Thin Ice 7 - Echoes of Reckoning (40 page)

“
So why don’t you just let KiKi go and make it work with Gabrielle,” he questioned wanting to hear his brother’s logic.

Ian sighed deeply once more, frowning this time.

“
I will never let her go,” he replied concerning Kaitlyn.

“
OK but you’re starting an entirely new family with another woman,” Ryan told him trying to get his brother to see reason.

“
One has nothing to do with the other,” he said simply.

“
Do you really even love her at this point Ice,” Ryan asked, never averting his gaze.

“
Bri,” he asked as Ryan shook his head no.

“
Of course I love her, I’ve always loved KiKi from the first day I saw her,” he told him.

“
So you fucking Bri and knocking her up is what exactly,” he asked once again.

Ian withheld comment.

“
I think you and KiKi have a great business arrangement, but hell I’m not sure either of you loves the other, not in the real sense of the word anyway,” Ryan told him as Ian frowned deeply but remained silent.

Deciding not to push anymore Ryan also fell silent as they both waited to see what new revelations the evening would bring.

*****

Tariq, Mook, Shells and Jacoury parked talking over their strategy once more before opening the doors and exiting the truck. They walked toward the stately home reaching the asphalt driveway when the floor lights hit them full force.

“
Thank you for being punctual gentlemen,” King Diesel greeted as his security began frisking them.

Finding nothing, two more men appeared with hand held metal detectors finding the hidden weapons inside the Kevlar cases.

“
Bravo gentlemen,” King Diesel again spoke as they were herded inside the home.

The guards separated them putting two of them in each room; Mook and Tariq in one, Shells and Jacoury in the other. The rooms were identical to the ones Ian and Ryan were now being held inside.

“
This is bullshit,” Mook groused as the guards remain stoic saying nothing as they pushed them inside and closed the doors locking them.

“
Relax gentlemen, we’re almost ready to begin,” King Diesel said calmly the intercom once again growing silent.

Mook and Tariq remained silent trying to hear any sounds of voices or movement. After a few more moments they began speaking, ascertaining the room was sound proof.

“
What the hell is King Diesel up too, and why go through all this bullshit,” Mook spoke aloud, reading Tariq’s thoughts.

“
I don’t know,” he replied calmly.

He wished he could call his contact right about now. He needed way more information about the man they were dealing with right now.

“
I just want our women up outta here,” Tariq spoke aloud as Mook concurred.

They both figured they could handle whatever came up, as long as the women were freed.

“
I’m not trying to go to war with this fool, just say what you want man, shit,” Tariq spat angrily.

His thoughts went to Kaitlyn and their supposed rendezvous. He had no way to contact her and tell her the peril he was in or that he wasn’t just blowing her off.
I don’t need her to trip and stop seeing me,
Tariq thought as his mind gave him a push that he may not even survive the night.

“
All this cat and mouse shit is reaaally beginning to bug the hell outta me,” Mook spoke up as Tariq readily agreed, they fell silent and continued to watch and wait.

*****

King Diesel was watching all the participants from his observation boards.

“
We are almost ready to start,” he told Blue who nodded slightly. “Have them finish loading the rooms,” he barked as Blue again told him he would.

“
Is she awake,” he asked fixing his gaze on the man now, referring to Kaitlyn.

“
No,” Blue returned evenly.

“
Hmph, that’s fine for now, hell maybe even for the best,” King Diesel remarked.

“
Once they’re all in place we’ll start the festivities,” he once again spoke, going on to ask about Mason.

“
He said he would be here within the next fifteen minutes,” Blue told him as King Diesel grunted.

“
We’re not waiting for him,” he added testily. “Three years of hard work is about to culminate and I will not waste time because my help can’t be punctual,” he groused as Blue again nodded and walked out of the room leaving him alone.

He made himself another drink, his mind still spinning. Tonight was the end. Tonight he had everyone in the same room and the nightmare would finally be over for him.

Sighing deeply King Diesel actually felt a bit of remorse for some of the players and the hurt they would experience. Still, it didn’t stop his plans or lessen the surging rage and hatred that coursed through his veins. Tonight had been a pained labor of love that he strategically set into place piece by piece. The knock at the door interrupted his thought as he called out come in. Blue entered the room once more telling him everyone was in their place and they were ready to begin whenever he was. Drinking the last of the vodka King Diesel thanked him and told him to give him another few moments alone. King Diesel pulled out the worn book running his fingers over the tattered leather taking a long cleansing breath and blowing it out. He double checked all the audio and video equipment making sure everything was in its place. Lastly he pulled out a photograph. Looking contently at the photo he spoke softly.

“
For you this must end, the sorrow cannot continue, and tonight I give you peace,” he spoke over the photo, closing his eyes in silent meditation for a few moments more.

Once he gathered himself, King Diesel picked up the book and walked into the large room. He stepped into the podium constructed in the center, the large highboy chair, majestically designed and covered in deep purple velvet, jewels lining the top, an exquisite replica of an 16
^th
century throne. The signal was given as all the curtains in the various rooms began to be drawn back and all his captives could finally see their captor and each other.

*****

Ian and Ryan regarded King Diesel for a few moments before their attention was drawn to the huge projection screen displayed behind him. They saw the occupants of each cell their eyes narrowing when Tariq and his crew came into view.

“
What the fuck is this shit,” Ian growled his gaze on Kaitlyn, shackled to the chair, unconscious.

Tariq saw Ian as well as Kaitlyn, growing angry as well. Everyone began to yell and curse simultaneously at each other, at King Diesel, at the situation.

“
Quiet,” he boomed into the attached microphone.

They all ceased talking giving him their undivided attention once more.

“
What’s with the fuckin’ mask,” Tariq murmured as Mook grunted.

King Diesel wore a simple white mask, eyes, nose and mouth cut away, concealing his true identity. He took a deep breath and began regarding them each individually.

“
I’m sure you’re all wondering why you’re here, and why your enemy is here,” he began as everyone continued to pay rapt attention.

“
Tonight is a night of discovery,” King Diesel told them. There were several frowns of confusion to mix into the looks of contempt and raw hatred.

“
You’re here because of her,” he said evenly, pointing to Kaitlyn who was slowly regaining consciousness.

“
You’ve allowed yourself to be caught up in what can only be described as a blood curse,” he patiently continued.

Kaitlyn’s eyes opened and she blinked rapidly trying to focus. She could hear the man talking but her eyes wouldn’t cooperate just yet.

“
This woman is poison,” he droned on as Tariq and Ian both grew more and more furious with each word.

“
The ones you’ve connected yourself too have to bear the burden of your blood curse even through no fault of their own, just as she bears the curse through no choice of her own,” King Diesel told them.

Kaitlyn could finally focus now and gasped seeing herself, Tariq, Ian, Ryan, Mook, her bestfriend, Tae, Kim, everyone she knew and loved was locked in a room.

“
What the hell is going on,” she screamed as King Diesel stopped talking and turned his attention to her.

“
Hello Lauren, we’re glad you could finally join us,” he told her amiably. “As you can see everyone is here,” he added as Gabrielle flashed across the screen and she frowned slightly.

“
Aaah yes,” King Diesel chuckled. “I suppose we can begin with her,” he threw out as Ian frowned marginally but said nothing.

“
As I was enlightening everyone before you joined us, tonight is about cleansing and ridding ourselves of lies and curses,” he patiently reiterated.

“
This woman is your husband’s mistress,” King Diesel told her simply.

Kaitlyn turned her head looking at Ian as he looked back, his gaze never faltering.

“
She’s carrying his child which is due in about seven months,” he further enlightened.

“
Ain’t that bout a bitch,” Tariq murmured watching Kaitlyn closely from his vantage point.

“
Gabrielle,” King Diesel began anew addressing her.

Kaitlyn was pissed but only with Ian’s deception. She was secretly hoping if she lived through this, he would give her a divorce now.

“
Ian doesn’t love you and he’s planning to take your child,” he told her as she shook her head no.

Sighing deeply King Diesel pushed a button on the console and the recording began to play as Ian and Ryan discussed Gabrielle and his plans to take the child and raise it with Kaitlyn. Furious Gabrielle began to scream at Ian cursing him for lying to her. He still remained stoic and quiet, watching the man sitting on the throne, wishing he had a gun in his hand.

“
See now don’t you feel better, lighter even,” King Diesel chuckled.

“
What is all this for,” Ryan asked again.

He wasn’t impressed with any of the theatrics so far, not one bit.

“
It’s to pay a debt Mr. Bailey, surely you understand that,” King Diesel told him.

“
What fucking debt, man you’re spouting a lot of bullshit, get to the damned point,” Tariq yelled this time, just as frustrated as Ryan.

King Diesel looked directly at Tariq saying nothing for several moments as everyone grew slightly uncomfortable. Just as quickly switching gears he pressed another button as audio and video recordings began of all their various business deals. Several documents were shown on the screen along with account listings, balances and the like.

“
As you can see I know everything there is to know about all of you,” King Diesel told them beginning once again. “I am shutting you all down tonight,” he added as everyone sighed deeply murmuring amongst themselves.

The screen again came alive with live feed. Ian, Ryan, Creeper and Pirate recognized the building. It was one of their safehouses in the Bayou fully engulfed.

“
It was burned after I removed all the money and drugs you stored, putting them in my coffers,” King Diesel told them.

“
Unfortunately your three dealers weren’t quite as lucky,” he added as all the men again grew furious.

The video shifted and Tariq, Mook, Shells and Jacoury watched as the unnamed strip club they’d just purchased also burned to the ground.

“
The night watchman sadly didn’t survive,” King Diesel told them calmly. “Sad because he had a wife and three small children,” he added as Tariq gave him a hate filled look.

“
So you’ve proven your point,” Ian said simply. “Let us the fuck out of here you go back to wherever the hell it is you came from.”

King Diesel began to laugh before abruptly stopping and addressing Ian’s statement.

“
When I leave this place the blood will be cleansed and everything will be as it should be,” he told him coldly, his head turning and his eyes resting directly on Kaitlyn.

34

“
You don’t fucking touch her,” Tariq growled angrily.

Ian gave him a look but said nothing, his mind screaming the exact same sentiment. King Diesel sighed deeply.

“
Why do you continue to let this witch vex you,” he asked simply as Tariq continued giving him an evil look.

“
Who the fuck are you and why do you hate me,” Kaitlyn finally asked, her voice deathly calm.

All eyes turned to her as King Diesel spun the chair around and regarded her.

“
Those are two excellent questions,” Ray Lockhart said smoothly as he walked into the room flanked by Rahja, Santana and ten well armed men.

King Diesel spun at the sound of his voice his eyes growing big behind the mask.

“
What the fuck are you doing here,” he yelled, calling out for Blue in the next breath.

The man calmly walked out of the shadows, speaking to Ray as he stood beside him. King Diesel swallowed hard finally realizing he’d been betrayed.

“
You sold me out for her,” he asked angrily. “You took all my hard work and threw it away for her,” King Diesel screamed.