Thin Ice (23 page)

“What’s this one’s name,” Jaleesa asked, not liking the feelings Ryan stirred when he was with her like this.

“Cotton Candy,” Ryan replied as Jaleesa laughed and he joined her.

“What kinda fucked up name is that,” Jaleesa asked.

Ryan chuckled again. “Well, maybe she’s sweet,” he replied as Jaleesa sucked her teeth and chuckled again.

“Yeah okay,” she replied.

“You can always change it if you don’t like it baby,” Ryan replied kissing her lips softly again.

“I just might do that,” Jaleesa replied.

“I have something for you,” he told her once again.

Jaleesa told him okay, expecting yet another piece of jewelry or article of clothing. Instead Ryan handed her the small .22 caliber weapon.

“Ryan,” Jaleesa said breathlessly as she looked into his eyes. “Really,” she questioned as he smiled and kissed her again softly.

“You’ve earned this baby,” he replied sweetly.

Jaleesa smiled fully and hugged him tightly. Ryan hugged her back, chuckling lightly.

“Take it,” he told her finally relinquishing the gun.

Jaleesa took it from him and examined it.
Your ticket outta this bitch,
she was thinking. She looked back at Ryan tears in her eyes.

“Thank you so much for trusting me,” Jaleesa told him softly.

Ryan smiled again as he caressed her face. “It’s straight, Tweety,” he replied, taking the weapon and putting it on the nightstand as he began kissing and undressing her, wanting very much to make love.

*****

Landon dialed Ben’s number and got his machine. “Hey man, its Landon,” he began leaving his friend a message. “Ice is here at the club. He has to know where she is. I’m worried as hell,” he went on. “Please call me the moment you find out anything.”

Landon vowed to sit here all day if he had to and wait on Ice to come out. He had to find Kaitlyn before it was too late.
What has he done to her,
Landon thought, making him angrier and angrier with each passing moment. He loved this woman so much. Why did they have to endure all this drama just to be together? Landon had been feeling Kaitlyn’s reluctance to this relationship with Ice for a while now and her visit a few weeks ago finally confirmed it for him.

Ben told him they were just a few days away from making the bust and taking out Ice’s operations.
She cannot get caught up in this nightmare,
Landon thought. Ice would do anything to save his skin, including lying on Kaitlyn. He also didn’t know what the thug would do if he were cornered.
He might kill her,
Landon thought as the pain and fear of losing her gripped his heart. Seeing the door open Landon returned his attention to the club. It was only Carlos, the bodyguard leaving on an errand he assumed. Landon relaxed again and continued to wait. He had to find Kaitlyn before all hell broke loose and she was buried in the landslide.

His cell rang and he answered, never taking his eyes of the club door.

“Yeah,” he answered amiably enough.

“Hi,” Kaitlyn greeted him softly.

“Baby, where are you, are you okay,” Landon threw out all once, totally relieved she was calling.

“I’m fine, I’m home for a little while,” she replied.

“I’m on my way,” Landon told her starting his car.

“No,” Kaitlyn threw back quickly. “I told you he has me watched,” she added sounding frightened again. “I can meet you though.”

Landon sighed deeply and asked her when and where.

“I’ll come to your house again,” Kaitlyn replied. “I know how to get in and out of there without detection,” she added as Landon told her he was on his way and he’d be waiting for her.

“Thanks for caring, Landon,” Kaitlyn told him softly.

“Baby, I love you, of course I care,” Landon told her.

“OK,” she replied. “I’ll see you in a little while,” she finished and disconnected.

Fuck you Ice,
Landon thought angrily. This time he wasn’t letting Kaitlyn leave, no matter what she said. Situation was about to get raw and he needed her safe.
You better load your gun when you get home,
his subconscious told him. Keeping Kaitlyn was going to start a war with Ice and he’d better be ready, Landon thought as he kicked up the cars speed and headed for the loft.

*****

Tariq thought how beautiful she still was as he watched her fill her gas tank.
What are the damned odds,
he pondered of running into KiKi at the gas station. Taking the time to look her over appreciatively, Tariq sighed gently knowing how much he still wanted her and how much she probably couldn’t stand the sight of him now.
Go talk to her,
his mind tried as Tariq shook his head no. What could he possibly say to the woman after all the vile and vicious things he’d thrown at her?
Hell, I’d be lucky she didn’t shoot my ass,
Tariq continued to brood as KiKi finished up and went inside to pay. She returned a short time later as he still sat and watched. Taking a deep breath and finally gathering his nerve, Tariq prepared to get out, when he saw the hummer and stopped in his tracks.

Ice pulled up to the same pump and got out of his truck, walking over to KiKi just as she was about to get into the BMW she was driving. They embraced and kissed lightly, making Tariq’s anger rise.
She’s still with him,
he thought glaring angrily at Ice.
Ain’t that what you told her to do,
his mind condemned. Sighing deeply Tariq swallowed his anger knowing he alone was to blame for KiKi not being with him now. If he’d only controlled himself at the funeral, he was almost positive she would have come home with him. They probably would have made love and he could have convinced her to leave Ice alone.
No, your dumb ass had to call the woman a bitch and a whore,
he thought shaking his head once more.

KiKi finally got into her car and drove off as Ice went into the store and his bodyguard got out and pumped the gas. Passing Tariq’s car, Ice turned toward him and gave him a smile and a wink, chuckling as he entered the store.
Muthafucka knew I was here,
Tariq thought. KiKi hadn’t seen him fortunately, but Ice definitely made it known he had.
Wonder if her cell number is the same,
Tariq thought starting his car and leaving before Ice left the store. He found her name in his contact list and hit connect.
Here goes nothing,
he thought waiting for it to connect. Kaitlyn answered blindly, still fumbling with the cheetos she’d just purchased.

“Hello,” she answered munching on one of the puffs.

Tariq swallowed hard and opened his mouth. “Hey KiKi,” he greeted her softly.

Kaitlyn pulled her phone from her ear and looked at the ID.
No this muthafucka is not calling me,
she thought angrily. She took a deep breath to calm herself. She was going to put a bullet in his ass, and the easier he made that for her the better.

“Hi Tariq,” she answered evenly.

“I wanted to call and tell you how good you still look,” he threw out seeing if she would catch the hint.

Kaitlyn’s mind was immediately on alert. He had to have seen her to say that. Where? When? She thought before it became clear.
At the damned QT,
she thought of the gas station.

“KiKi,” Tariq tried again after she remained quiet. “I really wanted to say I’m so sorry for how I treated you at Hasaan’s funeral,” he tried as Kaitlyn sighed softly.

“It’s cool,” she replied, her tone unchanged.

“No, it wasn’t cool at all,” Tariq told her. “I hurt you and I would never want to do that,” he continued as Kaitlyn rolled her eyes.

You didn’t have any trouble getting over it to fuck old girl
, she was thinking angrily.

“Like I said Tariq,” Kaitlyn began again. “It’s cool,” she finished. “You wanna grab some lunch or something,” she asked, throwing him off base she was sure.

“Uh, yeah, that would be great, KiKi,” Tariq replied.

Kaitlyn’s mind was racing and she knew she had to call Landon and cancel. He would understand. She’d make it look as though Ice was around and she couldn’t leave. Kaitlyn wanted to see Tariq face to face, look into his eyes as she planted a bullet in his heart and watched him die.

“Why don’t I pick up some Chinese, and we could eat at your place, talk maybe,” Kaitlyn tried again.

Tariq was thrilled she wanted to see him at all. He quickly agreed to her proposal and gave her his new address.

“Oh, I didn’t know you moved,” Kaitlyn replied, thinking the complex he was living in now was much nicer than his former. “I should be there in about 45 minutes,” she added. “That enough time,” Kaitlyn asked as Tariq assured her it was more than enough.

“See ya soon, KiKi,” Tariq told her sweetly.

Kaitlyn returned the sentiment and disconnected, calling Landon and canceling, checking the .9mm in her purse and heading toward China Cafeteria.

27

Tariq opened the door and invited her in. Kaitlyn came inside with the food and sat it on his kitchen table as he instructed.

“KiKi,” Tariq began as she turned to him, looking him right in the eye. “I’m so glad you came so we can talk,” he told her sincerely as Kaitlyn smiled and told him it was past time they did.

“Let’s eat, I’m hungry,” she threw out jovially as Tariq smiled and sat down with her.

He couldn’t describe the joy he felt as they ate and things felt like they’d never missed a beat.
I love her so much,
Tariq thought as he watched KiKi enjoy her meal. He hoped that today he could really be honest with her, that she would actually hear him and they could finally figure out how they were going to be together.

“Man, that was good,” Kaitlyn replied, full and satisfied as she rose from the table. “You got any weed,” she asked Tariq who replied he did and set off to get it and roll them a couple.

Kaitlyn lit the blunt and inhaled deeply, as her mind continued to work.
You bring that bitch here too,
she thought behind the small smile playing on her lips. Tariq returned from his trip to the bathroom and joined her smoking.

“How long have you been here,” Kaitlyn asked making small talk.

Tariq replied he’d moved about two weeks after burying Hasaan.

“It’s really nice,” Kaitlyn told him honestly.

“Thanks KiKi,” he replied softly, looking at her intently.

Reaching out Tariq took her hand and held it as he spoke to her, never taking his eyes from hers.

“KiKi,” he began as Kaitlyn fought hard to hang on to the anger and hurt she felt knowing he’d betrayed her. “I want you to believe me baby when I tell you I’m so sorry for the things I said to you that day,” Tariq told her as Kaitlyn sighed softly. “I was so empty that day,” he went on as she continued to watch him. “And all I could see was that you were gone too,” Tariq told her as Kaitlyn smiled slightly. “You were standing in front of me, but I couldn’t have you,” he went on.

Guess you got over that hurt quick enough to get with old girl and fuck her though, huh
, Kaitlyn was thinking venomously as he continued to talk.

“I’m just so glad you’re giving me the chance to tell you how very much I love you KiKi,” Tariq finished softly.

Kaitlyn had heard enough. Grabbing her purse from the floor, she opened it. Tariq watched, thinking she was looking for a tissue or something, having seen the tears well in her eyes as he spoke.

Kaitlyn pulled out the .9mm and pointed it at him.

“KiKi,” Tariq began, astonished she was holding a gun on him.

“What the hell,” he asked searching her eyes for an answer.

All he could see was the deep anger she held as she looked at him.

“You love me,” she threw out angrily, teeth clenched. “Really now,” she added as Tariq remained quiet.

This was the side of Kaitlyn he tried to avoid at all costs. He knew she could be ruthless as hell when she wanted to be, and unfortunately he now found himself on the wrong side.

“Did you love me here,” she threw out dropping the photo of him and Sherene making love onto his coffee table.

Where the fuck did she get that picture,
Tariq was thinking as Kaitlyn continued to watch him hatefully.

“KiKi, baby, let me explain,” he tried as Kaitlyn sucked her teeth and took the safety off the gun.

“Explain what,” she threw out fuming. “That you forgot about my ass like a bad habit and stuck your dick inside this bitch,” she asked acidly.

Tariq had to calm her down. He knew from the things she was saying, KiKi was hurt and jealous.

“Baby, you were gone, you were still with Ice,” he tried to reason with her. “I was empty and alone after Hasaan died, and she just came into my life,” Tariq tried to explain.

Kaitlyn sucked her teeth again.

“You didn’t approach this bitch and ask her out,” she questioned loudly.

“No, KiKi,” Tariq returned. “It didn’t go down like that,” he went on, giving her an explanation in vivid detail.

She remained mute watching him, thinking over the things he’d told her.

“You still were with her, holding hands and the whole nine,” Kaitlyn replied still angry.

“KiKi, what was I supposed to do,” Tariq threw back trying desperately to get her to see reason, and spare his life.

“Where is the bitch now,” Kaitlyn asked, hoping she would show up soon.

She wanted to plant a couple slugs in her too.

“She dumped me,” Tariq told her plainly.

Kaitlyn frowned quizzically. “Why,” she asked, recalling the photos and how loving they’d seemed toward each other.

Tariq shrugged slightly.

“You know KiKi, I still don’t know,” he answered honestly. “I mean it was like, just out of the blue, I don’t wanna be with you no more,” he told her as Kaitlyn’s mind began to spin.

“You miss her,” she threw out watching him again.

Tariq sighed deeply and told her he couldn’t really say he did.

“It was just all very weird honestly, KiKi,” he told her as Kaitlyn continued to say nothing.

“KiKi,” Tariq began again. “I know I hurt you, I know I did some vile things to you,” he told her watching her closely. “But I don’t think you really want to kill me,” he told her as Kaitlyn frowned slightly. “I think you just wanna know that I still love you and I still want you, which baby, I definitely do,” he finished gently, taking his life in his hands, leaning over and kissing her lips softly as she still held the loaded gun pointed at his chest.