Diamond (The Heirs Series Book 2)

by D. Camille

  “You’re sure that I’m going to chase you?” Diamond asked, lifting an arched brow.

  He sat back, releasing her hand. “Are we back to that?”

  Diamond stared at him for a moment. “Fine, tell me what you know about this case…”

  Xavier nodded. “It came to my attention, when a mother whose son was found with his body parts missing, wrote my office. She was upset at the way the local authorities were handling the case. I contacted her and she told me her son’s story.”

  She looked concerned as he continued.

  “Her son was nineteen, and an aspiring rapper. He’d attended one of the concerts on the tour and made some type of connection with someone. He didn’t give his mother all the details, but shortly after, he went missing…then his body was found in another city on the tour.”

  Diamond’s heart went out to the mother. “And you’re sure it’s tied to this tour?”

  “Diamond, this business is far more than many people realize. Hollywood has their hands in all types of illegal activities. We may find more than we’re bargaining for, stepping into the underbelly of this world.” Xavier told her.

  “How are you going to get these people to talk?” Diamond questioned.

  “First, I have to make them think that I’m one of them and that I’ll do anything to make it.”

  She frowned. “What are you actually willing to do to catch these people?”

  Xavier sighed. “This entire industry goes completely against my moral code. The things that I hold sacred, are exploited and abused by some of these people. While I want to solve this case, and quickly, there’s only so far that I can allow myself to go.”

  “I’ve told Six my concerns, and I believe that’s why he’s put you by my side. He knows that you’ll keep me from going too far,” he finished.

  Diamond smiled. “How does he know that?”

  “Because everyone knows that I will do whatever Diamond Black asks…”

  She shook her head. “So not true…”

  “Very true and I always have,”

  “I asked you to table this attraction thing, but yet we’re sitting here having a very intimate dinner,” Diamond pointed out.

  “You said we should eat now…”

  “You always have an answer.”

  Xavier’s eyes locked with hers. “I will only do, what you give me permission to do.”

  “Are you waiting for permission on something particular?” Diamond asked, with a wicked question in her brown eyes.

  “Are you sure this is where you want to go?” he warned.

  She nodded. “I’m not afraid…”

  “Yes, I’m waiting for permission on something very particular…something that I visualize very clearly.”

  Diamond fingered the rim of her glass. “What are you going to do, to obtain that permission?”

  “Wait…” He winked at her. “While you chase me...”

  She smirked. “Boy…you’re too damn much.”

  He laughed and sat back. “Speaking of too damn much, how was your training?”

  Diamond groaned. “Hard…”

  “You chose all the skills?” Xavier questioned. “I was surprised.”

  She gave him a look. “Were you really?”

  Xavier conceded. “I guess, I should’ve known. Diamond Black doesn’t half do anything, that’s why I’ve always been enamored with her…”

  “You, me, Six and Lilac, have all the skills…” Diamond relayed. “I knew you’d choose them all.”

  “You and I will need to be on top of our game,” Xavier told her.

  “I’m ready,”

  Xavier looked at her. “The acts on this tour are not gentlemen, so I want you to stay close. Six will keep an eye on Skye, Lilac and Jade, when we don’t have Justice.”

  “I can take care of myself, Xavier.”

  “I know you’re used to ordering the younger Diamonds around, but in this case, I need you to listen.” He told her firmly. “Six and I are running this mission…”

  “I have no problem listening.” Diamond shrugged.

  Xavier gave her a look. “I know you very well, and I’m not trying to murder somebody, who may not even be connected to this case.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re a beautiful woman, Diamond. Even more beautiful than I remembered…and if anybody comes at you the wrong way, they will get handled.” Xavier confirmed. “I want you to stay close, so that we can handle our business and get back home.”

  “How close?”

  “We don’t want any of you out alone, without one of our guys with you,” he explained.

  “We’re all trained, Xavier.” Diamond reminded him.

  He sighed. “Men who have no respect for women, are predators. Now if you happen to find yourself in a situation, where you have to use your skills, that’s one thing…but we’re not trying to create that situation.”

  “You and Six can’t treat us like we’re less capable because we’re women,” she protested.

  Xavier stood and picked up their empty plates. “Not going to argue about it.”

  He headed to the kitchen and she followed.

  “We’re Heirs too, just like the men.”

  Xavier went to the sink. “Didn’t say you weren’t…”

  Diamond met him there. “I’m the first Heir.”

  He turned to her. “What does that mean?”

  “It means that I was here before all of you.”

  “Does that provide some sort of force field around you?”

  She frowned. “I’m coming to handle business, and I’m not going to be restrained by my little cousins.”

  Xavier turned to the sink again. “I’m not your cousin.”

  “Dammit! You know what I mean…” She turned him to face her again, by tugging on his shirt.

  He looked down at her hands on his chest, holding on to the fabric.

  “What do you think this is going to do?” Xavier asked.

  She tightened her grip. “I want you to listen.”

  “Do you think I didn’t hear you?” He placed his hands over hers and loosened her grip. “Now you listen…”

  Xavier gripped her arms, startling her. Diamond’s brown eyes widened as she caught her breath, at his restrained strength.

  “The thing I love about you most, is your fierceness, but I’ll be damned if I watch you do something stupid to prove that you’re just as strong as I am. If you won’t stay close, then I’ll have you switched out for Justice, and you can take his place…” Xavier told her firmly, with serious dark eyes. “This isn’t about who’s the best…it’s about being smart enough to not take unnecessary risks.”

  Diamond blinked at the change up, and looked at him. “Uh…okay…”

  He released her arms and Diamond grabbed his shirt again.

  “So, you really do have two sides?” she asked, lifting a brow. “I’ve rarely seen that one.”

  Xavier stared down into her face. “That one isn’t for you.”

  She moved closer. “I don’t know. I might like him…”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist and bent to whisper in her ear. “He’s not nice…”

  Diamond smiled and replied, “Diamond Black can be very naughty…”

  “Yes, I know.” Xavier said, kissing her cheek.

  Touching his soft beard, Diamond turned her mouth to his. “Do I need your permission?” she asked, against his lips.

  “You are always welcome to this,” Xavier answered, holding her tightly.

  Diamond initiated the kiss and Xavier willingly allowed her to take complete control. Being locked in his embrace, Diamond lost herself in this sorcerer who had her completely under his spell. Xavier Jackson had done something to her mind and her body…and she was delighting in the feel of him, much more than she should.

  Before she allowed that naughty side to take over, Diamond ended the kiss and ran her thumb along his damp lips.

  “You should take m
e home…” she whispered, looking up at him.

  Xavier removed her hand from his lips and kissed the palm. “Yes, Goddess.”

  ******

  In front of her parent’s home, Xavier parked his truck and looked at Diamond. She looked at the house then turned to him.

  “Thank you for dinner,”

  “You’re welcome anytime,” Xavier said quietly.

  Diamond looked away. “I wasn’t expecting…all that happened tonight.”

  “Do you regret it?”

  She smiled. “No.”

  Xavier looked out of the windshield. “Are you ready for me to walk you inside?”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  He turned and gave her a look. “You know me better than that.”

  “Are you in a hurry?” she asked.

  Xavier shook his head. “No, did you need something?”

  It was Diamond’s turn to look out of the windshield. “I just don’t want to go inside yet.”

  Reaching over, Xavier turned her face to him and looked into her eyes. “Something wrong?”

  “I was thinking about the photo in your kitchen…”

  “What about it?”

  Diamond watched him. “You wrote my name. I never questioned why’d you done that…”

  “I told you that I’ve always loved you, Diamond.”

  She placed her hand over his. “What would you have done if I’d gone away and gotten married or came back with a man?”

  “I’d have killed him.”

  Diamond paused. “What? Are you serious?”

  He smiled. “No, I wouldn’t have killed your husband, Diamond. Although it would have broken my heart…as long as you were happy, I would’ve been happy for you.”

  She stared at him, then he said, “But if he’d ever hurt you in any way…then I’d have killed him.”

  “You really believed that I’d come back to you?” she whispered.

  “You’re here.”

  Diamond nodded. “That I am…”

  Xavier touched her hair. “I used to read your mind all the time, before we weren’t allowed to anymore without permission.”

  “Did you?” she questioned, in surprise.

  He nodded quietly.

  “What did you find out?”

  Xavier chuckled. “Lots of curse words…”

  She laughed. “Yeah, that’s about right. What else?”

  “You would look at me and think that I was cute and sweet…at least that’s what you would say in your mind,” he told her.

  “I did think you were very cute and sweet,”

  “Thank you.” Xavier traced the shell of her ear. “I thought you were beautiful…and I still do.”

  Diamond studied him for a moment. “If I could read your mind, what would I find out right now?” she inquired.

  He toyed with the diamond stud in her earlobe. “That you fill my thoughts…”

  “In what way?” Diamond whispered.

  His hand moved to her lips and gently traced them. “My mind imagines how you look…all over. What you feel like underneath my hands, and what you taste like on my tongue. Is your body is as soft as your lips and does it taste as sweet as your kisses?”

  Diamond’s breath increased at his words and her chest rose and fell as he continued…

  “Then I imagine all that softness against me, over me, underneath me, surrounding me…” Xavier whispered.

  She looked into his eyes and smiled softly. “It’s a good thing that I can’t read minds,”

  “Alex tries to stay away from me, when I’m thinking about you.” He confessed.

  “Poor Alex…”

  “He’ll live,” Xavier told her. “Plus, he has more than enough women running through his head.”

  Diamond looked surprised. “Really?”

  “His women often get us confused,” Xavier said frowning. “I’ve had more than a few, walk up, grab me and kiss me.”

  Diamond frowned. “What the hell?”

  “Yes, I’ve told him to let them know he has a twin.”

  She shook her head in surprise, while Xavier moved to nip at her ear. “Your parents are going to wonder why we’re sitting out here so long,” he whispered.

  “I’ll tell them that we were discussing the mission…” she breathed as he moved to her neck.

  “The mission where you’re going to fall back and follow directions?” he asked, and kissed her collarbone.

  “I never said that…” Diamond said softly.

  He lifted his head and looked at her. “Let’s work together, Diamond.”

  “I promise that I won’t go wandering off alone,” she agreed. “Everything else I’ll handle...”

  He nodded. “Thank you.”

  She touched his face. “You’re welcome. I want us to be a good team, and make the Black Diamonds proud.”

  “We will, we’re the best.”

  “I know.” She touched her lips to his before there was a loud rap on the tinted driver’s window. They quickly pulled apart and Xavier lowered the glass.

  “Why are you sitting out here?”

  Xavier looked at Diamond’s brother. “Hey, Justice. I brought Diamond home and we were still talking.”

  Justice looked inside the truck. “Hey, Little Pretty Girl.”

  She frowned. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have an apartment?”

  “I came to see Momma,”

  “You just want to eat,”

  Justice laughed. “As long as you’re not cooking, because we both know…”

  “Shut up boy, you know I can cook.”

  He shook his head. “No…we don’t know that.”

  Xavier looked between the siblings. “We’re coming in now, Justice.” Xavier rolled up the window and Justice went around to open the door for his sister.

  Diamond allowed Justice to help her out of the truck and Xavier joined them as they walked to the front door. Inside, Xavier greeted her parents, hugging Sage first.

  “Hello, Aunt Sage.”

  “Hi Xavier,” Sage smiled. “You’re always Diamond’s chauffeur.”

  He smiled. “I don’t mind at all.”

  Diamond glanced at him as Justice embraced his Momma.

  “Hello, Uncle Jordan.” Xavier said with a manshake for Jordan.

  “Hey Xavier,”

  Sage touched Justice’s face after he hugged her. “Did you eat?”

  “Not yet,” he said grinning.

  “Still a Momma’s boy,” Diamond said, shaking her head.

  Sage laughed. “Xavier, would you like something?”

  “No, thank you. I’m fine.” He looked at his watch. “And I need to get going…”

  She agreed. “Okay, it’s always nice to see you.”

  “You too,” he replied.

  Jordan, Justice and Sage headed to the kitchen before Diamond walked Xavier to the door.

  “I thought you said you weren’t in a hurry?” she asked with a smile.

  He looked down at her. “That’s when you asked…”

  Diamond looked at him. “Are you really supposed to be somewhere else?”

  “Yes, I’m meeting with my father.”

  “Xavier…why didn’t you say so?”

  “I told him when I was free, I’d drop by…” He smiled at her. “I wasn’t free…”

  Opening the door, he turned back to her. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “How soon?” Diamond asked.

  “You can also call me,” he informed her.

  She pursed her lips. “That would be chasing you…”

  “The sooner you get started, the sooner we can be done.” He advised.

  “Good night, Xavier,” Diamond’s eyes twinkled.

  “Good night, Goddess,”

  She watched him walk out to the truck. He opened the door, then looked at her, before disappearing inside. Starting the engine, Xavier took off a moment later and Diamond stood watching him leave. She jumped when she felt a hand on
her shoulder, then turned quickly to frown at Justice.

  “You scared me,”

  He frowned back at her. “How the hell are you going on a mission and you’re scared at home?”

  “What do you want?” Diamond asked.

  “Momma wants to know if you’re eating?”

  They headed back inside the home and Justice closed the door. “No, I’m fine. I ate at Xavier’s.”

  He nodded. “I heard you were mad yesterday after the meeting. Did y’all get on the same page?”

  Diamond smiled. “Yeah, we did…”

  ******

  Xavier drove to his own parents’ home and headed inside. He found his mother and father, snuggled on the sofa, locked in a passionate embrace.

  He turned to leave the room and heard his name.

  “Xavier?”

  Turning back, he smiled at his mother.

  “I’m sorry. I should’ve knocked.” He apologized.

  Lily smiled and held out a hand to him. “You’re fine. Your father was expecting you and I distracted him.”

  Xavier crossed the room and took her hand, before kissing it softly. “Hello, my beautiful Goddess.”

  She smiled, showing her dimples. “Hello, my charming warrior.”

  Xavier turned to his father. “Hello, Daddy.”

  Sean looked at his watch. “You’ve been tied up for a while.”

  “Yes, I had some important business,” Xavier replied.

  “Well, hello son. I’m glad you could make it.” Sean turned to kiss Lily’s face. “I’ll see you soon.”

  She agreed and he got to his feet.

  “Let’s talk in my office,” Sean told Xavier.

  Saying goodbye to Lily, he followed his father and took a seat in his office.

  “How are you?” Sean asked.

  “I’m very good.”

  Sean watched his son, who reminded him so much of himself.

  “Are you ready for this mission?”

  “I was born ready.”

  Sean smiled. “Yes, you were.”

  “The Heirs met yesterday, and we all have our orders.” Xavier informed him.

  “Ray told me you discussed your concerns with him,”

  Xavier nodded. “He and Six have assigned Diamond as my coverage…”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  “I’d rather have her than Justice.”