in the Bayou.

“
Jalen’s in now,” Ian told Ryan who frowned deeply.

“
How the fuck that happen,” he asked irritably.

Ian again explained the how’s and why’s with Ryan taking in every word.

“
How is he doing,” he asked giving Ian a look.

Sighing lightly Ian honestly told him the man was holding his own, but he wasn’t sure how much conviction he held in keeping the empire running.

“
That’s why he should have stayed with her,” Ryan threw out regarding their mother.

Ian then told him about the woman’s death and Jalen’s responsibility for it.

“
Hmph,” Ryan returned. “I’m slightly impressed.”

Ian chuckled and told him he was too.

“
I can’t tell you how damned happy I am to see you sitting in that chair,” Ian told his brother the emotion overtaking him.

Ryan smiled and rose once again embracing his brother, the connection once more restored. Finally ending the embrace, they gathered themselves and began talking again.

“
You and KiKi back on track yet,” Ryan asked carefully knowing it was still a sore spot for his brother.

Ian sighed deeply telling Ryan the whole sordid story, ending with the pending custody proceedings.

“
Hmph, bet old boy ain’t happy about that shit,” Ryan mused chuckling slightly.

Ian laughed as well telling him he wasn’t.

“
So you finally get to see her tomorrow,” Ryan asked again as Ian nodded yes.

“
We got this, Ice, don’t sweat the little shit,” he added seeing the worry on his brothers face.

Ian smiled at the declaration, the reality that he had his big brother back once again bringing a smile to his face. Tomorrow was a new day and he would deal with whatever came their way then, for now he just wanted to enjoy the return of his best friend.

*****

Nikki knew she was looking good. The stares she got and the lame pickup lines added confirmation as she made her way through the club. Normally she didn’t do miniskirts but this one was tasteful, not trashy, so she wore it. The fire red skirt was tapered at the waist and form fit over her ample hips and butt. Her thighs and legs waxed smooth and glowing softly from the generous helping of body butter she’d used earlier. The black and red top she’d paired with the skirt was see through, the lacy Victoria Secrets lingerie on display as were her perfectly shaped melon breasts. Nikki finished the outfit with 3-inch black peep toe stilettos. She’d been to Utopia a few times, but it had never been bumping like it was tonight.
Ice has done a seriously good job,
she thought admiringly. Ray had instructed her to bring documents for the custody hearing to him, needing them signed tonight. Her boss had somehow managed to get before a judge tomorrow, even with it being the weekend, for a petition he was trying to get entered and enforced. If Ray could pull the maneuver off, Ian would get immediate temporary custody of Tajdra.

“
Hey sexy, how about a dance,” the baritone voice spoke in her ear.

Nikki turned to the sound expecting to find a beautiful Adonis on the other end. Much to her chagrin in his place stood an unattractive, ashy, troll.

Sucking her teeth, Nikki rolled her eyes and turned away continuing her journey finally making it to the private hallway where the offices were. Carver greeted the sexy woman asking if she were lost. Nikki smiled slightly, identifying herself and stating her purpose for the visit. Carver apologized for not knowing and she graciously told him there was no need. Carver turned and motioned Nikki to follow him down the hallway toward Ian’s office. She took in the ambiance of the décor as she passed. As much as she knew Ian was a criminal in every aspect of the word, the man had impeccable taste. Nikki firmly understood how he’d managed to stay under the radar all these years and continue his illegal enterprises. From casual observations everything about Ian Bailey seemed legit. He wasn’t flashy or gaudy. He dressed well, but always within reason. He didn’t wear huge rope chains with diamonds blinking at every person who passed.

“
Here we go,” Carver spoke aloud breaking her thought as he knocked lightly on the door.

Ian answered telling them to come in. Carver opened the door and allowed Nikki entrance. Ian smiled and greeted her, inviting her to a seat.

Ryan took the woman in as she smiled at his brother and graciously accepted the seat offered. She was beautiful, sexy, and obviously intelligent given the position she held. Ian had given him a brief rundown of Ray’s assistant after telling him about the man himself.
Might need to get her number for later,
he thought lustily as he took in her curves. Nikki was fighting to keep her mind on business once Ian introduced his brother. Ryan was hella sexy and she wanted nothing more at the moment than to see him naked, preferably in her bed. Nikki wasn’t a prude and she didn’t believe in all the games women played. Her attitude was simple; if you see something you want, go get it.

“
Nice to meet you Ryan,” Nikki told him calmly as he looked directly into her eyes.

I bet he could give me an orgasm or three,
she thought behind the façade. Ryan smiled and she stopped breathing. The man had her mesmerized. Forcing her thoughts back to her task Nikki removed the documents from the small briefcase she carried and advised Ian of the places requiring his signature. After gaining the necessary signatures, she placed the documents back inside the case and closed it, readying herself to leave. “Hold on a moment Nikki,” Ian told her rising from behind his desk. “I have something you can take to Ray if you don’t mind,” he added, opening his office door and leaving them alone.

“
You have a man,” Ryan asked calmly, wasting no unnecessary time on small talk.

“
No,” Nikki replied just as directly.

“
I have a woman,” Ryan replied as Nikki nodded slightly. “But I’d definitely like to be with you for a while,” he added clarifying the proposed arrangement.

She wasn’t offended. Nikki liked no strings. It made life much easier and avoided tragedy.

“
Cool,” she replied calmly. “But I don’t do girlfriend, wife, or baby mama drama,” she added as Ryan smiled again.

“
No worries,” he said simply as they exchanged numbers and agreed to meet tomorrow night.

Ian returned and handed Nikki a small manila envelope.

“
Thank you,” he told her simply as she rose and headed out of the door, once again telling Ryan it had been a pleasure to meet him.

“
So, when are you fucking her,” Ian asked calmly knowing his brother well, and not having missed the looks exchanged.

“
Tomorrow night,” Ryan replied as they both chuckled rising and headed into the club to have some fun before the night was over.

6

Creeper was manning the grill as Tamiya prepared the side dishes. They were hosting a barbeque today with an intimate group of their close friends. Pirate was of course in attendance and the two men were talking as Creeper flipped steaks and added marinate.

“
Got a call from Gyp last night,” Pirate told him calmly.

Creeper heard the tone in his voice and knew the call hadn’t been a good one.

“
What’s the deal,” he asked giving his friend his full attention.

“
Lila,” Pirate replied as Creeper sighed deeply, and continued to wait on his friend to elaborate. “She fuckin’ with some fool name Mighty, or some shit like that,” he told Creeper who sucked his teeth angrily again, but withheld comment.

“
I know we’re separated and shit, but she shouldn’t be having this fool around my son,” Pirate spat bitterly.

“
Who is he? What does he do?” Creeper asked.

Pirate enlightened him, telling him about the man’s ties to the street, dope and chicks.

“
They serious,” he asked Pirate hoping that the affiliation was just a passing fancy for the woman.

Pirate told him he didn’t really know. It was all second and third hand information Gyp got from his friends who knew about the man’s dealings.

“
So she moved back to Philly,” Creeper asked of Lila.

She had been adamant about remaining in New Jersey the last time Pirate tried to convince her to move.

“
She moved to fuckin’ Chicago last week,” he told Creeper who frowned deeply at the revelation.

“
Man, you got to make a move to get CJ,” he told his friend.

Pirate sighed deeply telling him he knew and he needed his help.

“
Shit, you already know,” Creeper replied without hesitation. “What you gonna make happen,” he continued, pausing briefly as Anja came and got the steaks that were ready and took them inside to her mother.