by KR Bankston
“Either I’m hungry or this is the best fried chicken ever,” Blue teased as Kaitlyn chuckled aloud.
“Probably a combination of both,” she replied devouring hers as well.
Once they were both full, they rose and headed to their separate beds.
“What’s this,” Kaitlyn asked, picking up the folder.
Blue walked over to her and took it from her, laying it back onto the bed.
“Lauren, I know the things you went through with your father,” he began as her face shadowed.
“That folder contains a lot of his life after he was arrested and locked away,” he went on as Kaitlyn regarded him silently. “Tomorrow, when we’re on the road again, I’m asking you to take a deep breath, open that folder, and begin to read it,” Blue said evenly.
Kaitlyn looked into his eyes questioningly and he smiled at her.
“Tomorrow,” he said simply, kissing her lips softly and telling her goodnight as he turned and put the folder up, getting into his bed.
Still curious about the request, Kaitlyn thought about it a few moments more before fatigue forced her to climb into her own bed, closing her eyes and sleep finally claiming her.
*****
“Are you sure you won’t stay,” Cyiarra asked softly as Tariq tucked Hasaan in and left the bedroom.
He stood looking at her silently for a few moments more seeing the love and longing in her eyes.
“No CiCi,” he told her gently as the hurt mirrored her face. “It’s best that I don’t,” he added and kissed her cheek before turning and leaving her alone to her thoughts.
Getting into his car, Tariq’s mind spun. He replayed the events of the night again and again. He kept seeing his father sitting on that makeshift throne and heard the insane things he was spouting about blood, and curses, and witches. It began to make him physically ill. Managing to make it back to the house he went inside and grabbed the bottle of cognac, sitting down and pouring a drink. He threw back three shots consecutively before rising and going to his closet, once more pulling down the box of photos. Tariq slowly began looking through the stacks, pictures of himself and his brother when they were young, their parents smiling as they stood behind them. He couldn’t fathom that his father was a DEA agent and their entire lives had been once sequence of lie after the other.
He didn’t realize the tears were falling until one hit the photo he still held. It was a picture of himself with his father after one of his little league games. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Tariq hurt over the loss of his father. There was still some feeling and emotion there for the man. He’d spent years telling himself his father was dead, or that he left them for some very good and noble reason. Tonight he found out that his father was just a confused man with a skewed purpose in life and it’d destroyed him, costing him everything. That’s what happens when you spend a lifetime lying to yourself, Tariq thought as he took another drink and opened yet another photo album. This one contained pictures of himself and Kaitlyn. Tariq smiled as he looked at photo after photo of them smiling and holding each other lovingly. Even the hurt at seeing their daughter Khari, didn’t dampen the joy in his heart as he continued to peruse the album. We should have never, ever, been apart, Tariq thought. His father’s obsession with Kaitlyn’s aunt came screaming into his mind.
“I’m not like him,” he said aloud angrily.
Tariq readily admitted his love for Kaitlyn, it was every other force that seemed intent on keeping them apart.
Closing the albums he rose and headed to the shower. Tariq turned the water up as hot as he could stand it and stepped under the spray. He continued to deliberate his next move. They still had business to handle, deals to be made and brokered. Tariq also thought about the fact that Kaitlyn was divorcing Ian. She doesn’t love this Blue guy, he told himself. So why did she leave with him then, his mind tried to assail. Tariq scoffed and dismissed it knowing Kaitlyn left to save him. She’d always sacrificed herself and their happiness to keep him safe and it made him love her even more. Leaving the shower Tariq dried himself and headed into his bedroom, sitting on the side of the bed. His cell vibrated and he picked it up seeing the message from Mook. He sent a quick reply text that he was fine and at home, throwing the instrument back onto the bedside table. His adrenaline finally spent, Tariq felt the effects of the liquor and the night’s drama land on his shoulders like a twelve thousand pound bull elephant, as he collapsed onto the bed, asleep almost instantly.
Epilogue
Kim was enjoying her day, having started out early shopping and running a few errands. Things were slowly but surely getting back to normal some three months after that fateful night. She and Mook were doing great and the drama of Tyshon had been put to the very back of her mind. Her cell rang as she climbed into the truck and began driving.
“Hey girl,” Kim greeted Jaleesa.
They talked at least once a week or so, further deepening their growing friendship.
“Nothing really, just did a little shopping, heading home now to see what Mook is up too,” Kim told her.
Jaleesa chuckled and told her sounded like a plan.
“How is Jacoury,” she asked as Jaleesa sighed and told her he was okay.
“He still won’t talk about that night, but I know he and Ramell, Tariq and Mook have discussed it,” she told Kim who grunted slightly.
“Yeah, I get basically the same deal here too,” she threw out.
Jaleesa asked about Cyiarra and Kim again sighed softly.
“She’s still around and I know Top spends lots of time with his son,” she told her as Jaleesa grunted.
“He’s still not feeling being with her though,” Kim added as Jaleesa told her she suspected as much.
“I’ve tried to tell her as nice as I can she needs to move on, but hey,” Kim began anew as the house came into view.
“You can’t make a person do what’s good for them,” Jaleesa told her. “Trust me, I’ve tried,” she added and Kim knew she was thinking about Kaitlyn.
“Yeah, I definitely get that,” Kim replied. “I’m here, heading inside now,” she told her as Jaleesa amiably told her that was cool and she’d hit her up later, disconnecting.
Walking into the house Kim saw the package lying on the counter. It wasn’t unusual for them to get things delivered, but something about this one made her stomach knot. Fortunately Mook was still sleeping so she knew KiSean had to have gotten it from the mailbox. Quickly picking up the package, Kim headed into their spare bedroom and opened it. The plain black case fell into her lap, as did the note that accompanied it. Swallowing hard as she ran her fingers over the slender case, she already knew what was inside. Dammit, Kim thought crossly as she unfolded the note and began to read. ‘I know what happened to Tyshon that fateful day,’ it began as Kim grew more and more uneasy. ‘Here are some things however that you didn’t know,’ it went on. ‘Tyshon was setting you up for King Diesel, who addressed him by his first name, Mason, when he worked for him’ the note told her as Kim frowned deeply. ‘This is the original and only copy of the DVD showing you as you killed him,’ the note informed. ‘The house was wired for sight and sound, fortunately for you, I was the one watching it that day,’ the note continued. ‘I suggest you be more careful in the future,’ the note ended as Kim’s eyes fell on the signature, ‘Blue’, it read simply.
Kim quickly rose and destroyed the note as well as the DVD, placing both items at the very bottom of the kitchen trash and quickly covering them again. She wasn’t sure what the man’s angle was for helping her, and it may very well come back at some point to haunt her, but Kim was just glad it was over and she knew the truth. He always was a sneaky ass bastard, she thought angrily walking into the bedroom as Mook continued to sleep. Taking off her clothes she prepared to walk into the bathroom and grab a quick shower.
“Why don’t you come over here first,” Mook told her as Kim jumped slightly and turned to him.
He was propped on his elbow eyeing
her nude body, smiling slightly.
“I thought you were asleep,” Kim teased as she stood right beside the bed now.
“My sex-o-meter went off and woke me up,” Mook replied pulling the covers back so Kim could see his standing erection.
“You’re just horny,” she teased as Mook reached out and pulled her into bed with him.
“Mmhmm and I’m about to make you horny too,” he told her, lips finding her nipple and turning her switch to on.
Kim moaned softly as he continued his work, moving lower and lower until he and Miss Fatty were once again on a face to face basis.
“Mook, damn,” she moaned louder now as his tongue brought her quickly to orgasm.
Mook started blowing softly on her still throbbing clit, driving Kim wild. After bringing her to the brink of yet another orgasm, he licked his way back up her body, parting her legs and sliding inside her.
“Damn girl, this thing is hot and wet,” Mook told her lewdly in her ear.
Kim grabbed his butt in response pulling him deeper. He loved the feel of her as she began grasping him with her sex and he felt his end nearing.
“Horny ass,” Kim moaned softly as she fell over the edge and Mook held her tighter his finish surging inside her.
“Love you too,” he teased as Kim chuckled and they continued to hold each other and nap.
*****
Tae and Ashlyn were meeting for lunch today. Tae knew her sister was still crushed finding out about her adoption and parentage the way she did. For almost a month Ashlyn had been incommunicative with their parents, or older sister. Tae was the only person she would open up too. Sa’Cari of course had been there for her every step of the way and Tae saw the love between them blossom even more. Ashlyn entered the restaurant breaking her thought as Tae looked up and smiled at her sister. “Hey,” she greeted her, standing and giving her a big hug. Ashlyn smiled back and returned her greeting as they sat down and the server came over to take their drink orders. Giving the information requested the server left them alone to go and retrieve the requests.
“How are you,” Tae asked looking deeply in Ashlyn’s eyes.
“I’m okay Tae, getting a little better every day,” the young woman replied.
“You’re still on campus,” Tae asked once more.
Ashlyn had moved out of her parent’s home and into an apartment with her friend on campus. Sa’Cari of course had been trying to get her to come live with him, but Tae was proud of Ashlyn for standing her ground and telling him she needed time to think on her own.
Ashlyn told her she was on campus and that classes were going well.
“What about you and Sa’Cari,” Tae questioned.
Ashlyn sighed softly before looking her sister in the eye and answering.
“I’m breaking up with him,” she told her as Tae frowned slightly.
“Why,” she asked simply.
Ashlyn shrugged and told her right now she felt totally disconnected and lost.
“I can’t function most days Tae,” she told her sister honestly. “How am I supposed to be a girlfriend or even his wife when I don’t even know who I am,” she began as Tae saw the tears again.
“I think about the stuff that happened that night, that Sa’Cari let them scare the hell out of me like that,” she told Tae who sighed again understanding what she was saying.
Still she had to try and reason with her sister. Tae was a hustler’s chick and she’d been in the game a long time. Sa’Cari wasn’t going to let Ashlyn go that easily and her sister needed to be prepared for the fight. The server returned interrupting them once more, getting their lunch choices this time. Once they again departed, Tae opened her mouth and began to speak.
“I’m not going to tell you what to do or who to be with Ashlyn,” she began as her sister paid rapt attention. “But I am going to tell you what to expect if you go through with the breakup plans you have,” she added, going on to enlighten her sister about the life and the man she’d chosen to share her life with, as well as his role in that life.
Ashlyn’s eyes filled with tears again as Tae explained the truth of what she did, what Shells did, and some of the other people she’d met that night.
“You think he would hurt me,” Ashlyn asked quietly, the fear evident.
Tae immediately assured her she didn’t think Sa’Cari would harm her.
“But he’s not going to just say sure okay Ash, go live your life,” Tae told her honestly.
“He’s in love with you and he’s going to pull out every stop to keep you, intimidate every man you try to date, just be a total nuisance,” Tae told her trying to lighten the mood a little.
Ashlyn sighed again as their food arrived and they began to eat.
“Do you love him Ash,” Tae asked as they finished eating, paid their check, and were standing outside the restaurant.
“Yeah,” her sister replied.
Tae hugged her again, telling her she understood.
“Take your time Ash, make sure it’s what you want,” Tae told her.
Ashlyn looked her sister in the eye a while before speaking.
“I don’t have that much time,” she told Tae who frowned slightly.
“I’m already three months pregnant,” Ashlyn told her as Tae’s mouth dropped and her mind whirled.
*****
Cameron was still brooding over losing Nikki yet another time to her thug boyfriend. True to her word, she’d stopped coming over to his place and if they studied together it was in a very public place and she never stayed more than two hours with him. The final blow came for him yesterday when Nikki admitted she was once again pregnant with his child. He’d smiled and congratulated her, but inside Cameron steamed with hatred for the man who’d stolen her heart away from him. How was he going to break them up now, he thought taking the keys from his pocket putting them into the lock and opening his door. Coming inside, Cameron threw his briefcase on the table and headed into his kitchen opening the fridge and removing a bottle of water. Turning and walking back into his living room, he stopped in his tracks, lowering the water bottle and staring open mouthed at his guest.
“Wassup,” Ryan greeted calmly, .10mm in hand, silencer attached.
Cameron swallowed hard as he continued to watch the man wordlessly, waiting on him to speak and praying he wasn’t going to die today.
“You don’t seem to understand what stay the hell away from, means,” Ryan told him without emotion.
“I only study with Nikki, in public places,” Cameron hurriedly explained.
Ryan smiled slightly.
“You still want her though don’t you,” he asked giving the man a look.
Cameron quickly shook his head no, trying to pull off the lie by adding how much he respected their being together.
“Is that so,” Ryan asked, still sitting comfortably. “Then why were you so upset yesterday about our great news,” he queried as Cameron frowned slightly and Ryan chuckled.
“Yeah, Nikki she’s my heart, but she doesn’t recognize bullshit as readily as I do, especially when it’s someone she genuinely likes,” Ryan told him rising now.
“You are a complication Cameron,” he spoke taking the safety off the gun. “Nikki and I are happy,” he continued talking as Cameron continued to pray.
“We have a beautiful daughter and hopefully a handsome son with this baby,” Ryan addressed, pointing the .10mm at him now.
“Even if I let you live, you’d be continually trying to find some way to undermine what we have, and I just don’t like complications,” Ryan told him firing the first time.
The bullet hit Cameron in the chest and his eyes grew big.
“You should have listened when I gave you that free pass,” Ryan again spoke, standing over him as Cameron gasped on his knees.
Ryan shot him twice more, another to the chest, and one to the head.
“Pass revoked muthafucka,” he said evenly, putting the gun back into his pocket and calmly exiting Cameron’
s apartment, reminding himself to stop at the store and get the chocolate ice cream Nikki was craving.
*****
Ian was sipping his drink and thinking about his situation. He and Kaitlyn were separated but so far he’d been successfully battling the divorce. Quickly retaining Ray to handle the proceedings, Ian had managed to force Kaitlyn to remain in Overton Park because of their daughters. She wasn’t hostile when they met, but she was cold and reserved, which bothered Ian even more. At least with her hostility he knew where he stood with her. The woman he was dealing with now was a mystery to him. Ian also wasn’t happy that Blue was still a part of her life. The man had seemingly attached himself to her without invitation. Kaitlyn spent time with him but she hadn’t slept with him, Ian thought, having paid handsomely for the informant she now employed as her nanny. What is his damned angle, Ian continued to brood. There had to be more to Blue than an ex-lover wanting another chance and Ian was determined to find it. His thought temporarily shifted to Gabrielle and the child she still carried. He picked up his cell and made a call, the nurse answering on the second ring.
“Good afternoon Mr. Bailey,” the woman responded amiably.
Ian returned the greeting going on to ask how Gabrielle was today. The nurse replied that she was fine and the baby was fine as well. Thanking her, Ian disconnected as his mind recalled their conversation. “You can’t keep me here,” Gabrielle screamed once they arrived at the private facility and she’d been brought inside. “Yes I can, and I will,” Ian told her. “Until my child is born and your right’s dismantled, you will remain in this facility,” he said coldly as she began to cry. “Why Ice, why are you hurting me like this,” Gabrielle asked quietly, sitting curled in the corner of the bed the room contained. Sighing deeply Ian chose not to address the question simply telling her she would be taken care of, and compensated for all her distress. “You can’t pay for this Ice, you can’t pay for destroying someone’s soul,” Gabrielle told him as Ian turned without a word and left her in the room. That was almost five months ago. The child was due in the next month and everything would finally be over. Ian would have his son and Kaitlyn would be spared the pain of childbirth and delivery.