Diamond (G Street Chronicles Presents The Love, Lies & Lust Series)

by Mz. Robinson

  I rolled my eyes. “Venetta, I meant what I said. You wanna keep that baby, you best stay away from me and anyone associated me. If I even see you again, I’ll have you committed.” I walked out leaving the door open behind me.

  Chapter 27

  It had been over a month since I’d visited Gator, and I was looking forward to sitting down with him face to face. My team had made it back safely from Miami, Randall was home, and everything was business as usual.

  I stepped into the visiting room and smiled at my husband as I approached. Out of the corner of my eye, I felt someone watching me. I nonchalantly cut a glance to my left and saw a female guard with low-cut hair and a medium build watching me. She rolled her eyes, then cast her attention to the other side of the room. Hater, I thought to myself.

  I made it my pleasure whenever I visited Gator to make sure I wore something eye catching and provocative, and this was no exception: a chiffon blue jumper and animal-print heels.

  “My love,” Gator greeted me with open arms and a kiss.

  “Hey, baby.”

  We held each other for a moment, then sat down.

  “How was your drive?”

  “Good,” I said. “I’m used to it by now.”

  “How are things at the club?”

  “Wonderful.” I smiled. “All business is good.”

  “That’s great,” he said, leaning forward. “Venetta told me the two of you had a bit of a falling out. You need to make up immediately.”

  “A falling out?” I laughed that she’d put it that way. “Did she tell you what she did?” I asked, agitated.

  “Yes.”

  “And you think I need to make up with her?” I asked, my eyes wide.

  “She felt it was necessary to protect me.”

  I couldn’t believe he actually thought his sister’s actions were justified, and it pissed me off.

  “I personally would have used other methods, but sometimes when it comes to loyalty, we can’t take chances.”

  “What?”

  “Jonah,” he answered, staring at me.

  “What about him?” I asked, confused.

  “I assumed you were asking me if I was aware of what Venetta did in regard to Jonah.”

  I looked at him and shook my head. “No,” I said, studying his expression. “She was the informant?”

  “What were you referring to then?”

  “Never mind,” I said. “She threw Jonah under the bus, one of your most loyal workers, and you’re all right with that?”

  “I would have chosen other methods,” he said, “but my sister loves me and was only doing what she felt was in the best interest of the greater good.”

  “And just what did she accomplish? We still lost almost everything. Jonah died inside because your sister sold him out.”

  “Jonah died inside because he crossed the wrong man,” he said coldly. “That was his decision.”

  It was in that moment that I came to the shocking realization that I knew nothing about the true character of the man I’d married. “Who did he cross?” I asked softly.

  “Let’s not trouble ourselves with things of the past,” he said, changing the subject. He didn’t have to answer the question, for I already knew what he meant: Jonah had allegedly crossed Gator, and Gator was responsible for his death.

  After my visit with him, I was confident that Gator knew nothing about my affairs before or after he went to prison, or I probably would have been laid to rest as well. I decided it was in my best interest to hop back into psychotic Venetta’s good graces, at least enough to keep her pacified and for her to keep her mouth shut about me and AJ. I said a silent prayer that she would keep my dirty little secrets.

  I was less than an hour from my home when I received a call from Clint. “Yes?” I answered, still agitated.

  “Where are you?”

  “Almost home. What’s up?”

  “Can you meet me at Venetta’s?”

  “Why? What’s Lizzie Borden done now?”

  “She’s dead, Diamond,” he said solemnly.

  “What!?”

  “Octavia Whitmore shot her…presumably in self-defense.”

  “What happened?”

  “Did Venetta mention anything about a child?”

  “Yes, a baby boy,” I advised him, “a foster child she planned to adopt.”

  “It wasn’t a foster child. The baby is Octavia’s son.”

  “Oh my God,” I said, realizing my intuition had been correct and that something about the baby wasn’t as it seemed. “I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I said in a daze, realizing that my prayer had, in a way, been answered. After all, now Venetta’s lips were permanently sealed.

  Chapter 28

  Venetta had been dead set on blaming the Whitmores for our issues, and it had cost her her life in the end. The authorities informed me that Venetta, with the help of a doctor and two other women, had kidnapped Octavia’s newborn son, telling the Whitmore woman that her baby had died. It was sick, desperate, and something I never would have imagined Venetta capable of.

  Although he was granted permission, Gator chose not to attend Venetta’s memorial service. I laid her body to rest next to her husband as Minister Golston said a brief prayer, and I stood hoping I would not have to bury another person for the rest of my life.

  Despite how I felt about Venetta selling Jonah out, the responsibility of handling her estate fell in my hands in the absence of her brother. I sold her home and vehicles and donated the proceeds, as well as all of her belongings, to charity, in the hopes that from all the pain and wrongdoing, someone would benefit and some good would come of it.

  I pulled into the reserved parking spot outside of Diamond’s Lounge and noticed a limo parked beside Randall’s Hummer. It was just after 9:00 a.m., two hours before we opened for lunch. I entered through the front doors and locked the doors behind me. I could hear voices as I walked up the stairs to my office, and before I reached the landing, the door opened. “Hello,” I said, staring at the olive-skinned man who opened the door.

  He waited until I was completely inside the room, then slammed the door hard. There were two other men in the room, along with Randall. One was leaning against the window, holding a black leather bag. Randall was sitting on the sofa with his hands clasped tightly together, and a bronze-skinned man was sitting behind my desk. He had silky, jet-black hair and dark brown eyes, and he was dressed in an expensive suit with no tie.

  “What’s going on?” I questioned, looking around the room.

  “You must be Diamond,” the man behind the desk said in a heavy Italian accent.

  “And you are?”

  “Have a seat, Diamond,” he said.

  “I prefer to stand,” I said boldly.

  “Diamond, sit down,” Randall whispered. There were tiny beads of sweat glistening on his bald head, and there was a look of terror in his dark eyes. “Please,” he said.

  Only because my brother asked me to, I eased down beside him on the sofa.

  “Diamond, I see why Leon wanted to keep you out of my sight,” the man said, licking his lips crudely. “I must commend a man who knows what he’s got.”

  “Luis?” I concluded.

  “Yes,” he said. “I apologize that we are meeting so unexpectedly, but I’m sure you understand the urgency of my visit.”

  “I-I don’t understand,” I stated, confused.

  “Diamond, after such a wonderful start, I took for granted that you and your partner understood the importance of compensating me in full and on time.”

  “I sent the money with Tyrese,” I explained, confused. “There was fifteen grand per key.”

  “You did.” Luis nodded. “However, another delivery—a rather large one at that—was made to one of your associates later. For that one, I have yet to receive what is owed to me.”

  I shot Randall a look, begging him to tell me the man was lying.

  “It wasn’t me, Diamond,” he said. “I don’t know
what he’s fucking talking about.”

  Memories of the days Randall was gone, accompanying my mother, replayed in my head. Is it possible that he just used that time as an excuse? “I-I didn’t know anything about that,” I said truthfully.

  “I assumed as much,” Luis stated. “This is why it’s important to choose your associates carefully.”

  “How can we make this right?” I asked calmly.

  “I think we both know I’m not interested in negotiating,” Luis said, clasping his hands together on the desk. “I have only engaged in the conversation thus far out of respect for Leon as a business partner…and the pleasure I find in looking at you pretty face.” He looked at one of the men and nodded.

  The man pulled Randall off the couch and shoved him to the floor. I watched in horror as the man removed a chrome-plated gun from a holster inside his jacket.

  Randall shook nervously but remained quiet.

  “Please!” I begged when the man pointed the weapon at my brother’s head. “Tell me how much he owes you, and I’ll pay it!” I looked at Luis with tears in my eyes. “Please just tell me how much.”

  “You must understand my position,” Luis said. “Your partner has no respect for a man’s possessions. I can’t let such disrespect, such disregard, go unnoticed and unpunished, or others may follow suit.”

  “He didn’t mean it,” I said. “Randall, please tell him! Tell him!” I pleaded.

  “It wasn’t me!” Randall snapped.

  “Then who was it, hmm?” Luis questioned.

  “I already told you that I don’t fuckin’ know!”

  “My sources say you were present for the exchange,” Luis said. “Are you saying they’re lying?”

  “Yes!” Randall blurted.

  The man standing over him with the gun hit him across the head with the butt of the weapon.

  Randall moaned in agony; clutching his head.

  “Please, Luis! Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it,” I said, still attempting to negotiate. “Please don’t kill my brother. Please!”

  He stood and walked around the desk. “Come to me, bella,” he ordered.

  I did as he requested. I stood, toe to toe, with him as he stroked my cheeks with his fingertips. I was willing to do anything if it would spare Randall’s life, including giving up my own.

  “The wonderful thing about doing business with women is that they’re strong inside,” Luis said, staring me in the eyes, “but they are also tender and humble enough to do whatever is necessary for those they love, even if it means sacrificing their own lives. Diamond, are you willing to take your brother’s place?”

  “Yes,” I said, sobbing softly.

  Luis nodded, then pressed his lips to my forehead.

  I knew death was next.

  “I salute you,” he said. “You remind me of my mother, strong and resilient and willing to die for those she loved. Someday you will, Diamond, but not today.”

  I looked at Luis, studying the seriousness in his stare.

  “Including my interest and late fees, it’s $480,000,” Luis said.

  I stared at him in disbelief. I didn’t have near that amount, even if I gave the man every dime to my name.

  “Is there a problem?” he asked.

  “But I don’t have that much,” I whispered.

  “Hmm. Then it appears we have dilemma,” he said, exhaling, “don’t we?” He motioned at the gunman.

  “Wait!” I said quickly. “I’ll get it. Just give me some time.” I looked from him to the shooter to my brother. “Please just give me some time.”

  Luis waved his hand for the man to lower his gun, and I felt slight relief as the man stepped back from my brother. There was a rush of relief in Randall’s face, as he rose from his place on the floor and sat back down on the edge of the sofa.

  “Four days,” Luis said. “I’m being generous, Diamond, so please don’t make me regret it. If I don’t have my money by the deadline, you can kiss your brother goodbye.” He then touched his fingers to my cheek before walking to the door with his men in tow.

  As soon as they were gone, Randall cried out, “It wasn’t me, Diamond. I swear I was set up.”

  “By who?” I snapped, pacing.

  “I don’t know, but Mama’s my witness. She’ll tell you I was with her that entire week Diamond, I never left her side!” He ran his hands over his head, then screamed. “Fuck! I shoulda known some shady-ass shit was up. It was too easy.”

  “Who do you think is responsible?”

  “Gator,” Randall said without a second thought, tapping his hand on his knee nervously. “He’s probably been plotting on me the whole damn time.”

  “But why? It doesn’t make any sense, Randall. You’ve never done anything to Gator.”

  “I know it don’t make sense, Diamond!” he blurted. “But look who we’re talking about. I’m telling you, this shit has his name written all over it. If it wasn’t him, it was that crazy-ass dead bitch he called his sister.”

  What would Gator have to gain from hurting my brother? I had to wonder. It didn’t make any sense whatsoever. Randall, however, had already proven himself to be a thief.

  “Of course you’d blame me right off,” Randall stated, reading my mind. “You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t know I’m the most likely candidate to steal from a mofo? I know I am! Hell, if I was on the outside lookin’ in, I’d blame me, too, but I’m telling you I didn’t do that shit. I was nervous and scared as hell dealing with those bastards the first damn time. Why would I take from a fucker who threatened to kill me, in not so many words, during a so-called friendly visit?”

  I looked at my brother, staring at his tear-filled eyes. In my heart, I knew he was telling the truth, but the truth didn’t matter. Luis had given me four days to come up with the money, money I knew was impossible for me to make in such a small amount of time. If he didn’t get it, though, Randall would be a dead man, and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that I’d be dead right along with him. “I believe you,” I said, running my fingers through my hair.

  He sighed in relief.

  “Randall, I need you to go check in with the crew, see how much they’ve made thus far.”

  He nodded his head in agreement.

  “And, please don’t mention a word of this to anyone—not a damn soul,” I added. “Right now no one can be trusted.”

  “I’m on it,” Randall replied, then exited the office in a hurry.

  I sat down behind my desk, consumed with my thoughts and fears. The chirping of my phone momentarily disrupted the thoughts running through my mind. “Hello?”

  “My love,” Gator greeted, “I understand there’s a situation, a bit of a problem.”

  “’A bit of a problem’? Well, ain’t that the freaking understatement of the century?” I blurted, breathing heavily. “Luis is threatening to kill my brother, Gator—all for something I know he didn’t do, obviously something someone linked to your team did! I’ve got four days to come up with $480,000 or it’s over.”

  “Diamond, baby, you and I both know no one had the opportunity to make that meeting but Randall. Can you not vouch for every member on the team during that time except him?”

  He had a point about the team, because during the time of the alleged transaction each and every member was in our city and accounted for. However, I knew there had to be some other feasible explanation besides the one implicating Randall. “Mama will tell me if he was with her or not,” I said defensively. “I gotta believe him, Gator. He’s my brother.”

  “Your mama? Are you talkin’ about Anna?” he replied, blowing loudly. “The same mother who disowned you for marrying me but graciously accepted every check I sent her? Baby, what you gotta do is look at things clearly. Family or not, they’re playing you, my love.”

  I listened in heart-wrenched silence as Gator continued to present his argument. Yes, my mother had turned her back on me then willingly accepted God only knows how many checks with my
name on them. Yes, the two of us were back on speaking terms, but that had only happened after the conviction of my husband, the man she knew would protect me and my interests at all cost. Painful as it was to accept, the thought of my own mother and brother playing me wasn’t really that farfetched. I knew that money could turn a nursing mother against her own child, so I could only imagine the hold it could have on a woman whose children were grown.

  “Diamond, how do you plan to flip that amount of money in four days?” Gator asked tenderly. “You can’t, baby,” he said, stating the obvious when I couldn’t bear to say the words out loud.

  I sniffled, feeling utterly defeated. “What do you suggest? Can you talk to him?”

  “I tried, my love, but I’m afraid it’s outta my hands. I can’t protect Randall, and, to be honest, he’s not my responsibility. I couldn’t save my sister, but I’ll be damned if I’m gonna lose my wife too. What do I suggest? Sweetheart, my best suggestion is to let Randall go. He’s Luis’s problem now. Just let him handle Randall as he sees fit.”

  “Gator, Randall is my brother, and—”

  “It’s the only way, Diamond.”

  I took a deep breath, then slowly expelled warm air through my parted lips. “You’re right,” I agreed, definitely defeated. “I love him, but there’s nothing I can do. It all makes sense now, Gator. The two of them, my own mother and brother—”

  “No matter what, baby, you still have me,” he reassured me. “Love and loyalty.”

  “For life,” I added, sobbing lightly.

  “Where is he now?”

  “He’s gone,” I whispered, dabbing at my tear-stained cheeks.

  “Tonight, have Luis meet him at the warehouse,” he urged. “Luis will handle the rest.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked. I wanted to be completely certain that it was the path Gator and I should take and that we both wholeheartedly agreed.

  “It’s the only way.”

  “Fine. You’re right. I-I’ll do it,” I said, weeping at the thought of losing my only brother to his own damn stupid antics.