Hide & Seek (42 page)

“
Gonna call her this morning and see if she can manage any more hints,” Ryan told Ian, grabbing a .380 and loading it.

“
Sounds like a good idea,” Ian told him, saying nothing more.

Grunting slightly, Ryan pulled out his cell and dialed, waiting on the call to connect.

“
Hello,” she answered calmly.

Truth told she was a nervous wreck. There had been a whirlwind of activity this morning around the house.

“
You okay this morning,” Ryan asked as she told him she was.

“
I was thinking of another trip I could take you on before you start showing real good,” Ryan fished as Caramel immediately got it.

“
Someplace that’s kinda like Atlanta would be nice, since you already brought me there,” Caramel replied.

Ryan smiled slightly. He’d never brought her to the city, so she’d just let him know the where of her holding place.

“
Sure I can do that,” Ryan replied cheerfully. “We’ll plan it for next month, is that cool.”

Caramel told him it was as they chatted a few moments more about the baby, the house, and his intended return to Louisiana.

“
I’ll call you later on baby,” Ryan told her sweetly. “I’ma find that bag you asked for too,” he threw out to let her know he was looking for her.

Caramel thanked him, iterating the color again to solidify the lie. Disconnecting she wordlessly handed the phone back to Tank, who placed it in his pocket.

“
I’ll bring you something to eat in about 15 minutes,” he replied and left the room.

Caramel sighed deeply praying her ordeal would be short lived. She prayed that Ryan would find her and that they would all be safe.
I just want out of this mess,
Caramel thought as the tears threatened. The men holding her were out to kill her man and take her child’s father. Caramel certainly hoped that now was not the time that Karma decided to pay either of them back for all the bad things they’d both done in their lives, sighing deeply and lying down as she waited for her food to be served.

*****

Tank recounted both conversations between Caramel and Ryan as LaRon listened intently. Something about the content wasn’t sitting well with him, so he called Jaleesa. After a ten minute conversation, he had his answer.

“
She’s smooth,” he told Tank as Tariq joined them, Mook following close behind.

“
Who’s smooth,” Tariq asked as the men all sat.

LaRon explained what he’d found out from both Tank and Jaleesa. Tariq was smiling at the end of the conversation, the other men, curious of the source.

“
This is good,” he replied as they continued to watch and wait wordlessly.

“
Tank,” he addressed his bodyguard. “Make sure you accidentally drop the location in her hearing,” he instructed. “Then unexpectedly leave the room to get her something you forgot in the kitchen while she’s on the phone with him,” Tariq concluded as both LaRon and Mook began to smile as well. They were all finally on the same page.

“
Let’s get the shit set up,” Tariq told them as they all rose and headed out the door leaving Tank to handle his end. As they rode LaRon’s mind raced. If everything went according to plan, he would have his prey standing right in front of him by nights end. He knew Ryan would be impatient and make an immediate move on Caramel, to liberate her. Especially once she informed him that Tank was the only guard keeping her in the house at the time.

“
Anybody keeping’ an eye on Ice,” Mook asked.

They may have the other one being handed to them on a platter, Ian was another matter completely.

“
Yeah, DeNoah, is on him,” LaRon returned.

“
Heard you had quite the adventure a few nights ago, Mook,” Tariq threw out.

Sighing slightly Mook enlightened them both about his activities and Freights sudden departure from this life.

“
That muthafucka was straight insane,” LaRon returned, incredulous that the man actually thought Kim wanted him.

“
Who was this bitch fool with him, Myles,” Tariq asked.

Mook shrugged slightly telling him as far as he knew just one of Freight’s lackeys.

“
He killed Halle, too,” Mook added as they both cursed again.

“
Damn, what the fuck,” Tariq asked thinking about the man and his agenda.

Mook told them all he’d gleaned in his talks with DeNoah about the woman.

“
Is Kim good,” Tariq asked him.

Mook told him she was fine and they were slowly trying to heal from their loss.

“
Well you need to get back on it, put another seed in there,” LaRon teased, both he and Tariq disclosing their impending arrivals.

“
Shit, might as well make it a triple delivery,” Tariq laughed.

Mook chuckled and told them both he was definitely trying to talk Kim out of waiting six long weeks.

“
Yeah, I ain’t looking forward to that shit at all when KiKi has the baby,” Tariq told him as LaRon instantly agreed.

“
You decided the when and where of that meeting,” Mook asked, alluding to Ice, since they were talking about KiKi.

Tariq smiled slightly.

“
Well since I know Role gave up our location, I plan to wait on Ice to make an appearance,” he answered calmly as Mook and LaRon grunted their understanding.

“
I’m sure he’ll be there real soon after we hem up big brother,” LaRon told them both as they again all agreed.

“
It’s go time,” Tariq threw out as they arrived at their destination and got out the car, headed inside to gather their toys and start the play.

*****

“
OK,” Jaleesa pounced as soon as they were alone. “How the fuck is Tariq alive?”

Kaitlyn burst into laughter as her bestfriend continued to give her a look. Managing finally to calm her laughter, Kaitlyn told her the entire story from start to finish.

“
Damn, so you didn’t know it was him for a month,” Jaleesa asked.

Kaitlyn assured her she didn’t and that even when she found out she’d never in her wildest dreams even had a clue about his identity.

“
I’m pregnant,” Kaitlyn told her softly as the smile spread across her best friends face.

“
From Tariq right,” she asked, frowning for a moment.

Kaitlyn smiled again and assured her the baby belonged to Tariq.

“
OK, well you’ve been grilling’ my ass about Tariq,” she began. “What the hell are you doin’ with Deuce again?”

This time Jaleesa was the one chuckling as Kaitlyn waited patiently for her explanation.

Jaleesa told her about being abducted as well. She explained all the changes she and LaRon had been through as well as Ryan’s treachery cheating on her with Caramel.

“
Are you serious,” Kaitlyn threw back breathing hard, angry as hell. “He didn’t know if you were hurt or what.”

Jaleesa sucked her teeth agreeing with the sentiment, before telling Kaitlyn about his call.

“
No this muthafucka did not have the nerve to call you, like hey what’s up,” Kaitlyn groused.

Jaleesa again assured her he had.

“
Then girl, he had the audacity to be pissed cause I’m pregnant from Deuce,” she added as Kaitlyn’s mouth dropped.

“
Oh yeah, I kinda forgot to tell you that,” Jaleesa chuckled as Kaitlyn finally gathered herself and chuckled with her.

“
Well damn, we’re both knocked up at the same time, what’s up with that shit,” Kaitlyn laughed.

“
Hey we are best friends, girls, sisters,” Jaleesa told her, the explanation sufficient for both of them as they continued to enjoy each other’s company.

“
You’re worried aren’t you,” Jaleesa asked, watching her friend closely.

She knew Kaitlyn very well and her anxiety was plastered on her face.

“
I just don’t know how to feel, Tweety, honestly,” Kaitlyn replied. “I mean, I love Tariq with my whole heart, and him getting hurt or god forbid, getting killed, fucks with my mind.”

Jaleesa told her she understood.

“
But you’re thinking about Ice too aren’t you,” she challenged as Kaitlyn again sighed deeply, telling her yes.

“
I mean, I understand the game, you know that,” she began as Jaleesa listened. “I guess I just feel like, shit, I dunno how I feel,” Kaitlyn freely admitted.

“
Its war KiKi, and you already know everybody ain’t gonna make it,” Jaleesa told her friend gently.

She understood Kaitlyn’s emotion. The only reason she herself was so far removed was the hurt she felt at Ryan’s betrayal keeping her emotions on freezing. Kaitlyn didn’t have that. Ice had been nothing but good to her in their time together.

“
I know, but still,” she replied quietly as Jaleesa let the conversation go and began to talk about their pregnancies, cravings, and what sex they desired their children to be.

35

Kim was not having a good day. Mook dropped his leaving on her this morning and she wasn’t happy about it now some twelve hours later. While he logically explained that he needed to be with Top and Deuce, her selfish side wanted him lying next to her at night, feeling the warmth of his body and his arms around her. Walking into the room, Mook saw her still fretting.

“
Baby, you know how this shit goes,” he tried again patiently, holding her as he talked to her.

“
I know,” Kim replied simply.

Mook sighed deeply. “I don’t want to leave with you angry,” he told her, his meaning clear.

She knew there was a very real possibility that he would walk out of her front door and never come back; all the more reason in her mind for him to never leave.

“
You make sure you come back, Mook,” she told him as he smiled slightly and kissed her softly. “I’m not playin’ with you,” Kim iterated as Mook nodded his understanding never taking his eyes from her own.

Leaning in he kissed her again, deeply and passionately.

She felt her body immediately respond much to her dismay. It’d only been two weeks and the doctors told her they had to wait six.
You’re not bleeding anymore,
her mind told her as Mook began kissing her neck, pressing his erection against her. Kim couldn’t lie and say she wasn’t enjoying every moment of his touch; she was just scared to follow through.

“
I need you baby, please,” Mook coerced, kissing her ear softly.

“
It’s too early, Mook,” she tried as her shirt came off under his urging and he unhooked her bra.

“
But you said you weren’t in pain,” he continued to plead, almost at his breaking point.

Mook wanted Kim with his entire being. They were going into battle tomorrow and if he left this life, he wanted making love to her being the last memory he had.

“
You’re not bleeding anymore, come on baby, please,” Mook tried again as Kim sighed deeply fully aroused as his hand slid under her thong, his fingers caressing her wetness. “Please baby,” he whispered hoarsely once more, removing the skirt and thong.

Kim didn’t protest as Mook laid her gently on the bed, undressing and joining her. His hands and lips were all over her as she moaned softly, her body on fire.

“
My Kim,” Mook told her kissing her lips and looking into her eyes.

Kim didn’t like the look and she spoke on it.

“
You bring your ass back to me, do you hear me,” she told him forcefully as Mook promised he would, kissing her deeply as he slid inside her and began making love to her.

She had no idea how deprived she’d been until she reached orgasm almost 30 seconds after Mook went inside her.

“
Mmhm, me too baby,” he murmured feeling her flow and increasing his stride.

Kim let go and gave herself over to her man completely, allowing him to have his way with her as he brought her to two more powerful orgasms.

“
Mm baby, pull out,” she murmured.

Mook held her tighter in response going even deeper sending her over the edge once more as she forgot the admonishment and he finished, relaxing on top of her, breathing heavy. Kim stroked his back as they lay together, planting soft kisses on his neck and shoulder. Mook raised his head looking in her eyes, saying nothing as he kissed her deeply once more and she felt his erection returning, picking up where they left off.

*****

“
Here’s your food,” Tank told Caramel putting the tray down for her. “Here’s your phone,” he added handing her the instrument. “Ryan called earlier, left a voicemail I think,” Tank continued setting the plan in motion. “Call him back,” he admonished as Caramel immediately complied.

“
Shit, forgot your milk,” he threw out rising and leaving her alone just as the call connected.

“
Listen,” Caramel whispered urgently as Ryan held comment. “I’m at 1848 DeLoach Street,” she threw out all the while keeping an eye and ear out for Tank’s return.

“
How’d you find that out,” Ryan asked. “Magazine they brought me had it on the label, hadn’t been scratched out good,” she replied as he acknowledged his understanding.