by KR Bankston
She told the men that after she heard the door closed she tried her bedroom door just wanting to get into the living room and possibly use the phone to call Seth, and found it open.
“I didn’t see a phone, so I decided to try and get away instead, since I was alone,” Gabrielle finished, laying her head back on her brother’s chest.
Seth looked up at Ian who nodded slightly that he believed her. Sighing deeply, Seth rose, still holding his sister and began to carry her back to the truck as everyone else followed. As glad as they were to get Gabrielle back unharmed, there was a deep sense of disappointment that they hadn’t found and killed the men responsible for snatching her in the first place. Seth also had other questions for is sister, but they would wait, he thought continuing to hold her as they rode. He could see the jealousy in Peyton’s face as he glanced at the two of them during the ride. Arriving at the hotel, Seth again carried Gabrielle upstairs and laid her gently on the bed, since she’d fallen asleep. They decided to pack and leave tonight. There was no other reason to remain in the state as far as Seth was concerned, beside which, he had business waiting when they arrived home.
*****
Mook was enjoying lunch at the grill, having a bison steak and taking in the scenery as someone very familiar walked inside. He never slowed his progress, continuing to devour the steak as he kept a watchful eye on the visitor. The hostess turned toward his table walking the patron to their own, when their eyes finally met. “Hi,” Tae greeted him after telling the server she was fine and would seat herself. “Wassup,” Mook replied calmly, still eating.
Smiling still, Tae took her time looking him over, making sure he noticed.
“May I,” she asked pointing to the empty seat in the booth.
Shrugging slightly, Mook said nothing as she took a seat and he got an up close and personal view of her beautiful peach complexioned breasts. His lust immediately began to stir.
Tae looked into his eyes as the waitress approached and asked for her order. She gave the woman a list of what she wanted and how she wanted it prepared; never removing her eyes from his. Alone once more after the server left, Tae spoke.
“So, are you content just to undress me with your eyes, or do you want to do it for real,” she asked point blank.
Mook smiled slightly at her bluntness, finishing the last bite of his steak. “I think you already know the answer to that,” he told her calmly, sipping the beer he’d asked for. Tae smiled again, pleased with his response. “But,” Mook began, setting his glass down. “It’s not going to happen,” he finished as Tae again smiled slightly.
She was disappointed, but hid it well.
“I think you’re sexy as hell, Mook,” she told him again honestly. “I’m not looking for a connection, or even asking you to leave your girl,” she went on as he continued to watch her wordlessly. “I just wanna appease my curiosity,” Tae finished and left the ball in his court.
Mook took another long drink from his beer and set the glass down again. “Well, I don’t lie, so I’m not gonna sit here and tell you I haven’t thought about it,” he began as Tae listened intently. “But I can’t hurt my girl like that, and she has done nothing to deserve being disrespected like that,” he told her calmly. “Tae, I’ll probably always wonder what it would have been like to fill you up,” Mook told her as Tae felt her thong becoming damp. “But, how about we both settle for the fantasy of, what if, and call it a wrap,” Mook finished and sat back in his chair, picking up his beer again.
Tae gave him a gracious smile and told him she thought that was a perfectly wonderful idea. The waitress brought her food as they ate lunch and conversed, no boundaries broken, a firm understanding of the line drawn between them.
*****
Jaleesa was stuffed. The steaks had been cooked to perfection and the salad and corn set them off.
“Man, that was good,” LaRon commented as Jaleesa readily agreed with his sentiment. “I need a nap,” she chuckled as he laughed with her.
“Come on, lets go take one,” LaRon suggested.
Jaleesa rose and followed him to their room, undressing and getting under the comforter. LaRon joined her moments later after shutting down the grill and washing his hands. He pulled her close holding her and looking into her eyes as she looked into his.
“You are absolutely beautiful,” he told her sweetly as Jaleesa smiled and kissed his cheek.
Reaching over her, LaRon opened the drawer of her nightstand and handed her the black velvet box.
“What’s this,” Jaleesa asked.
“Open it,” LaRon replied simply.
Flipping the lid of the box upward, Jaleesa gasped as she saw the 4-carat ruby and diamond encased tennis bracelet.
“Deuce, this is beautiful,” she told him sincerely.
LaRon smiled at her reaction. He knew Jaleesa loved rubies. They were her favorite stone. He owed her that bracelet and so much more.
“I’m glad you like it,” he told her quietly, kissing her lips again and taking the box from her hand, placing it back on the nightstand as the kisses became more insistent and his hands began to roam her body.
“Tweety, baby,” LaRon murmured as he continued to kiss and arouse her.
Jaleesa closed her eyes allowing his touch to envelope her completely. Are you gonna sleep with Mecca too, her conscience threw at her, bringing Peyton and her indiscretion screaming into her conscious thought stream. She was confounded at the moment. LaRon had cheated on her. He’d hit her again. He’d spent the last few years taking her and their relationship for granted. But you love him, still, her mind told her as LaRon’s tongue brought her back to reality and the orgasm gave her blessed release.
“Mmm,” Jaleesa moaned as LaRon continued to his work, desperately wanting her to give them another chance.
He slowly kissed his way back up her body.
“Tweety, my sweet Tweety,” he murmured as she felt him enter her, bringing a loud appreciative moan from her.
She didn’t realize how deprived she’d felt until that particular moment. Her sex drive seemed to be on overdrive. Shit, Jaleesa thought a realization gripping her. She was pregnant again. Dammit Deuce, she thought as he continued making love to her and bringing her swiftly to orgasm. There was no doubt in her mind he’d managed to knock her up again. Jaleesa knew it wasn’t Peyton’s child. She’d made him use not one, but two condoms, when they had sex. Now what the hell am I gonna do, she thought as LaRon returned to her lips, kissing her deeply and taking her mind off anything except the fantastic sensations he was bringing as he continued his ascent to release. They both came hard moments later, holding each other tightly and breathing rapidly. As Jaleesa stroked his back, her mind continued to race. So much had changed in the last few minutes.
18
Kim was still pissed about the interruption yesterday. She and Hope were just about to actually talk when Mook called and told her he needed her. Thankfully the woman had graciously agreed to stay another day and Kim was determined nothing would get in the way of their conversation today. After meeting the woman, she was more intrigued than ever to get to the bottom of the mystery she’d stumbled into. Mook had informed her yesterday that he, Tariq and LaRon were headed to Louisiana this weekend on business. Kim had questioned him about the type of business but Mook was extremely vague and never truly answered her question. What the hell are they really up too, she wondered dressing and readying herself to once again visit Hope at her hotel.
“That’s a cute dress,” Mook told her as she walked back into the bedroom where he was still lying down watching ESPN.
“Thanks,” Kim threw back smiling as she looked for her shoes.
Mook took in the jersey material and how it clung to her every curve. It was a cute tangerine and olive combination with drawstrings on the side. As she turned to slip her shoes on, Mook frowned slightly noticing the length of the dress.
“Umm, you gonna put on some tights, some leggings or something with that,” he a
sked calmly.
Kim straightened up and turned toward him frowning in confusion.
“Baby, its 80 degrees outside,” she told him still smiling slightly, thinking he was kidding.
“OK, then you need to change,” Mook told her, his gaze never leaving her.
“Why, I thought you liked the dress,” she threw back not liking where the conversation was headed.
“Miss Kim,” Mook began and she knew.
He was jealous as hell and Kim already knew that, but normally Mook never complained about her outfits, well not to the point of asking her to change them.
“That shit is too short, clinging to your ass and shit,” he spat getting angrier she could tell.
“Baby, its thigh length,” Kim tried as Mook raised an eyebrow.
“Who’s fuckin’ thigh, a midget,” he threw out as Kim almost laughed but didn’t.
“Mook, don’t be like this,” she tried, giving him her sweet voice.
Mook continued to look at her as he rose and walked over to her, standing right in front of her now.
“Take the bullshit off and put on some clothes or your ass ain’t going out of this room today,” Mook replied, his tone still no nonsense.
Kim sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes as she began removing the dress. Normally she would have stood her ground, but she needed to get to Hope today, so she gave in. Mook smiled slightly unseen by her, watching her pout and grumble as she searched for something else to put on.
“I’ll find you something in a minute,” he told her picking her up and throwing her playfully back into bed.
“Stop boy, I don’t have time for this,” Kim tried to protest as Mook climbed in and pinned her down kissing her deeply, her body telling her mind to shut up, because they definitely had time for this.
*****
Gabrielle was relaxing inside the small boat house that sat on their property. It was where they kept the fishing boat Seth and Peyton went out into the swamps and back waters in. She liked coming out here to think. It was quiet and peaceful and normally neither of her brothers ventured to the place unless they were going fishing. Her mind was on Jaron. As much as Gabrielle didn’t want to admit it, she missed him. She missed his smile, his gentle touch, the soft resonance of his voice as he held her after they’d made love. What are you thinking stupid girl, he kidnapped you, her mind tried to tell her heart. Gabrielle still couldn’t bring herself to be angry with him. Jaron had done everything he could to make her happy while they kept her at the apartment. He’d never hit her, or cursed her. What you gonna do about your situation, her mind asked again as Gabrielle sighed deeply. Her period still hadn’t shown up. She really wasn’t worried just yet. It was only a couple days late and of course given all the stress she had been under, that could very well be the reason it hadn’t shown up.
Tired of thinking about it, Gabrielle rose and headed back toward the house, her mind on Ian now. He’s never gonna love you, her mind told her as Gabrielle finally accepted that truth and relegated her feelings for the man to the back of her mind as a lovely fantasy. Getting closer to the house she heard raised voices alerting her Seth and Peyton were fighting yet again. Gabrielle couldn’t understand why they seemed to always argue. It was if they hated each other and only tolerated each other for short periods of time. Sighing deeply she silently crept into her room as the argument continued. Gabrielle closed her eyes trying to block them out as they moved to various rooms throughout the house. She only hoped it didn’t escalate to violence. Peyton was a lot of talk, and of course with a weapon in his hand he was brave, but he was no match for Seth’s brute strength. Stretching and closing her eyes, Gabrielle wrapped the pillow around her head and drifted into a light sleep.
*****
Shells watched Tae as she made the second pickup.
“Dis gal she don’t learn,” he mumbled, following her once more as she left.
He’d left Kaitlyn once she entered the gym, knowing she would be there for the next couple of hours. She seemed to enjoy working out and went every day he soon found out while tailing her. Tae continued on her way, arriving moments later at her apartment once again. Shells parked and waited until the got all her bags out of the car, minus the dope, which he saw her stash under the spare tire. He was irritated but didn’t know why. Should I go and confront her, take the dope from her, Shells continued to ponder before recalling his conversation with Tariq yesterday.
“Damn,” Shells mumbled aloud again. It finally hit him. The women were dropping the dope in Louisiana. They too damned headstrong the lot of them, he thought rolling yet another blunt and smoking it. Shells had done a bit of investigating into the three women after talking to his friend yesterday. Seemed all three used to run dope and weapons on a regular basis and were damned good at it. Still Shells knew that the game had changed tremendously in the years they’d all been idle. While he knew Tae was still active for the most part, she wasn’t running large scale like they were trying to do now. There is no honor no more, Shells thought of the entire business. Personally he preferred the assassin end of the job and that’s why he stuck to it. Noticing movement, Shells looked up to see Tae returning to her car and backing out once again. Starting his own vehicle, Shells checked his watch, decided he had time, and began following her once again. Tomorrow is gonna be a long day, he thought of the road trip Friday morning to the Bayou.
*****
Kareem and Mecca were talking amongst themselves waiting on Ian to arrive.
“I like Ice,” Mecca told his friend as Kareem instantly agreed.
“I think he would make us unstoppable,” Kareem told him. “Seems like we were destined to hook up anyway,” he went on. “I mean what are the odds, our suppliers are his past and the meanest one is his heart,” Kareem chuckled at the end of the sentence.
Mecca smiled as well. “I’m sure she wasn’t like that when they were together,” he added as Kareem continued to laugh. “You and Tae worked everything out, she know the deal,” Mecca asked giving his friend a look.
“I’m letting her do her little independent woman thing for now,” Kareem told him as Mecca nodded absently. “Course once I get her here tomorrow, we’re going to come to some understandings,” he added darkly as Mecca again agreed.
The knock at the door interrupted further conversation as Mecca rose opening it and inviting Ian inside.
“Wassup fellas,” Ian greeted them both as they returned the greeting and offered him something to drink.
Settling on bottled water for now, Ian sat down in one of the plush highboy chairs in the professionally decorated living room. Ian liked Kareem’s house. It was secluded and tucked away in an exclusive area of the city. Close enough to be convenient but far enough to be private. The landscape was exquisite with lush green grass every direction your eyes looked. The hedges were neatly manicured as were the three huge trees that provided the yard with ample shade.
“Are you ready for tomorrow,” Kareem asked Ian.
He sighed deeply, eyes taking on a faraway look, before answering the question.
“I’ve been ready for tomorrow for the last five years,” he said simply.
Mecca could actually feel the man’s pain and anger in the statement. He could only imagine what he would do to Tariq when he finally got the chance to kill him.
“I talked to Tae earlier this morning,” Kareem told them. “She said they’re leaving early morning and should get here right around 1:00PM or so.”
Ian nodded thoughtfully. “Cool,” he replied. “Can we get in the suites early in the morning to set things up,” he asked as Kareem assured him they could.
“I’m actually picking up the keys tonight when I pay for them” Mecca threw in.
Ian again nodded. He had to stay calm and not get anxious. He only had to wait another 24 hours and his heart would be back in his arms.
“You do know Tweety is basically married and has a kid right,” Ian questioned Mecca. He was actually beginning to like the
man a lot. He wanted to know if he would have to kill him once he took Jaleesa’s life.
“Yeah, I know about that,” Mecca replied shrugging slightly. “I’m pretty sure she just wants some dick on the side, and I’m cool with that,” he added chuckling slightly as Ian smiled too.
He might prove useful after all is said and done, Ian thought behind the smile. Kareem he didn’t really care for, finding the man sneaky and dishonest, even for the criminal enterprise they were all involved in.
“I’m going to head over and check on Brie,” Ian told them preparing to leave their presence.
“Hey, that’s cool, Ice, but could we talk a little bit before you do,” Kareem asked as Ian continued to sit and wait on the man to speak.
Kareem told him how much respect both he and Mecca had for him, giving him a deep and detailed explanation of their enterprise and the hopes they had for the future.
“We think you’re just the man to complete that triangle Ice,” Mecca told him as Ian smiled again slightly.
“I’m not sure I’m going to stay in Louisiana once I get KiKi back,” Ian told them dishonestly.
Truthfully, he had every intention of staying here, but reclaiming Atlanta as well.
“I think we can convince you that it would serve you well to stay,” Kareem told him confidently.
Mecca nodded his agreement as Ian sighed lightly and told them he would remain open minded for now.
“That’s all we ask,” Kareem replied.
Ian again nodded and vocalized his understanding, rising and this time making it to the door.
“Call me once you’ve gotten the keys,” he told Mecca who told him he would.
Bidding the two men goodbye for now, Ian opened the door and headed out. There was much to do, and time was running full steam ahead.
*****
Hope was struggling to get the eggs and toast down. She really didn’t have an appetite but she had to eat before she could take her medicine. Her doctor had prescribed powerful pain killers, since she stopped taking the chemo treatments. Please God, not yet, Hope prayed silently forcing another piece of the dry bread down with a sip of coffee. She was too close now. For so many years she’d prayed, wished, wondered. Now Hope finally had an opportunity to put all the pieces in place and she was determined not to leave this earth until she gave it her all. Kim seemed like a very nice woman. Hope smiled thinking that it was the woman’s own deep curiosity that had brought them both to this place, meeting and perhaps finally finding closure.