Free Thin Ice 3 - Armageddon by KR BANKSTON Page A

interrupt their impromptu meeting, but so far, that wasn’t panning out.
    “ What you want my brothers for,” Gabrielle finally spoke trying to stay strong and sound brave.
    Jaron smiled slightly seeing the fire in her beautiful green eyes as she spoke.
    “ Not really them we’re interested in,” he told her still watching her closely. Gabrielle said nothing.
    Taking a deep breath and blowing it out slowly, Jaron nodded almost unnoticeably as the blow came swiftly to Corey’s back and he crumpled to the ground. Gabrielle gasped seeing the man on the ground grimacing in pain, before returning her attention to Jaron who was still standing in front of her.
    “ What you talkin’ bout and what you want,” Gabrielle again returned the accent thicker now that she was visibly upset.
    “ I wanna know where Ice is,” Jaron said simply as the surprise crossed her face and disappeared just as quickly, alerting him they’d finally hit pay dirt.
    “ I don’t know no Ice,” Gabrielle lied.
    Mace kicked Corey hard to the gut as the man now struggled to breathe.
    “ You’re gonna get your boyfriend killed lying to me,” Jaron told her plainly as Gabrielle blinked back tears.
    “ Where is he,” he barked sharply making her jump again.
    “ Leave us alone,” Gabrielle returned instead of an answer, earning Corey yet another vicious kick to the face.
    “ Stop it!” Gabrielle screamed, attacking Mace, who easily subdued the small woman and held her immobile.
    Jaron walked to her, standing close enough to feel her heart racing as Mace’s arms enveloped her.
    “ If you don’t answer my question this time, I’ll kill him,” Jaron told her plainly. “And when me and my boy are done with you, you’ll wish you were dead,” he added for good measure now looking her directly in the eye. “I’ll give you 10 seconds,” Jaron told her evenly, producing the .10mm from his pocket and unlocking the safety.
    *****
    Kaitlyn smiled to herself as they hit the city. She hadn’t been to Louisiana in some years, especially not on business. Tae was entertaining herself as usual singing along with the CD as the smooth sounds of R&B filled the car. For the woman to be as violent as Kaitlyn knew she could be, Tae had that soft, sweet, romantic side to her as well.
    “ Wake that diva up,” Tae barked glancing in the rearview and seeing Jaleesa sleeping.
    Kaitlyn chuckled as she reached into the backseat of the truck and woke her bestfriend. “We’re here,” she said simply as Jaleesa stretched and rubbed sleep from her eyes.
    “ I know your lil happy ass wanted to wake me up,” she groused at Tae, rolling her eyes as both women burst into laughter.
    “ We got to handle business and your ass is asleep,” Tae returned as Jaleesa smiled herself this time, joining the joke.
    “ I need some food,” she threw out as Kaitlyn voiced her agreement.
    “ Shit, ya’ll know a sista is always down to eat,” Tae added as they all laughed again, driving into the French Quarter and stopping at the famous seafood restaurant they’d Googled.
    “ Mmm, it smells good on the damned outside,” Jaleesa remarked as they all laughed again getting out.
    Standing outside the truck and stretching, the three women made sure the truck was secured, their weapons were in their purse and their lipstick was on straight before heading inside and being seated. Kaitlyn was still inhaling all the wonderful scents wafting through the air as Tae ordered herself a margarita and Jaleesa asked for a wine spritzer.
    “ Something for you ma’am,” the waitress queried as Kaitlyn continued taking in the restaurant.
    “ Crown and coke,” she replied as the young woman smiled and left to get their drinks.
    “ What you having’,” Tae asked Jaleesa.
    Shrugging Jaleesa replied she didn’t know yet.
    “ Where are we meeting the contact,” Kaitlyn asked as they all perused the menu.
    Tae replied they were supposed to connect in another couple hours.
    “