by KR Bankston
“Well damn,” Tae remarked. “How you gonna stay mad at a sweet ass man like this,” she murmured grabbing her purse again and making it to her car, visions of roses clouding the thought of ribs as she turned on I-20 and headed for the spot.
12
“Ice is already on the move,” Mook told Tariq as they met at Mardi Gras inside his private office.
“Shit,” LaRon replied frowning deeply as did Tariq.
“What’s the story,” he asked as Mook told him about Dixon being found dead in his mother’s house.
“She called me, knowing he worked for me doing security,” Mook explained.
Tariq nodded as Mook continued, telling them both he’d sent the money for Dixon’s funeral as well as another 15K to his mother.
“That’s cool,” Tariq replied.
“The problem is,” Mook began again as both men gave him their attention. “We have no idea how much Dixon did or didn’t tell Ice before he killed him,” he spat irritably. The others sighed knowing he was right.
“What do you know so far,” LaRon asked Mook.
He went on to tell them about the sneak attack in Miami on two of his biggest distribution houses.
“They take anything? We lose people?” Tariq immediately asked.
Mook smiled slightly and told them both no.
“The lieutenants I got at those houses make Tony Montana look like a bitch in comparison,” he told them referring to the character from Scarface.
“They killed all but two of them,” he added as Tariq nodded thoughtfully.
“Make them muthafucka’s talk,” LaRon said grabbing a glass and pouring himself a drink.
There was entirely too much going on today.
“Lemme get one of those,” Mook said as LaRon agreed and made him a drink as well. Tariq already had his glass in front of him.
“Shells is on KiKi,” he told them calmly as they all sat again.
Grunting LaRon told him it was a good choice. Mook didn’t know who they were talking about, so he withheld comment. Tariq quickly brought him up to speed on the man and his expertise.
“Good looking’ out,” Mook told him after the explanation.
“She has no clue?” he asked giving Tariq a look.
“No, but I know that sonofabitch is plotting how to make sure she knows he’s alive,” Tariq said angrily.
“I should have killed him,” he murmured half to himself, speaking aloud what the other two men had been thinking for years.
“Just make sure you kill him this time,” LaRon told him, dismissing the, what ifs, and moving forward.
“Without doubt,” Tariq said plainly.
“What about these DuBois brothers,” Mook asked, recalling what Jaron and Mace reported.
“If they get in our way, they’re dead,” Tariq replied without hesitation. “I don’t have beef with them personally, but it’s up to them to keep it that way,” he added as both men agreed.
“You want the two brought here,” Mook asked, pulling out his cell readying himself to call his crew.
“Yeah bring me one,” Tariq said. “The weaker of the two,” he added telling them it would be easier to break them if they were divided. “That way they can’t draw on each other for strength,” he finished as LaRon nodded and Mook agreed, making the call.
He talked for a few moments and gave the order. Disconnecting he told Tariq they would be leaving the city within the hour.
“They should be here by morning,” he told them knowing how long the drive was. “That’s fine,” Tariq replied. “Let’s make a spot for our impending guest, shall we,” he threw out as LaRon and Mook smiled sinister smiles and told him that sounded like a plan. Rising finally, and heading out into the dusk as the sun was beginning its descent and the night was preparing to have its way.
*****
Zeke was waiting for his cousins and Ian to arrive. He’d found a of couple men who said they’d seen something. Hearing the truck pull up, Zeke headed to the front door to open it and let everyone inside. He was surprised to see Kareem and Mecca. They normally didn’t come around much, thinking they were socially superior to himself. Zeke suspected they looked down their uppity noses at Seth and Peyton too, but were too chickenhearted to voice it.
“Hey ya’ll,” he greeted them all as everyone returned his greeting, except Kareem and Mecca, who gave him a condescending smirk.
“What you find out,” Peyton asked impatiently.
He wanted his sister back right now. Zeke held his hand up, signaling him to relax. “They be here in a minute,” he returned as Seth groaned and Ian said nothing.
He was almost positive that Brie being snatched went back to Tariq. If they hurt her, I’m going to kill them even more painfully, he thought to himself of the man or men that had the woman.
A knock at the door interrupted everyone’s thoughts as Zeke again headed forward to open it, inviting the yet unseen guests inside.
“Hey Calvin, Leeman,” Seth greeted the two men, recognizing them immediately as did his brother.
Calvin greeted them both as Zeke introduced Ian, Kareem and Mecca.
“Tell ‘em what ya’ll told me,” Zeke prompted knowing the men were growing impatient. Calvin and Leeman swallowed hard and began to speak.
“Two of em, askin’ questions bout you and Seth,” Calvin told Peyton.
“Yeah, could tell they wasn’t from around these parts,” Leeman chimed in as the men all continued to listen.
Peyton prompted them to say more as they both began to excitedly tell them about the questions, describing each man and the car they drove.
“You see the plates,” Seth asked as Ian paid close attention.
“Aayeah,” Leeman replied. “Don’t member the number, but was Mississippi plates,” he told them as Ian frowned deeply and Seth knew the man’s suspicions had just been confirmed.
“When the last time you see them,” Peyton asked.
Leeman told them last time he remembered seeing them around was the day Corey was killed.
“Did you see Brie with them,” Ian asked, speaking finally.
“No, I seen them alone,” Leeman replied. “They was going in the direction of the riverfront though,” Calvin added as Ian again frowned and thanked them.
The two men left soon after and the talking began in earnest.
“We got descriptions but they could be anywhere in Mississippi,” Peyton spat, frustrated.
“No, not really,” Ian replied as everyone again gave him their attention.
He named a city for them and even gave them an area they should look in.
“Ghosts of the past,” Kareem asked calmly.
Ian nodded slightly.
“Lets go, get there tonight, darkness will definitely be our friend,” he told them as Seth rose first, Peyton following.
All the men headed outside deciding the driving and riding order as Zeke appeared moments later loaded with weapons.
“Thanks Zeke,” Seth told him as Zeke nodded.
He didn’t ask to go, knowing his place was here in Louisiana in case things went wrong and they needed rescuing themselves.
“We’ll hit you up later,” Peyton told his cousin, climbing into the Range and putting on his seatbelt.
“Ice, why don’t you ride with me and Mecca,” Kareem threw out as Seth gave him a look.
Ian frowned slightly before turning to Seth and giving him a look.
“Go ahead,” he told him amiably.
Shrugging slightly Ian turned and climbed into the Escalade with Kareem and Mecca, all of them starting the trucks and headed toward Mississippi, blood in their eye and murder on their minds.
*****
“Who is it,” Kysha asked warily. She knew she was wrong for the text she sent LaRon last night and she’d been on pins and needles all day waiting for him to respond or show up.
“It’s me baby,” LaRon replied calmly.
Kysha caught her breath as he heart began to race.
She didn’t detect any malice or anger in his tone, so maybe he actually wasn’t mad at her. Taking a chance Kysha opened the door and found LaRon leaning in the doorframe holding a beautiful spring bouquet of flowers.
“Can I come in,” he asked amiably, kissing her softly as she stood at the door now holding the flowers herself.
“Yeah, I’m sorry,” she told him moving out of the way. “Come on in.”
LaRon came inside and headed straight to her kitchen, opening the refrigerator and removing himself a beer, coming back into the living room.
“You’re not drinking these are you,” he asked giving her a look. Kysha smiled and told him no, she kept them for him. “Hmph, okay then,” LaRon replied amiably.
Finally relaxing completely, Kysha came and sat beside him, happy he was here. LaRon put his arm around her shoulder pulling her close as she laid her head on his chest.
“How you feeling,” he asked drinking half the beer and belching loudly.
Kysha giggled and told him he was a pig as LaRon chuckled.
“I’m okay, better now that you’re here,” she told him honestly as she looked into his eyes.
LaRon smiled and gently stroked her face. “You missed me huh,” he asked softly putting the bottle down and squeezing one of her breasts.
“You know I did, Deuce,” Kysha told him heating up already.
“How about you show me how much,” he told her unzipping his pants as Kysha jumped at the proposition slurping greedily on his hardening sex.
“Don’t be shy baby,” LaRon told her as he pushed her head down on his erection. Kysha giggled again her mouth full of him as she sucked obediently.
“Mmm, yeah that’s it baby,” he told her, feeling his end near. “Yeah girl,” he moaned as she continued, eyes closed oblivious to the look of hatred on his face as she finally tasted his finish filling her mouth. “Swallow it,” he told her noticing the look of disgust come across her face.
Forcing herself to comply, Kysha did as he asked, smiling at him as she looked up and found LaRon with his head back on her couch, eyes closed. She was about to rise from her knees when he stopped her.
“Nah, why don’t you stay right there,” he told her zipping his pants and hitting her in the face closed fist, knocking her backward onto her back.
“Deuce, what, wait, stop,” Kysha wailed as LaRon began to beat her mercilessly.
Her mouth was bleeding as was her nose, as he punched her again.
“Please,” Kysha was begging as she tried to crawl away from him.
LaRon grabbed her ankle pulling her roughly back to him on her belly.
“My baby, stop Deuce, please,” Kysha cried as she began to wretch and then vomit. LaRon didn’t care. He was a madman at this point. All he could see was her text and his wife packing her bags. Even now Jaleesa was at her mother’s house, not their own. He wasn’t going home to her warm body tonight. He wasn’t going to open her legs and feel the tightness of her inside as he made love to her. No, tonight LaRon was going to sleep alone, cold, and empty. Longing for the woman who made his heart beat, only to know she wasn’t there; and it was all thanks to this ignorant bitch laying at his feet in a pool of her own bile.
“You wasn’t worried about no damned baby last night bitch,” LaRon told her acidly picking up the candle sitting on the table. “You’re a nasty bitch, a whore, a pussy with legs, that comes with way too much fuckin’ drama,” he railed pulling her thong to the side as he held one leg under his body and the other in his hand. LaRon rammed the candle inside her as Kysha screamed. The pain was intense as she felt the wetness. LaRon saw the liquid escaping her. He knew her water had broken, but he still didn’t care.
“You don’t deserve this damned baby, and it sure as hell deserves more from life that a bitch of a mama like you,” he raged, rising and kicking her hard in the stomach.
Kysha began to vomit again as she continued to suffer under his carnage.
“Bitch,” LaRon said simply as he wrapped the shoestring he’d taken out of his pocket around her throat.
Kysha was struggling as hard as she could to escape his murderous grasp, but LaRon was far too strong and she was too badly injured to fight anymore as her air grew shorter and the room grew darker.
“Enjoy hell nasty bitch,” he hissed as Kysha’s consciousness left her and everything went black.
LaRon continued to strangle her for the next seven minutes wanting to make sure she was dead and never able to come back and cause confusion for him or his family. Rising finally and standing over the motionless body, LaRon felt nothing but satisfaction that he’d given her just what she deserved. Picking up his flowers and carefully opening the door with his shirt tail, he left quietly and closed the door behind him, whistling softly as he got into his truck and headed for Mardi Gras. He needed another drink.
13
“I’m beginning to get jealous,” Tariq told Kaitlyn as he held her and kissed her lips softly.
“Silly,” Kaitlyn replied sweetly, her hand gliding over his sexy chest, turning him on. “This is the last trip for a little while,” she told him sweetly as Tariq continued to stroke her body, now gingerly squeezing her breast.
“OK, I guess,” he pouted as Kaitlyn kissed him again.
She was thankful Tariq wasn’t like LaRon and gave her grief about wanting to hang out with Tae and spend a little girl’s time.
“Bayou Classic huh,” he asked again, his hand moving lower.
“Mhmm,” Kaitlyn replied, beginning to lose focus on the conversation.
Tariq noticed and chuckled, taking the opportunity to whisper in her ear.
“You can only get this from me,” he told her seductively, biting her neck now, putting her hand around his erection.
“Ahhmm, yeah,” Kaitlyn moaned as Tariq’s other hand found her on switch and began turning up her temperature.
“Are you really okay with me going honey,” Kaitlyn asked as Tariq began moving lower. “I trust you baby,” he told her earnestly, smiling and looking into her eyes. The statement made Kaitlyn feel even worse for the lies. Forcing herself to smile back, she again pushed away the guilt as her husband continued to arouse her.
“Oh god,” Kaitlyn moaned as Tariq brought her to orgasm, and was now slowly entering her.
“Mmm, baby, shit,” Tariq murmured, thrusting into his wife holding her tightly against his body.
He loved the feel of her. He loved the sounds she made, purring her approval. Thinking of Ian still being alive and trying to take her from him again filled him with rage.
“Slow down baby,” Kaitlyn told him as Tariq came back to himself, not realizing he was being so rough; the thoughts of Ian causing the change.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Tariq told her, kissing her lips gently.
“Did I hurt you,” he asked looking at her apprehensively.
Kaitlyn smiled and stroked his face, shaking her head no. Smiling back, Tariq returned to their lovemaking, not allowing any thoughts other than their pleasure to enter his head.
Holding her in his arms afterwards, Tariq watched her sleep. Kaitlyn was so beautiful to him. He remembered falling in love with her like it was yesterday. The thoughts of course brought back all the horrors associated with that love. It’s not her fault, his mind told him as Tariq readily agreed. Ian was crazy and he was obsessed, which made him twice as volatile and deadly in Tariq’s estimation. He felt even better about his decision to have Shells watch his wife. He knew how the man felt about marriage and family. There was nothing that Shells would allow to happen to Kaitlyn if it were humanly possible to stop it. This is going to be over soon baby, he thought tracing her cheek gently with his finger. Kaitlyn didn’t stir and Tariq smiled again wondering if she were pregnant, recalling the last time she used to sleep this soundly was when she was carrying Khari. His hopes heightened, Tariq finally closed his own eyes and allowed sleep to find him.
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br /> *****
Kim checked her phone, looking for her latest literary fix. She was a member of an online book club, readersinmotionbookclub, and she loved the posts the various authors put on the site. Right now she was reading a book called, XIII. It was just starting but she was already hooked. As she went online, the icon popped up alerting her she had an email. Clicking on it, Kim was pleased to see a reply email from Hope Cisneros. Damn, do I really wanna open this, she thought, knowing full well she would. Putting XIII on hold for a minute, Kim instead opened the email and began to read. ‘I think you and I should talk face to face’ Hope had written. Kim was intrigued. ‘Please keep this between the two of us for now, for reasons I’ll explain later,’ it ended. Now Kim’s curiosity was definitely on full throttle. What in the world was this woman going to tell her when they talked. Call her and set up the meet, duh, her mind threw out as Kim laughed at herself and pulled her cell out once more dialing the number for Hope Cisneros.
“Hi, Ms. Cisneros,” Kim greeted her after the woman answered.
“Hello, Kim,” Hope greeted her by name, finding it enclosed with the initial email.
“I was glad to get your reply,” Kim told her. “I wanted to see when you wanted to actually meet,” she put on the table.
Kim heard the woman sigh softly and prayed she hadn’t changed her mind. This entire mystery was really doing a number on her psyche and she needed some answers like yesterday.
“I’m in Chicago,” Hope told her calmly.
Kim frowned slightly. She hadn’t counted on the woman being that far away. How was she going to get away from Mook that long without him asking questions?
“I’m willing to fly to Atlanta however,” Hope began again as Kim’s heart sang.
“That would be great,” she told her as Kim gave her the name of a neighboring hotel. “Call me when you’re in and settled and we’ll go from there,” she told Hope.