by KR Bankston
“Top, that’s the one in charge,” he asked, his tone nonchalant.
“Yeah,” DeNoah told him. “Deuce was his right,” he added as Shamar sipped his coke and grunted again.
“So he flyin’ solo now,” he prodded, asking all the right questions.
“Nah,” DeNoah replied. “He brought in new blood, new muscle,” he added and Shamar saw the bitterness.
“So you odd man out now or some shit,” he asked hoping to play on DeNoah’s emotions.
“Nah, Top is still straight with me,” he replied with a conviction he didn’t mean.
Shamar knew he was on to something, but he didn’t push anymore right now. He didn’t need DeNoah to get suspicious. Changing the subject he saw DeNoah visibly relax. There’ll be another time and I’ll get everything I need from your gullible ass, Shamar thought behind the smile as the stripper came to their table and began giving them a private dance.
******
Tae arrived at the closed facility and got out of the car. She was meeting a potential client who wanted to cater a luncheon at the country club she now stood in front of. He wanted to meet at the actual location so she could see for herself what was needed. Gathering her briefcase and locking the Range, she began walking up to the front door. Tae took in the beautifully landscaped grounds as she walked, loving the smell of the aromatic blossoms that seem to blanket her entire visual plane. She loved all the contrasting colors, finding them pleasing to her senses. She glanced over toward the man made lake that graced the landscape, thinking how tranquil and serene the water looked as it gently lapped at the edges where land restricted further movement. Still smiling slightly she approached the front door finally, surprised to find it unlocked, as she entered and began looking for her potential client.
Tae saw the signs leading the way to the banquet area and turned heading in that direction. The 3-inch steel gray stilettos illuminated the hallway with a sharp staccato symphony as she walked. She was dressed in the matching steel gray suit, tailor cut, with the soft azure accessories. Tae approached her destination and gently pushed the door open, walking into the empty room.
“Mr. Sellars,” she called out after not seeing anyone or hearing any movement for a few moments.
Tae shrugged slightly and took a seat, opening her briefcase as she looked around the room and began to imagine set up and decorations.
“I apologize for being late,” Creeper told her entering the room and startling her slightly.
Tae rose, holding out her hand and smiling as she accepted the apology and formally introduced herself.
“It’s a pleasure Mr. Sellars,” she told him as Creeper smiled and motioned her to sit again.
“I think we’re way past the formalities, don’t you Tae,” he threw back as she frowned slightly.
Damn, why didn’t I bring my gun, she thought not liking his tone or the look Creeper was giving her now.
“Excuse me,” Tae tried calmly.
He chuckled slightly as she heard the door open and turned to the sound. Tae’s mouth dropped as Jalen walked in the room.
“Jesus,” she said under breath ad Creeper chuckled again.
Walking right up to the table he sat down and looked into her eyes seeing the questions. Jalen was again praying his own nervousness didn’t show as he talked to her. He didn’t know how much longer he could pull off the acts Ian had him doing. He just wasn’t hard enough for this life and he was slowly beginning to realize that. Still the fear of destitution kept him playing along.
“How’ve you been Tae,” he asked calmly as she swallowed hard but didn’t speak.
“Something wrong,” Jalen baited her.
“Who are you,” Tae asked finally, praying he didn’t say Ian.
Her mind was racing. She was positive that Ice was sitting right in front of her after some plastic surgery and she wasn’t leaving this room alive.
“My name is Jalen,” he told her calmly seeing the woman relax visibly. “Jalen Bailey,” he clarified as she frowned deeply again.
Reaching inside the pocket of the suit jacket her wore, Jalen extracted several photographs, laying them on the table in front of her.
Tae’s eyes grew even bigger as she looked at pictures of her sister and niece; very personal, very close range pictures.
“What do you want,” she threw back, her voice a pained whisper.
“KiKi,” he said simply.
Tae began shaking her head no as Jalen sighed deeply.
“Don’t make me kill them,” he told her with as much authority as he could muster.
Honestly just saying the words made him physically ill.
“Why do you want KiKi,” Tae asked, trying again to keep the fear from her voice.
“Personal business, unfinished personal business,” Jalen clarified. “Leave her alone, she had nothing to do with Ice’s death,” Tae threw out surmising Jalen had revenge on his mind. “How are you related to him anyway,” she asked still trying to buy time and think.
Jalen smiled slightly, cocking his head to the size and giving her a smirk. “How do you think,” he told her smartly. “Look at me,” he spat again.
Tae grunted and said nothing else. I didn’t know he had any other brothers, she thought as Jalen sighed again.
“Call her,” he began again. “Tell her to meet you,” he went on as Tae continued to shake her head no.
She wasn’t going to help this fool kill her friend. She just wasn’t going to do that.
“No, I’m not going to help you hurt her,” Tae finally told him, pushing the table hard and knocking Jalen off balance.
Jumping up she ran for the door, actually making it outside. Tae didn’t waste time wondering if they were chasing her as she ran back down the hallway, making it again to the foyer and seeing the front door. Just as she got close enough to touch the handle, Tae felt arms encompass her waist lifting her from the floor as the rag covered her mouth and nose. Fighting as hard as she could, Tae was no match for the ether’s brute strength as the darkness overtook her and she stopped fighting.
“Put her in the car,” Jalen told Pirate calmly as he held the unconscious woman. “Ian will decide what he wants done with her,” he finished as the three men left the country club.
Creeper took Tae’s keys driving the Range and parking it discreetly out of sight.
*****
Gabrielle was thoroughly enjoying her day with Kim. She was happy for some female company for a change, instead of the constant dose of testosterone she was accustomed too. They were browsing Victoria’s Secrets and Kim was testing out fragrances while Gabrielle browsed lingerie.
“Why did you leave me, Gabrielle,” the voice softly asked.
Spinning around, she again saw no one. Dismissing it as a thought in her mind, Gabrielle returned to her browsing.
“How could you forget me,” the voice began again. “I love you so much.”
Closing her eyes and counting to ten slowly, she turned around, once again finding no one. Gabrielle was breathing hard now, frightened at the thing happening to her. Am I going crazy, she wondered. She knew the voice was Seth’s. She could never forget him or Peyton either for that matter. Gabrielle loved her brothers and there wasn’t a day she didn’t miss them. So why is his spirit haunting you, her mind threw out. Gabrielle recalled all the Bayou superstition she’d been taught all her life. Normally she didn’t pay it a bit of attention, but now she was experiencing it firsthand.
“What do you want from me,” she said softly aloud to the spirit she thought was haunting her.
There was of course no answer and Gabrielle again was at a lost to explain the phenomenon.
“Hey girl,” Kim greeted her walking back to where she was in the store. “You okay,” she asked, seeing the distress in the woman’s face.
Gabrielle nodded but Kim wasn’t sure she believed her.
“Do you think this is cute,” she asked Kim, changing the subject as she held up the baby blue teddy and match
ing thong.
“Yeah, for the five mintues Jaron is going to let you keep it on,” Kim quipped as they both burst into laughter and Gabrielle’s mood drastically changed for the better.
The women continued shopping a while longer, adding another three outfits and more cologne to their order and heading for the register. Victor took the small recorder from the salesgirl and handed her the five one hundred dollar bills. She thanked him and returned to her job, no questions asked. He continued to watch Gabrielle as she finished her transaction and both women left the store. Soon enough, he thought of them taking her and him finally getting the woman he wanted as a part of his life.
16
“What’s that look for,” Tariq teased as he came to Kaitlyn in their bed.
She smiled and said nothing. Tariq began kissing her, his hands caressing her body. They’d been in bed most of the day, making up for lost time when he was in Louisiana. “I like you when you’re extra horny,” he murmured as Lauren giggled.
She was extremely pleased with herself at the moment. She’d been free for almost a whole day now and no one could tell the difference. Soon I’ll be free all the damned time, she thought as Tariq began sucking her nipples gently.
“Mmm,” Lauren murmured, loving the things he did to her.
This man can definitely get it anytime he wants it, she continued to muse as Tariq went lower and Lauren’s eyes rolled back into her head.
“Right there,” she moaned as Tariq took her clit between his teeth and sucked gently. She felt the orgasm hit her and her entire body shook.
“Mmm, that’s nice,” Lauren moaned yet again as Tariq continued tasting her.
Lauren liked being with him. He was a really nice guy. He didn’t hit her or curse at her like Carlo. Even when they had sex, he always made sure she was satisfied too. Maybe I’ll stay with him, and not kill him, Lauren told herself as Tariq’s lips met her own again.
Kissing him deeply Lauren felt herself fading. No, not yet, no, she screamed as the darkness again descended. Kaitlyn came to herself with Tariq gently sucking her neck and his hand squeezing her breast. Taking a deep breath she relaxed and continued their foreplay. She couldn’t panic right now. Kaitlyn couldn’t let the man she loved, the man right now engaged in passionate lovemaking with her, know that she couldn’t remember yesterday or anything she did.
“I love you so much baby,” Tariq told her softly, kissing her again as he slid inside her. Kaitlyn moaned softly her problem temporarily forgotten as her husband made love to her. Tariq was the best lover she’d ever had, and Kaitly loved every minute of him being inside her. Even better than Ice, her mind questioned. Kaitlyn ignored the thought, instead concentrating on the orgasm Tariq was bringing her too. He kissed her neck softly, murmuring how good she felt, when Kaitlyn felt the rush and cried out loudly. Tariq returned to her lips kissing her again as he guided her down, continuing to make love to her for the next forty mintues.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Tariq told her three orgasms later, kissing her again as Kaitlyn smiled and told him okay.
After he closed the bathroom door, Kaitlyn’s smile left and the worried scowl encompassed her face. What is wrong with me, she continued to think. She couldn’t remember anything after leaving Macy’s with Tae. I don’t even remember him coming home, Kaitlyn thought of Tariq.
“You’ve got to pull this shit together,” she mumbled to herself.
Kaitlyn was scared. Something really wrong was going on with her mind and if she wasn’t careful it would cost her everything. She gathered herself quickly hearing the shower stop and Tariq moving around in the bathroom. He emerged moments later. “Go ahead and shower baby,” he told her sweetly. “Then we’ll go eat,” he continued as Kaitlyn rose walking over to him. “I’m starved for some reason,” he teased bursting into laughter as Kaitlyn smiled and playfully rolled her eyes at him, heading into the shower.
*****
Jacoury was giving Trail instruction before he left, headed back to Atlanta for a few days. “I’ll be back this weekend,” he told him as Trail nodded his understanding. “When me and Mell handle this business down south, we’ll find a new manager,” Jacoury told him. “That is, if you don’t decide you want the job permanently,” he teased Trail.
The man chuckled and told him he’d see as he headed back to the bar and his work. Jacoury was still smiling as Tyashia came into the office.
“Hey baby,” he greeted her, rising and walking over to her, hugging and kissing her softly.
“Hey,” she returned softly.
“What’s wrong,” he asked looking at the expression on her face.
Tyashia sighed deeply before speaking. “Sabrina and her girl Michelle are about on my last nerve,” she said angrily of her co-workers.
Jacoury asked her to elaborate.
“They’re just being bitches for no reason,” Tyashia answered. “I mean, I do my job and I help out,” she went on as Jacoury continued to listen. “But that damned Sabrina just goes out of her way to be nasty to me,” Tyashia told him. “And of course since Michelle has no mind of her own, she’s right there with her girl.”
Jacoury sighed softly and kissed her again. “Sabrina has a thing for me,” he told her honestly as realization dawned for Tyashia.
“Well damn,” she replied as Jacoury chuckled. “It’s not funny, Jacoury,” she told him, pouting slightly. “You could have warned me,” she added as he laughed full out now.
“Baby, I’m sorry,” he told her finally gathering himself. “Listen,” he began as he gently stroked her face. “Do you know anything about office stuff, bookkeeping maybe,” he probed.
Tyashia nodded. “Yeah, I used to do the books for this club back home,” she told him. Jacoury smiled brightly telling her that was great.
“So here’s the deal,” he began as he told her what he needed her to do.
“Yeah, I can do that,” Tyashia replied.
Jacoury told her that’s what he wanted then.
“You let Trail handle those two, and you handle my money and my books,” he told her. “OK,” Tyashia replied.
“What,” Jacoury asked; taking in the look she was giving him.
“I’m just impressed you trust me like this,” she told him as he smiled again.
“Tyashia, baby, I can read people pretty good,” Jacoury told her. “You’re a good chick, a down with her man chick,” he went on. “That’s hard to find these days, and trust and believe when you find it you should hold onto it.” Jacoury told her, kissing her deeply. “That’s why you ain’t goin’ nowhere,” he whispered softly in her ear, bringing a smile to her face. “I’ll see you this weekend, OK,” he replied as she nodded and he kissed her again.
*****
Kim found Mook sleeping when she returned to the house and was careful not to wake him. Mook normally didn’t nap during the day, so Kim surmised he was either exhausted or they were meeting tonight and handling business. Heading for the kitchen, she began quietly moving around pulling out the recipe she’d found for lasagna. She chuckled to herself of her attempt to cook at all. Kim was not domestic, not that Mook minded; she just wanted to be able to surprise him every now and then. Chuckling quietly she began gathering the ingredients, making the salad first.
“That was easy,” she murmured, grabbing a glass of wine and turning the radio on softly. “Now comes the killer,” Kim sighed as she began reading the recipe and praying it was edible when she finished.
Mook was sleeping deeply as his mind overtook him and the dreams wrapped him in their protective cocoon. “Shit, you are fine,” Mook told her softly as he removed the last of her clothes and she stood naked in front of him. “Can I see how fine you are,” she asked as Mook smiled. Walking over she began slowly removing his shirt, licking his nipple as he lifted his arms for her to take it over his head. “Damn,” Mook murmured, liking the action. She smiled again, unzipping his pants and letting them drop to the floor. “Mmm, is all this for me,” she as
ked taking his erection in hand, caressing it through the fitted boxers he still wore. “Yes, and I’ve been waiting a long time to give it to you,” he murmured pulling her close and kissing her deeply. She ended the kiss pulling away and slowly removing the underwear, his hard desire right in her face. “Looks yummy,” she murmured taking him into her mouth and sucking gently. “Yeah, shit,” Mook murmured as he guided her head. She sucked harder, throating him as Mook struggled not to shoot his load. She was so damned good, he thought behind the closed lids.
“That’s so good,” Mook murmured again as she stopped suddenly and he opened his eyes. “What’s wrong,” he asked looking into her face. “I want you here,” she told him, lying on the bed and spreading her legs. Mook licked his lips taking in the sexy brazillian waxed work of art that was calling him. He went to his knees burying his head between her legs, his tongue and the stud doing what they did best. “Mook, mmm, damn,” she murmured almost coming off the mattress when she reached orgasm the first time. “Juicy ass peach,” Mook murmured inserting his tongue even deeper inside her. “Aaah,” she moaned reaching orgasm yet again. “Do what you’ve been dreaming of,” she told him softly as Mook’s eyes found her own again. Smiling he rose and climbed into bed with her.
Lying on his back, Mook pulled her into his lap, sliding inside her as she groaned deeply, drenching him as she came yet again. “Mook, this shit is so damned good,” she moaned riding him hard. “Yeah baby, damn, your shit is so tight, so damned wet,” Mook moaned as he too began feeling his orgasm looming. “You wanna cream it don’t you,” she asked. “Yeah, damn yeah,” he moaned. “Then do it Mook,” she screamed, the orgasm descending. “Take this pussy baby, make it yours and cream it,” Tae moaned senuously as she came hard and her body shook.
Mook sat straight up in bed, sweating profusely, still hard as steel. “What the fuck,” he mumbled as the dream screamed still in his subconscious. Gathering his bearings, he detected the aroma of food and knew Kim was home. Jumping from bed he hurriedly went into the bathroom, turning on the cold shower, praying the erection left before Kim discovered him. You better make sure she never, ever, finds out about that damned dream, Mook thought stepping under the spray finally. He sighed deeply knowing his subconscious was only giving life to the things he felt concerning Tae. I gotta find a way to shake these damned cravings, Mook thought as he heard Kim’s voice fill the bathroom telling him to hurry up because it was time to eat.