by KR Bankston
Tyashia smiled again and quietly told him okay.
“Cute,” he murmured of her shyness, kissing her cheek softly as he turned and walked away headed for the office and David.
“Wassup,” Jacoury greeted David evenly.
The man nervously returned the greeting fidgeting in his seat as Jacoury watched him wordlessly.
“You got your shit packed,” Jacoury asked finally.
Swallowing hard, David opened his mouth and began trying to explain what Jacoury may have heard. He allowed David to spin his story, holding comment until the end.
“So, you’re saying she was flirting, leading you on, then cried wolf,” Jacoury asked evenly.
“Yeah, I’m tellin’ you Jacoury,” David began the lie again. “She was all over me, we kissed, she let me feel her up, then she wanna trip,” he threw out, confident his boss would believe him. Afterall, Tyashia had only started working there a few days ago.
“Hmm,” Jacoury replied, pulling out his cell and sending a text.
Moments later a soft knock came at the door.
“Come in,” Jacoury called out as the door opened and David’s mouth dropped. “Tyashia, I know you just started working here,” Jacoury initiated as David began nervously biting his nails. “But when I hired you, I had a good feeling about you, thought you were straight up, no bullshit, honest,” he told her as Tyashia remained quiet and listened. “So, I’m gonna ask you something and I need you to be honest and tell me the truth,” Jacoury went on as she told him okay and waited for the question.
“David says the incident I heard about the other night was just a big misunderstanding,” he told her. “He says you two were flirting all night, hugging, kissing, touching, each other.”
Tyashia frowned deeply at the end of his statement, interrupting him before he could speak again.
“That’s a lie, and he’s a liar,” she replied angrily, glaring at David.
Jacoury almost smiled but managed to catch himself. She was even cuter pissed off, he thought as he returned his attention to David.
“These stories aren’t gelling,” he told him calmly.
“Jacoury, man, you know she gonna lie,” David tried. “She wants to keep her job, hell that’s why she was flirting in the first place,” he threw out.
Before either of them could react, Tyashia was in David’s face, knife to his throat.
“Tell that lie again,” she hissed, furious.
Jacoury was astounded. She must carry that shit all the time, he thought of the weapon.
“Say it,” she yelled at him.
David eyes were as big as saucers, looking to Jacoury for help.
Jacoury didn’t intervene, preferring to watch and let the scene play out. “So David, you stickin’ to that story,” he asked instead as David swallowed hard and said nothing. “That’s what I thought,” Jacoury said calmly, walking over and putting his arm around Tyashia’s waist and lifting her from the floor. “As much as he deserves it, I can’t let you kill him this time,” he told her calmly as she breathed hard, squirming to get down. “Stop,” he told her softly in her ear, kissing it gently.
Tyashia calmed and he put her down, taking the knife from her. “I’ll give it back to you later,” he told her, looking into her eyes now.
Nodding slightly, Tyashia rolled her eyes at David one last time before leaving them alone again in the office.
Jacoury turned to David and spoke. “You have 5 minutes to be outta this club, and if I see you in here again, I’m going to kill you, literally.”
David didn’t need a second invitation. He grabbed his keys, his coat; the single photo on his desk and almost ran from the office, out the front door.
*****
“You look cute,” Mook told Kim as she got into the truck.
He loved her in skirts, though she didn’t wear them as often as he would like. The jean mini showcased the sexy legs and thighs he liked to wrap around his neck, Mook was musing as he looked her over again.
“Stop looking like that,” Kim teased. “We don’t have time,” she added as he chuckled and told her she was lucky they didn’t.
As they drove Kim told him about Sean and school and that he was adjusting fine.
“I knew he would,” Mook returned. “You going to see him this week,” he asked as Kim nodded.
“I’ll take Gabrielle with me,” she told him as he smiled and thanked her.
“She’s really a nice girl from what I remember about her,” Mook told Kim as she nodded.
“You talked to Top today,” she asked causally.
Mook told her they’d touched base earlier today, but said nothing further. Kim sighed slightly. She really wanted to know just what was going on, but she knew Mook talking about it was going to be like pulling teeth.
Pushing it aside for the time being, she asked him to tell her more about Gabrielle.
“I don’t really know that much,” Mook replied, telling her about the woman’s brothers both drowning and her association with Ian.
“Damn, and Top is cool with that,” Kim asked.
Mook chuckled and told her that Gabrielle had nothing to do with that or with her brother’s illegal activities.
“She’s really green about a lot of stuff Miss Kim, seriously,” Mook warned. “She’s grown yes, but she still is very childlike in some respects,” he added as Kim began to understand.
“Sheltered,” she threw out as Mook nodded and told her exactly.
“From what I get, the brothers did everything for her,” he told Kim. “She doesn’t drive; she doesn’t really get handling the household, like finance and stuff like that.”
Kim sighed lightly. “Damn, so if she didn’t have a man, she’d be lost,” she replied as Mook shrugged slightly and told her that was probably true.
Kim subconsciously made the decision to help Gabrielle become a bit more independent while they spent time. It’s cool to have a man, but damn, be able to take care of yourself, she thought behind the calm façade as they arrived at the complex and Mook entered the code to open the gate and let them inside to pick up Gabreille.
13
Jalen was nervous as hell. This was new territory for him and he wasn’t sure he could pull it off. Recalling his brother’s words however, provided much needed motivation. “Its time for you to start earning some of this money you’re still lucky enough to be holding,” Ian told him calmly. “Simply think of it as collecting money owed to YOU,” he added before leaving him alone for the night.
“Relax man,” Creeper told him, seeing the apprehension etched on his face. “We got your back,” he added as Pirate nodded.
Jalen smiled slightly, thanking them. It was reassuring to know he wasn’t facing this task alone. Still, could he actually do it, Jalen wondered as they rode. From the glimpse he’d gotten of Ian, and how he operated, the man was ruthless. Is that some shit you’re born with, he wondered, still not sure he possessed the ability to be as cold and aloof.
They arrived at the warehouse where he was meeting the contact. The trip had been entirely too short as far as he was concerned, but they were here now, so Jalen had to man up and do what he came for. Following Creeper and Pirate’s lead, he got out of the truck, holding the attaché case Ian had given him to deliver. They made the short walk to the warehouse entrance as Creeper and Pirate produced weapons and opened the door. Jalen swallowed hard and hoped he didn’t do something stupid like pee his pants and embarrass himself. He was mortified. The guns were real, and this wasn’t TV, his mind told him as they walked inside.
“Wassup ya’ll,” Markell greeted them. “No need for heat, we’re just doing friendly business,” he added as Creeper and Pirate put their weapons to their side, relaxed.
Jalen looked the man over. He wasn’t a menacing figure at all. He was sitting but, Jalen assumed he wasn’t tall, and he certainly wasn’t a big guy. Very lean and sinewy, he had beady eyes, reminding Jalen of a rat. He thought about Ian’s summation of the man an
d his warning of his treachery. Deciding he wanted to get the deal done and leave, Jalen finally stepped forward into Markell’s line of sight.
“Damn,” the man murmured looking right at Jalen.
“Something wrong,” Jalen asked, knowing very well why the man’s face showed the surprise it now held.
“Nah, sorry, you just look like someone else,” Markell replied, still somewhat shaken by the uncanny resemblance.
“Hmph,” Jalen replied. “Let’s get to it then,” he added as Markell readily agreed.
He motioned as one of his boys placed their steel attaché case on the table, turning it around and showing Jalen, Creeper and Pirate, the dope contained.
“Looks good,” Jalen returned as Pirate produced the switchblade and stepped to the case.
Jalen watched as Pirate cute a pouch, and tasted the product, using his finger. He nodded, giving Creeper and Jalen a look.
Markell smiled. “So, now the payment,” he told Jalen still watching him intently. Jalen calmly walked to the table and placed the case on it, then stepped back, just as Ian had instructed. Markell quickly opened the case, then looked up at Jalen, the fury on his face.
“What the fuck is this,” he growled, still seated however, as both Creeper and Pirate’s guns were aimed directly at him and his boy.
“It’s your payment,” Jalen replied trying to keep his voice from wavering.
“What kinda bullshit you runnin’,” Markell asked again still furious.
“I’m not running anything,” Jalen began again. “You gave us 250K worth of dope,” he went on, repeating word for word, what Ian had given him. “You owe me 250K, so I’d say we’re even,” he added as Markell frowned deeply in confusion.
“What the hell are you talking about, I don’t even fuckin’ know you,” he railed, standing finally.
“But you know me,” Ian said evenly, stepping from the shadows where he’d quietly and invisibly entered the warehouse.
“Ice, what, man, you’re dead,” Markell sputtered looking at the man standing in front of him, and the other one across from him.
Damn, they could pass for twins, he thought as Ian walked over to the table, closing the dope filled attaché and motioning Pirate to remove it.
“As you can see Markell,” Ian began. “Reports of my death have been grossly exaggerated,” he added chuckling at the astonished look still on the man’s face. “This is what you owe me,” Ian told him. “There is however the matter of interest,” he began again as Markell got a very bad feeling.
“Ice, look, I need time to get that,” he tried as Ian nodded thoughtfully. “I mean, shit, I thought, I mean,” Markell continued flustered.
Ian gave Creeper a look and Markell watched his boy catch a bullet to the chest. Swallowing hard as the man dropped to the floor, Markell regarded Ian again, blinking rapidly.
“Ice, come on, please,” he began to plead.
He opened his mouth to speak again but the words never materialized as Ian shot him twice, point blank, in the chest with the .380 he held. Markell’s mouth moved a few more times as he too slumped over the table, sliding down to the floor. Turning to Jalen, Ian spoke again.
“You did well,” he said simply ignoring the incredulous look on his brother’s face. “Let’s go,” Ian told him, as they all left the warehouse, dope in hand, two more bodies added to the count.
*****
Kaitlyn enjoyed her workout tremendously. She was heading for the shower when trouble stepped in her way.
“Excuse you,” Diva told her rudely, looking her up and down.
Kaitlyn sighed lightly. She didn’t know the woman’s real name, everyone simply called her Diva in accordance with the snotty behavior and over inflated sense of self importance she arrogantly displayed every time she came to the gym.
“You stepped in front of me,” Kaitlyn replied calmly.
The woman seemed to have it out for her from the day she’d met her. Because she wants your man, her mind threw at her. Kaitlyn had caught the woman on more than one occasion eyeing Tariq, even openly flirting with him once.
“No, I didn’t,” Diva threw back haughtily. “You should watch where the hell you’re going, bitch,” she added nastily, brushing past Kaitlyn, intentionally bumping her.
Taking another deep breath and blowing it out slowly, Kaitlyn went into the locker room heading for her locker, wanting to shower and change before leaving. She saw Diva enter the shower and almost changed her mind. Don’t let this bitch run you off, her mind threw out again. Kaitlyn grabbed her towel and soap, pinning her hair up and entering the shower area. Diva rolled her eyes as Kaitlyn entered the area, turning on the shower on the opposite end of where she was. Stepping under the steaming spray she closed her eyes. Why are you letting that nasty trick disrespect us like that, Lauren hissed in her ears. Kaitlyn put her face further under the spray hoping to drive the voices away. Her head was beginning to hurt again. I’m gonna teach the bitch a lesson, Lauren told her as Kaitlyn turned and walked out of the shower, naked and dripping.
“Hey bitch,” she snarled angrily as Diva turned, startled at her sudden appearance.
She took the woman in standing in front of her. There was something very sinister about her at the moment.
“What do you want,” Diva threw out, trying to sound brave. “I don’t do chicks,” she told her nastily, looking over Kaitlyn’s naked body.
“From the looks of your saggin ass, you don’t do anybody,” Lauren returned angrily, punching her hard to the stomach.
Diva sank to her knees from the force and unexpected pain of the blow. Before she could recover she felt another punch to her face, then kicks to every part of her body. “So I’m a bitch huh,” Lauren growled straddling the woman as the shower continued to rain on them both.
She punched Diva again and again in the face until the woman almost lost consciousness. Still not satisfied, Lauren picked up the bar of soap and smiled malevolently.
“I’m going teach you not to fuck with us you snooty bitch,” she chuckled shoving the soap deep inside Diva as the woman moaned in her semi conscious state. Finally sated, Lauren rose and went back to her stall, finished her shower and dressed.
*****
Ian regarded Jalen as they arrived at the house and went inside. “You handled yourself very well,” Ian told his brother. “We’re going to handle some other business,” he went on. “It would seem that you need a little time to recuperate however, so you stay here,” Ian added amiably. “We’ll be back soon,” he added in passing as the three men left once more.
Jalen sighed deeply putting his head in his hands as he recalled the murders he’d just witnessed and been an accessory of. What the hell have I gotten myself into, he thought, his mother’s reaction to his questions screaming in his mind. I should have listened to her, Jalen continued to think. If he’d never asked Creeper to find out about either of them, he wouldn’t be in Atlanta right now, worried to death about spending the rest of his life in jail.
“Ian is crazy,” he murmured rising and wandering through the house.
Jalen stumbled into the study and found the file folders Ian had been perusing earlier. He picked up the thickest one, opening it. “She’s pretty,” he said aloud looking at the recent photos of Kaitlyn. Jalen sat and began reading her file, repulsed at the information he found. Is he gonna kill her, he wondered becoming slightly afraid for the woman. Hearing the truck returning, Jalen hurriedly put the folder back where he found it and returned to the den, turning on the TV. His mind was still whirling and spinning as they all came inside, laughing and joking. Creeper and Pirate joined him in the den, as Ian headed to the study and closed the door. Jalen’s mind immediately returned the woman’s folder and he said a quick prayer for her safety, knowing his brother was indeed insane and no one was safe from his wrath once he made up his mind to eliminate them.
*****
“What the hell is going on,” Kaitlyn wondered seeing the emergency personnel
going inside the gym. She didn’t recall seeing anyone hurt on her way to the car. She’d finished her shower, dressed and left. Guess Diva left before I did, she thought of the woman who’d taunted her earlier. Kaitlyn was also a bit concerned about the memory lapses she was having. She remember sitting on the locker room bench, drying herself, but she didn’t remember the shower at all. It was like she’d slept through it. Sighing deeply Kaitlyn started the car and pulled out of the parking lot missing the stretcher as they wheeled Diva out and into the waiting ambulance, rushing her to Grady. She was in deep shock and her blood pressure was plummeting as she hemorrhaged from the soap embedded deep inside her.
Kaitlyn drove aimlessly for a while, having no real destination. Normally she would call Jaleesa and they would have lunch and shop. Sighing sighlty she called Tae. “Hey girl,” she greeted her friend.
Tae returned her greeting asking what she was up too.
“Nothing, you wanna hang out,” Kaitlyn asked.
Tae giggled and told her sure. “Shoe sale at Macy’s girl,” Tae told her as Kaitlyn laughed.
“Shit, we’re late then,” she returned as Tae laughed this time.
“I’ll pick you in 30,” she added as Tae told her that was straight and disconnected. Kaitlyn stopped at the convenience store grabbing some cheetos and a coke. She opened the drink, removing the prescription bottle from her purse. She took out one of the small pink tablets and swallowed it with the coke. Please, no headaches or blank spaces today, she prayed quietly. Her cell rang and she smiled seeing her husband’s name on the ID.
“Hi baby,” Kaitlyn greeted Tariq sweetly as they began to talk, clearing her mind and temporarily chasing all the ghosts away.
14
Tariq was still smiling slightly after disconnecting. Talking to his wife always had a calming and soothing effect on him. I hope we can hurry up and find out what we need to know, he mused as they entered the courthouse and asked to see the death records. The clerk directed them to the correct section, giving them each a form to complete. When Tariq told her they were together, she smiled and told them they only needed one form. Completing and returning to the desk, Tariq was given a log-in and password to access the computer that held the files. The three men headed to the solitary computer located at the back of the long gray hallway. The building was typical government decorated. Laws and ordinance signs littered the walls, concealing the worn and chipping areas of the steel gray paint that covered them. Tariq typed in the information they were seeking and hit enter. The computer whirred and beeped for a few seconds before the screen flashed the results of their query.