Thin Ice 7 - Echoes of Reckoning (43 page)

He didn’t realize the tears were falling until one hit the photo he still held. It was a picture of himself with his father after one of his little league games. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Tariq hurt over the loss of his father. There was still some feeling and emotion there for the man. He’d spent years telling himself his father was dead, or that he left them for some very good and noble reason. Tonight he found out that his father was just a confused man with a skewed purpose in life and it’d destroyed him, costing him everything.
That’s what happens when you spend a lifetime lying to yourself,
Tariq thought as he took another drink and opened yet another photo album. This one contained pictures of himself and Kaitlyn. Tariq smiled as he looked at photo after photo of them smiling and holding each other lovingly. Even the hurt at seeing their daughter Khari, didn’t dampen the joy in his heart as he continued to peruse the album.
We should have never, ever, been apart,
Tariq thought. His father’s obsession with Kaitlyn’s aunt came screaming into his mind.

“
I’m not like him,” he said aloud angrily.

Tariq readily admitted his love for Kaitlyn, it was every other force that seemed intent on keeping them apart.

Closing the albums he rose and headed to the shower. Tariq turned the water up as hot as he could stand it and stepped under the spray. He continued to deliberate his next move. They still had business to handle, deals to be made and brokered. Tariq also thought about the fact that Kaitlyn was divorcing Ian.
She doesn’t love this Blue guy,
he told himself.
So why did she leave with him then,
his mind tried to assail. Tariq scoffed and dismissed it knowing Kaitlyn left to save him. She’d always sacrificed herself and their happiness to keep him safe and it made him love her even more. Leaving the shower Tariq dried himself and headed into his bedroom, sitting on the side of the bed. His cell vibrated and he picked it up seeing the message from Mook. He sent a quick reply text that he was fine and at home, throwing the instrument back onto the bedside table. His adrenaline finally spent, Tariq felt the effects of the liquor and the night’s drama land on his shoulders like a twelve thousand pound bull elephant, as he collapsed onto the bed, asleep almost instantly.

Epilogue

Kim was enjoying her day, having started out early shopping and running a few errands. Things were slowly but surely getting back to normal some three months after that fateful night. She and Mook were doing great and the drama of Tyshon had been put to the very back of her mind. Her cell rang as she climbed into the truck and began driving.

“
Hey girl,” Kim greeted Jaleesa.

They talked at least once a week or so, further deepening their growing friendship.

“
Nothing really, just did a little shopping, heading home now to see what Mook is up too,” Kim told her.

Jaleesa chuckled and told her sounded like a plan.

“
How is Jacoury,” she asked as Jaleesa sighed and told her he was okay.

“
He still won’t talk about that night, but I know he and Ramell, Tariq and Mook have discussed it,” she told Kim who grunted slightly.

“
Yeah, I get basically the same deal here too,” she threw out.

Jaleesa asked about Cyiarra and Kim again sighed softly.

“
She’s still around and I know Top spends lots of time with his son,” she told her as Jaleesa grunted.

“
He’s still not feeling being with her though,” Kim added as Jaleesa told her she suspected as much.

“
I’ve tried to tell her as nice as I can she needs to move on, but hey,” Kim began anew as the house came into view.

“
You can’t make a person do what’s good for them,” Jaleesa told her. “Trust me, I’ve tried,” she added and Kim knew she was thinking about Kaitlyn.

“
Yeah, I definitely get that,” Kim replied. “I’m here, heading inside now,” she told her as Jaleesa amiably told her that was cool and she’d hit her up later, disconnecting.

Walking into the house Kim saw the package lying on the counter. It wasn’t unusual for them to get things delivered, but something about this one made her stomach knot. Fortunately Mook was still sleeping so she knew KiSean had to have gotten it from the mailbox. Quickly picking up the package, Kim headed into their spare bedroom and opened it. The plain black case fell into her lap, as did the note that accompanied it. Swallowing hard as she ran her fingers over the slender case, she already knew what was inside.
Dammit,
Kim thought crossly as she unfolded the note and began to read. ‘I know what happened to Tyshon that fateful day,’ it began as Kim grew more and more uneasy. ‘Here are some things however that you didn’t know,’ it went on. ‘Tyshon was setting you up for King Diesel, who addressed him by his first name, Mason, when he worked for him’ the note told her as Kim frowned deeply. ‘This is the original and only copy of the DVD showing you as you killed him,’ the note informed. ‘The house was wired for sight and sound, fortunately for you, I was the one watching it that day,’ the note continued. ‘I suggest you be more careful in the future,’ the note ended as Kim’s eyes fell on the signature, ‘Blue’, it read simply.

Kim quickly rose and destroyed the note as well as the DVD, placing both items at the very bottom of the kitchen trash and quickly covering them again. She wasn’t sure what the man’s angle was for helping her, and it may very well come back at some point to haunt her, but Kim was just glad it was over and she knew the truth.
He always was a sneaky ass bastard,
she thought angrily walking into the bedroom as Mook continued to sleep. Taking off her clothes she prepared to walk into the bathroom and grab a quick shower.

“
Why don’t you come over here first,” Mook told her as Kim jumped slightly and turned to him.

He was propped on his elbow eyeing her nude body, smiling slightly.

“
I thought you were asleep,” Kim teased as she stood right beside the bed now.

“
My sex-o-meter went off and woke me up,” Mook replied pulling the covers back so Kim could see his standing erection.

“
You’re just horny,” she teased as Mook reached out and pulled her into bed with him.

“
Mmhmm and I’m about to make you horny too,” he told her, lips finding her nipple and turning her switch to on.

Kim moaned softly as he continued his work, moving lower and lower until he and Miss Fatty were once again on a face to face basis.

“
Mook, damn,” she moaned louder now as his tongue brought her quickly to orgasm.

Mook started blowing softly on her still throbbing clit, driving Kim wild. After bringing her to the brink of yet another orgasm, he licked his way back up her body, parting her legs and sliding inside her.

“
Damn girl, this thing is hot and wet,” Mook told her lewdly in her ear.

Kim grabbed his butt in response pulling him deeper. He loved the feel of her as she began grasping him with her sex and he felt his end nearing.

“
Horny ass,” Kim moaned softly as she fell over the edge and Mook held her tighter his finish surging inside her.

“
Love you too,” he teased as Kim chuckled and they continued to hold each other and nap.

*****

Tae and Ashlyn were meeting for lunch today. Tae knew her sister was still crushed finding out about her adoption and parentage the way she did. For almost a month Ashlyn had been incommunicative with their parents, or older sister. Tae was the only person she would open up too. Sa’Cari of course had been there for her every step of the way and Tae saw the love between them blossom even more. Ashlyn entered the restaurant breaking her thought as Tae looked up and smiled at her sister. “Hey,” she greeted her, standing and giving her a big hug. Ashlyn smiled back and returned her greeting as they sat down and the server came over to take their drink orders. Giving the information requested the server left them alone to go and retrieve the requests.

“
How are you,” Tae asked looking deeply in Ashlyn’s eyes.

“
I’m okay Tae, getting a little better every day,” the young woman replied.

“
You’re still on campus,” Tae asked once more.

Ashlyn had moved out of her parent’s home and into an apartment with her friend on campus. Sa’Cari of course had been trying to get her to come live with him, but Tae was proud of Ashlyn for standing her ground and telling him she needed time to think on her own.

Ashlyn told her she was on campus and that classes were going well.

“
What about you and Sa’Cari,” Tae questioned.

Ashlyn sighed softly before looking her sister in the eye and answering.

“
I’m breaking up with him,” she told her as Tae frowned slightly.

“
Why,” she asked simply.

Ashlyn shrugged and told her right now she felt totally disconnected and lost.

“
I can’t function most days Tae,” she told her sister honestly. “How am I supposed to be a girlfriend or even his wife when I don’t even know who I am,” she began as Tae saw the tears again.

“
I think about the stuff that happened that night, that Sa’Cari let them scare the hell out of me like that,” she told Tae who sighed again understanding what she was saying.

Still she had to try and reason with her sister. Tae was a hustler’s chick and she’d been in the game a long time. Sa’Cari wasn’t going to let Ashlyn go that easily and her sister needed to be prepared for the fight. The server returned interrupting them once more, getting their lunch choices this time. Once they again departed, Tae opened her mouth and began to speak.

“
I’m not going to tell you what to do or who to be with Ashlyn,” she began as her sister paid rapt attention. “But I am going to tell you what to expect if you go through with the breakup plans you have,” she added, going on to enlighten her sister about the life and the man she’d chosen to share her life with, as well as his role in that life.

Ashlyn’s eyes filled with tears again as Tae explained the truth of what she did, what Shells did, and some of the other people she’d met that night.

“
You think he would hurt me,” Ashlyn asked quietly, the fear evident.

Tae immediately assured her she didn’t think Sa’Cari would harm her.

“
But he’s not going to just say sure okay Ash, go live your life,” Tae told her honestly.

“
He’s in love with you and he’s going to pull out every stop to keep you, intimidate every man you try to date, just be a total nuisance,” Tae told her trying to lighten the mood a little.

Ashlyn sighed again as their food arrived and they began to eat.

“
Do you love him Ash,” Tae asked as they finished eating, paid their check, and were standing outside the restaurant.

“
Yeah,” her sister replied.

Tae hugged her again, telling her she understood.

“
Take your time Ash, make sure it’s what you want,” Tae told her.

Ashlyn looked her sister in the eye a while before speaking.

“
I don’t have that much time,” she told Tae who frowned slightly.

“
I’m already three months pregnant,” Ashlyn told her as Tae’s mouth dropped and her mind whirled.

*****

Cameron was still brooding over losing Nikki yet another time to her thug boyfriend. True to her word, she’d stopped coming over to his place and if they studied together it was in a very public place and she never stayed more than two hours with him. The final blow came for him yesterday when Nikki admitted she was once again pregnant with his child. He’d smiled and congratulated her, but inside Cameron steamed with hatred for the man who’d stolen her heart away from him. How was he going to break them up now, he thought taking the keys from his pocket putting them into the lock and opening his door. Coming inside, Cameron threw his briefcase on the table and headed into his kitchen opening the fridge and removing a bottle of water. Turning and walking back into his living room, he stopped in his tracks, lowering the water bottle and staring open mouthed at his guest.

“
Wassup,” Ryan greeted calmly, .10mm in hand, silencer attached.

Cameron swallowed hard as he continued to watch the man wordlessly, waiting on him to speak and praying he wasn’t going to die today.

“
You don’t seem to understand what stay the hell away from, means,” Ryan told him without emotion.

“
I only study with Nikki, in public places,” Cameron hurriedly explained.

Ryan smiled slightly.

“
You still want her though don’t you,” he asked giving the man a look.

Cameron quickly shook his head no, trying to pull off the lie by adding how much he respected their being together.

“
Is that so,” Ryan asked, still sitting comfortably. “Then why were you so upset yesterday about our great news,” he queried as Cameron frowned slightly and Ryan chuckled.

“
Yeah, Nikki she’s my heart, but she doesn’t recognize bullshit as readily as I do, especially when it’s someone she genuinely likes,” Ryan told him rising now.

“
You are a complication Cameron,” he spoke taking the safety off the gun. “Nikki and I are happy,” he continued talking as Cameron continued to pray.