Black Magic (The Black Diamond Series Book 1)

by D. Camille

  They all looked at Jordan and said, “Yeah. We did.” Everyone broke into laughter.

  Sage shook her head and took Sean's package. She opened it to find an exclusive designer bag and belt. “Thank you Sean. This is incredible.”

  Sean smiled. “I figured if you didn't wear the belt, you could use it on Jordan. We all know he needs it.” Sage laughed as well as everyone else at the table. Jordan shot Sean a sarcastic look.

  “I didn't know you had such good taste Sean.” Sage said putting the bag back in the box.

  Sean slid a look to Lily. “I had a little help.”

  Lily smiled at him and then turned to Sage. “My turn Sage. Happy Birthday.” She handed Sage a box. Sage opened it to find an ethnic blouse in an intricate pattern with all the colors she loved.

  “Oh Lily, I love it! Thank you.”

  Isabelle who had been silent up until this point now spoke up. “Happy Birthday Sage. Thank you for allowing me to join all of you.”

  Sage smiled at Isabelle. “Well you’re a good friend to Jordan so you're always welcome Isabelle.”

  Isabelle felt something she'd never felt before. She'd never had female friends. Her two closest friends were Jordan and Sean. She found that Sage was really sweet and kind and Isabelle was also finding that Lily wasn't all that bad. Apparently she made Sean happy and that's all she wanted. She slowly slid a look across the table at Ray who was watching her and had been since she arrived.

  Isabelle handed Sage an envelope and Sage took it smiling. She opened it and froze. Her eyes went back to Isabelle and then to Jordan who smiled at her.

  “Is this for real?” she asked.

  Isabelle shook her head smiling at Sage.

  Sage's hand flew to her mouth. The others at the table looked at her curiously, but she was speechless. She couldn't get any words out of her mouth.

  Isabelle made the announcement for her. “The Art Museum will be honoring Sage with a display of her work.” Lily gasped and Sean smiled.

  Ray looked over at her. “Congratulations Sage. You deserve it Baby Goddess.”

  Sage looked from Isabelle to Jordan. She knew they both were Board Members at the Art Museum. “You two did this For me?” she said in awe.

  Jordan spoke up. “Actually it was Isabelle's idea, which I agreed with wholeheartedly, but Isabelle got it on the agenda and made it happen.”

  Sage stood and rushed around the table. She grabbed Isabelle in a huge bear hug. “Thank you,” she said hugging her tightly.

  Isabelle didn't know how to respond. She wasn't a demonstrative person. She'd been raised to be refined and cultured at all times. Emotions were not permitted. Slowly she patted Sage on the back before Sage released her.

  “You're welcome and like your brother said,” she quickly glanced at Ray. “You deserve it. Your work is exceptional.”

  Sage walked back to her seat and looked at everyone “This was truly a wonderful surprise. I am so humbled. I just don't know what to say...” she trailed off.

  “Well since Jordan's paying, let's eat!” Ray said and everyone agreed.

  The evening was filled with food, fun and festivities. A little while later Sage stood and asked for everyone's attention.

  “I can't let this night end without saying thank you to Jordan.” She looked at him. “The man who can make me so angry and yet so happy The man who lifts me up and lets me fly. The man who makes me believe in magic,” she said softly continuing to look at him. “I thank the Universe for you Jordan and I love you.”

  Everyone in the room including Ray was touched by Sage's soft commentary. Jordan stood and walked over to her.

  “I love you, pretty girl and there is nothing I wouldn't do for you,” he said placing a soft kiss on her lips.

  Sean looked at Lily while Ray was still watching Isabelle.

  The group decided to head over to Gayle and George's nightclub. They all piled in the limo with Sage cuddled up to Jordan and Lily sitting next to Sean, which left Isabelle next to Ray. She sat stiffly next to him during the ride.

  Inside the nightclub they were seated in the VIP section where there were three short sofas. Sage and Jordan took one while Lily and Sean another. Ray watched as Isabelle looked as if she was trying to find anywhere to sit but next to him on the sofa. He smiled. She looked at him and he lifted an eyebrow then looked at the seat. She quickly sat down and he put some space between them before taking his seat pinning her with those brown eyes.

  Jordan led Sage out to the dance floor and she went willingly into his arms.

  “Back to the scene of the crime huh?” she asked touching his neck and remembering their first encounter at the club.

  Jordan shook his head at the memory. “You were just too much,” he commented.

  “Me?”

  “Yes you! Rubbing the back of my neck. Talking about hard nipples and wet thighs.”

  She blushed.

  “Yeah. You know you were wrong,” Jordan commented smiling.

  Sage lowered her head. “I just thought you were the most beautiful man I had ever seen.” she confessed. He pulled her closer and she felt his response.

  “Hmmmm...that feels familiar,” she whispered.

  “I was mad as hell that you could do that to me,” he confessed. “You were Ray's sister and that was not cool.”

  “I'm still Ray's sister.” She looked up.

  Jordan smiled at her. “Yeah, I got over that real quick when you came to my office in those white jeans,” he said giving her a look. “You're a bad girl Sage.”

  “You love it.”

  “Hell yeah I do,” he said before kissing her.

  Chapter 18

  Three days after her birthday “weekend” Sage was still floating on a cloud. Jordan had showered her all weekend with all kinds of surprises and she was not complaining. In addition to all the incredible loving she was getting, nothing could bring her down.

  Except...

  Sage was standing at the counter in her gallery when her phone rang. Again. She'd told Nico that she wouldn't be meeting him for coffee and apparently he was not taking it well. She frowned.

  “What's wrong girl?” Lily asked seeing the look on Sage's face.

  Sage turned to her. “It's Nico. He's been blowing up my phone for the last three days since I told him I wouldn't meet him for coffee.”

  Lily gave her a look. “I don't know why you agreed in the first place. He's a creep.”

  “He's not a creep Lily,” Sage amended. “He can be a really nice guy.”

  “That's what they say about serial killers too,” Lily commented.

  Sage's phone buzzed again. She sighed picking it up.

  “Why don't you just block him Sage?” Lily suggested.

  Sage was still staring at the screen in disbelief.

  “What?” Lilly demanded.

  “It's Nico. He says he's in trouble and needs my help,” Sage relayed.

  “Tell him 9-1-1.”

  “Lily, this is serious,” Sage reprimanded. “He says he stranded not too far from here and he just needs some cash to get back to Chicago.”

  Lily shook her head slowly. “Don't do it Sage,” she warned. Sage went to her office and grabbed her purse. She came back out and faced Lily.

  “I'll be right back. Fifteen minutes max,” Sage explained. “I'm just going to give him money for a ticket.”

  “Please don't do this Sage,” Lily said again.

  “Fifteen minutes Lily,” Sage said heading out the door.

  Lily watched Sage exit the building and headed straight to security to see Sean.

  Sean was at his desk when security alerted him that Lily wanted to see him. He was surprised since she'd never visited him at his office before. He got up and went to the elevator to meet her. When the doors opened she spotted him and rushed over to him.

  “Lily, what a surprise?”

  “I'm sorry for coming to your office, but I need to talk to you. It's an emergency,” she spilled out all in on
e breath.

  Sean became alarmed. He took her arm and led her to his office. After closing the door he turned to her.

  “What is it?”

  “It's Sage,” she started. “Nico kept blowing up her phone. He sent her a text saying that he needed some help and to meet him not too far from here. She left to give him some money to get back to Chicago.”

  She looked up at him. “I'm scared Sean. I don't like him. I think he might hurt her.”

  After hearing this Sean grabbed Lily's hand and quickly led her to Jordan's office.

  Jordan looked up as Lily and Sean entered his office unannounced. He saw the look on Sean's face and felt his heart stop.

  “Sage.”

  Sean nodded. He relayed Lily's story. Jordan was out of his seat in an instant heading towards the door.

  “Security's on her Jordan,” Sean reminded.

  Jordan pulled out his phone and punched a key while still walking.

  “Yeah,” Ray answered on the other end of the phone.

  “Code Black. It's Sage,” Jordan barked and disconnected the call and continued to the elevators.

  Sage hurried down the street to find Nico. She knew that Jordan would not be happy about this, but she would deal with him later. As she neared the location he indicated she looked around for him. She didn't see anyone, so she waited. She would wait a few more minutes and then she was going back. She knew if she was late returning Lily would have a fit. Sage had turned to look in the other direction when she felt something in her back.

  “Don't move…I don't want to have to hurt you.”

  Sage turned confused eyes to Nico.

  **********

  Jordan was outside when Ray arrived a few minutes later. He got into the passenger seat.

  “Update me,” Jordan said looking straight ahead.

  “She walked down a few blocks. Security followed. Last report is that he's got a gun on her,” Ray gritted out. “We need to stay out of sight so we don't spook him into doing something stupid. I told the men to stand down unless it's a clear shot.”

  Still looking straight ahead Jordan said quietly. “No police. Your men only.” He turned to Ray. “If they take him alive, get me a bracelet,” he relayed.

  Ray looked at him. “I've got one in the trunk.”

  *************

  “What are you doing Nico?” Sage asked as he pressed the gun further into her back.

  “Walk,” he ordered keeping her in front of him and his back to the buildings. They turned into a nearby alley where a car was running.

  “Get in!” he ordered opening the door.

  “No!” Sage refused.

  “Get your ass in the car Sage.”

  “You'll have to kill me right here,” she said stubbornly.

  “I'll do it Sage,” he warned. “I don't want to hurt you. Just get in the car.”

  Sage looked back at him and he pushed her inside.

  Instead of going around to the driver's side, he climbed over her. Sage pushed him and tried to exit the car, but he turned and grabbed her hair pulling her back inside.

  “I said I didn't want to hurt you Sage, but you're going to make me.” He gave her hair another yank until she settled in the seat. With the gun in one hand he put the car in gear with the other and took off.

  ************

  Ray relayed the update to Jordan that was coming through his earpiece.

  “He's put her in a car,” Ray said looking out the window. “There wasn't a clear shot and they didn't want to shoot while he's driving. They're tailing him.”

  “Let's go,” Jordan stated.

  Ray started the car and they took off in the direction Nico was heading.

  “I know she's your sister but this one is mine,” Jordan said in a low voice.

  Ray glanced at Jordan. “He's probably going to wish it was me.”

  “I guarantee it,” Jordan said staring out the window.

  ************

  Sage didn't know where Nico was taking her but she knew once they got there he would be sorry.

  “Why are you doing this Nico?” she asked. “I came to give you the money for a ticket.”

  “Money for a ticket? Sage you're going to get me enough money to live the rest of my life,” he explained.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I'm talking about your rich punk ass boyfriend,” he said looking at her.

  “I can't believe you letting him hit that. After I waited all those months?” He looked her up and down.

  “But I will get a taste of what he's getting before I give you back to him.” He leered at her.

  Sage moved closer to the door. Nico pointed the gun at her head.

  “Don't even think about it.”

  “Why do want to hurt me Nico? I've been nothing but kind to you.”

  “Kind? When that rich bastard told you to cut me off, you did. I've been trying to contact you for three days!” he yelled.

  Sage turned to look out the window. She turned back quickly when she felt Nico touching her hair with the gun in his hand.

  He smiled at her. “Let me tell what I'm going to do you Sage. Who knows? You may like it so much you don't want to go back to pretty boy.”

  Sage frowned and hugged herself. How did she get here? She thought she had left all of this behind.

  **********

  “How much longer?” Jordan asked getting impatient.

  “There's a clearing in the direction he's heading. The men are going to cut him off and surround him,” Ray informed him.

  “Where is he heading?” Jordan asked.

  “In the direction of her apartment,” Ray answered. “But he won't make it there.”

  “What happened to the surveillance on him?” Jordan asked harshly.

  “They had a tail on him which is why we had a jump on him before he took her somewhere we couldn't find her. There was someone who helped him with the car. A woman from my understanding,” Ray stated.

  “What I don't understand is why the hell Sage met up with him?”

  Jordan shook his head. “Yeah. My question exactly.”

  “She's still too damn naïve. She always wanted to believe that good people don't do bad things,” Ray said harshly.

  Jordan looked at him. “We both know that's the furthest thing from the truth.”

  The two looked at each other then back out the windshield.

  **********

  Sage saw the black car first. It was coming from her side aimed for them. She screamed at the first bump. Instead of stopping Nico tried to maneuver around it only to find another black car coming from the other direction. He turned the wheel sharply dropping his gun. He was pinned in by the two cars. He tried to back up but two more black cars showed up and he slammed into them. Hard. Sage was jerked forward and hit her head on the dash.

  From there everything started moving in slow motion for her. She watched men in all black converge on the car. They didn't look like police, but she was just glad they had stopped the car. The men reached her door and opened it. On the other side they were snatching Nico out of the car. She stepped out of the car and heard her name. Slowly she turned and saw Jordan and Ray running towards her. She smiled and then collapsed to the ground out cold.

  **********

  Ray and Jordan arrived as the second set of cars were pinning in Nico. Jordan heard the crash.

  “What the hell is he doing?” he said jumping out of the car. Ray was right behind him.

  Ray's men descended from cars in droves. They surrounded the car and approached with guns drawn. At the driver's door they yanked it open and grabbed Nico, swiftly putting him down on the ground. He was yelling and screaming as they cuffed him and led him to a waiting car.

  Jordan and Ray saw Sage when she stepped out of the car assisted by the security. They both called her name. She turned and smiled. Jordan's heart felt relief. In the next instant she was on the ground and his heart stopped.

  Both Ray and Jor
dan got to her side immediately. Jordan gathered her in his arms calling her name.

  “Sage!” He touched her head where there was a small contusion.

  “We need to get her to the hospital,” Ray ordered.

  Jordan looked at him and nodded. He quickly picked her up carrying her over to another waiting car. After laying her on the seat, he turned to Ray.

  “Ride with her. I'll be right behind you.”

  Ray looked surprised then nodded. Jordan closed the doors and the car sped off.

  Jordan then walked over to the car that contained Nico. He tapped on the window and it was let down. He stared at Nico in the back seat.

  He leaned in the window shaking his head. “I warned you.” His voice was deadly. “I'll see you soon.”

  He turned to the security. “Get his ass out of here,” he said walking to another car waiting to take him to the hospital.

  **********

  Sage awakened in the back seat of a car.

  “Where am I?” she said groggily.

  “Lie down Sage. We're taking you to hospital,” Ray said turning to her from the passenger seat.

  Sage touched her head and it hurt. “Where's Jordan?” she asked looking around.

  “He's meeting us there,” he explained. “Now lie down. You hit your head.”

  “Why isn't he here?” she asked. She remembered seeing him. Was he mad because she broke her promise about not meeting Nico?

  “Loose ends,” her brother said cryptically.

  She looked at her brother. “He is coming, right Ray?” she asked in a small voice.

  Ray turned fully to her. “He'll be there Sage,” he assured her.

  She laid back down asking the Universe to forgive her for what she'd started.

  Sean and Lily met Sage and Ray at the hospital and Sage was taken in immediately to be checked out.

  Sean smiled at Lily. “Lily, do you mind going down to get some coffee for Ray? I'm sure he's a wreck right now.” He pulled out his wallet and handed her a large bill.

  Lily looked between the two men. “Sure.” She turned and headed for the elevators.

  When she was gone Ray turned to him. “You know I don't drink coffee.”

  Sean rolled his eyes. “Where's Jordan? I haven't heard from him,” he said.