Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate (9 page)

Ian knew they would have to fabricate evidence of that sort if they wanted to try that angle. Even with all the drama unfolding Kaitlyn was unquestioningly an impeccable mother, and by all accounts, Tariq had treated Tajdra no different than Tejdra.

“
Fine,” Ian said, already past that and looking ahead. “When do we go to trial,” he asked instead.

Ray replied their case was on the docket in five weeks.

“
OK, thanks for trying Ray,” Ian replied amiably.

Ray assured him he was welcome and he was still pulling some strings here and there in their favor. Disconnecting Ian and Ryan began talking once more.

“
So they’re twins,” he asked of the babies.

Ian told him they were. “Fraternal,” he added before correcting himself. “Well, I guess technically just sisters,” he added as Mrs. Connor returned with a nodding Tajdra in her arms.

Ryan watched as his brother lovingly took the baby from the nurse and began heading to the nursery with her. Alone, his mind continued to mull over all the information he’d been given in the last few moments, the tumblers combining and falling into place. Deciding he needed some help on this one, he pulled out his cell and sent a text. The reply was almost instant and Ryan smiled slightly locking the phone and putting it back into his pocket.

8

Tariq awoke to the sound of his phone going off. Disoriented he quickly gathered himself and answered seeing Kaitlyn’s name on the ID.

“
Hello,” he answered groggily.

“
Hey, did you pick up Tejdra last night,” she asked calmly.

Tariq explained the meeting ran extremely late and Shells asked him to leave her at their place.

“
Yeah, that’s straight,” Kaitlyn replied and held the phone.

Things were extremely strained between them, event to point of their inability to communicate with each other.

“
How did Tajdra do with him,” Tariq asked, the edge nudging its way into his voice.

Rising he stumbled into the kitchen as Kaitlyn gave him a rundown of her time dropping the baby off. Tariq told her he was glad things went smoothly.

“
I’m going to get her in an about an hour,” Kaitlyn told her as Tariq glanced the clock.

It was already after 10 AM. He hadn’t gotten home until about 4:30AM this morning after talking with Carlita. “What time does your flight get in,” Tariq asked, mentally preparing himself to pick them up.

Kaitlyn supplied an answer as he told her okay he would see her then and disconnected.

Sighing deeply Tariq began to replay his evening in his mind’s eye. Carlita had been extremely hospitable allowing him to talk until he was exhausted from the effort, while she listened wordlessly and passed no judgment.
“Tariq, maybe you should really sit down and talk to her,” Carlita had replied. “She may want out as much as you do right now, but doesn’t know how to say it.”
Tariq thought about the statement and wondered if the woman wasn’t right. Surely Kaitlyn had to know things weren’t the way they used to be between them. The knock at the door interrupted further pondering as he went to answer.

“
Good morning sir,” the delivery courier greeted him.

Tariq returned the greeting as the man told him whom he was delivering the package for.

“
Yes, that’s me,” Tariq replied as the man smiled and asked him to sign.

Tariq scribble his signature and gave the man a five dollar tip. The driver scurried back to his car and sped off, headed to his next delivery. Tariq thought it odd the man was delivering on Sunday, but assumed he was being paid very well to do so.

Walking back into the living room he noticed there was no return address on the package. Curiosity peaked, Tariq opened the plain brown wrapper finding a DVD enclosed with a note. ‘Man to man, I think you deserve the truth. Don’t you?’ the note read. Frowning deeply Tariq took a deep breath and put the non-labeled disc into the machine and pushed play. The screen immediately illuminated with Ian and Kaitlyn making love. Tariq was furious as he watched her kissing and touching Ian, purring softly as he brought her to orgasm and she cried out his name.
“Mmm, Ian, yes,” Kaitlyn murmured as Tariq’s fury grew.

“
Lying bitch,” he murmured angrily recalling her declarations of not being herself.

He could see for himself Kaitlyn was fully lucid during their lovemaking.
“No, Ian, don’t, please,” she pleaded softly, putting her hands on his chest and trying to push him off of her. “KiKi, I love you baby,” Ian assured her kissing her lips softly. “It’s okay, I know you’re scared, it’s okay,” he told her once more going back to his task, shuddering moments later as he finished.
Tariq hurled the glass that moments earlier held his juice hearing it shatter as it connected with the opposite wall.

*****

Jaleesa was perusing the breakfast menu trying to decide on an entrée when Kim arrived.

“
Hey girl,” Jaleesa greeted her smiling.

Kim returned the greeting and sat down across from her. Jaleesa had been surprised to get the call from Kim inviting her to brunch. They weren’t enemies but they weren’t exactly close either. Jaleesa simply assumed the woman was reaching out trying to mend bridges and make friends.

“
Hey Tweety,” Kim returned calmly.

“
I was surprised when you called me,” Jaleesa told her as Kim smiled slightly.

The server came to the table, temporarily halting conversation as they each ordered an entrée and beverage. “So, how is everything with you and Mook,” Jaleesa asked making conversation.

Kim replied they were fine.

“
They all seem to be up to something though,” Jaleesa told Kim as the woman agreed with her assessment. “Do you want to hit the malls or shops when we leave here,” Jaleesa continued to chat pleasantly.

Kim told her that sounded like a great idea, evening joking that she would have to sneak her purchases in the house later.

The server returned with their orders and they each thanked her, got the extra napkins requested and settled down to enjoy their meal. They were half way through it when Kim finally spoke again.

“
How long have you and Kai been fucking each other,” she asked evenly.

Jaleesa stopped chewing and regarded the woman across the table from her with a mixture of shock and horror that her secret had been uncovered. Forcing herself to swallow the food in her mouth, Jaleesa finally answered.

“
Longer than I’d liked and it’s not what you think,” she added quickly as Kim gave her a look.

“
How did you find out,” Jaleesa asked again.

Kim explained being in the area and deciding she wanted some Italian.

“
Seeing you was pure coincidence,” she told Jaleesa.

“
Why you fuckin’ him if you don’t want to be,” Kim again grilled her.

Jaleesa took a deep breath as her mind raced. Here was someone she never expected to be able to confide in, but her back was against the wall and she still didn’t know if Kim had told or was planning to tell Mook what she knew.

“
He’s blackmailing me,” Jaleesa replied as Kim nodded slightly.

“
Tell me everything,” she told the woman, never losing eye contact.

Taking another breath Jaleesa told Kim the story from beginning to where they were now.

“
So what does he want you to do,” Kim asked.

Jaleesa answered her as Kim frowned deeply.

“
That’s fucked up,” she replied as Jaleesa agreed this time. “You know you gotta end this bullshit or he will get you caught up,” Kim told her. “If Jacoury finds out he’s gonna kill you first and ask questions later,” she added as Jaleesa told her she knew.

“
I have plans for his ass,” she told Kim acidly.

“
Share them,” she replied simply.

Jaleesa again took the risk and told the woman what she was planning for the agent. Kim was smiling fully at the end of the explanation.

“
Now, that’s the Tweety I heard about,” she chuckled.

Jaleesa smiled slightly, glad Kim was being so cool about everything.

“
I need to know when and we need to plan the shit right so there is no escape and no links back,” Kim told her.

Jaleesa’s mouth dropped. “You’re willing to help me,” she asked incredulously.

“
Hell yeah,” Kim answered without hesitation. “This fool is messing with all our livelihoods, putting all our men at risk, I ain’t about to sit around and let that bullshit happen.”

Jaleesa smiled and told her she was happy for the help, elaborating further on the plan. The two women discussed every angle of what they were about to do making sure there were no loose ends. Finally satisfied, they paid their tabs and headed out the door, going on to do that shopping they were just talking about.

*****

Ananda was once again in place when the car pulled up with Kaitlyn inside. Carver again gave her entrance telling her how to get to the nursery where the baby and Ian were. Kaitlyn walked in finding the attractive young nurse holding her daughter.

“
Thanks, I’ll take her,” she told the woman curtly.

Ian caught the smile before it reached his face, looking into her eyes as he addressed her.

“
Tajdra is fine, Ananda has taken excellent care of her,” he told Kaitlyn matter-of-fact.

“
I’m sure,” she replied sarcastically, asking for the baby’s bags.

“
Ananda, please give us a moment,” Ian told her kindly as the young woman graciously left them alone.

“
What’s your issue with my nanny,” Ian asked, again maintaining eye contact.

“
How much experience has she had Ice, seriously,” Kaitlyn threw back. “She looks like she’s 19 and just out of high school,” she added tersely.

Ian sighed deeply, completely pleased inside that she was so upset.

“
I would never allow any harm to come to our daughter KiKi,” he told her calmly.

Kaitlyn took a deep cleansing breath and blew it out slowly. She was tense because she was caught up in the drama of this custody hearing with a very real fear of losing her daughter.

She decided that maybe her best tactic was to try and be friends with Ian instead of antagonizing him. “I’m sorry Ice,” Kaitlyn began. “I’m just really uptight about leaving her,” she added softly.

Ian stepped closer to her, almost touching her, looking into her eyes again.

“
I may be a lot of things KiKi, but I love my daughter, and I would never do anything that would cause her hurt,” Ian told her soothingly.

Kaitlyn nodded slightly, definitely wanting him to back up. Tariq hadn’t touched her in the three weeks since the drama began.

“
Perhaps you’ll have lunch before you leave and allow me just a few more moments with my little girl,” Ian asked as Kaitlyn sighed and told him she couldn’t.

“
The flight leaves at 1:30,” she explained. “Well just make it in time.”

Ian graciously acquiesced and picked up the bags walking her back toward the front door.

“
Shall I expect you the same time next weekend,” he asked as they arrived at the car.

“
Yes,” Kaitlyn replied calmly.

“
Goodbye sweetheart,” Ian told Tajdra, kissing her cheek again.

The baby smiled giggling at the gesture. Kaitlyn was impressed with how quickly they seemed to have bonded.

“
Have a good flight KiKi,” Ian told her amiably.

Thanking him she got into the car and carefully examined her daughter from head to toe as they rode to the airport. Satisfied she was indeed fine, Kaitlyn placed her in the car seat and began preparing her mind for the life she was going to try and mend once they landed.

*****

Nikki moved stealthily getting out of bed and going to the bathroom. She took a shower, lotion and returned to the bedroom carefully climbing back inside, trying not to disturb Ryan as he rested next to her. He put his arm around her pulling her close and looking into her eyes.

“
You smell good,” he told her softly.

Nikki smiled and thanked him. He rose himself then heading to the shower. He returned just as Nikki slipped on the soft azure silk robe.

“
Where are you going,” he asked giving her a look.

“
To the kitchen to get some juice, want some,” she asked.

Ryan told her yes and climbed back in to bed. She returned with two glasses five minutes later and sat on the side of the bed.

“
Girl stop playing and get back in this bed,” he told her giving her yet another look.

Nikki’s mind was racing as she complied with his request. Ryan was phenomenal and last night when he’d shown up on her doorstep, stripped her and made love to her nonstop for the next three hours did a number on her psyche.

“
What’s on your mind,” Ryan asked, effectively reading her thoughts.

“
Nothing, just thinking this is a nice arrangement,” Nikki told him, needing to take back some of the authority in their affiliation.