Thin Ice 4 - Resurrections

by KR Bankston

  *****

  Tariq was processing the information DeNoah had given him. He checked Kaitlyn’s account and saw the withdrawal moments later. He knew she would post the bail, so he wasn’t angry about that. Tariq sighed deeply knowing the entire situation could pose a problem to his marriage. He knew Jaleesa and Kaitlyn were like sisters and of course Kaitlyn would defend her to the end. Tariq on the other hand felt she had other choices than to kill LaRon and he was still angry about it. She could have shot him in the arm, the leg, hell anywhere except the heart, he brooded as he continued to sip the drink he’d made. Tariq also knew Kaitlyn would ask him to go to court with her again. He just didn’t see it. He didn’t see himself sitting in a court room as they raked his friend over the coals. They would of course bring up the abuse and use it to paint a picture of a man out of control who did nothing but drink and beat his chick everyday. The idea made Tariq frown deeply. He knew LaRon had issues, hell who didn’t, but he also knew the man had loved Jaleesa deeply and there was nothing he wouldn’t have done for her.

  There was also the matter of filling LaRon’s shoes. There was only one other person he trusted like that; Mook. I can’t ask him to uproot his family and come here, Tariq thought to himself. Still after thinking about it for another few moments, he realized he had no choice. There was simply no one else seasoned enough, that had stood tall through everything, like Mook. He was loyal without question and Tariq definitely trusted him with his life. Picking up his cell he made the call. Mook answered on the third ring as Tariq made his desire known. He was still smiling thirty minutes later when they disconnected. Mook had accepted his proposition without hesitation. Tariq told him he would have one of the houses ready for them by the end of next week, and Mook told him that was fine. He would appoint, Train, his lead lieutenant to run the operation in Miami and he, Kim, and KiSean would be on their way. Thankful that much was settled, Tariq made himself another drink. Now, he began to brood once more. What do I do about Tweety?

  *****

  “Thanks girl,” Jaleesa told Kaitlyn softly, now wearing the clothes she’d brought for her. Kaitlyn smiled and hugged her tightly again.

  “Let’s get the hell outta here,” she told her as Jaleesa chuckled slightly and followed her lead.

  “It’s good to be out of that box,” Jaleesa remarked as Kaitlyn grunted her agreement. “It’s so fucked up KiKi,” Jaleesa said out of the blue after they’d been riding in silence for a while.

  “What,” Kaitlyn asked.

  “I didn’t want him dead,” she replied wistfully. “I just wanted a divorce and him to stop hitting me,” Jaleesa said quietly as Kaitlyn sighed softly.

  “I know Tweety,” she replied sweetly.

  “I’ve hurt my kids so much,” she began again as the tears came and cascaded down her face. “I took their father away, devastated their lives, now I’m in a jail cell,” she continued sobbing deeply now.

  Kaitlyn didn’t interrupt, allowing her to purge and cleanse.

  “Mama says she’ll take care of them,” Jaleesa told her, finally spent and speaking quietly once more.

  “I know she will, Tweety,” Kaitlyn returned.

  “I told her not to bring them to the prison, ever,” Jaleesa threw out.

  “Don’t you want to see them,” Kaitlyn questioned.

  Jaleesa sighed deeply and told her she never wanted her children to see her in a steel cage, locked up, or shackled.

  “What do I say to Rondé when he asks why can’t mommy come home,” she threw out of her 2 year old.

  Kaitlyn understood, but that was a huge sacrifice Jaleesa was making.

  “I’d rather them just forget me and live their lives, try to be as normal and happy as they can be,” she added.

  Again, Kaitlyn held her tongue and said nothing. She knew Jaleesa was raw from her time in jail and she hoped that she would change her mind now that she was out on bail and could spend time with her kids.

  “Can we go to the house first,” Jaleesa asked.

  Kaitlyn frowned slightly but nodded her understand, taking her to the home she and LaRon once shared.

  “I’m okay, KiKi,” Jaleesa told her when they drove up and Kaitlyn was about to get out.

  “I need to be alone for a while,” she added as Kaitlyn continued to regard her.

  There was something very off about her best friend right now, but she didn’t want to push.

  “OK, but you call me the minute you’re ready to leave,” she admonished as Jaleesa smiled.

  “My car is here and I can drive,” she reminded her friend.

  Kaitlyn smiled and told her okay, but please call.

  “I promise KiKi,” Jaleesa told her getting out and waving as she walked to the front door and let herself it.

  Kaitlyn sat in the drive a few moments more, her gut gnawing at her. In the end she sighed deeply and put the car in reverse, backing up and heading for her own house.

  4

  Creeper and Pirate arrived in the Bayou and headed directly for Avery Rehabilitation hospital located some twenty miles outside the city. Arriving at the large beautifully landscaped property they searched for and successfully found a parking space. Creeper took in the lush green of the precision manicured lawns. The building itself was state of the art in architecture with all the arcs and open ceilings it boasted. Turning and following the signs directing them to the entrance, they entered the facility and approached the reception desk.

  “Hi, can I help you,” the nurse asked, giving Creeper the once over.

  He saw the slight smile and knew she liked what she saw.

  “I hope so,” he replied giving her a sexy smile.

  Pirate almost laughed watching his friend work his magic. Feeling eyes, he turned his attention to the other end of the desk and found another nurse watching him intently. She smiled slightly when their eyes met. Pirate smiled back and sauntered over to where she stood. The men spent the next twenty minutes bantering back and forth with the two ladies, before obtaining the information they needed, getting directions, and heading for the wing in question.

  “Girl damn,” Charneese, the first nurse remarked to her co-worker. “That man is fine as hell, six plus feet of sexy ass sexy,” she murmured as Alethia, the co-worker agreed.

  “And his friend, the same damned thing,” she told Charneese.

  “Figures though,” she remarked as Alethia nodded.

  “Yeah, Miracle is sexy, so shit figures his friends would be too,” Charneese noted as the two women went back to their jobs, contemplating the time the men promised to spend with them later tonight after their shifts were over.

  Creeper and Pirate were still chuckling as they boarded the elevator and headed to sub level one.

  “That was too easy,” Pirate threw out as Creeper laughed and agreed.

  “You know how we do,” he replied as Pirate nodded.

  “You gonna fuck her later,” he asked, referring to Alethia.

  “Nah, but she can suck my dick if she wants,” Pirate told him as Creeper chuckled. “Yeah, Lila would fuck your ass up,” he added as Pirate agreed telling him he knew Tamiya would do the same.

  “Right,” Creeper laughed as the elevator stopped and the doors opened.

  They found the room with ease opening the doors quietly and entering. Looking around they at first thought the women had sent them to the wrong place, until Pirate tapped Creeper and wordlessly pointed. They watched as the woman continued her work, head bobbing up and down in a familiar rhythm, the man calmly holding it in place as he leaned back, eyes closed enjoying her service. The scene played out for the next twenty minutes until the man groaned slightly and relaxed. Not missing a beat the woman rose, wiped her mouth, and pushed him toward the aquatic pool for his workout. Finally noticing the two men present, she blushed slightly. Looking up the man dismissed her, regarding the two men in front of him silently.

  “Are you lost,” he asked calmly never stopping his exercise or taking his eyes from the
two men.

  “No, I think we’re in the right place,” Creeper replied as the man grunted and waited on him to speak again.

  “I hear you’re a miracle case,” Creeper continued. “Bet there are a few people who wouldn’t be all that happy to know that though,” he threw out as the man sighed slightly and shrugged.

  “Is that what you came to discuss,” he asked once more, still calm.

  “No,” Creeper replied evenly.

  Finishing his exercise, the man rang a small bell and the nurse appeared again. After helping him out, drying and helping him dress they began to leave the room.

  “Are you two coming,” he asked, seeing them still standing in place.

  Wordlessly, Creeper and Pirate followed, finally ending up in a huge suite on a private ward in the hospital.

  “The view is beautiful from here,” the man told him calmly. “So again, what can I do for you gentlemen,” he asked, turning and facing them.

  Creeper noticed the slight impediment. It wasn’t bad really, only when he used words with the letter S or L was it very obvious.

  “Are you happy here, or do you have plans,” Creeper asked as the man smiled slightly.

  “Why would that be important to you,” he threw back instead of an answer.

  “Well for me, it’d be a wonderful opportunity, for you a chance to finish some unfinished business,” Creeper told him.

  “What business would that be,” he asked still regarding the two men.

  “Payback on the muthafucka’s that put you here for one,” Pirate answered.

  Again the answer was greeted with a smile from the man.

  “And you are,” he asked looking at them both.

  “I’m Creeper, and this is Pirate, he answered as the man nodded again.

  “It’s nice to meet you gentlemen, my name is Ice,” Ian answered smoothly.

  Creeper and Pirate both smiled telling him they knew exactly who he was.

  “What made you gentlemen come and find me,” he asked curiously.

  “Jalen Bailey,” Creeper said calmly.

  Ian gave him a dead stare upon the answer, making both men slightly uncomfortable.

  “How do you know Jalen,” Ian asked regaining his composure.

  “He asked me to find out about you and Ryan,” Creeper replied honestly.

  “Hmph,” Ian returned. “Where is he,” he asked as Creeper readily supplied the answer.

  “Can you get him here,” Ian again questioned.

  Creeper told him he was pretty sure it wouldn’t be an issue.

  “Don’t tell him yet, about me,” Ian clarified.

  “Cool,” Pirate replied.

  Ian regarded the two men, deciding he liked them.

  “I would love, as you say, to get payback,” he told them honestly. “But I’m afraid all my help is dead or in prison,” he replied as they smiled.

  “Ice we got all the manpower you need,” Pirate told him, Creeper agreeing.

  “Tell us what you need, what your next move is, and its done,” Creeper admonished.

  Ian smiled again, pleased with what he was hearing.

  “There is a matter, very personal, very pressing, that I need clarified first,” he threw out as Creeper and Pirate replied they were all ears.

  Sighing lightly, Ian gave them the information and told them what he needed.

  “You have a cell,” Creeper asked as all the men exchanged numbers.

  Turning to leave they told Ian they were in town for the next three or four days, then headed back to Florida. He nodded and told them they would work out the details later as the two men bid him a good night and left.

  *****

  Jaleesa awoke still laying in the middle of their bed, clutching LaRon’s pillow. She’d cried herself to sleep when she came into the house and lay down. Sighing deeply she sat up and jumped as she finally saw the man standing in the shadows.

  “I wondered when you would show up,” she told him simply, scooting back until she was resting against the headboard.

  The man said nothing, continuing to stand and regard her silently.

  “I hoped maybe, just maybe, you wouldn’t show up,” she continued to talking. “But in my heart I knew, I knew you would,” she finished quietly.

  The room was cloaked in silence as neither spoke, but continued to watch the other. She saw him move finally, pulling out the .9mm and attaching the silencer.

  “She won’t ever forgive you, you know that right,” Jaleesa told him, still eerily calm. “She’s stubborn as hell and she’ll hate you for it,” she went on as he finished his task and walked into the light, looking right into her eyes now.

  “I didn’t want him dead, Tariq,” she told him honestly as he continued to watch her wordlessly. “He had just finished beating my ass, again,” she pleaded. “What was I supposed to do, huh, let him beat the hell out of me some more,” Jaleesa asked, tears streaming now.

  “Street rules,” Tariq said simply as she scoffed.

  “Tariq, this is me,” she screamed at him. “Don’t treat me like some trick on the corner. You know what he did to me, on a consistent basis, you knew,” she accused.

  “You could have shot him anywhere Tweety, disabled him long enough to call me,” he told her as she sobbed loudly.

  “Tariq, in the middle of getting your ass whipped you don’t stop and say, now hmm, let me logically think where I can shoot this guy to get him off me,” Jaleesa yelled again. “You don’t fuckin’ do that,” she told him, calming slightly. “Tariq, honestly at this point it doesn’t really matter to me,” she began again. “My kids have lost me, just like they lost their dad,” Jaleesa continued looking into his eyes again, seeing anger and hatred. “But if you do this, KiKi will leave you, she’ll hate you and never forgive you,” she told him.

  Tariq seemed to weigh her words for a while, before speaking again. “Plead guilty,” he told her calmly.

  Jaleesa shrugged slightly and told him fine.

  “Call your attorney right now and tell him, tell him you want to plead guilty and to set it up,” Tariq barked, growing angrier she could tell.

  Jaleesa picked up the phone and dialed a number, saying hello when it connected. “This is Jaleesa Johnson, I want you to change my plea to guilty,” she said calmly as Tariq continued to regard her.

  “Put the phone on speaker,” he told her.

  Doing as he requested, Jaleesa continued talking to her attorney.

  “Are you sure Jaleesa,” he questioned, the surprise in his voice evident. “The best I could possibly broker would be a life sentence,” he told her frankly.

  Never taking her eyes from Tariq, Jaleesa told him she was sure. Sighing deeply the attorney told her he would take care of it first thing in the morning when the courthouse opened. Disconnecting she continued to regard him.

  “I’m not going to tell her,” Jaleesa spoke answering his unasked question.

  “I understand your hurt and anger Tariq,” she went on. “And I deserve it,” Jaleesa told him. “So now you can be satisfied knowing I’ll never be free again and I’ll pay for taking Deuce from you and his kids for the rest of my life,” she finished and lay back down. Tariq backed into the shadows and left the house. Jaleesa finally closed her eyes and drifted back off, hearing the door close and his car pull out of the driveway.

  *****

  Ian thought about the two men and all they’d discussed and smiled. Paybacks a bitch, he thought ominously as Kelly, his day nurse came back into his room, undressing and climbing into his bed. She wasn’t Kaitlyn, but she would do for now. Ian undressed and got in as well. Kelly knew the routine and began arousing him, using her mouth on him until she had him hard. She was really feeling Ian but outside of the sex they had, he was totally aloof to her.

  “Where’s the condom,” he asked as she was about to mount him.

  Ian was well aware of the feelings that had entered in on her part, but he didn’t return them. Not one iota. She was simply a me
ans to an end for him. She helped him get off and keep his semen count up, nothing more. Kelly slipped the magnum on him and eased her wetness on his hard penis.

  Ian went through the motions as he tuned out her moans of pleasure; his mind, as always, on Kaitlyn and how much he wanted to be making love to her. He came hard moments later, pushing Kelly off and telling her to leave his room. He could see the hurt of his dismissal, but it didn’t matter. Ian had a new start, a new crew, and soon a new protégé. Ian knew all about Jalen, though he was positive the young man knew nothing about him or Ryan. Not considering you tried to kill his mother, his mind threw out. True, he’d told Dixon he killed his biological mother, but truthfully he’d only succeeded in wounding her, causing deep physiological and minor physical pain. Jalen hadn’t been at home at the time of the attack. It was the day Ian discovered the woman had given both him and Ryan away, choosing to keep only Jalen. He didn’t hold it against his brother though and now he would finally get the opportunity to groom him the way he’d always wanted. Ian smiled with satisfaction as he closed his eyes. He thought of Kaitlyn as he always did, frowning slightly as he still wondered about her strange behavior the night Tariq thought he killed him. That’s why I have to get her back, Ian thought. The fool doesn’t even know how to take care of her. Sighing softly he let the thoughts pass as the darkness found him and he drifted off to sleep.

  5

  Mook was still deep in thought about his conversation with Tariq and the impending move to Atlanta. He and Kim had been at odds about it for the last four days. She wasn’t happy about leaving Miami or uprooting Sean. Mook patiently reminded this was the life he lived and sometimes things like this happened. He knew Tariq was still reeling from LaRon’s death. Not many people knew just how close the two men really were. Their friendship was deep, almost like two blood related brothers and Mook knew he was devastated by the loss. Sighing slightly Mook reeled his mind in. Even in his grief, Tariq was still the consummate businessman. He knew things had to continue and that he would need help. Mook was genuinely flattered that Tariq thought enough of him to ask him to be his new right hand. Now if I could just get Kim to see what a great thing this is, he thought tiredly as he heard her come in the house and steeled himself for another round with her.