by KR Bankston
“Yes ma’am, I’ll be there” he told his mother, who cheerily told him she looked forward to seeing him.
“There’s someone I want you to meet,” Aileen added and Landon cringed.
Aileen knew he was probably frowning but she didn’t care. She wanted to see her son settle down, and bring her some grandchildren. Her girls had already married and had children. Landon was the oldest and still unmarried. She knew he liked to play the field and it bothered her. She hadn’t raised him like that, and didn’t know where he’d gotten it from.
Landon sighed lightly, his mind on all the drama and turmoil going on in his life right now. Pushing the darker parts away for a moment, a wonderful idea came to his mind.
“Actually ma,” he began and Aileen paid rapt attention, “There’s someone I’d like to bring with me.”
Aileen didn’t want to get too excited. The other couple of girls he’d brought home had been awful. They were very materialistic, conceited and selfish. Nothing at all like the woman she wanted to see her son end up with, still she had to leave it alone. He was a grown man, and it was ultimately his decision.
Aileen couldn’t lie and say she was upset when Landon told her he’d broken up with the other ones. “Who?” she asked simply.
Landon took another breath and began telling his mother about Kaitlyn. By the end of the conversation, Aileen found herself looking very forward to meeting the woman.
“She’s your age?” she asked Landon, thinking once again of grandchildren.
“No, she’s actually quite a few years younger,” he confided.
“She’s legal though right?” Aileen shot back, causing Landon to burst into laughter.
His mother had always been a straight shooter and he loved that about her.
“Yes ma, she’s definitely legal,” he continued to chuckle.
“Well, I’m looking very forward to meeting her,” his mother told him as they talked a moment longer before disconnecting.
Landon reflected on the conversation as he readied himself for his lunch meeting. You’d better hope all this bullshit with Ice goes right, and then she says yes, he thought and sighed deeply again, having already made the promise of Kaitlyn’s appearance. He headed into the kitchen to find himself something for breakfast. His cell rang and Landon grabbed it immediately hoping it was Kaitlyn. It turned out to be one of the league workers reminding him of a meeting. Thanking them, Landon disconnected and completed his task, his mind on Kaitlyn and her safety the entire time.
*****
The new day dawned bright and sunny. The breeze was softly blowing the trees as Kaitlyn gazed out of the window at the spectrum of nature, the greenness of the grass and the clear blue of the sky. It was absolutely perfect for the event unfolding today. Kaitlyn sighed slightly and returned her attention to the activity around her as everyone flitted about. “You look beautiful KiKi,” Jaleesa told her smiling brightly. Kaitlyn thanked her repeating how nervous she was. Jaleesa laughed and told her to relax, it was almost over. The church was full with well wishers on both sides. The beautiful violet multi color floral arrangements were beautifully adorning the altar where Kaitlyn and Landon would exchange their vows.
Her dress was magnificently beaded with iridescent pearls all over the bodice, which form fit her body, graduating into a princess skirt bottom of silky satin. The train was long at eight feet, but she’d fallen in love with the dress the moment she saw it. “I’m going to go check on everything; I’ll be right back, okay?” Jaleesa told Kaitlyn as she left the dressing area. Kaitlyn closed her eyes and smiled again to herself at how happy she was today.
“You look beautiful,” Ice said softly. Kaitlyn jumped at the sound of his voice. She was immediately terrified. “What are you doing here?” Kaitlyn asked still trying to grasp him standing in front of her. Ice smiled slightly as he stepped closer to her. “I’m here to take back what’s mine,” he said calmly taking her hand. “Kaitlyn, I told you before, you belong to me,” Ice replied again still looking intently at her. “Ice I don’t love you,” she told him bluntly. Ice sighed deeply before speaking again. “Yes you do Kaitlyn, you just need to be reminded how much,” he replied and pulled her to him kissing her hard. Kaitlyn didn’t fight, she wanted him to remain calm and give her a better chance of getting out of this room.
“Ice, I’m about to be married, literally,” she tried again. “Not to Landon you’re not,” he said simply just as the gunshot rang out. Oh please no, Kaitlyn thought as the tears came. “He’s dead Kaitlyn,” Ice said calmly never taking his eyes from her. “Now, let’s go home,” he said simply taking her hand and pulling her toward the door. “No!” she screamed, the shock of the situation wearing off. She had to find Landon, make sure he was OK.
“KiKi! Are you ok?” Jaleesa was yelling and banging on the locked door. “Open the door KiKi,” she yelled again. “Tweety!” Kaitlyn screamed as Ice grabbed her and covered her mouth. “KiKi!” she screamed again. Kaitlyn heard the sirens as Ice half dragged and carried her out of the church’s rear exit. “Stop fighting me,” Ice told Kaitlyn as she swung wildly and he blocked the blows. Finally forcing her inside the car, Ice held her tightly as he placed the handcuffs on her wrist. He immediately added the duct tape to her mouth, securing her tightly with the seatbelt. Kaitlyn continued to pull unsuccessfully against the restraint as Ice entered the driver’s side and started the vehicle. “Baby, please calm down,” he told her sweetly as they rode. “It’s going to be alright, just relax” Ice finished as he smiled at her and Kaitlyn’s tears continue to flow down her face.
Kaitlyn literally jumped from the bed bolt upright, gun in hand, as the nightmare finally began to recede. She was breathing hard and blinking rapidly trying to assure herself she was still in her hotel room. What the fuck was that , she thought finally calming slightly. Kaitlyn knew her subconscious was working against her. They only had a few more days, but the stress to pretend was almost too much lately. When she was with Ice, all she could think about was how much he wasn’t Tariq. So why you dreaming you marrying Landon, her mind threw at her. Sighing deeply Kaitlyn pushed the thoughts away, instead choosing to take a shower. Heading for the bathroom she turned on the water just as the sharp knock came to the door.
“Yeah,” Kaitlyn threw out, standing behind the door, weapon once again in her hand.
“Open the door KiKi,” Ian returned as Kaitlyn sighed deeply.
She really didn’t want to deal with him right now. Especially after the horrendous nightmare she’d just had. Still she obediently opened the door and he entered the room dropping his bag by the chair.
“You’re up pretty early,” Ian remarked hugging Kaitlyn and kissing her softly.
“Yeah, sound woke me up,” she lied as he grunted but said nothing more.
“We can go eat after your shower,” Ian remarked hearing the water still running.
“Yeah that’s straight,” Kaitlyn returned as he lay across the bed and closed his eyes.
Kaitlyn turned without another word and headed to the shower, still thinking about the dream and wondering what kind of omen it was.
*****
“You been slacking for the last month,” Ryan was going on angrily as Jaleesa came downstairs.
She stopped just outside the office and listened, trying to figure out what was going on.
“I’ll get it together man,” Chino was telling Ryan contritely.
Jaleesa smirked slightly. She was glad Ryan was finally getting in his ass; he’d done nothing but cause her grief. Always running back with gossip and telling everyone’s business. He was messier than any woman she knew.
“Man you been singing that bullshit for too long now,” Ryan threw back. “Every time I turn around you can’t do your job cause you layin’ up in some pussy,” he fired off once more as Jaleesa struggled not to laugh. “I don’t have no problem with you bedding the girls here, you know that,” Ryan went on patiently. “But I do have a problem when money goes wrong,” he
told him as Chino again begged for another chance.
Wonder what happened, Jaleesa thought. Ryan hadn’t said anything to her, and she hadn’t had a chance to talk to Destiny yet.
“Hey,” she greeted both men as she walked into the office.
“Hey Tweety,” Chino greeted her sadly.
“Wassup baby,” Ryan threw back. “Did you know we lost $500.00 last night,” he asked as Jaleesa frowned in confusion.
Destiny closed last night and did the till.
“How the hell did that happen,” she asked as Ryan sucked his teeth and Chino hung his head.
“Mr. Chino here upstairs layin’ dick instead of watching the damned john,” he replied, going on to tell Jaleesa how when the girl went to the restroom, the john snuck out of the house without paying for the additional services.
“So Caramel sold him an extra $500.00,” Jaleesa asked, impressed.
“No,” Ryan told her. “Between her and Cotton Candy they sold $500.00,” he answered as she grunted slightly.
“I should fire you and fuck you up,” Ryan told him as Jaleesa smiled slightly and turned away from them.
Ryan admonished Chino how close he was to catching a bullet and told him he was on his final chance. The man thanked Ryan profusely and went immediately back to work after Ryan dismissed him.
“He is such a whore,” Jaleesa commented as Ryan chuckled.
“Yeah, but I’m serious about cancelling his ass if he costs me any more money,” he added and Jaleesa knew he meant it.
“You wanna go out for lunch today,” Ryan asked, putting his arms around her waist and kissing her neck softly.
Jaleesa smiled slightly and accepted his offer. She took any and every opportunity to get out of the house and map out different routes to escape. She still had to take care of Ryan and make it past Chino and Al to get out safely and hook up with KiKi.
“We’ll leave in about an hour, okay,” he threw out again as Jaleesa turned and kissed him softly, confirming his request.
Left alone for a few moments, Jaleesa began to reflect on the plans KiKi shared with her. She smiled to herself of the outcome. We better get this plan right though, she thought once more as the gravity of what would happen if they didn’t hit her full force. Ryan was in love with her now and if she didn’t take care of him, trust and believe he would find her and kill her. In the most gruesome way possible too, I’m sure, Jaleesa thought. She took another deep breath and calmed her nerves. She and KiKi weren’t amateurs. They’d been doing this for a while now. Gonna work out just fine, Jaleesa admonished herself once more as she greeted Destiny and told her of her impending lunch, before leaving the woman to run the desk and returning upstairs to dress.
*****
Tariq quickly prepared the next order and placed it in the window. He was glad to be at work. Time alone gave him too much time to think and worry about KiKi. He kept replaying the plans she’d shared with him after they made love and it terrified him every time he thought about it. KiKi’s playin’ with fire, Tariq thought as yet another order was called back to him. Sighing deeply he had to admit she was right. She had to be the one to handle it and it had to be handled with the utmost precision or it would blow up in both their faces. Tariq just hoped Ice would let KiKi go. He’s so damned crazy, ain’t no tellin’ what his ass would try, Tariq continued to think. He finally finished all the immediate orders and decided to go outside and grab a breath of fresh air for a few minutes.
“I’ll be right back, Jorge,” Tariq told the other cook who nodded and went about his own business.
Tariq was sipping his mountain dew and shooting the breeze with one of the waitresses when they were interrupted.
“Hey Tariq,” Sherene said kindly.
Tariq regarded her a few moments more before finally returning her hello.
“Tariq, look,” she began as the waitress excused herself and wandered off, sensing they needed privacy. “I never meant to hurt you, honestly.”
Truthfully her conscience had been beating the hell out of her for how she treated him. Tariq really was a super nice guy.
“It just didn’t work out between us,” she added softly as Tariq sighed deeply.
“It’s straight Sherene,” he replied calmly. “Let’s just move on,” he added as she nodded slightly. “Hope things work out with you and old boy,” Tariq spoke once more as he turned and headed back to the kitchen.
I hope your girl forgives you, Sherene thought suspecting that was the real reason she’d been hired to set him up. Sighing deeply she turned and headed about her day, conscience appeased.
Tariq quickly immersed himself into his work again trying to block out the encounter. Sherene was a mystery. Truth be told, she hit on my ass, Tariq thought. Their entire relationship was always precarious. She just appeared in his life and just as quickly disappeared. Like somebody sent her, Tariq thought fleetingly before recollection hit him square in the face. The picture, he thought of the photo KiKi had thrown on his table. I’ll be damned, he thought once more knowing he’d been set up and exactly who had done it.
“Ice is one low ass fucker,” Tariq mumbled aloud.
He gave KiKi those pictures, Tariq again thought knowing that Ice wanted to drive a permanent wedge between them. He knew she would come after my ass, Tariq thought again, thankful he’d been able to diffuse KiKi’s anger or he would be lying in the morgue right about now. Still steaming, Tariq again prayed KiKi’s plan worked so he could personally tell Ice to kiss his ass once they were together again.
30
Day Two
The afternoon was going smoothly and the evening crowd was beginning to fill in when Carlos spotted the officer as he entered the club, immediately intercepting him.
“How you doing today officer?” Carlos asked smiling at the uniformed patrolman knowing he wasn’t one of their usual.
“I’m good sir,” the officer replied, all business.
Fuck, where is Giovanni’s ass, Carlos thought as he waited for the cop to speak again.
“Sir I need to see all your liquor licenses and permits for the food,” he replied eyeing Carlos evenly.
Carlos sighed slightly and asked the officer to follow him. They went to the bar where the licenses were prominently displayed. Carlos asked Shikia to hand him the glass encased items and he in turn handed them to the officer.
“Do you have the new license ready to display?” the officer asked making note that the current ones expired today.
Carlos knew Ice had the licenses in his office but he wasn’t going anywhere near that area for fear the officer would follow and find the hidden entrance to the gambling and pleasure rooms in the club.
“I believe my boss has already received them,” Carlos replied alerting the officer that he was simply an employee.
The officer grunted shortly but said nothing else. “Well, we will be by to check on that later,” the officer finally told Carlos as he rose and headed to the door.
Taking one last look around, he bid Carlos a good evening and left him to his business. After making sure the officer was gone, Carlos dialed Ice and filled him in on what had just gone on.
*****
“Get the new licenses from the drawer in the file and go ahead and display them,” Ian instructed evenly.
He was pissed that the police were still hassling him. I need to find this muthafuckin’ snitch and deal with his ass, Ian was thinking as he continued listening to Carlos.
“Yeah I’m still on track to return later next week,” he told his friend answering his earlier query.
“How’re things as Castles?” Carlos asked about the club in Alabama.
“Everything is running smoothly, trade is good, no worries,” Ian answered as Carlos told him that was good.
“I’m heading out,” Carlos told him again, iterating that Tye had just arrived.
“Cool, enjoy your evening man,” Ian told him.
“Oh, I fucked Shikia this morning,” Carlos told him as
Ian chuckled slightly.
Shikia was their new bartender and Carlos had been trying to get in her panties since Ian hired her.
“So, was it good?” Ian asked as Carlos confirmed it was.
Both men continued chuckling and talking crudely until he saw KiKi exit the store they’d stopped at to get her a bag of cheetos and a coke.
“Lemme go man,” Ian told Carlos who told him he understood.
Giving a couple of last minute instructions Ian disconnected and smiled at KiKi, taking the other coke she’d purchased for him from her hands.
*****
“We should swing by Platinum,” Ian remarked as Kaitlyn nodded and continued munching on her cheetos.
“KiKi,” Ian began carefully. She was immediately on guard from his tone.
“Yeah,” she threw back taking a long swallow from her coke.
“Would you ever have a baby,” he asked glancing over at her.
Kaitlyn frowned deeply wondering where Ice was going with his questions.
“That was random,” Kaitlyn replied buying time.
Ian chuckled slightly. “It’s just a question,” he threw back letting her know he still expected an answer.
“I like kids well enough,” Kaitlyn answered vaguely.
“That’s not what I asked,” Ian replied, giving her a look.
Sighing deeply, Kaitlyn finally answered his question. “I guess if the time and circumstances were right, sure,” she replied as Ian grunted and nodded slightly.
He remained silent a few moments more until Kaitlyn spoke.
“So you wanna tell me where that came from now,” she asked as Ian smiled again.
“Macy’s,” he replied simply as Kaitlyn frowned quizzically before she remembered the chance encounter with the woman and her baby.
I wouldn’t ever have a baby with your ass, she thought but didn’t voice. Kaitlyn actually couldn’t believe Ice would even entertain the idea of kids anyway. She definitely didn’t see him as the loving fatherly type; she thought and caught herself before she chuckled aloud.