Hide & Seek (11 page)

“
Yeah, wassup,” he barked into the phone.

The party on the other end enlightened him of situation they were calling concerning as Ryan’s frown deepened.

“
I’m on my way,” he replied cryptically disconnecting and cursing aloud.

Grabbing his Desert Eagle, wanting to inflict some serious punishment, Ryan headed out the hotel suite, getting into the elevator. As the steel box descended to the lobby, his mind was still on Jaleesa.
I sure hope Ice calls with some good news,
he thought praying she was just sleeping off some serious nights of working too hard and too late.

*****

DeNoah checked his phone seeing no missed calls and sighed lightly. He quietly rose trying not to wake the sleeping girl next to him. He’d finally gotten lucky at one of the local clubs when he ran into an old friend from school and she introduced him to her new friend. Halle was sexy as hell DeNoah had to admit. She was a lot of fun too, dancing and drinking with him until the wee hours of the morning. When he took her home, she’d invited him inside. Things went from good to better when they started kissing and she offered no resistance at his subtle touches. DeNoah had immediately undressed her as she returned the favor, the two of them greedily anticipating the other’s touch. The sex was phenomenal and he enjoyed immensely the feel of her soft warm body conjoined with his own. Halle stirred slightly, stretching deeply before opening her eyes.

“
Hey,” she greeted DeNoah softly as he sat on her bed.

“
Hey girl,” he replied.

“
You bout to leave,” she asked rising, still nude, and heading for the bathroom. “Yeah, got some business to take care of,” he replied taking her in and feeling his body begin to take on life of its own.

She returned moments later and climbed back under the covers.

“
OK,” she replied calmly, looking into his eyes again. “Are you coming back,” she asked as DeNoah smiled fully.

“
Yeah, later, I’ll call first,” he replied as Halle smiled slightly and told him okay, giving him her number as he put it in his phone.

DeNoah picked up her cell and put his number into it as well.

“
I’m glad I met you,” Halle told him reaching out to stroke his chest.

DeNoah leaned over kissing her again as his hand absently fondled her bare breast. “Me too, baby,” he whispered hoarsely, his desire at full mast once more.

Taking his lead, Halle pulled him back into bed with her, helping him out of his clothing as they began the morning with torrid, sizzling, sex. She was crying out her pleasure as DeNoah thrust into her deeply holding her tightly. He couldn’t believe how phenomenal this woman felt to him. Losing the battle moments later they both came hard, crying out in each other’s ear.

“
I really hafta go baby,” DeNoah told her rising once more and getting dressed. “I’ma call you later,” he promised as Halle sleepily told him okay.

“
Just lock the bottom lock,” she managed to mumble as DeNoah told her he would.

Kissing her gently on the cheek as she slept he made his way to the front door. Passing through the living room he stopped momentarily, looking around at the various objects contained in the house. Spotting the photographs, DeNoah stood looking at them. They were typical family photos and he was guessing at the relationship between the various people contained, when his eyes fell on the small photograph tucked into the corner of one of the pictures.
Who the fuck is this,
DeNoah wondered, his jealousy kindled. It was obviously someone Halle had been or still was involved with. The man was smiling as he held her, prompting DeNoah to frown slightly as he took in the picture fully, noticing Halle’s very pregnant belly.
What the hell,
he thought to himself not having seen any children, or anything the apartment to give credence that she even had any. Making a mental note to ask her later, DeNoah finally left the apartment, still happy he’d met Halle and hoping it was the beginning of something good.

*****

Ian arrived at Jaleesa’s apartment and let himself in. Looking around he saw nothing that immediately struck him as odd. The apartment was neat and in order as he walked through it, heading for the bedroom. Arriving, he looked around and again saw nothing immediately out of order. Sighing deeply Ian rummaged in the closet, not noticing an inordinate amount of clothing missing. He opened the dresser drawers seeing nothing out of place, at least until he opened the final one. Ian noticed the clothing disheveled causing him to examine it closer. He found the note under a pair of sweatpants, and pulled it out. His frown deepened as he read each line.
Fuck,
he thought to himself having a sinking feeling. He pulled out his cell and called Ryan. Getting his voicemail, Ian left him a quick message, telling him to return the call and disconnected.

“
What have you gotten yourself caught up in, Tweety,” Ian mused aloud as he continued to hold the note. His mind was spinning at the implication. He felt with his entire being this was another trap and Jaleesa had unwittingly walked head first into it, blinded by her love for Kaitlyn. Ian again dialed his cell and waited for the call to connect.

“
Peppermint’s, this is Azi, can I help you,” the man answered as businesslike as possible.

Ian sighed lightly before greeting Azi and questioning him.

“
No, Ice, she wasn’t here last night or the other night either,” Azi told Ian in response to his query.

“
She didn’t call you,” he asked again as Azi once more replied Jaleesa had not been in touch with him.

“
Thanks for the info, Azi,” Ian told him readying himself to disconnect.

He promised to send someone over to manage the club for a few days until Jaleesa returned and ended the call, leaving Azi’s questions of Jaleesa’s well-being unanswered.

Ian began an all out search of the apartment once he disconnected. He didn’t find anything else of interest in the bedroom or living room. He did however find a notepad lying on the kitchen counter next to the fruit bowl that caught his eye. The notepad contained an address on the east side, Conyers, to be exact.
What the hell,
Ian thought ripping the piece of paper off and folding it, before sliding it inside his pocket. Sighing deeply he left the apartment closing the door his mind still spinning over the latest development.
Ryan is gonna lose his damned mind,
Ian thought starting the Benz and putting the address into the GPS. He never wanted his brother to feel the angst and fear he felt with Kaitlyn being missing and now it seemed they were both in the same boat.
I cannot wait to find these jackasses and blow their fuckin’ brains all over the wall,
Ian thought angrily as he hit I-20 East and began his journey.

*****

Ryan was regarding the man in front of him with disgust and disdain, casually caressing the Desert Eagle in his hand.

“
So you’re big bad Africa huh,” he threw out giving the man another look.

“
Yeah muthafucka, and you owe me money,” the pimp spat bravely as Ryan continued to caress the gun in his hand.

Africa was Caramel’s former pimp. He’d been none too happy when she left the street corner he kept her on a year ago to return to Ryan and the house they ran. She was one of his best whores and his revenue had suffered greatly at the loss.

“
What makes you think I owe you shit,” Ryan spat still calmly regarding the man.

He was still wrapping his mind around the man’s brazenness. He’d come to the house, pistol whipped Andi, short for Andrea, the house Madame, then ascended the stairs finding Caramel, beating and terrorizing her, before trying to leave the house with her, only to be confronted by Taye and Sidell who kicked his ass almost to unconsciousness before calling Ryan.

“
Caramel is my bitch, my ho, and I want her back,” Africa spat angrily.

Ryan chuckled slightly before slapping him in the face with the gun.

“
Muthafucka, you walked yo silly ass up in my place pistol whipping my ladies, terrorizing them and shit,” he spat taking a quick breath. “You thought this was a damned movie or some shit,” Ryan asked kicking Africa in the gut. “That cowboy pimp bullshit might work on the streets, but up in this bitch it will only get you killed,” he told him slapping him again.

“
You’re gonna die today,” Ryan said plainly aiming the gun at Africa.

“
Wait, wait,” the pimp began to plead as Ryan took in his garish powder pink velour attire; the oversized gold chains, fake gold teeth and multiple rings on each hand.

“
Look, just give me another bitch to replace her,” Africa tried. “I’m a business man,” he added as Ryan spoke and shook his head allowing the man to continue talking. “When she ran off, my money fell off, and it was a bad example for the other ho’s,” Africa spoke as Ryan grew irritated again. “I just think its fair business if you gonna take my best ho, give me something back in return,” he finished and prayed Ryan was hearing him.

Ryan didn’t know why but it really bothered him to hear the man speak about Caramel this way. She really was a sweet person and she did what she was asked without incident. This fool had beaten her, abused her and tried to get her hooked on heroin.

“
What I’m gonna give your trifling’ ass is a one way ticket to hell,” Ryan began again. “And your girls a chance at freedom or the very least a better hustle,” he finished aiming the gun once more.

“
Man, you gonna kill me over some bitch, some pussy,” Africa asked again as Ryan once more felt that irritation. “That bitch Caramel ain’t all that man, shit,” he continued as Ryan finally spoke.

“
Then why the fuck you followed her up in my place,” he spat about at his end with the pathetic specimen in front of him.

“
Cause she’s money,” Africa replied honestly. “Fuck, I don’t love the bitch or no stupid shit like that,” he spat before Ryan unloaded the Desert Eagle into him, almost decimating the flesh before him.

I love her though,
Ryan thought as he killed the man, the revelation scaring the hell out him. Once the shooting stopped, Ryan told Taye and Sidell to get rid of him and put the word on the street he was dead.

Leaving the men to their task, Ryan made his way upstairs, walking slowly as the thoughts swirled in his mind. He loved Jaleesa without question, but he felt something for Caramel too, something that was deeper than fulfillment of his lust when he was with her.
What the fuck,
he continued to contemplate opening the door and finding her sitting in her recliner, curled tightly in a ball, crying softly.

“
Lemme see,” Ryan told her gently, turning her face to his.

Her lip was split and one of her eyes swollen, but for the most part the injuries were superficial.

“
It’s okay, now,” Ryan told her as he hugged her and Caramel hugged him back needing to feel protected.

She’d heard the shooting and knew Africa would never haunt her again. As much as she felt guilty for Ryan’s holding and comforting her, she accepted it. Pulling away finally, Ryan kissed her softly as Caramel kissed him back. He began touching her gently and she responded hungrily. Undressing her, Ryan took his time arousing her, stopping only to place the condom on himself, before entering her and making love to her.

Carmel again asked Tweety to forgive her for what she felt as Ryan brought her to orgasm three times in succession. After he finally reached his own peak, they lay together, with him holding her and stroking her gently.

“
You’re exclusive,” he told her softly as Caramel sighed gently.

She knew what that meant. She didn’t have to trick anymore. Now she belonged to Ryan and only he was allowed to touch her. Caramel again felt slightly guilty but was thankful for her new status. She made up her mind that this wouldn’t touch what he and Tweety had together and she would never disrespect the woman in her presence, but being with Ryan was incredible and she was glad he’d chosen to make her his. Closing her eyes, Caramel drifted into a contented sleep as Ryan still held her encompassed in his strong arms.

*****

Ian arrived at the address on the notepad’s paper and took in his surroundings. The office building was obviously empty, as attested to by the huge commercial for sale sign posted in front of the entrance.
This isn’t good,
Ian thought walking up to the building’s front entrance and the two large glass doors. Ian made a point of looking the building over a few times before trying the door, in the event anyone was watching, it would allay suspicion. They would simply believe he was a potential buyer. Taking a deep breath Ian pushed the door which to his surprise gave and opened. Ian nonchalantly pulled the .10mm from his pocket, careful to keep it as inconspicuous as possible. He stepped gingerly inside, staying close to the door for now. Once he was out of plain sight to those outside the building, Ian brandished the gun fully, keeping it in front of him as he ventured further inside the building.

Careful to remain quiet, Ian stealthily made his way through the building, going from room to room. Arriving at the buildings back entrance he finally saw confirmation of his greatest fear. Lying right at the doors exit was Jaleesa’s necklace. He knew it since he’d been the one to help Ryan choose the design and inscription.
Fuck Tweety, what the hell were you thinking coming out here alone,
Ian thought sighing deeply. Ian understood though. He was more than certain she believed that the snatchers would release Kaitlyn if she did what they asked and came to the spot.
Damn,
he thought again knowing he was going to have to tell Ryan about his confirmed suspicions when he called. He fleetingly wondered why he hadn’t heard from his brother yet, but assumed he was handling business. Putting the necklace in his pocket, Ian turned to leave the building when the shot rang out and he jumped behind the corner he was standing next too. Ian peeked around only seeing a shadowy figure. Telling himself that was good enough, Ian fired. The figure returned fire as Ian again retreated to his hiding place. Ian heard breaking glass moments later then silence.