by KR Bankston
“I want you to make a home for me and this baby, to be with us, and not that bitch,” Kysha returned jealously.
She was in love with LaRon and the paper he made. She wanted the big house, the money and jewels she saw Jaleesa laced with when she came to the club. Now she had the means to secure it and she wasn’t letting go until she got what she wanted.
“You already know I’m not leaving my son,” LaRon told her, beginning to see red again. “You don’t hafta leave Jashon,” Kysha told him. “I think he’s a great little boy, I have no problem being his mama,” she added arrogantly as LaRon sighed deeply once again.
“Jashon has a mama,” he replied as Kysha sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes again.
“So what you gonna do Deuce,” she threw out regarding him once more, hand on hip, attitude full blown.
“How I even know this damned baby is mine,” he replied, earning him a slap from Kysha.
Reflex prevailed and he slapped her back, knocking her to the floor.
“No the fuck you didn’t hit me and I’m pregnant,” Kysha screamed. “Oh, I’ma have your ass locked up,” she yelled grabbing her cell from the table beside her.
“Wait baby, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” LaRon told her hurriedly as Kysha eyed him angrily. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he told her softly, scooping her up from the floor and carrying her to the bedroom of her tiny apartment.
LaRon hated coming here. It reminded him of all the poverty he’d worked so hard to get away from. The apartment was old and unkempt. The paint peeled from the awnings outside. The windows allowed the cold air to seep in during the winter months, making the inside almost as cold as the outside. Her walls were paper thin and every sound seemed to permeate throughout. Kysha herself was a terrible housekeeper. The apartment was always dirty and littered with fast food containers, half used weave packages, hair glue, dirty clothes and empty beer bottles.
“I’m sorry, okay,” LaRon told her softly, reeling his mind in as he kissed her lips and Kysha smiled back at him. “I would never hurt you or the baby,” LaRon continued to convince her as Kysha began undoing his pants, letting him know what she expected in return for her forgiveness.
LaRon went through the motions, undressing her and caressing her to readiness, before entering her and having sex with her. His mind was in continual motion as he thrust into her and Kysha moaned her pleasure. He had to think of a way out of this mess without Jaleesa ever finding out. Kysha was a mistake, but he was determined not to let her or a kid he didn’t want, or even fully believe was him, make him lose the love of his life and the child they’d made together.
“Mm Deuce, damn,” Kysha moaned aloud again breaking his thought.
LaRon closed his eyes, imagining his wife as he pounded the pregnant woman beneath him, finally fantasizing himself to orgasm and pulling out just in time.
“Why you do that,” Kysha asked breathlessly. “I’m already pregnant, Deuce,” she reminded him as she closed her eyes and drifted off.
LaRon lay catching his breath, the hate inside him building as the awaiting disaster that lay beside him began to snore.
*****
Mook and Kim were readying themselves to leave for the gathering. As happy as she was about seeing Tariq again, Kim was trying to set her mind to deal with his wife. Kim had never cared for Kaitlyn. She was a complete tramp as far as Kim was concerned. Sleeping with Ice and then getting with Tariq. Still her former boss loved the woman without question, and since she wasn’t one for starting drama, Kim decided to put her best foot forward to try her best to make the evening pleasant.
“You look cute,” Mook told her coming into the bedroom and taking her in.
Kim was wearing a multi-color halter, matching it with teal knee shorts and cute yellow and teal stack sandals. All the accessories complimented the outfit as the multi color hoops dangled from her ears.
“You look pretty sexy yourself,” Kim commented back taking in her husband’s physique in the body molding tee and jean shorts he wore.
Looking at the jeans she noticed the weighted pockets and gave Mook a look.
“Baby, we’re going to a barbeque,” she told him.
Mook smiled and told her he knew that.
Sighing lightly, Kim let the conversation go. In all the years they’d been together, she couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t leave the house armed. Even going to church, he insisted on carrying the gun in the car. She smiled slightly recalling how long she’d had to work at convincing him he didn’t need a gun inside a house of worship. “You reached Dixon yet,” Kim asked recalling they still hadn’t heard from the man since arriving.
“Yeah, this morning,” Mook replied applying his cologne and slipping on his chain. “He’s at his family reunion,” he continued as Kim grabbed her purse. “He’ll hook up with us later tonight or in the morning,” Mook finished, coming over and kissing her lips softly. “Let’s go enjoy some good food and good people,” Mook threw out jovially as Kim chuckled and agreed heading to the lobby of the hotel with him.
Please help me get through this evening and through being around Top’s wife, Kim prayed silently as the elevator reached the lobby and they walked outside to the waiting cab, climbing inside and giving him their destination.
Mook was in deep thought as they rode. He hadn’t shared everything with Kim, surmising she only needed to have limited knowledge of what was going on. I knew he should have killed that muthafucka, Mook thought of Tariq’s admission that Ian was no longer locked up in the mental hospital. Unfortunately the people Tariq had in place were facing incarceration themselves and no longer privy to any information that would have been useful. All they knew was he’d been released over a year ago, but that was it. Mook knew though. He felt in the very recesses of his being that Ian was close and he was making plans. This time when they all met up again, Armageddon would indeed take place. That was the true nature of the business that Tariq had requested his presence for. They were on the offensive, trying to find Ian before he could make any move and wreak any havoc. Unfortunately the man had a year’s head start on them. “Baby,” Kim called out shaking Mook’s thought.
Looking up he noticed they were at their destination. Getting out, Mook paid the cab and thanked him as the man nodded and drove off.
“Now what were you so deep in thought about,” Kim asked, watching him closely. “Nothing baby,” Mook returned, forcing cheerfulness to his voice.
She didn’t believe him, but Kim knew the time would come later for her to find out, so she again didn’t push. Everyone relaxed and temporarily forgot any issues when Tariq answered the door smiling and invited them both inside.
2
Dixon was thoroughly enjoying the feel of the woman as he had sex with her. He’d managed to talk Shavonne, one of his ex’s, into coming back to the hotel with him. After a few drinks and some smooth talk, Dixon had her undressed and him inside her in no time flat. Shavonne had always been a good lay, and he was glad to see time hadn’t tainted that one bit.
“Mmm,” she moaned as Dixon increased his effort, feeling the urge to get his release return full circle to his mind.
As he held her tightly, Dixon thrust into Shavonne a few more times before finishing and collapsing atop her.
“You still got it goin’ on girl,” Dixon told her softly as Shavonne giggled slightly and returned the compliment.
“So you wanna hit this barbeque with me,” Dixon asked rising and heading for the shower.
“Yeah, that’s cool,” Shavonne replied yawning and laying back down.
“I’ma grab a shower and then we can get ready to go,” he told her as she mumbled an okay and drifted off to sleep.
Dixon chuckled, mentally patting himself on the back for putting her to sleep, and stepped under the steaming spray.
Enjoying the hot water on his skin, Dixon thought about the job they were about to undertake. Ice is still alive, he thought as he showered. Dixon couldn’t lie and say the knowledge didn’t bo
ther him. He knew that if Ian ever found out about him working for Mook and with Tariq, his life would be over. Having worked for Ian all those years, Dixon knew the one thing the man was not, and that was forgiving. I sure as hell hope we find him first, Dixon continued to think as he finally ended the shower and stepped out of the tub. Drying himself he pushed the thoughts from his mind, preparing to return to the suite’s bedroom and Shavonne.
“Hey girl, come on and get up,” Dixon told her walking into the room in his underwear.
As he walked fully into the suite, he stopped in his tracks, not uttering another word. “How ya’ll,” Peyton greeted him.
Dixon continued to remain mute; his glance falling on Shavonne, as Seth held her tightly, caressing her bare breast with one hand, holding the knife to her throat with the other.
“Well now, come on in,” Peyton began again, the Cajun drawl thick as he talked. Dixon did as he was told, a very bad feeling enveloping him.
“What you two fools want,” Dixon questioned trying to sound brave.
Shavonne was terrified as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Now that ain’t no way to greet the men holding you and your pretty lady friend’s life in their hands, now is it,” Peyton returned still amused with Dixon’s demeanor.
“Have a seat,” he instructed, with a tone of authority.
“My name is Peyton,” he told Dixon calmly. “That’s my brother Seth,” he added pointing to the man still holding Shavonne.
“She’s a pretty one,” Seth said calmly looking directly into Dixon’s eyes as he continued to fondle the woman and she continued cry quietly.
“So what ya’ll want,” Dixon tried again.
Them giving them both their names didn’t bode well. It normally meant you weren’t going to live to tell anyone.
“Well now, personally, we don’t want nothin’,” Peyton told him, the amusement still on his face.
“It’s me you should worry about,” Ian said evenly, finally walking into the room through the open door, from the living area of the suite.
Dixon’s heart dropped when he saw his former boss enter the room. He barely heard the slight scream from Shavonne as Seth slit her throat from ear to ear.
*****
“Hey girl, come on in,” Kaitlyn greeted Tae as she arrived and came inside. Heading to the kitchen, Jaleesa squealed with delight seeing their friend.
“Girl, what is going on with you,” Jaleesa threw out once they stopped hugging each other.
“Shit, still doing my thing, you know how it goes,” Tae returned, grabbing the glass of wine Jaleesa poured.
“I miss ya’ll chicks,” she told them both as Kaitlyn smiled slightly.
Jaleesa noticed, but again said nothing. There was something going on with her best friend and the first chance she got to talk to her alone, she was going to find out exactly what it was.
“We miss you too girl, but lets enjoy this evening,” Kaitlyn replied grabbing her hand leading her to the guests outside.
“Hey girl,” Tariq greeted her, hugging her tightly.
Tae returned the greeting and teased him about being a ghost. She greeted LaRon but kept her distance. Despite what Jaleesa told her about him being a changed man, Tae wasn’t buying it. Not to mention, she’d been hearing some very interesting rumors in the streets about him these days.
“This is Kim,” Kaitlyn told Tae introducing her to the woman. “And this is her man, Mook,” she added as Tae greeted him as well, sizing him up as she spoke.
This muthafucka is fine as hell, she thought behind the smile. Kim caught the look and immediately decided she didn’t like this friend either. Mook smiled and said hello, he himself slyly taking in the sexy woman in front of him. He loved the tangerine, deep plunge top she wore. Her breasts sat at full attention inside and he briefly wondered what they would taste like in his mouth. His glanced followed the contour of her body down to her shapely butt, thighs, and legs. Tae was definitely sexy, that much he had to admit. Realizing he’d been staring a little too long, Mook immediately gathered himself and wandered back to the grill where Tariq was still cooking steaks as LaRon talked smack and gave him instructions. Tae smiled to herself having seen the man’s attention to her and returned to the kitchen with Jaleesa and Kaitlyn.
“That brutha right there is fine,” Tae said casually as both ladies laughed.
“Yeah, but he’s totally off the market,” Jaleesa told her point blank. “Kim is crazy as hell, I’ma warn you up front about that,” she added as Kaitlyn chuckled.
“Yeah, you have met your match right there,” Kaitlyn chimed in as Tae laughed and told them it was cool; she was already juggling the three she had on the line right now. “Girl you are a mess,” Jaleesa told her, secretly envying the woman’s lifestyle.
Tae was still single and while for all intents and purposes, Thames was her main, she made no bones about having her side fun.
“What?” Tae threw back pouring herself another glass of wine. “I don’t fuck all of em, shit,” she told them as everyone laughed.
They knew what she meant. That was how they all rolled when they hung together.
“KiKi,” Tae began again, looking directly into the woman’s eyes. “You don’t miss the life, not even a little,” she asked calmly.
Jaleesa was waiting for that answer as well; her curiosity once again peaked about Kaitlyn’s current mindset.
“Yeah, I miss it,” she replied simply as Tae let the conversation go and moved on to something else.
Jaleesa observed the look and the answer when Kaitlyn spoke, not liking at all what she saw.
*****
Dixon’s mouth dropped once he turned his attention back to a now lifeless Shavonne, as Seth calmly rose from the bed and her body sprawled backwards spread eagle on the slowly saturating sheets. Dixon’s eyes finally left the woman’s body and returned to Seth who shrugged slightly as he cleaned the blade of his knife and put it back inside his pocket.
“Now that I have your attention,” Ian spoke once again as Dixon’s life began to flash before his eyes.
“If you’re gonna kill me, then do it,” Dixon told his former boss, wanting to go out with at least some dignity left.
Ian chuckled and sat down in the chair Dixon had occupied only moments earlier.
“Oh I’m going to kill you,” Ian told him. “On that you can depend. However, you’re going to play your part first,” he added as Dixon scoffed.
“Man, fuck that, and fuck you,” he told him bravely as Ian again chuckled.
“You’re still tough as nails Dixon,” he told the man calmly as both Peyton and Seth regarded him, irritated at the disrespect he’d shown so far.
“But you will not win this fight, and you will die,” Ian began again. “Now, the question becomes, is Shavonne going to be the only casualty you cause to die with you.”
Dixon didn’t like where the conversation was going. There was something even more cold and sinister about Ian and his tone of voice.
“Rebecca looks good for a woman her age,” Ian threw out casually as Dixon’s fear and fury exploded.
“You stay the fuck away from my mama,” he yelled charging at Ian.
Seth dropped him with a single kidney punch. Dixon was struggling to breathe as he rose to his feet once more, only to have Peyton hit him in the midsection. Ian calmly watched as the two brothers worked the burly bodyguard over for the next ten minutes. He finally stopped them as Dixon looked ready to slip into unconsciousness.
“Listen carefully,” Ian told him standing directly beside him as he sat in the chair they’d placed him in.
“If you don’t follow my directions to the letter, I will butcher you mother and give her back to you in pieces,” he told him coldly.
Dixon had every reason to believe Ian. He’d asked him years ago about his own parents. Ian had calmly told him about his father’s suicide upon finding out about his mother’s infidelity. “I killed the bitch 6 months later,” I
an said calmly going on to give Dixon the gory details.
“What do you want from me, Ice,” Dixon replied subdued and defeated. “Don’t hurt my mama,” he begged as Ian again replied that was directly up to him.
For the next thirty minutes, Ian gave Dixon detailed directions of everything he wanted done and how often he expected a report.
“Don’t try and cross me either,” Ian warned as Dixon again sighed deeply and told him he understood.
“How is KiKi,” he asked finally.
Seth was interested in his answer as well, paying close attention as the man spoke. Dixon told them about the loss of her child as well as KiKi herself being shot. The fact that she wasn’t in the game anymore and that she and Tariq were still very married.
“Hmph,” Ian replied as his mind raced.
It broke his heart to hear of her loss and Kaitlyn herself being hurt. As far as her marriage to Tariq, Ian could care less. When he was finished, she would be a widow and the two of them would be together again like they should have been.
“Where do they live now,” Ian asked.
Dixon supplied the address he was given earlier by Mook as Ian smiled slightly.
“Good work,” he replied stepping away from the man.
“Get yourself together and go to the gathering,” Ian barked. “This mess will be cleaned up, but please believe if you fuck up, it will be right back at your doorstep,” he finished as Dixon nodded again but said nothing.
Rising finally he began to dress trying his best to block out the sounds of Seth and Peyton as they gathered Shavonne’s body and walked out of the suite, Ian right behind them.
*****
“So what the fuck, KiKi,” Jaleesa pounced now that they were alone for a little while.
Tae was outside conversing with everyone else as the two ladies prepared more side dishes.
“What are you talking about Tweety,” Kaitlyn threw back, giving away nothing.
“First of all, you can stop bullshittin’,” Jaleesa returned, looking right into Kaitlyn’s face.
“You know I know you, so again, what the fuck,” she asked tightly as Kaitlyn continued to watch her friend wordlessly.