by D. Camille
“You’ve already whetted their appetites with the photos and video clip. Now you’ve got to deliver the merchandise,” Skye said with a smile.
She turned and looked over Xavier. “I like your haircut and your beard looks fantastic. I’ll need you to wear your studs tonight.”
He nodded as she went on, feeling Diamond’s hard stare.
“Something that shows your nice chest,” Skye said, standing and looking at the array of shirts. “And the tattoos…” She tapped her lips.
“Oooh, this one!” Sky picked up a shirt that Diamond swore looked two sizes smaller than any man would wear.
Xavier also looked at the shirt. “Will I be able to breathe, Skye?”
“Look, sexy takes sacrifices…” Sky replied. “Go try it on.”
“Yes, Xavier, why don’t you go try it on?” Diamond said, watching him.
Taking the shirt, Xavier walked into one of the bedrooms and closed the door. Skye smiled at Diamond, and said, “I love dressing him. He has the perfect body.”
Diamond gritted her teeth. “Do you have anything, a little uh…bigger?”
Skye laughed. “Trust me, when he comes out, you’re going to know that I’m right.” She turned and picked up a pair of pants that had slashes through the front thighs and held them up.
“I’m going to pair that shirt with these…”
Diamond looked at the pants. “Why are they all cut up?”
Skye laughed. “It’s called fashion, Diamond. Plus, have you seen Xavier’s thighs? The Gods!”
Diamond put a hand to her head. “Why would I have seen his thighs?”
“Well they match his chest and all the rest of him. You know that Xavier is fine…he modeled for you,” Skye said, turning back to her makeshift wardrobe room.
“You seem to think so,”
“And so do two million social media followers…” Skye responded as the door opened and Xavier exited the room. Both women turned and Diamond held her breath.
“Now that’s sexy!” Skye exclaimed as he walked over to them. She began to run her hands along his chest and abdomen smoothing the soft fabric. “You look incredible!”
Diamond felt her blood beginning to boil as Xavier looked down at himself. “Are you sure, Skye?” he asked.
She looked at him. “Positive! If you don’t believe me, ask Diamond…” Skye turned to her cousin. “Doesn’t he look good enough to eat?”
Diamond stared at his clearly defined muscles through the shirt. “A whole damn snack,” she replied and his eyes met hers.
“See!” Skye told Xavier, oblivious to the heat the two were creating in the room.
Skye held up the jeans. “And wear these,” she told Xavier, who frowned at her.
“Why are they all cut up?”
Diamond nodded. “I asked the same question.”
“Because, you’re not in LA hanging out with the Heirs. You’re a hot new rapper on the scene and you have to look and play the part,” Skye told him. “Trust me.”
Xavier eyed the jeans. “Okay Skye, but let’s not go too far with these ensembles?”
“It’s my role,” she told him. “Now let me do my job.”
He reluctantly took the pants. “Thank you.”
“Xavier, you’re fine and sexy. We’re going to play that up to the hilt. You have to put on that ‘I’m that dude’ persona,” Skye told him.
“I don’t think they call themselves dudes, Skye…” Diamond pointed out.
“Well, he knows what I mean.” Skye said, moving the garments around.
“I’m sure he’ll hear a lot of it,” Diamond commented, staring at Xavier.
Xavier turned to Skye. “Thanks again Skye. I’ll take these with me and I’ll see you both in a little while.”
Diamond grabbed her tablet and dived in her PA role. “I’m coming with you Xavier. We can go over a few things before the party.”
“Okay…” he said slowly, then said goodbye to Skye.
Xavier went back into the room to change and Skye took a seat on the sofa. “He’s so sweet. I hope nothing goes wrong on this mission.”
“Nothing’s going to go wrong, Skye.” Diamond assured her.
“I think the outfit looks good,” Skye commented. “Did you like it too?”
Diamond nodded. “He’s going to look amazing tonight.”
“You want me to pick out something for you?” Skye asked. “I brought a ton of stuff for Lilac and Jade.”
“Something sexy?” Diamond asked and Skye frowned.
“You’re the PA, why are you trying to look sexy?” Skye questioned. “Six told me that we all need to keep it covered, so we don’t draw added attention to ourselves.”
“Six is a little too damn serious,” Diamond commented. “And I’m not about to be walking around here like a nun.”
Skye laughed. “Okay, Diamond…I know not to argue with you.”
Xavier returned and Diamond followed him to his suite. He showed her inside and sat the clothing that Skye had chosen aside. They both took seats on the sofa, and he looked at her.
“Yes, Diamond?”
“I’m here as your Assistant.” Diamond replied. “What do you need assistance with?”
He smiled. “You’ve jumped right into your role?”
“I’m a professional.”
Xavier nodded. “In your professional opinion, do you like what Skye selected for me to wear?”
Diamond glanced at the clothing. “It’s fitting of a hot and sexy, young rapper.”
“That shirt is so damn tight, I think you can see my heart beating,” Xavier told her and she smiled.
“I can certainly see everything else,” she commented softly. “And Skye says that you have nice thighs…”
He frowned. “What?”
Diamond shrugged. “Her words…not mine.”
Xavier chuckled. “She loves her world of fashion.”
“I know, Skye is the Princess.” Diamond agreed. “She’s so sweet like Aunt Isabelle, but she’s got just enough of Uncle Ray, to make you think twice about messing with her.”
“She’s been able to take her fashion business worldwide,” Xavier added.
Diamond agreed. “Landing contracts with Whitlock Studios and Watson Entertainment to dress their stars, has really made a name for her.”
“And Diamond Black has made a name for herself, trading on the stock market.” Xavier complimented.
“I found my niche early…”
“Thanks to you, all the Heirs are sitting on very nice nest eggs, outside of our work and inheritances.”
“The Black Brokerage is one of the top online brokerages in the country,” she said proudly. “My Daddy taught me to be about my money, and I always wanted to be a billionaire like him.”
“Uncle Jordan took his cover seriously as the Billionaire…” Xavier agreed.
Diamond laughed. “My Daddy takes everything seriously.”
Xavier sat back. “Are you ready for tonight?”
“Yes,” she answered. “Promise me something…”
He nodded and waited.
“Whatever you do undercover, you leave it all on this tour…”
Xavier reached for her hand. “I promise you that the X-Ception begins and ends on this mission.”
“I don’t think I’m going to like him, at all…”
“The woman that I love, is not really supposed to,”
“I don’t care about the X-Ception…” Their eyes met and Diamond caressed his jaw. “Xavier, is The One that I want to go home with.”
Chapter 7
Xavier got dressed for the welcome party, then sat on the sofa and called his twin. The two were deeply connected and had been all of their lives. When people thought they were weird because of their gift, their parents had cautioned them not to use it, unless they had permission from the individual.
This made it easier for people to be around them, and for the boys to grow up a little more normal. If one could be the c
hild of a Black Diamond and grow up normal, at all. Xavier and Alex graduated at the top of their class, at Harvard, then Xavier had gone on to work for the CIA, and Alex had completed law school.
Even when they were separated, the two always stayed in tune with one another. Alex had known about Xavier’s infatuation with Diamond, since they were kids…and knew of his love for her as a grown man.
Xavier dialed his brother’s number and smiled when Alex answered.
“Are you ready for tonight?” Alex asked.
“You know I was born ready.”
“What about Diamond?”
Xavier nodded. “She’s always ready.”
“That is true…” Alex agreed. “I’m going to be monitoring your microphones while Jade is in attendance at the party. So I’ll be listening…”
“Diamond is not feeling my cover,” Xavier told him.
Alex chuckled. “She doesn’t like the competition?”
“There is no competition.”
“She’s a Black…there’s always competition.” Alex commented.
Xavier sighed. “She’s going to have to see me do some things, that I would never do…”
“It’s a mission, Xavier. If anybody, Diamond will be able to separate the two…she understands what we do.”
“I haven’t even been able to take her out, or spend time with her. Now we’re on this damn mission, where I have to act like everything that I’m not,” Xavier complained.
“She knows you,” Alex said quietly. “Focus on the mission for now…you can get with Diamond when you all return. This is the priority, for all of you.”
Xavier nodded. “You’re right. I’ve just waited so long for her.”
“She’s not going anywhere.”
“I’m going to make sure of that.” Xavier vowed.
“Get in character,” Alex instructed. “It’s time.”
“Got it.” Xavier confirmed. “I’ll check in again later.”
“Hey?” Alex said, as the call was ending.
“What’s up?” Xavier asked.
“One phone call,”
They both laughed as there was a knock on Xavier’s door.
“The Black Diamonds were all a little over the top,” Xavier said, walking to the door.
Alex chuckled. “I never thought I’d see our father react like this. He’s always so cool.”
“He loves his kids.” Xavier said.
“They all do.”
Xavier looked out the door. “Justice is here, so it’s game time.”
“Handle it.” Alex told him.
Ending the call and opening the door for Justice, Xavier stepped back and allowed him inside. Justice looked over Xavier’s outfit.
“You let Skye dress you, didn’t you?”
Xavier closed the door. “Don’t start Justice.”
The two men gave each other a manshake then headed to the living room.
“I mean, I can see the shirt…but the pants, dude?”
He looked down at the slashed jeans. “I thought it was too much.”
“Skye will have you wearing a tablecloth, talking about its fashion.” Justice commented, taking a seat.
Xavier frowned and looked down at himself. “Isn’t this what rappers wear?”
“Ones that want other dudes looking at their legs…”
Justice smiled as Xavier headed straight to the bedroom and closed the door. When he returned the rest of the team was waiting in his suite. Skye saw him and frowned.
“Xavier! What happened to my outfit?” she cried.
“Look, Skye, I appreciate your help…but the jeans weren’t going to work.” Xavier told her.
Diamond smiled and looked him over in regular jeans that hung low on his hips and the extra tight shirt with the gleaming X hanging around his neck.
“You look great, Xavier.” Diamond told him and he smiled at her.
“Thank you, Diamond.”
Their eyes held for a second too long, causing Six to give both of them a look, while the rest of the group was planning. He then turned to Justice.
“Justice, you need to stay in proximity to the women. I’m covering Xavier tonight.” Six instructed. “Alex is ready on his end, if we need any help.”
Justice smiled. “Oh, I plan to be in proximity to a whole lot of women tonight. I flew here just for this.”
Diamond frowned. “Justice, this isn’t a hook up spot for you. This is business.”
He walked over to her. “I’ve got this Diamond. I’m not going to let anything happen to my Little Pretty Girl.” Justice kissed her cheek and she pushed him away.
Turning to Six, Diamond asked, “Are we leaving now?”
Six agreed. “Let’s go. The car is downstairs.”
The seven passengers climbed into the limo with Diamond sitting next to Xavier. He turned to her and looked her over in a black dress that fit her curves with high heels, then sent her a private message on their devices.
You look beautiful.
Diamond checked her gadget when it vibrated, then smiled. She typed back…
Thank you. I’m glad you noticed before we enter a room full of T & A
Xavier smiled.
I’ve seen T & A before…
She shook her head and responded.
I’m sure you have.
Xavier glanced up at the others, then looked back down at his device.
Not what I’d like to see.
Diamond stared at the message, then turned to him. They both jumped when their devices vibrated.
I know that I don’t want to see any more of this conversation. Your devices ARE being monitored.
They both laughed after Alex’s message came through, then sat quietly beside one another until they arrived at the venue.
Xavier turned to Diamond. “Showtime…we’ll talk later.”
She nodded and watched as he climbed out of the car, then switched over to the X-Ception. Diamond and the women were helped out of the car by Justice and Six as the main act took center stage, and they became the entourage.
Hearing the music blasting, from the outside, Diamond followed Justice as Six took up the rear behind the four women. At the door, they were checked for weapons before being allowed inside. Xavier was led up to a private section upstairs, large enough for his party.
He waited, along with Six and Justice until the women were seated, then sat on the sofa, checking out the surroundings. Poles were positioned strategically around the room below with nearly naked women twirling and twerking to the blaring music. Drinks were flowing and a dance floor was packed.
“The X-Ception!”
Xavier turned his attention to the man, now standing before the group. He recognized him as one of the more popular performers on the ticket, and got to his feet.
“What’s up, Lil D?” Xavier greeted, giving him a brother handshake.
The rapper smiled. “We about to do this shit! Turn this out!”
Xavier nodded. “I feel you. I’m wit’ that…”
Lil D looked at Xavier’s group. “You brought your own bitches to the club?”
All the women frowned and Xavier gritted his teeth. “This my team,” he told him firmly. “They work wit’ me.”
Nodding, Lil D looked at them again. “Okay, shit, I need to get me some bitches to work wit’ me.”
Justice and Six looked at one another, then at Diamond…knowing she was the one to watch.
“I’m Lil D,” he said, turning to Diamond, Jade, Skye and Lilac. He extended a tattooed hand to each, and when he reached Diamond, he said, “But don’t let the stage name fool you…ain’t nothing Lil about me.”
“Hey! Lil D, watch that shit,” Xavier warned him.
He laughed. “You know what they say, ain’t no fun, if the homies can’t get none.”
Xavier stepped to him, then both Six and Justice stood. “I will fuck you up, homie.” Xavier said, harshly. “Now back the hell up.”
Lil D put his hands up. “My ba
d, my bad…you don’t want to share. I got you…” He looked at Justice and Six before turning back to Xavier. “We got a VIP room upstairs, you should come on up, meet the rest of the crew.”
Xavier took a small step back and remembered why he was here. “Yeah, okay...let’s hit it.”
Six moved with Xavier and Lil D stopped. “Uh…it’s for the crew only.”
“This my crew,” Xavier told him. He nodded towards the group. “My security, my rep, my stylist, my social media assistant.”
Lil D nodded. “Okay, I guess it’s cool.”
Xavier looked back at Diamond and could see the fury in her brown eyes. She mouthed the words…be careful, and he nodded, before walking away with Six to the VIP room.
Justice looked at the women. “I wanted to punch him in his damn mouth.”
All the women agreed. “Join the club,” Diamond told him.
“I thought Xavier was going to,” Skye sighed. “I’ve never seen him that angry.”
“Oh, you don’t want to see Xavier angry,” Lilac told her.
Justice agreed. “Trust me, I know.”
Diamond stood to her feet. “Come on, let’s mingle and see who the hell these people are.”
The group stood and headed down into the crowd.
******
Xavier stepped into the VIP room with Six behind him. Together they passed the tables filled with marijuana, cocaine, money and a couple of weapons. A few guys were getting lap dances and Xavier glanced at Six, before they found a table with a few other rappers sitting at it.
Xavier took a seat while Six stood with his massive arms folded. “What’s up my niggas?” Xavier asked, sitting back. “I see y’all got it popping up in here.”
They nodded. “So you the new-new?” one asked.
“Yeah, this my first tour and shit. Tryin’ to get on…make these stacks.” Xavier told them.
“Who you know that got you on this tour?” another questioned.
Xavier grinned. “I did what a nigga had to do…” He paused and planted bait. “And always will…”
“This ain’t my end game, though,” Xavier continued. “This all cool and nice, this little tour, but I wanna do more…?”
“Like what?” the first asked.
“I’m down for whateva,” Xavier stressed. “Whoever I need to get wit’ to make this shit happen and take it to another level, I’m wit’ it…”