Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate (17 page)

“
I’ll watch Aidan while you shower,” he told her, more statement than question.

“
I don’t have anything to change into,” Tae tried.

Jalen smiled, rising and going to the closet, opening it and pulling out two shopping bags. Tae found underwear, jeans, and tops inside, all her size.

“
There’s enough to hold you and Aidan until we get home,” Jalen told her calmly.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Tae simply nodded, grabbed the clothing and headed into the bathroom. There she found more surprises. Lining the counter were soap, toothpaste, perfume, body wash, body butters, and lotion for her. Turning on the water and getting in Tae decided she had to play his game for a while until she could figure out where they were and where he was trying to take her. Then she would make a way to get herself and her son out of harm’s way.
You might have to kill him to do that,
her mind told her as she washed. Tae sighed slightly, not having anything personal against Jalen, but if that’s what it took to secure her and Aidan’s safety and freedom, she wouldn’t hesitate. With that much settled in her mind, Tae returned to the bedroom, where Jalen waited, watching TV.

“
Sit down,” he told her amiably.

Tae checked on Aidan who was still fast asleep, then complied with his request.

“
I’m going to take a shower,” Jalen told her as she heard the click of the cuff and felt the cold metal around her wrists.

Placing the empty cuff around the headboard, he looked into her eyes and spoke.

“
I won’t be long,” Jalen told her stroking her face gently. “Please Tae, don’t try to escape,” he added, kissing her lips gently. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I will do whatever it takes to keep you,” Jalen added and Tae finally the saw the darkness dancing in his eyes.

She couldn’t lie and say it didn’t frighten her just a little. She was a big girl and she could take care of herself, but Tae was at a distinct disadvantage in this fight. Her baby was here, and from the things she saw looking into Jalen’s eyes now, she knew Aidan’s life depended on her obedience.

“
I won’t,” Tae replied softly.

Jalen smiled at the declaration, kissing her again. As much as his lips on her own repulsed her, Tae kept a straight face and let him do what he wanted. Jalen kissed her again, tasting her this time, breathing hard.

“
You’re so beautiful,” he murmured kissing her neck.

Forcing himself to pull away he went into the bathroom, leaving the door open as he showered. Reality slammed Tae between the eyes, the realization that she was going to have to sleep with Jalen making her stomach lurch.

“
Forgive me Shells baby, please forgive me,” she whispered as the tear fell and she prayed for a way of escape.

*****

Tariq walked in the house to find Kaitlyn waiting for him.

“
Did you find her,” she asked, her face blanketed in worry.

“
No,” he replied dejectedly. “Just the empty ass truck when we got there,” Tariq explained.

Kaitlyn asked about the baby. Tariq’s eyes grew wide.

“
He was with her,” he asked.

Kaitlyn told him Tae was taking Aidan to the park as usual when the man hit her.

“
There was no car seat, no diaper bag, nothing,” Tariq explained his head beginning to hurt.

“
Fuck,” Kaitlyn swore, both of them thinking the same thing.

“
Have you heard from Ice,” Tariq asked, looking at her now.

Kaitlyn told him about the text message and that being the only communication she’d had.

“
Hmph, guess we know what the emergency was huh,” Tariq murmured angrily, half to himself.

Calling Mook he brought him up to speed on the latest developments.

“
Why would Ice snatch Tae,” Mook asked, seeing no correlation.

“
Hell, who knows why Ice does the shit he does,” Tariq threw back as Mook cursed.

“
This is fucked up Top,” Mook replied. “Shells is gonna fuckin’ hit the roof when he finds out,” he added as Tariq agreed with him, telling him they would get together in a couple hours and try to figure some things out.

Disconnecting Tariq returned his attention to Kaitlyn.

“
Can we talk,” he asked calmly.

“
About what, Tariq,” Kaitlyn returned evenly.

“
Us,” he replied simply.

Sighing softly she spoke again.

“
Seriously Tariq, what else is there to discuss,” Kaitlyn returned. “You’re seeing Carlita, and obviously if you’ve slept with her, you’re feeling her,” she told him as Tariq again struggled not to go off. “I’m okay with that, seriously,” Kaitlyn explained patiently. “I appreciate you putting on the united front for the custody trial, and after it’s all said and done, I’ll move out of your way and not hold up your life any longer,” she finished as he stepped to her, toe to toe, looking angrily into her face.

“
Aren’t you just diplomatic as hell,” he hissed, angry she was disconnected from their situation.

“
What do you want from me Tariq,” Kaitlyn asked, stepping away from him.

Truthfully she was furious about him sleeping with Carlita, but what could she say. Kaitlyn knew she’d hurt Tariq beyond measure and this was her payback. She figured the kindest thing she could do for his life now was to let him go, and let him live it with a woman far less complicated than she was.

Before Tariq could answer, Kaitlyn innocently picked up the remote and turned on the TV. Unfortunately, the DVD was still cued and it began playing immediately. Her mouth dropped as she saw herself and Ian, naked, making love.

“
What in the fuck,” Kaitlyn swore aloud, forgetting Tariq was in the room.

Her head began to spin as she watched herself with the man, exchanging soft gentle kisses, Ian touching her and tasting her, the actual act of them making love. Kaitlyn saw herself orgasm and cry out his name, still shaking her head in disbelief.
Why don’t I remember this, what the hell was wrong with me then,
she asked inwardly the tears stinging her eyes. She saw herself push him gently and heard the exchange between them.

“
Lauren,” she said softly, realization dawning.

That’s why she couldn’t remember.

Kaitlyn had gone to therapy again after their last run in with Ian and discovered her former self had been trying to take over her current life. Obviously the time she spent with Ian, she spent it as Lauren.

“
Is this why you went out and got with Carlita,” Kaitlyn asked, turning to Tariq finally.

The anger was burning anew in his eyes as he tore them from the screen and looked back at her.

“
Hmph,” Kaitlyn remarked, regaining her composure. “I get it then,” she told him, once again emotionless.

Switching it off, Kaitlyn regarded him one final time before picking up her keys and standing at the front door. She was headed to Sam’s to get the girls.

“
I know after seeing that you really don’t believe what I told you earlier,” Kaitlyn began matter of fact. “But when you find time to sit down and really think, ask yourself,” she continued and paused for a moment as Tariq continued to silently regard her. “Ask yourself, when, was the last time, you have ever, ever, heard me call Ice, Ian.”

With that, Kaitlyn opened the door and walked out, closing it behind her as Tariq frowned slightly and his mind began trying to recall.

15

Mook was still stressed when he arrived home from the meeting with Tariq. They decided to wait a couple days to tell Shells what was going on, in the slim hope they were able to find Tae and return her home. Grabbing the Jose, he poured himself a triple shot, added a couple ice cubes and headed into the den to relax. Kim found him sitting on the couch, eyes closed, head leaned back, obviously the quiet darkness.

“
You straight,” she asked softly as Mook lifted his head and opened his eyes.

“
Yeah, I’m good,” he returned, beckoning her over to sit beside him.

“
How was your day,” Mook asked absently sipping his drink. Kim told him it was cool, nothing special, before asking about his own.

Mook told her about Tae being snatched, them looking for her and suspecting Ice was behind the snatch. Then he told her about Tariq and Kaitlyn and the continued downward spiral of their marriage.

“
Hmph, well I’m sure you’ll find Tae if there’s a way for her to be found,” Kim threw out, smartly.

Mook opened his eyes and regarded her again.

“
What the hell is that supposed to mean,” he asked, irritation evident.

Kim sighed deeply and told him nothing.

“
Didn’t sound like nothing,” Mook threw back as she again assured him she meant nothing by it.

Choosing to let it go, Mook again began sipping his drink.

“
Are they divorcing,” Kim finally asked, concerning Tariq and Kaitlyn.

Mook sighed tiredly before speaking.

“
Top wants to work it out, but he says KiKi is dead set on it happening,” he told her honestly.

Kim sucked her teeth slightly.

“
He should be happy,” she mumbled half to herself.

“
Why,” Mook shot back having heard the comment. “Because you don’t like her, or because it will give you the opportunity you never took to get with him,” he asked acidly and Kim immediately regretted making the remark.

“
Mook, what the hell are you talking about,” she asked as he sucked his teeth and threw the shot back, slamming the glass on the table.

“
Come on Kim, shit, let’s put it out there,” he told her, eyes smoldering as he looked into hers. “You’ve been hating’ KiKi since day one. Since Top brought her to his house,” Mook accused. “Shit when you got with me, it was really him you wanted,” he went on as Kim took a deep breath to stay her own anger. “So you’re figuring what, now that him and KiKi are done, you might take that chance you didn’t before,” he railed as Kim rose, finally having heard enough.

“
You know what Mook,” she yelled. “I been with your ass for years, do you really think I’ve been carrying a torch for Tariq that damned long,” she fumed.

“
Fuck yeah I do,” Mook returned without hesitation. “You can’t ever find a good thing to say about the man’s wife, ever,” he told her. “I know for myself KiKi has tried to reach out to you, but you keep pushing her away, so now I gotta ask myself what’s the real reason for that shit.”

Before she realized it, Kim slapped him hard.

“
So now I’m a hoe, an opportunistic hoe,” she screamed, losing control. “I told you before I didn’t want Tariq like that, he’s my friend and I care about him,” Kim continued, breathing hard now. “That bitch has done nothing but hurt him since he got with her,” she railed.

“
Oh, but I bet you wouldn’t have though, would you Kim,” Mook fired back. “Miss me with all that he’s my friend bullshit Kim,” he was yelling in return. “Tell the muthafuckin truth, you love him, admit the shit,” Mook was still screaming at her, two inches from her face.

“
Yeah Mook, if that’s the shit you wanna hear, I love him,” Kim yelled back. “As my muthafuckin’ friend, period,” she iterated once again.

“
Bulllllllshit,” Mook replied, his voice quiet and tight with anger now. “You think I miss the way you look at him, even now,” he told her almost growling.

Kim took another breath as her mind worked. Maybe he had a point, but it wasn’t a conscious thing that she thought about. Yes, there were still some feelings there for Tariq, but she would never leave Mook trying to chase a pipe dream.

“
Mook, why the hell are we arguing about something this stupid,” she tried once more.

“
Oh, so I’m stupid now, and my feelings are stupid,” Mook returned, his anger not quelling a bit. “Hey but you know what Kim, shit, do you,” he told her, pushing past her and into the kitchen.

“
What’s that mean,” she asked following him as he poured yet another triple shot into his glass.

“
It means I’m not gonna beg your ass, and I’m not gonna keep being second to your fuckin’ fantasy soul mate,” Mook told her testily.

Kim angrily knocked his glass off the counter, glaring at him.

“
Well shit, since we’re putting shit on the table,” she began, hand on hip. “Why don’t you tell me why you’re so damned uncomfortable every time Tae is around, huh, what’s up with that shit,” Kim demanded.

“
What about it,” Mook replied nonchalantly, pissing her off more.

“
Have you two fucked yet or what,” she screamed.

Mook shrugged slightly and didn’t answer, stepping around her.

“
You better open your mouth and say something Carnell Dowery, and in a muthafuckin’ hurry too,” Kim threatened. Mook knew she was consumed when she called his legal name.

Stopping in his tracks, Mook returned to the counter where Kim still stood and looked directly into her face.

“
Would that make you feel better about the fantasies you still have over Top,” he asked plainly.

Kim’s eyes narrowed as her anger continued to simmer.