Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate (26 page)

“
Gabrielle, mmm,” Ray murmured, burying is face in her soft wetness as she moaned aloud.

“
Ray, yes, that’s so good,” she moaned passionately.

He brought her to orgasm before returning to her lips and looking into her eyes again.

“
This is forever Gabrielle,” Ray told her seriously. “Are you sure,” he asked once again.

Gabrielle’s hand slid down his taunt, toned body, gripping his butt and pulling him inside her.

“
I’m yours Ray,” she whispered in his ear as he held her tightly and made love to her thrusting deeply.

“
Oh god, I’m cuming,” Gabrielle cried out moments later.

“
My sweet Gabrielle,” Ray murmured, his manhood pulsating as his orgasm pushed its way up. He didn’t even attempt to remove himself as his finish surged forward and he released it deep inside her. Breathing hard, he kissed her neck gently as Gabrielle continued to stroke his body.

“
Am I really yours Ray,” Gabrielle questioned, wanting to cement her future once and for all.

“
Yes, baby, always mine,” Ray assured her as he began kissing her again, and she surrendered herself to his will.

22

A man of his word, Ray talked to the hospital administrator and had Gabrielle discharged the next morning, moving her quickly into his palatial estate. She smiled looking out of the huge plate glass window in the sitting room. Ray left her an hour or so ago, heading once again for General to check on Santana, and then to court. Gabrielle patted herself on the back for her brilliance and her plans coming together. True, she hadn’t planned on Jaron dying, but in the end it still gained her freedom. She spent a lot of years unhappy because Jaron wouldn’t let her go. Gabrielle never wanted to live the life of a hustler’s chick. She wanted normalcy. She wanted to be accepted by society as the upstanding woman of an upstanding man; to join the country club or social network and have no one whispering about her. Gabrielle begged Jaron time and again to let her go, but he wouldn’t. She hated how they struggled, in her estimation. All of Tariq’s other men made far more money than he did, but he never seemed to see it. That all changed the day he met up with Creeper.

Gabrielle was happy when they moved and Jaron began working for Ray. Meeting him was the most wonderful day of her life; she continued to muse as she explored the huge mansion. Ray was absolutely sexy. His being 20 years her senior didn’t bother Gabrielle at all. Most the rich, powerful, influential men she knew in the bayou were considerably older than their wives. She was deeply depressed about the loss of her son, but even that Gabrielle held Jaron’s lifestyle responsible for. Ray got her admitted into the exclusive country club styled mental facility and paid all her expenses. She suspected he had some sort of feelings for her when he began to visit frequently without Jaron. This time however Gabrielle did her homework. She asked questions of the staff and slowly but surely found out all she needed to know about Raynard Lockhart.
I’m going to love being his wife,
Gabrielle thought. She wouldn’t rush him however. With a man like Ray, you had to handle him carefully. She knew he was deeply infatuated with her right now and Gabrielle had every intention of playing it the hilt.

Sighing softly she thought about her real parents. She’d done some searching over the years wanting to know more about each of them. Her mother was a woman who believed in standing her ground and handling her business. She understood why the woman gave her up, holding no ill will. What kind of existence would she have had growing up in a brothel? Her father on the other hand, Gabrielle despised; while he went on with his life and political career, her mother struggled as the brothel began to lose money. Secretly Gabrielle believed her father hired the person or persons who’d robbed, raped, and killed her mother when she was still a youngster.

“
That life is over now,” Gabrielle said aloud walking into the master bedroom and catching her breath.

The entire house was magnificent. She wrapped her arms around herself imagining Ray holding her once again. They’d made love this morning before he left as he again assured her she wasn’t dreaming and her life was with him now. Gabrielle was happier than she’d been in a long time. Her life was finally the way she envisioned and she vowed nothing, and no one, would ever upset that balance again.

*****

Ryan regarded Nikki as they pulled up the courthouse. She was quiet and had been most of the morning. He had a pretty good idea why.

“
Baby,” he started amiably taking her hand and holding it.

Nikki turned to him, looking in his eyes.

“
I didn’t mean to scare you yesterday at the restaurant,” Ryan told her honestly.

Nikki nodded slightly, withholding comment.

“
Nikki, I been through a lot in a real short time,” Ryan began again, baring his soul. “Losing my son almost killed me,” he continued as Nikki felt her own heart begin to ache. “It just scared me that you could be pregnant and not have my child,” he told her sincerely. “All I could see were visions of my son, still and quiet, life gone, all over again.” Ryan finished, the pain choking the rest of his words.

Nikki reached over and hugged him as he hugged her back.

“
Thank you,” she told him simply.

Ryan gave her a quizzical look and she smiled.

“
For finally opening up and letting me inside your heart for a change, instead of just bullying me for no reason,” Nikki explained.

Ryan smiled and apologized again, telling her he was trying to get better.

“
I know,” Nikki replied honestly as they kissed again. “Ryan,” she began, looking back into his eyes. “I wouldn’t do that,” she told him. “I wouldn’t kill our child if I got pregnant,” she added as he smiled and kissed her again.

“
Thank you baby,” Ryan replied as he got out and came around, opening her door.

“
Are you coming to court today,” Nikki asked.

He hadn’t been to any of the proceedings which she thought odd, considering how close he and Ian were.

“
Yeah, actually, I think today is a good day for me to come to court,” Ryan replied cryptically.

Nikki was confused by his statement, but didn’t push. He hugged her once more, kissing her softly and telling her to have a great day.

“
I’ll see you later,” she asked, giving him a look, alluding to his earlier statement.

Ryan chuckled before answering, assuring her she would. Nikki smiled and turned around walking away. Ryan watched her seductively switch walking up the stairs, stopping at the top, turning and giving him a sexy wink knowing he was watching. Smiling he got back into the car and headed to back toward the highway. He had a quick errand to run before returning to the courthouse.

*****

That feeling in the pit of her stomach was back and Kaitlyn couldn’t shake it. Something was going to happen today. She could feel it. She sighed lightly reflecting momentarily on yesterday and what happened between her and Tariq. She wasn’t angry about it, just frustrated knowing it shouldn’t have happened. She could tell he had renewed hope about their relationship, especially after she gave in and they made love again this morning before coming to court.
You’ve got to stay away from him, at least until you’re strong enough to let go,
her mind told her as Kaitlyn sighed deeply, knowing her mind was right. The bailiff interrupted further contemplation as he admonished them to rise. Everyone stood as Volena Baiswell again entered the courtroom, taking the bench and telling them all to be seated.

“
Good morning everyone,” the judge greeted.

The two counsels returned her greeting, awaiting her instruction.

“
Mr. Dorsey, do you have any further presentation,” she asked Akil.

He advised the judge they did not. Grunting slightly she advised both counsels she would hear closing arguments. Nikki walked into the courtroom at that point, some fifteen minutes late. Judge Baiswell threatened to not allow her entry as Nikki begged the courts forgiveness saying it couldn’t be helped. Asking for and receiving the five minutes to confer with Ray, Nikki sat at the table, handing him the manila folder she’d been given on the way inside, causing her tardiness, and whispering in his ear. Ray removed the documents and scanned them quickly, his expression never changing. The doors opened once more as the Judge looked up and the well-dressed man entered the courtroom, glancing away since he was of no interest, she returned her attention to Ray Lockhart. Tariq on the other hand took the man in as the shock registered on his face.
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,
he thought the revelation that Ryan Bailey still lived and breathed hitting him like a ton of bricks. Pulling out his phone, he quickly texted Mook to let him know what he was seeing.

Kaitlyn’s mouth actually dropped and she had to quickly gather herself seeing Ian’s older brother enter the courtroom, walk up to the front row and sit down. Ryan’s head turned to her at that moment, their eyes meeting as he smiled sweetly and nodded a greeting. Kaitlyn absently nodded back, before turning away, the knot in her stomach tightening.

“
Mr. Lockhart,” Volena admonished the five minutes up. “Are you ready to make your closing statement,” she asked.

Ray rose, document in hand and addressed the judge.

“
Actually your honor,” he began and Kaitlyn stopped breathing.

Ian was confused as to what was going on. Whatever was in the envelope he hadn’t had the opportunity to see. Deciding to sit back and allow Ray to do what he was paid to do, he waited with the rest of the courtroom to see what trick the attorney had up his sleeve.

“
In light of new evidence, we would like to amend our original petition,” he continued as everyone involved frowned slightly.

Ryan, however, smiled slightly knowing very well what the envelope contained.

“
Counselor, please explain,” Judge Baiswell prodded.

Ray took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. “Your honor, we would like amend our petition to include both minor children, as this paternity test now shows that my client, Mr. Ian Bailey, is the biological father of both children,” he said calmly as the courtroom erupted.

“
No,” Kaitlyn screamed finally reacting. “That’s a lie,” she continued as Volena banged the gavel calling for order.

Ian was stunned. He quickly recovered though, the smile reaching his face. It was definitely over now. He would take his girls and have his woman as well. He knew there was no way in hell Kaitlyn would be without the children, ever. The bailiff, reading Tariq’s face, was on him before he could get to Ian.

“
Relax sir, or I’ll have to remove you,” the armed man told Tariq, the fury firmly planted on his face.

“
Fuck this,” Kaitlyn said angrily, storming from the courtroom and down the stairs.

“
Mr. Dorsey,” Volena yelled. “Please get your client settled and back in this courtroom by noon,” she told them, recessing the court for the next hour.

Ryan walked up to Ian, embracing his brother as they both smiled at each other.

“
You did this,” Ian asked.

“
No, technically, you did it,” Ryan joked.

He told Ian it bothered him that no one ever tested the other baby, simply going on the one test that Kaitlyn had done. So he’d asked Nikki to contact the hospital where they were born and have the test performed on the other twin, with the stored DNA they had from Ian.

“
You and Jalen were like the girls, one larger than the other,” he continued to enlighten Ian.

“
I’ve got to see my girls,” Ian told him. Ryan admonished him to be patient, and let the judge at least give him that right first.

Nodding that he understood the two left heading over to the corner café to have a quick cup of coffee and talk more.

*****

Tariq thought he was quick enough to catch Kaitlyn but she was gone when he reached the outside of the court building. Knowing she was headed to the hotel, he hailed a cab of his own and gave the man the address. He called Mook on the way telling him the state of affairs now.

“
Top, I’m fuckin’ speechless,” he told his partner. “KiKi had no idea,” he asked once again.

Tariq assured him he believed his wife’s reaction was genuine.

“
She thought he was only father to Tajdra,” Tariq told him tiredly.

“
Where is she, Top,” Mook asked.

Tariq told him he was sure she was at the hotel. “That damned announcement took everyone by surprise,” he told Mook. “Fuck, I have to honestly say I don’t think Ice even knew what the hell was going on,” he added grudgingly.

“
Man, this shit definitely complicates things,” Mook again replied.

“
Tell me about it” Tariq replied.

He knew if judge Baiswell awarded the girls to Ian, Kaitlyn would implode.
She’d also leave my ass in a hot Mississippi minute,
Tariq thought, knowing she wouldn’t abandon the girls.

“
You’re here,” the driver said aloud as Tariq wrapped up his conversation with Mook and got out of the cab.

Glancing at his watch he saw it was almost 11:45AM. They were going to be cutting it close getting back to court. Riding the elevator he got out and headed to the suite. Finding it empty, Tariq ventured next door to Miss Leatha’s room. She answered the door amiably, telling him hello.