Thin Ice 3 - Armageddon (27 page)

Shells liked looking at her. She was a beautiful woman, and he loved the vibrant green sundress she was wearing. It was fitted so it hugged all her curves. Shells loved looking at her butt when she turned around to answer a question Jaleesa had asked.
Sexy woman,
Shells continued think as his mind fell on Kareem and removing him from Tae’s life. Sighing deeply Shells didn’t think about it any further. He would do what he had to do to ensure she didn’t transport any more dope for this loser and that she and the other ladies all remained safe. Kaitlyn returned and Shells chuckled seeing the cheetos and coke in her hand. Tariq had laughingly told him about his wife’s favorite snack. He knew the man loved her; there was no doubt in his mind about that.
She need to stop lyin’ to her man,
Shell’s thought, making up his mind to tell Tariq about his wife’s activities once they all met up in the Bayou. Finished with the gas pump, Tae placed the nozzle back in its holder and looked around again. Shells continued to observe her unnoticed until she got back into the truck and started it once more, turning and heading for the interstate. The women were laughing and talking obviously and listening to music as he followed watching them bob up and down melodically. Reaching the highway, Tae turned onto the on ramp, as did Shells, the Malibu never given a second thought as the truck ahead of him picked up speed and the trip began.

*****

Ice was up early, his anxiety level high. Looking at the clock he saw it was already after 10:00AM.
They should be on their way,
he thought heading for the shower to begin his day. He stopped and called room service ordering breakfast. He also tried calling Brie again, but continued to get voicemail. Ian began to worry that something might really be wrong and decided he would check into it after he dressed. He still had a few hours before Kaitlyn arrived and he came to see her. Stepping under the steaming spray Ian let his mind wander as he showered. He thought about the last five years and being locked inside the filthy mental hospital. He thought about the torturous electroshock he endured. The endless probing and overmedicating they forced on him; all in an effort to destroy his mind.
That shit didn’t work,
Ian continued to think finishing his task and exiting the shower.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror he began to worry for the first time since putting his plan into action.
What if she doesn’t want to be with me,
his mind threw at him. Ian had to remember it had been years since she’d seen him. There was no telling what horrible things Tariq had planted in her mind over the years. Ian had to also shoulder the blame for some terrible things he himself had done to Kaitlyn in the past. Thinking of her rejecting him saddened him deeply and he prayed it wasn’t the case. He wanted Kaitlyn to remember the love they shared. To remember how good her life had been with him when they were together and he gave her the world. He wanted her to love him back and them to have the life that was stolen away from them by Tariq and his lies.

“
I am going to blow his brains out,” Ian said angrily aloud, finally dressed and heading out the door.

He would make one more run by the house and see if Brie were there. Then he had to get back and be in place. Ian would only get one chance this easy and he wasn’t going to blow it, not for any reason. Settling the matter in his mind, he picked up his room key and headed out.

*****

Gabrielle woke in a panic before taking in her surroundings and relaxing once again.
You should at least let Seth know you’re all right,
her conscience threw at her. She wanted to call, but she was terrified. What if Seth found her again? Would he kill her like he killed Peyton? What were they arguing about that became so violent? Gabrielle had so many questions but no answers. Jaron came into the room interrupting her thoughts as she looked up and smiled at him.

“
Good morning,” he greeted her sweetly.

“
Hi Jaron,” Gabrielle returned as he smiled at her knowing his name.

“
Do you need to call someone and let them know you’re all right,” he asked looking at her closely.

Gabrielle told him she would, but not right now.

“
OK baby,” Jaron returned, not pushing.

She hadn’t given him any further explanation about last night and he hadn’t asked. “Why don’t you go ahead and shower, then we can go eat,” he told her as Gabrielle frowned slightly.

“
I don’t have anything to wear,” she returned as Jaron nodded thoughtfully.

The escape last night had definitely been impromptu.

“Give me your sizes and I’ll go get you something to wear out, and then we’ll do some shopping,” he told her as Gabrielle smiled and thanked him. After getting the information he asked for, Jaron left her alone, telling her he would return shortly. He gave her the spare cell he had and told her to make the calls she needed too while he was out. Gabrielle sighed deeply after hearing the front door close and lock as she still held the cell phone deciding if she would call or not.
Who else can I call,
she continue musing as Ian came to mind. She dismissed that thought knowing Ian and Seth were close and her brother could possibly talk the man into believing that they needed to come get her again. Gabrielle continued to wrack her mind until she thought of someone, and dialed the number.

“
Hello,” Zeke answered, not recognizing the number.

“
Zeke, this is Gabrielle,” she told him calmly trying to keep the fear out of her voice. “Girl, I sure am glad to hear from you,” he threw back excitedly.

Gabrielle began to get anxious. What if Seth was there?

“
Did you hear what I said,” Zeke inquired after getting no response.

Gabrielle reeled her thoughts in and apologized for not listening the first time, asking him to repeat what he said.

“
I said there’s been an accident,” he told her as she asked what and Zeke paused before speaking.

“
Maybe you better come on home and I’ll tell ya,” he tried as Gabrielle sighed deeply and told him to just tell her now.

Zeke went on to tell her about the boating accident and that both Seth and Peyton drowned. Gabrielle covered her mouth with her hand as the tears ran down her cheek. She already knew Peyton was dead, but Seth was a complete shock to her.

“
They find the bodies,” she asked softly.

Zeke told her they had recovered one, but suspected the gators had gotten to the other.

“
Which one,” Gabrielle asked as the knot began to tighten in her stomach. “Don’t know, Sheriff will only release that information to you,” he replied as Gabrielle thanked him and disconnected just as he asked where she was.

Jaron returned moments later with an outfit, complete with shoes. She showered and dressed, speaking as they were walking out of the door.

“
I need to call the coroner when we get back,” she said calmly as Jaron gave her a look.

Gabrielle told him the whole story as they rode and Jaron listened intently.

“
Relax baby, you’re safe now,” he told her earnestly as they stopped at the restaurant, parking in an available safe.

“
Your old life is behind you, we’re together now and that’s all you need to worry about,” he finished as she smiled again and his world brightened.

Kissing her softly, Jaron got out walking to her side and opening the door. He made a mental note to ask her about her cycle later.

*****

“Hey Kim,” Tariq greeted her smiling. Kim mustered up the best smile she could and greeted him back, hugging him gently.

“
You came to see your man off,” he teased as Mook smiled slightly himself.

They’d barely slept last night, dreading having to tell him all the things they’d discovered. Mook had almost backed out at the last minute, wanting to wait until they came back from the Bayou to disclose it. Kim had convinced him they didn’t have that kind of time, replaying for him the conversation she and Kaitlyn had at Mardi Gras. “Top, we gotta talk to you before we leave,” Mook told him seriously as Tariq regarded them both, perplexed.

LaRon walked up by this time greeting them both and teasing Kim about seeing her man off as well. They both smiled slightly when LaRon picked up the tension and gave everyone a questioning look.

“
It’s important Top, and you need to hear it,” Kim added as Tariq gave her his attention now.

He could tell by both their demeanors whatever the disclosure was, it wasn’t good.

“
OK, let’s go in the house and talk,” Tariq told them, telling LaRon to come as well.

Entering the house they all sat. Tariq offered everyone drinks, and everyone declined.

“
I’m gonna let Kim tell you,” Mook began as Tariq nodded slightly. “I need you hear this Top and to let her finish before you speak, OK,” Mook asked as Tariq became even more curious.

LaRon was on the edge of his seat. Kim took another deep breath and started at the beginning. She told Tariq about running into Kaitlyn at Mardi Gras. She was honest about what was said between the two women and the cryptic remark Kaitlyn made as well as her entire personality shift.

“
That made me really curious,” Kim told him as Tariq regarded her but remained quiet as Mook has asked.

She went on to tell him about her research and the reasoning behind it.

“
I decided to check the missing person’s flyers as a last resort when nothing came up by her name,” Kim told Tariq as his frown began to deepen.

LaRon was enthralled as he listened, wondering what in the world was going on.

“I finally stumbled on a picture that looked a lot like KiKi, and I contacted the poster,” Kim told Tariq as he nodded absently, never taking his eyes off her.

She went on to tell him about Hope and arranging a meeting with the woman.

“
You need to read this,” Kim told Tariq softly, handing him the journal.

Holding it a few moments more in his hands, he finally opened it and began to read as Kim and Mook braced themselves for his reaction. Tariq read the entry dropping the book to the floor as he finished it, his face in his hands. No one spoke and the silence hung in the air like a 10 ton weight.

“
Why did you have me read that,” Tariq asked, finally lifting his head. Kim caught her breath at the hurt and fury she saw in his eyes.

“
Because Kaitlyn is Lauren Cisneros,” Kim told him softly.

“
Bullshit,” Tariq said flatly, his eyes blazing.

“
It’s her,” Kim repeated again as LaRon reached down and picked up the book, wanting to see for himself what it contained.

“
What’s this woman’s angle, what does she want,” Tariq asked referring to Hope.

Kim sighed deeply and continued to look him in the eye.

“Nothing, Top,” she told him honestly. “She only wants her niece to know she loves her and she did fight for her, and she wants Lauren to get help,” Kim told him, finishing the rest of the sordid tale for him as LaRon wordlessly put the journal down having read the entry himself, his own face reflecting the repulsion he felt at Carlo’s act of horror on his own daughter. Tariq listened as Kim spoke, his breathing becoming more and more rapid.

“
She’s blocked out her life, Top,” Kim told him. “But it’s starting to come back and she’s drinking again to try and keep it locked inside her,” she went on as things began to click for Tariq.

“
This monster hurt my wife like that for four years,” he spat angrily between clenched teeth. “Is this muthafucka dead at least,” he asked helpless to control the tears that came, but refusing to let them fall.

Kim sighed deeply and told them the man was alive and being housed in Leavenworth Federal Prison for three consecutive life terms.

“
How am I supposed to help her, Kim,” Tariq asked feeling lost.

Sighing Kim told him the same thing Hope had said to her.

“
You hafta make her admit her past, make her remember so she can deal with it and move on,” Kim told him going on to explain where the assumed name came from.

Tariq rose and headed for his bar. He needed a drink. No one stopped him or said a word about it being too early as he poured a stiff shot of vodka and downed three of them in rapid succession.

“
Let’s go,” Tariq said evenly, addressing his two friends. “I hafta get my wife and kill this sonofabitch Ice today,” he finished simply as both Mook and LaRon grunted following him out of the door.

Mook told Kim to go back to the hotel and wait for his call. Choosing not to argue this time, she kissed his lips softly and asked him to look out for Tariq, which he assured her he would. Getting into the truck Kim watched them speed off toward the interstate and said a silent prayer that everyone made it back in one piece.

23

The ladies arrived crossing the state line and heading for the hotel. Arriving moments later they each took in the unique structure voicing their pleasure.

“
This is really nice,” Jaleesa said half aloud.

The hotel was more like separate houses than the traditional hotel building. Each section housed huge homes with bedrooms ranging from three to eight.