by D. Camille
“Oh, hell…” Six said, rushing over to them. “Justice, Xavier, stop!”
The two men ignored him and continued their battle around the room, until Diamond got her weapon and fired a warning shot. The bullet whizzed past them and landed in the wall causing them both to freeze.
Justice and Xavier looked at the pistol aimed at them. “Diamond, what the hell?” Justice yelled.
“You’re paying for the damages,” she told Justice, before Six pulled him away from Xavier and looked at his cheek. “Damn, that’s going to hurt tomorrow,” Six said, shaking his head.
Justice touched his face, glaring at Xavier, who stood with Diamond now touching his face. “Justice look what you did! Xavier has to perform tomorrow.” Diamond told him, gently caressing the bruise on Xavier’s forehead.
“He’s too damn pretty anyway,” Justice told her.
“Shut up, Justice!” Diamond snapped.
Six looked at Xavier and Justice. “Are you two done? Damn, our parents sent us here on a mission and y’all fighting over some bullshit!”
Xavier’s personal device had been ringing the entire fight and now he answered.
“Xavier, are you okay?” Alex asked frantically.
“I’m fine,” Xavier answered. “I knew this was coming.”
“Oh, it ain’t over,” Justice threatened.
Diamond turned to him. “The hell it’s not!”
Skye moved to answer the knock on the door, before Jade and Lilac came running inside. They looked at their brothers, then each ran to his side.
“What are you two doing?” Jade asked them. “The Heirs don’t fight one another. You know the rules.”
“Well, not smashing each other should be a rule, too!” Justice snapped.
Xavier balled his fist. “Say that I’m smashing her… one more damn time,” he warned Justice.
“That’s my sister, Xavier!” Justice told him angrily. “What if it was Lilac?”
Lilac frowned. “No, please. That’s disgusting…”
Justice looked at her. “What the hell you mean…that’s disgusting?”
Six shook his head. “So do you all want to go home and consider this a failed mission?” he demanded. “Is that what you want to do?”
“People are fucking dying and getting abused, and y’all in here acting a damn fool. This isn’t my Dad and Uncle Jordan. Get over that shit!”
He turned to Justice. “Diamond is grown as hell. She’s older than all of us and if she wants Xavier, then why do you even care? You’d rather her be with some dude who’s going to treat her bad and break her heart?” Six questioned. “If anything, you know that Xavier will do anything for her. Hell, he always has…”
“Are you going to fight every dude she dates?” Six asked Justice.
Xavier frowned. “She’s not dating anymore dudes.”
Diamond looked at Justice. “You know you weren’t supposed to swing on Xavier. You broke the rules, so now you know what you have to do, before I swing on you.”
Six looked at Justice. “You know the drill.”
Justice looked at the other Heirs and they all agreed, while Alex chimed in from the device.
With his eyes narrowed, Justice walked over to Xavier and looked him in the eye. “I shouldn’t have swung on you.” He glanced back at Diamond, then to Xavier. “I love my sister more than anything in this world and you are one of my best friends. I’m going to need a minute to deal with this, but you know that we’re together until the end.”
“I never wanted to fight you, Justice,” Xavier told him. “I’m sorry it bothers you that I’m the man for Diamond, but it doesn’t matter how anybody else feels.”
Justice nodded and looked at Xavier. “I followed the rules, but my Daddy doesn’t have any…”
******
Jade followed Justice back to his room and helped to attend to his face.
“Ouch, girl!” Justice yelled as she applied some antiseptic.
“It’s just a little cut,” Jade told him. “Stop crying like a baby all the damn time.”
He frowned. “Don’t try to be Diamond.”
“I’m not. I’m Jade…and I’ll pop you in the other cheek.”
“The only reason I don’t hit you back is because you’ll cry to Daddy.”
She touched the wound again. “Shut up Momma’s Boy.”
Justice winced, then shook his head. “I can’t believe this!”
“Let it go Justice,”
“That’s okay, because Daddy will handle it.” He told her.
Jade shook her head. “We’ve all decided not to say anything to anybody about Xavier and Diamond. Let them have a chance to be a couple without all the family interfering.”
“You sound stupid,” Justice told her. “I’m calling Daddy tonight.”
Jade held his chin in her hand tightly. “Don’t do that Justice. Let Diamond be happy. I thought you loved her more than anything in this world?”
Justice heard something in her voice and locked his dark eyes with hers. “I love you more than anything in this world, too, Jade. My Little Pretty Sister…”
She smiled down at him. “Then do this for me…let them tell the rest of the family when they’re ready.”
He looked away and frowned.
“Please, my handsome big brother,” Jade pleaded.
Justice turned back to her face. “I guess…”
Jade kissed his unblemished cheek. “Next time, duck. Xavier can use both hands…”
“I know that, but he still caught me, though.”
“You got him too, a little bit,”
Justice smiled. “Yeah, I did. I’m a beast with the paws.”
“You’re alright…you should’ve trained with Daddy instead of Momma. She was too soft on you…”
“Y’all going to stop with the Momma’s Boy jokes…”
Jade laughed and put away the first aid kit. “She probably fed you snacks, while you trained.”
“She knew I needed nourishment…”
“Boy, you are a mess…”
Justice halted her in her clean up. “Thanks Jade, and please be careful when I go back to LA.”
“I will.” She told him. “And I promise not to let anybody catch me with a mean left…”
He laughed. “Don’t swing first unless you’re prepared.”
“When are you coming back?” Jade asked.
“I’m going to hang with you all through Philly and if I’m not needed, I’ll meet you at the end in Detroit.” Justice told her. “I have to go back and assist Alex.”
Jade nodded. “And watch your back with that little dancer…I don’t trust her.”
“I’m going to find out what she’s all about before I leave.”
Their devices went off, signaling that it was time to get into action.
“It’s going to be a long night…” Jade said, shaking her head.
Justice smiled. “I love rituals…”
Jade grinned. “Me too…”
Chapter 11
After the ‘main event’, Xavier rode in the car with Diamond for her date with Jason. Inside the vehicle, Diamond touched his head gently.
“I’m sorry…” she whispered.
Xavier removed her hand and held it in his. “Please don’t say that again.”
“Justice can be such an ass…”
“I’m waiting for Uncle Jordan to show up.” Xavier told her.
Diamond rolled her eyes. “I hope he doesn’t do that.”
“Let’s deal with that when the time arrives. Right now, you need to be focused on this meeting.”
“Are you okay, though? I mean besides your head…” Diamond whispered.
“I’m fine.” Xavier answered. “Don’t worry about me.”
She sighed. “It’s been a long day and it’s not even half way over.”
“At least we don’t have to pretend that you’re not chasing me.”
Diamond looked at him. “You’re going to stop saying
that.”
“You only have to say three words and I’ll stop,” Xavier told her.
She touched the diamond in his ear. “When I say them, I’m done chasing you?”
Xavier nodded. “Because then I’ll know that the Universe has manifested my every desire…”
“I’m your every desire?” Diamond asked, softly.
“Yes, Goddess…you are.”
Diamond studied his handsome face. “Have you had other desires?”
“Not one…there’s only been one woman on my mind, one woman in my heart, and she’s been my one focus.” He explained. “Everything in my life has been done in preparation for her…”
“How does someone deserve a person like you?” she asked, palming his bearded face. “It’s widely known that Diamond Black is something else.”
Xavier smiled. “She is…and she’s mine.”
They arrived at the restaurant and Diamond kissed his lips before preparing to exit the car. Xavier stopped her from pulling away by holding on to the back of her neck. He deepened the kiss until her lips parted under his.
Diamond slid her arms around his neck and held him close for the next few minutes, while Xavier tightened his hold on her.
“I love you, Diamond…be careful,” he whispered against her moistened lips. “I’ll be right out here, if you need me.”
She nodded. “I’ll see you soon.”
Xavier reached for the door across from him and opened it, allowing Diamond to exit. Halfway out, she turned back.
“Very soon, Xavier…I won’t be ‘not’ chasing you anymore.”
He watched her disappear before the door closed. Xavier got his device out and tuned in with the rest of the team. He watched and listened as Diamond entered the restaurant. Skye and Justice were posted inside at a secluded table in viewing distance of the couple, while Jade, Lilac and Alex were monitoring from their separate locations.
Six climbed into the car with Xavier and sat across from him. With his device in his hand, he looked over at Xavier.
“Are you good?” Six asked.
Xavier nodded. “Yes, thank you for letting me and Diamond ride alone.”
“I figured you two needed some private time and space to get situated before tonight.” Six commented.
“Are you sure you want Justice on the inside?”
Six shrugged. “Better than having his ass out here, bugging the hell out of us,” he answered. “Besides, he should have already let off enough steam tonight.”
“I didn’t want to bring my personal life into this mission,” Xavier told him, watching Diamond sitting at the table. They’d had her seated earlier to await Jason’s arrival.
Six looked at him. “We’re more than team…we’re family. Our lives are connected regardless.”
“It won’t hinder our work.” Xavier vowed.
“I’m not worried. I know you handle business and I’m grateful to have your expertise on this mission.”
Xavier smiled. “You’ve got this. You were born to lead the Heirs.”
“Speaking of the Heirs, we’ve all agreed to let you and Diamond tell the rest of the family, and we’re here to support you.” Six informed him.
“Justice agreed to that?” Xavier frowned.
Six laughed. “Jade got him to agree…for now.”
Xavier nodded. “Thank you.”
“Look, if you want to take Diamond, we all thank you.” Six told him. “She’s my cousin and I love her to death, but Diamond Black is something else.”
“So I’ve heard.” Xavier said chuckling. “She’s also one of the most beautiful, brilliant, and fearless women on this earth.”
Six agreed. “I can’t argue with that. Our women are incredible…”
Turning their attention to their devices, they saw Jason approaching the table. Diamond smiled at him and Xavier felt his stomach burn as Jason’s eyes looked her over. The cameras at the table were being controlled by Lilac and Jade, giving everyone various angles of Jason and Diamond as he took his seat at the table.
“Hi, Diamond.”
“Hello, Jason.”
He stared across the table at her. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Did you think I would stand you up?”
Jason shrugged. “I thought maybe your little rapper wouldn’t let you out of his sight.”
“The X-Ception isn’t my man. I’ve told you that.”
“I mean look at you. He has to want you…” Jason smiled.
Diamond held his gaze. “I’m more than my looks.”
“Of course, I know that. A man of my caliber sees more than that in a woman and can appreciate it.” Jason told her.
She smiled. “So Jason, tell about a man of your caliber…”
They ordered drinks before Jason began filling her in, while Xavier sat back and listened.
“I’ve been a publicist for seven years. My clients are top billing on every tour because I’m about my money. I don’t mess around with these little wannabe rappers. You have to have some semblance of talent for me to work with you.”
Diamond stared at him. “Would you sign the X-Ception, if he was available?”
Jason frowned. “Hell no.”
Xavier sat up and Six glanced at him.
“Why not?” Diamond asked with a smile.
“He’s a poser.”
She lifted a brow. “In what way?”
“That dude’s not about this life. He needs to go back to school and learn some proper English. He’s only gotten this far on his looks and pretty soon, if not already, he’s going to be some dude’s cuddle buddy.” Jason told her. “Or moving weight…or something worse.”
“Is that what happens to these young men?” Diamond questioned.
“If they get hooked up with the wrong people.” Jason told her. “I heard that your guy connected with John Brown. Not a good look…”
Diamond looked concerned. “Can you tell me why?”
Jason shrugged. “He’s into all kinds of shit. Shit that I steer clear of…”
“Should I be worried?”
“Hey, that’s not my business.” He smiled at Diamond. “But I’d like to make you my business…”
Their drinks arrived and Diamond raised her glass to her mouth. “I’m not really into meeting men on rap tours.”
“I’m not the usual.”
“This is the X-Ception’s first tour, so we’re still learning the ropes,” she explained.
Jason nodded. “How did you get connected with him?”
She smiled. “He’s a close family friend and I came along to help him out.”
“I didn’t think this was your scene.” Jason told her.
“Do I not blend in?”
He chuckled. “I bet you don’t even like rap music.”
Diamond also chuckled. “I’m getting acclimated to it.”
“Maybe we can spend some time together during the tour and you can become more acclimated.” Jason offered.
“My job for the next few weeks is to take care of the X-Ception’s needs, so I don’t know how available I’ll be…”
Jason smiled. “How long are you available tonight?”
Diamond looked at her watch. “Through dinner…”
“You take care of the X-Ception needs at night?” he asked.
“I thought we ended the inappropriate questions yesterday,” Diamond told him. “And I won’t be taking care of your needs, any night…”
He smiled and they ordered dinner before Diamond began her interrogation.
“You know Jason, I appreciate you putting me up on this game. I’ve heard terrible things about what people get into.” Diamond began softly. “I don’t want to put myself or the team I’m working with in any danger.”
“I don’t want to see anything happen to someone as beautiful and special as you are, Diamond.” Jason told her, reaching across the table to touch her hand.
Xavier frowned and shook his head. “Lame ass…”
S
ix ignored him and kept watching Diamond.
“I mean, what should I be looking out for?” Diamond asked in a concerned, damsel in distress voice.
Jason gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “There are a few names in addition to John, that I can give you.”
“I’d appreciate if you do that for me,”
“I’d appreciate seeing more of you,” Jason replied. “Where are you from Diamond?”
“California,”
He laughed. “That’s a pretty big state. Can you narrow it down?”
“Southern.”
“Damn…is Diamond even your real name?” he asked.
She smiled. “Yes, it is.” Diamond pulled her hand away. “Listen, I don’t know you. I’m not about to give you all my information and have you showing up on my doorstep one day. Like you said, I’m not accustomed to this environment or the people here.”
Jason pulled his hand back. “I’m only the first man that’s going to try to get with you on this tour. Like I told you, we don’t see women of your status on the road. You’re right to be careful, Diamond, but you can trust me.”
“Said the serial killer, to every one of his victims…” Diamond told him and he laughed.
He nodded. “Beautiful and tough…a nice combination.”
Xavier groaned and put a hand to his head.
“How many women do you pick up on these tours?” Diamond asked Jason.
“None like you.”
Diamond grinned. “And you still haven’t…”
Xavier laughed and Six shook his head.
“You’re something else,” Jason told her with a smile.
“I think that’s the general consensus.” Diamond agreed. “Always has been…”
Their food arrived and they both looked at their plates before they began eating. Over the meal, Jason watched her poise and admired her confidence.
“How old are you Diamond?” he asked.
“Twenty-six,” she answered. “And you?”
“Twenty-nine, and you seem more mature than twenty-six.”
Diamond nodded. “I think I was born ten or eleven.”
He continued to eat. “Do you have siblings?”
“Yes, a younger brother and sister.”
“You seem well educated…” Jason commented. “College graduate?”
She agreed. “Yes, Masters’ Degree.”
He looked impressed. “In California?”