by D. Camille
Sean agreed. “He takes after Izzy.”
Ray glared at him, then said, “I just hope Xavier can keep up his cover. It’s completely out of character for him and that’s a totally different environment.”
“He has the Benjamin Rucker gene. He’ll be fine…and if not, the original will come in to handle things.” Sean told them.
“We can’t jump the gun,” Ray warned. “They’re determined to be their own group.”
Jordan sat back. “Diamond will keep everything under control.”
Both Ray and Sean looked at him. “If she doesn’t run everybody crazy,” Ray told him. “Like her father…”
“That sounds more like Justice,” Sean told Ray, and Jordan sat up.
“Hey, don’t talk about my kids.” Jordan warned.
Ray smirked. “They’re Blacks…you don’t need to say anything else.”
“Your sister is a Black, too.” Jordan reminded him, with a grin.
“You know, Diamond is around the age Sage was, when you came into the picture. I wonder who’s picking Diamond up from the airports?” Ray teased.
“Don’t play like that,” Jordan said, frowning.
“Hmm…I’m just saying…” Ray trailed off. “She’s a beautiful woman, like her mother.”
Jordan shook his head. “Nobody is picking up Diamond from airports, except Xavier.” He told him. “And you should be concerned about Skye, because she’s just as beautiful as Izzy.”
Sean looked between the two…even after all these years, Ray and Jordan still loved to bait one another. He shook his head and waited.
“Skye is turning twenty-four, and if a little dude wants to step to her, he’d better be a damn king.” Ray said, firmly.
Jordan agreed. “If anybody even thinks that they want Diamond Black, his ass had better be rich as hell, a damn genius, and worships the ground that she walks on…and maybe I won’t kill him.”
Sean stared at Jordan. “So you want her to never get married?”
“Works for me,” Jordan said with a smile.
“I want Lilac to find a love like mine and Lily’s. Life is much better when you have someone to spend it with.” Sean explained. “Especially since she wants to carry on the Diamond tradition,”
Jordan relaxed. “Of course, I want my kids to find love the way I love my Pretty Girl, but it won’t be just any damn body.”
Sean smirked. “No, I never said just anybody…”
Ray rubbed his head. “How is that going to happen? Our kids are Heirs…they can’t marry any regular ass person.”
“We were fortunate to find the women that we did,” Sean began. “And then all the Uncut Diamonds married each other…”
Ray sighed. “Don’t remind me.”
Jordan smiled. “At least we don’t have to worry about that…”
“That’s why we created the Heirs,” Ray informed him. “They’ve been together their whole lives.”
Sean agreed. “And right now they’re focused on the work to be done…they won’t have any problems.”
“Exactly.” Ray said nodding. “We’ve made the perfect team.”
******
Xavier, Diamond and Skye exited the elevator and began walking through the lobby of the hotel on their way out to the waiting car. Six and Justice waited at the door and watched the trio approach.
“Diamond?”
They all turned in the direction of the male voice. Diamond, Skye and Xavier stopped and watched the man walk toward them.
He smiled at Diamond when he reached them. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Jason.” Diamond replied, staring at him. “What are you doing here?”
He smiled broader. “I’m staying here and I just happened to look up and see you. Are you on your way to the rehearsal?”
Xavier and Skye remained silent to let Diamond handle her part of the mission.
She smiled at Jason. “Yes, we were heading out to our car.”
Jason looked up at Skye and Xavier. “Good morning.”
“What up?” Xavier responded.
“Hello,” Skye said, watching the scenario.
Jason turned his attention back to Diamond and extracted his card. “Are we still on for dinner?”
Xavier restrained himself and stood listening, while watching Justice at the door out of the corner of his eye.
“I’m free tonight,” Diamond replied.
Jason smiled again and handed her the card. “Call me and we can make arrangements? I know you’ll be working at the rehearsal and I didn’t want to bother you while you’re on the clock.”
His eyes met Xavier’s hard ones.
Diamond took the card from his hand and said, “I’ll call you.”
Justice arrived at his sister’s side. “What’s the hold up? The car is waiting…”
“We’re ready,” Diamond told him.
Jason looked her over in jeans, high heels and a blazer. The diamond ‘x’ rested on her cleavage and he looked at Xavier.
“Have a good rehearsal.” Jason told the group.
Xavier then led Diamond and Skye to the door, along with Justice. Six joined them as they climbed inside the vehicle to head to the venue. They all retrieved their private devices and began to sync them for the day.
Six had created the instruments, that served as phones, personal video interfaces, GPS, and messengers. The high tech devices, were state of the art with voice control capabilities. Six had all eight gadgets connected and monitored from a home base, that was being manned by Jade, Lilac, and/or Alex.
Six got Jade on the screen and everyone listened in. “Hey Six,”
“Hey, Jade. Do you have that location set for Diamond’s dinner with this dude?” he asked.
She smiled. “Yes, I’m sending over the information now for you, Diamond.”
Diamond nodded. “Okay, I’ll call him this afternoon and give him the details.”
“Where are they going?” Xavier asked and Six looked over at him.
“I’ve located a nice, upscale place where we can easily set up to be close by. He believes that Diamond is high maintenance and expects her to select somewhere lavish, so we’ll keep up that cover.” Jade explained.
Justice smiled. “That’s not a cover, that’s really her.”
Diamond smirked at him. “I am not high maintenance. Plus, I don’t need a man to wine and dine me. Money doesn’t impress me.” She slid a covert glance at Xavier. “It’s what’s in a man’s heart and what I see in his eyes.”
“Okay, Miss Billionaire…” Justice told her.
Skye and Six shared a look after the exchange and nodded discretely at one another, before they continued planning for the day.
“Lilac and I will set everything up and we’ll meet you later at the location.” Jade told them.
The group reached the venue, and encountered a large group of fans waiting outside.
Six looked at Xavier. “Showtime…”
The car stopped and Six stepped out first to survey the crowd, then gave the okay for the others to exit. When Xavier unfolded his tall body from the limo, the screams were deafening.
“X-Ception! X-Ception!”
He smiled and the screams increased. Xavier waved at the women gathered, then headed towards the door. Diamond and Skye followed him, with Justice taking up the rear. Justice paused and looked out at the women, who were now giving him their attention.
Diamond glanced back. “Justice!”
With one final look, he headed inside with the team. The venue was buzzing with activity and Diamond was given the agenda for the morning rehearsal. Xavier would be up soon for his scheduled time and Six played his bodyguard, standing close at all times.
Diamond made sure he was where he was supposed to be, and Skye made sure he looked good the entire time, while Justice worked the building. When it was Xavier’s turn to hit the stage, Diamond watched him from below.
He walked to the microphone and looked out until he found t
he brown eyes he sought. Xavier blocked out the activity occurring around the place and focused on his cover. He spoke into the microphone and people began to stop and pay attention as the low bass began.
“Sexy girls, do ya have rules?” His deep voice echoed around the hall as he walked slowly across the stage. “I wanna break ‘em…”
He crouched down and his chain swung slowly against his chest. “Things you won’t do?” He grinned. “I wanna make you…”
“Places you won’t go?” Xavier touched the X on his chain. “I wanna take you…”
He smiled and stood to his feet. “Because I am…the X-Ception.”
Diamond jumped as the music switched to the hard beat and Xavier began his performance. She watched in amazement as he transformed right before her eyes into the young, sexy, entertainer, he was portraying.
Skye stood to the side with her brother, watching both Xavier on stage, and Diamond down below.
“I think there’s something going on with them,” Skye told Six.
“I’m sure of it.”
“Justice is going to lose it…”
Six shrugged. “I’m sure of that, too.”
Skye looked back at Xavier on the stage. “They would actually be incredible together.”
He stared at Diamond. “Uncle Jordan, though?”
“We have to help them,” Skye turned to Six.
“Skye, we’re on a mission and what can we do?”
She touched his muscled arm. “We can give them our support if anyone opposes their relationship.”
He looked down at her. “We don’t even know for sure that they’re in a relationship or interested in one.”
Skye turned and studied Diamond. “Don’t you see how they look at one another now?”
“I’m not really watching them that closely, because I have other responsibilities.”
She looked back at him. “I can’t wait until you fall in love.”
Six smirked. “I won’t have a Moon for a very, very long time.”
“Dad didn’t want a Moon either, and Mom changed his mind.”
“I’m not Dad. I’m my own Sun God.” Six rebutted.
Skye sighed. “Well, I can’t wait to fall in love,” she whispered. “And I’m happy for Xavier and Diamond…”
“I’m focused on handling these killers and getting everyone back home.” Six told her. “Not some love affair between the team. This is what basically ended the Uncut Diamonds.”
“Well, I don’t see that happening again.”
Six looked at her. “Damn straight…and you aren’t falling in love with anybody for a while.”
Skye watched Diamond, while she continued to watch Xavier. “You never know when love finds you.”
******
Xavier finished his set, and stepped down from the stage to where Diamond was waiting. She handed him a bottled water and he opened it before taking a long sip.
“Thank you.”
Diamond smiled. “That’s why I’m here.”
He took another sip as they were joined by two smiling women.
“The X-Ception…” one said, giving him a head to toe once over.
“What up?” he replied.
“Your performance was fire. I can’t wait to see you on tour.”
Diamond stood watching the women devour Xavier with their eyes.
The other smiled at him. “You need some dancers. That’s what we do…”
Xavier lifted a brow. “You dance?”
The first one chuckled. “Yeah, all kinds of dances. We could come to your room and audition.”
Diamond forced herself to keep her face neutral.
“Nah, my budget don’t include dancers.” Xavier told them and they frowned.
“Or we could just come to your room,” the other offered with a sultry laugh.
Diamond put a hand to her mouth and coughed. “Ugh!!”
Xavier turned to her and handed her the bottle of water. “You okay?” He placed a comforting hand on her back.
She took it and nodded before taking a sip as he rubbed her gently.
“Sorry…” Diamond said, clearing her throat. “It’s warm in here.”
Skye and Six joined the group and monitored the scene.
“Are you alright Diamond?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” She glanced at Xavier. “I’m going to check and make sure they don’t need you anymore today.”
He agreed as she handed him back the water.
“I’ll be back,”
“Skye, can you go wit’ her?”
Skye smiled. “Sure, X-Ception…I can do that.”
Six watched Diamond and Skye disappear into the crowd then turned back to the two women still ogling Xavier.
“Are you ready to move out?” Six asked him.
“Yeah, we out.” He looked at the women and nodded. “I’ll see y’all…”
They smiled and one touched his chain, then whispered, “Yes, you will…and you can see all of us.”
Six led the way and Xavier followed to a small dressing room, reserved for the X-Ception. Inside they took seats and turned to one another.
“Good performance. You looked comfortable up there.” Six told him.
“I had a good audience.” Xavier told him.
Six studied him for a moment. “Okay, Xavier, this is none of my business…but I have to ask because of the mission.”
Xavier looked at him. “Ask what?”
“Is there something between you and Diamond?” Six asked, point blank.
“Yes,” Xavier answered, just as clearly.
Six shook his head. “Wow, how long?”
“As long as I can remember,” Xavier told him. “I’ve always loved Diamond.”
“I’m assuming that her family doesn’t know about it?”
Xavier sighed. “Not yet, and Diamond is still getting used to the idea. I’ve been waiting for her to come home to stay.”
“You know that you’re going to have to kick Justice’s ass for real,”
He agreed. “Probably, but hopefully only once and he gets the message.”
“We’re talking about Justice.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Xavier replied. “Justice, Uncle Jordan or anybody else can get this work.”
Six looked at him. “Of all the women in the world, you want Diamond Black?”
“Diamond Black is the only woman in the world for me.”
“You enjoy challenges,” Six commented and Xavier smiled.
“Yes, I do. That’s why I’m a CIA agent.”
There was a knock on the door and Six went to answer. Stepping back, he let Justice inside and he joined them, taking a seat.
“Did you get anything?” Six asked Justice.
“Not really…ran into that little cutie again. Hooking up with her later…” Justice told them. “After Diamond’s dinner with old dude.”
Six answered the door again at the next knock, and allowed Skye and Diamond to enter the small room. They both looked around the space.
“I can tell you’re not top billing,” Diamond teased, taking the seat that Justice vacated, while Skye sat in Six’s empty chair.
“I’m the last added to the ticket,” Xavier explained, with a grin.
“At least you won’t have to spend too much time in here, since we’re hitting the road after the concert tomorrow night.” She commented.
“Finally, and we can see what the hell we’re dealing with.” Six agreed.
Xavier looked at his watch and got to his feet. “I need to get to this meeting with John Brown.”
Six stood as well. “This should be interesting.”
******
The group rode back to the hotel and Six accompanied Xavier to John’s floor. At the door they looked at one another.
“Watch your back.” Six warned.
“I’m good.”
John answered the door and smiled at Xavier. “The X-Ception, I’m glad you could make it.”
Xavier n
odded. “You wanted to chop it up, so…”
John looked at Six. “Who is your friend?”
“I’m his security.” Six answered with a frown.
“Well, he’s safe with me.” John told Six, then Six slid a look at Xavier.
“It’s cool. I got this…” Xavier instructed.
“I’ll be outside the door.” Six said, looking at John.
Smiling, John opened the door wider for Xavier. “We won’t be long.” He told Six.
Xavier walked inside and John closed the door behind him. He turned to keep the man in his vision.
“So, what you wanna talk about?” Xavier asked.
“Come in and have a seat.”
Xavier waited and followed John into a living room area. John took a seat on one sofa and Xavier sat across from him on the other.
John smiled at Xavier’s choice of seating. “I don’t bite.”
“You’ll neva’ eva’ bite me,” Xavier warned.
Sitting back, John studied Xavier. “Whoever your stylist is, they’re amazing.”
“Thanks,” Xavier said flatly. “Now either tell me how you can put me on, or I’m out.”
“I like that rugged talk.”
Xavier stood and John got to his feet. “Okay, relax. Let me tell you about my connections.”
Slowly Xavier sat back down and John followed.
“If you want to make it in this business, you’re going to have to sacrifice, because no one is going to hand you shit. For every X-Ception, there’s twenty more. You all are a dime a dozen…and disposable.”
Xavier listened intently.
“What you aren’t willing to do, trust me…the next one is,” John told him. “Or we wait until we find one who is willing.”
“To do what?” Xavier questioned, while Jade and Lilac listened through his necklace.
Lilac frowned when she understood what this man was asking her brother. Jade shook her head, and frowned along with her.
“We all want something,” John began.
“What do you want?”
John smiled. “You’re very good looking. I’m sure you’ve been told that many times.”
“What you talkin’ about?” Xavier asked, making him clarify exactly what he was requesting before he beat his ass.
“Look, you’re new to the business.” John said. “I’m just trying to teach you the ropes.”
Xavier nodded slowly.