Thin Ice 3 - Armageddon (2 page)

“
I’ve got to get the hell out of here and soon,” Ian mumbled, sleep done for now as he dressed and headed out into the night.

There were lots of things to occupy him in the Bayou at night and tonight was as good as any to go ahead and start the wheels turning on his first order of business, Ian perused as he pulled out his cell and started the sands of the hourglass shifting.

The Beginning

Dixon was looking forward to seeing his family as the plane landed and they began to disembark. He came home as often as time would allow, but it wasn’t like when he lived in the city. He couldn’t complain though, Miami was a great place and Mook had been more than good to him over the course of the almost three and a half years he’d been working with the man. Dixon was looking excitedly forward to the huge family reunion this weekend. His mother had been calling him all week to make sure his plans hadn’t changed and he was still coming. Rebecca Dixon may have only been five feet tall, but she was absolutely no joke. He remembered her grilling him for almost an hour at age 16, when she discovered he wasn’t using his first name, but his last to be identified with.
I named you George Albert Dixon, so why you can’t use those names, Rebecca asked pointedly.
Dixon smiled thinking of how he’d gently tried to let her know it wasn’t personal, he simply liked his last name better and it was easier for everyone to call him that. Still unconvinced but willing to leave it alone, Rebecca moved on and didn’t question it again. Truthfully, Dixon hated both his first and middle names thinking they were too old sounding for someone his age. He learned later that he was named for both his maternal grandfather and great grandfather.

Dixon admired the city as he rode in the cab, heading for his hotel. He was going to see his mother later. Rebecca asked him why he was staying at a hotel, when his old room was available. Dixon feigned concern for other family coming from out of state and them having a free place to stay. He assured his mother it wasn’t an issue and she of course knew he could afford it. He actually stayed at the hotel so he could visit a couple of his old cut buddies and possibly talk one or both of them into returning to his room with him. Arriving finally, Dixon exited the cab and paid the driver, adding a hefty tip. He headed inside and stopped at the front desk, getting his key and asking a few questions about the hotel. Satisfied moments later he headed to the elevator and boarded, pushing the button for his floor.

“
Lucky number 7,” he mused, chuckling at his own joke.

Dixon was impressed with the suite as he entered and threw his bag on the small folding table in the corner. He took in the living area, leading into the kitchenette.
This shit is sweet,
he thought, admiring his ability to live the high life. Pulling out his cell Dixon called his mother letting her know he’d arrived. She of course insisted he come right over and have something to eat. Dixon chuckled as he disconnected and headed to the shower, his next destination, home sweet home.

*****

Jaleesa was watching LaRon warily as he drank his beer and watched Sports Center. He’d come home in a foul mood again, reeking of alcohol. He’d started drinking heavily the last six months or so and Jaleesa couldn’t figure out what had triggered the marked change in him. They were at each other’s throat almost daily now, fighting about the most miniscule things. He’d even taken to hitting her here and there once more, but this time Jaleesa surprised him by hitting him back.
What in the world is going on with him,
she thought continuing to cut vegetables and keep an eye on her husband. She tried wracking her brain to think of any one event that would have caused such a dramatic twist in his personality. Granted they’d lost a child, but that had been over two years ago now. Jaleesa had miscarried in her fourth month when she accidentally fell down the stairs in their house, talking on the cell and not paying attention, missing a step and losing her footing.

Does he still blame me for that,
she wondered as LaRon stirred and headed back into the kitchen. Jaleesa immediately stiffened as he passed her to get to the fridge. “What’s wrong with you,” he asked, feeling the change in her body language. “Nothing,” she replied trying to keep her voice even. Jaleesa wasn’t in the mood to fight with him tonight. She just wanted to get through dinner and maybe get a chance to read a book while he went out. LaRon usually met up with Tariq every night after dinner as the two of them handled their business dealings. For the past three nights he hadn’t left at all, spending the time picking an argument every chance he got. “Then why you all tense and shit,” LaRon asked, grabbing the second beer and opening it. His eyes were bloodshot and Jaleesa could tell from the slur in his speech, he was drunk. “Deuce, I was just moving’ out of your way, that’s all,” she replied, hoping he would let it go and leave her alone.

“
Hmph,” he replied still eyeing her and drinking.

“
Hey daddy,” Jashon greeted him, coming into the kitchen where they both were. Jaleesa sighed a small breath of relief, knowing LaRon wouldn’t show out in front of their son.

Laughing and roughhousing with the boy, the two went back into the family room and Jaleesa continued to cook and think. She was really beginning to resent all the drama and turmoil of what was supposed to be a normal life. She thought about all the days of gun running and fast money she and Kaitlyn used to make. The places they went and people they met.
You mean the men, don’t you,
her mind kicked in as Jaleesa smiled slightly to herself. She was honest with herself in admitting that lately, LaRon just wasn’t doing it for her sexually. She supposed it was all the tension of them fighting constantly, but that didn’t change how many nights she was spending unfilled in their bed.

“
Mommy, can we eat now,” Jashon asked, again returning to the kitchen.

Jaleesa smiled and told him yes and to go wash his hands. Making everyone’s plate she set the table and called LaRon into the large eat in kitchen. Jashon chattered away during dinner asking questions and making comments to both his parents. After finishing his plate, Jaleesa instructed he go take a bath and after a few minutes of whining, the child complied.

Jaleesa headed into the master bedroom laying out her own night clothes and running a bath for herself. Standing, after turning on the water in the tub and adjusting the temperature, she found herself face to face with LaRon.

“
Is there something wrong,” Jaleesa asked calmly as he continued to stare at her.

After a few moments more of silence, she tried to step around him, only for him to put his arm across the door blocking her path.
I don’t wanna do this tonight,
she thought taking a deep breath and blowing it out slowly.

“
Deuce, if something’s wrong, then just say so,” she tried again.

“
Don’t take all night giving Jashon a bath,” he told her calmly, kissing her neck at the end of his sentence.

Making her face remain neutral and not give away the repulsion she felt at the act, Jaleesa managed to smile slightly as she nodded her understanding and LaRon let her leave the room. She heard him turning off the faucet as she left, her mind whirling as the prayer began that the lovemaking be short and he left the house quickly afterward.

*****

“I thought we were going to Chicago,” Kim asked as Mook showered and she sat on their bed, flipping through the magazine.

“
We were, but Top said he needed us in Atlanta,” he replied as Kim spoke her understanding.

They’d already sent Sean ahead to stay with relatives until they arrived. Mook had called and informed them earlier that Sean would spend the summer with them, while he and Kim handled some personal business. Thankfully they hadn’t had another child yet, but it wasn’t because Mook wasn’t trying. Kim smiled to herself thinking of all the lovemaking they were afforded being alone in the house for the past three weeks.

“
Did you call Dixon,” she asked again as Mook walked into the room, towel wrapped around his waist.

“
Yeah, but I got his voicemail,” he returned walking over and standing in front of her.

“
Love the towel,” Kim told him seductively, using her finger to loosen it as it fell from him.

“
Nice,” she murmured, getting an up close and personal view of her man.

“You got on too many clothes,” Mook returned, helping her undress.

Pulling her up to him, he removed her bra, managing not to rip it this time, and took her nipple in his mouth.

“
Mmm,” Kim murmured softly as her temperature rose.

Mook’s hands slid down her smooth skin, coming to rest on her firm butt, as he squeezed it gently, pulling her closer to his throbbing erection.

“
Damn, I’m lovin’ this,” he murmured, kissing her neck softly as Kim grasped his hardness in her hands and began stroking him.

Mook began walking forward, pushing her back in his wake as she fell back onto the bed. Wasting no time, he went to his knees putting her legs on his shoulder and pulling her sex directly into his mouth. Kim’s eyes rolled back in her head as that tongue stud of his went to work again. Mook heard her gasp and cry out softly as he smiled to himself and continued his effort. Kim began trying to pull away from him, alerting him she was about to explode. Grasping her legs tightly, Mook held her in place as his tongue delved deeply into her now flowing and pulsating sex. Kim bit her lip trying not to scream, when the orgasm ripped through her and she cried out loudly, her body heaving from the force of it.

Mook began tenderly kissing his way back upwards, stopping at her still swollen nipples, taking them into his mouth one at a time while Kim moaned her delight. His hands replaced his tongue as Mook met her lips once more, parting them and tasting her deeply as his other hand slipped between her legs. Kim was on fire. She wanted nothing more than for Mook to take her with all the force he could muster.

“
You ready baby,” Mook whispered hoarsely in her ear, his erection harder than before and standing at full attention waiting for release.

“
It’s all you, Mook,” Kim whispered back as he rolled over, her in his arms, and her softness enveloped him.

“
That’s my girl,” Mook murmured as she rode him, her hips bucking in the rhythmic symphony of seduction, while her man moaned his pleasure and held her tightly around the waist.

“
Yeah baby, I’m lovin’ that,” Mook murmured again as Kim increased her movements and his toes curled.

Leaning down, she whispered several nasty phrases in his ear, bringing a deep guttural moan from Mook as he felt himself losing the fight, but desperately trying to hang on. Kim felt him just as her own body signaled orgasm again. She opened her mouth and whispered once more in his ear as he exploded and she joined him, their mingled moans of passion filling their bedroom. Breathing hard, she collapsed atop him as Mook softly stroked her back.

“
You’re a bad braud, Miss Kim,” he told her softly as Kim smiled to herself and closed her eyes, drifting off.

*****

Tariq found Kaitlyn in Khari’s room again. He wasn’t surprised. She spent most of her time in here looking at their daughter’s pictures, drawings; holding her clothing and inhaling her lingering scent from her pillows. The past eight months had been the hardest in both their lives. Their daughter was killed as Kaitlyn drove through a Southwest Atlanta neighborhood in what was a ruled a random act of violence. Tariq however, had a very different point of view. He had enemies, plenty of them, and he’d told Kaitlyn time and time again not to travel that way without DeNoah. This particular day however, she’d decided to be contrary and go on her own. The BMW was easy to spot with the dark tinted windows and chrome outfitting. The personalized tag definitely identified the who of ownership. Tariq remembered getting the call like it happened last night. He and LaRon were taking care of business, just finishing packaging some product for transport, when his cell rang and he saw DeNoah’s name on the caller ID. Hearing the man tell him his wife and daughter were in the ER forced his heart into his stomach.

Tariq raced to Grady’s trauma center only to be met by police who wanted to question him, several loud protesting indigent patients, screaming children, and shackled inmates waiting to be seen as indifferent nurses gave them plenty of attitude and no customer service. Putting the cops off for a time, he managed to find a nurse who summoned the Attending Physician. When the distinguished looking, older black man, emerged from the triage room, his face said it all. Tariq didn’t think he actually even heard the words as the Doctor told him Khari hadn’t survived and Kaitlyn was in serious condition. If LaRon hadn’t been there with him, Tariq didn’t think he would have made it through the night. Burying their daughter was harder than killing any man he’d ever put a bullet into, Tariq continued to muse, watching his wife silently as she continued to hold the pillow and the tears rolled down her face. Kaitlyn was still too weak to attend the funeral and she never got the chance to say goodbye. Tariq believed that was why she was still grieving so hard. Shaking the dark thoughts, he walked into the room and gently touched her shoulder.

“
KiKi, I’m going out for a while,” he told her calmly as Kaitlyn opened her eyes and regarded him.

“
OK,” she said simply and returned her attention to the child’s bedroom.