Hide & Seek (14 page)

11

Halle continued to listen quietly as the man on the other end spoke. She wasn’t all that keen on the assignment she’d been given, but she wasn’t eager on dying either. Halle knew she had to play her part and play it well. Any feelings she may or may not have had for DeNoah were irrelevant. He was a means to an end in her world right now. Sighing softly, she reeled her mind in as the question came requiring an answer.

“
Are you sure he’s our guy,” Freight asked.

Colton “Freight” Palmer was a heavy hitter out of St. Louis and he was interested in expanding his empire and trading in a new commodity. Word had reached him about a new player in the game named Top and Freight wanted to know more about him. He’d garnered his nickname from the massive amounts of stolen computer, camera, video and small electronic product he moved on a regular basis as well as his 6’8”, 300 plus pound stature.

“
Yes, he’s perfect,” Halle returned honestly.

Though she thought DeNoah was a nice enough guy, he was gullible and that’s what they needed to get close to Top and his organization.

“
When are you seeing him again,” Colton asked.

“
Later today actually,” Halle once again answered.

“
Are you okay,” she asked softly hearing him sigh deeply.

“
Yeah, I’m straight,” he answered as she explained her understanding.

Halle was one of she was sure, a select few who’d ever seen the softer side of Freight. Today was the anniversary of his half-brother’s death. Sadly he hadn’t had the chance to meet him before having to attend his funeral. His father, Colton Sr. made the deathbed confession of having another son right before cancer consumed him. Freight had spent months searching for the man on the small amount of information supplied by his father, before finally hitting pay dirt. Unfortunately by the time he found Aundreaus Talin, Freight was standing inside the funeral home reading the marquee again and again.

“
Make sure you get as much information as you can,” Colton spoke again breaking Halle’s thought and bringing her back to the present.

“
You know I will, Freight,” she returned.

“
I’m going to make some moves soon and I need to know if Top is going to be an ally or extermination,” he told her once more as she heard him sipping his drink.

“
I get it, and I’m going to make him talk,” she replied as Colton chuckled slightly.

“
Oh, I have no doubt you’ll do that,” he threw out as the tears came to her eyes.

Halle hated how he thought of her. She was simply a slut in his mind. One he could use to get information, create opportunity, and distract any and every character he threw her way. Halle wanted him to respect her like she did him, but she knew too much water had flowed under the bridge for that to happen. He was still deeply angry with her and she knew it.

“
I’ll call you later,” she told him wanting to get off the phone before she began to cry.

“
You’re pissed aren’t you,” Colton shot back hearing the tone in her voice.

“
No,” Halle lied.

“
You put yourself in this position, you know that,” he told her acidly.

“
I’m not angry, Freight,” she tried again. “Please just let it go,” she pleaded a single tear trailing her face.

“
You have no right to be anyway,” he hissed. “You fucked me over Halle,” Colton pounced on her as Halle finally broke and began to sob.

“
I know that,” she tearfully replied trying to staunch the flow. “Why do you hafta be so damned mean, Freight,” she questioned hearing him laugh softly.

“
You know the fuck why,” he answered cutting the laugh short.

“
Just let me do my job,” Halle told him quietly finally able to stop her tears.

“
You’re such a tramp, did you know that, Halle,” Colton told her once more as she sighed deeply.

“
Yeah, Freight, I know,” she replied defeated.

“
Hmph,” he threw back still irritated. “Get me the fuckin’ information,” he told her as a final command before disconnecting.

Halle angrily flung the vase from her coffee table at the wall shattering it.

“
I hate him,” she screamed aloud.

Her mind berated her for the lie and told her to shut up feeling sorry for herself. All she could hear was the hatred and anger in his voice as it rang again and again in her head.

“
When are you gonna forgive me Freight,” Halle whispered aloud, hugging herself tightly.

Finally managing to gather herself she rose and headed for the shower. She had an hour to pull it together and meet DeNoah.

*****

Ryan’s world was just as chaotic as his brother’s. He was dealing with the news Ian had given him days earlier that now Jaleesa was also missing. They hadn’t received anything from the snatchers about Jaleesa or Kaitlyn, but another child had delivered Ian yet another note from the dissenter. Ryan of course wanted to return immediately to Atlanta, but Ian told him to stay put as he was needed on that end. Things were going crazy at their clubs in both Louisiana and Mississippi. Sighing deeply Ryan picked up the cars speed as he headed for Mississippi and a long forgotten nemesis.

His mind was still racing as he drove. Not only was he thinking about the woman he loved, he was also thinking about the woman he was sleeping with. Caramel was special to him, Ryan couldn’t deny that, but did he really love her, he asked himself. Jaleesa was his woman. She was the one who’d stood by his side all these years helping his empire grow.
She’s also the one who wanted to kill you too,
his mind threw out. Ryan sighed lightly. That was ancient history, or so he thought. He was surprised how much the thought still hurt and angered him. He knew Caramel was guilty about sleeping with him. She genuinely cared for Jaleesa as a friend and Ryan saw the condemnation in her eyes every time he looked into them when they made love.
What if she’s pregnant,
his mind threw at him once more. Ryan had to honestly admit the thought didn’t bother him all that much. He and Jaleesa had talked about kids and she’d basically told him she never wanted any.

While Ryan didn’t want a house full, he did want at least one or two children to carry on his bloodline. He decided if Caramel was pregnant, he’d allow her to decide whether she wanted it or not. Focusing his attention once more on his task Ryan pulled out his cell and made a call.

“
Wassup Tate,” he greeted the former bodyguard.

Tate had proved faithful during the FBI operation, not cooperating or giving up any information. He and Ian had rewarded the man upon their resurgence by giving him reign over the Mississippi operation.

“
You here yet,” Tate asked as Ryan acknowledged his arrival.

“
You find the manpower,” Ryan threw back as Tate assured him he had what they needed.

“
Cool, meet me at the spot,” he added as Tate acknowledged the direction. Disconnecting Ryan again thought about Jaleesa, praying she was okay and that they hurriedly found out who these fools were that had snatched the two women.
Payback is gonna be a bitch when we find these muthafucka’s,
Ryan thought ominously as he turned into the parking lot seeing Tate leaning against his car smoking a blunt, waiting for him.

*****

Freight was checking out the pictures Halle sent. He’d had her surveying Top’s operation for a while, trying to find their in. Sipping his gin and tonic, he found one picture very intriguing staring at it for quite a while.

“
Sexy,” he said softly aloud looking at the picture of Kim.

He knew from the little Halle told him, the woman worked for Top but she wasn’t sure in what capacity. There were a couple more pictures of her with a guy. Someone Freight assumed was also affiliated with Top’s organization.
That her man,
he wondered more than a little perturbed by the thought. He chuckled to himself knowing Halle would blow a gasket if she suspected he had any interest in the woman. Freight was well aware she was still totally in love with him, even though he himself had divorced his heart from her years ago. Halle had hurt him on a level Freight vowed no other ever would. Deciding that Kim might be worth some of his time, he picked up his cell and made another call.

“
Wassup man,” Freight greeted the man.

“
Wassup Freight,” Spider threw back calmly.

He was glad he wasn’t with LaRon or this call might have ended his life. He’d been working for Top since coming to Atlanta a year or so ago. Spider knew Freight from childhood, never flinching when his lifelong friend asked him to get information on the organization for him.

“
Tell me the rumblings,” Freight threw out as Spider sighed lightly before going on to give him the latest updates.

He often wondered why Freight asked him anything, considering he had Halle here as well.

“
Cool,” Freight returned after the explanation.

“
You know I still don’t trust Halle’s ass to tell me the whole story,” he threw out answering Spider’s unasked question. “What’s up with this pretty mocha chick Top got working for him,” Freight asked casually.

Spider picked up the tone and knew the man was interested. He was surprised, given Freight’s history. He normally kept a chick around for sex here and there, but definitely no interest past that.

“
Her name is Kim Raye,” Spider told him. “She’s been with Top for 3 years about,” he added as Freight explained slightly.

“
What does she do for Top,” he asked with leading implications.

Spider chuckled slightly. “She doesn’t do that for Top,” he answered as Freight smiled into the phone.

“
Kim handles covert operations and shit like that,” Spider answered as Freight again made a noise of understanding. “She has that chameleon ability,” Spider began again. “She can fit any situation, and Top loves that undercover type hype,” he added as Freight again commented shortly. “She’s with dude from Florida though,” Spider clarified for his friend.

“
Top’s twin,” Freight questioned.

Spider chuckled again. “They only built up alike, they look different,” he replied still chuckling at Freight’s observation.

“
Mhmph,” Freight returned. “They serious,” he asked no longer trying to hide his interest.

Spider told him they’d only hooked up a month or so ago.

“
Good looking’ out,” Freight replied. “Keep me informed, both about Top and shit going down, and about Kim.”

Spider told him no problem as the two men disconnected. Freight smiled again looking at her picture, his excitement at getting to Atlanta just a bit more exuberant.

*****

“
What the fuck is going down in this town,” Ryan asked Tate after they greeted each other.

“
Tyreece,” Tate answered simply.

Ryan knew the man he was talking about. He’d been the original owner of Platinum before Ian bought the club and Tate beat him almost to death.

“
What that punk ass fool tryna prove,” Ryan growled his anger simmering.

Tate told him Tyreece had been gathering forces for a while now and made a move on one of the clubs just two nights ago.

“
They take one of ours,” Ryan asked of casualties.

Tate told him it was a simple stick up and though a couple warning shots had been discharged, no one was hurt.

“
It’s like the fool is waving his hands at us, sayin’ yeah I did it, come get me,” Tate told Ryan as the man grunted thoughtfully. “Almost like he wants to start a war and shit,” Tate again added bitterly.

Ryan nodded his understanding but said little else. Finally sighing deeply he told Tate it was time to handle the loose end.

Tate and Ryan rode in his car, while the four other men working with them rode in a separate vehicle. Tate’s cell rang.

“
Yeah,” he spoke into the receiver listening intently to the party on the other end.

“
Man, what the fuck,” Tate barked angrily. “How the fuck that shit happen,” he continued to question as Ryan listened curiously.

Finally disconnecting Tate addressed him.

“
Them fools just hit Jazzy,” Tate told him as Ryan frowned deeply.

Jazzy’s was their main club. It replaced Platinum after all the raid nonsense was said and done. They did excellent business at the club and it was highly touted because of its intricate security.

“
What they get,” Ryan asked his mind still working. “Ten g’s, shot two, beat down a couple dancers,” Tate told him coldly.

Ryan saw blood then, Tyreece’s blood.

“
You know where this muthafucka live,” he asked calmly.

Ryan had plans. Tate told him he knew exactly where Tyreece lived.

“
Hmph,” he returned calmly as Tate gave direction and Ryan turned the car around, the accompanying vehicle following suit.

*****

“
Yeah, just like you said,” Tyreece was telling LaRon as they talked. “We hit em for the receipts, about ten grand,” he went on as LaRon told him that was theirs to keep. “I’m still getting my club back right,” Tyreece asked as LaRon assured him once everything was said and done, Jazzy would be his.