His Diamond_Simone's Story

by D. Camille

  His mind strayed back to Simone, who was still at the forefront. He recalled the view, watching her walk in front of him, as she gave him a tour of her facility. His thoughts quickly shifted to another woman, who’d sought refuge at a similar facility, only to lose her life at the hands of a man who claimed to love her.

  Nick’s eyes narrowed at the memory and he gripped the steering wheel tighter to absorb the pain that would always lay dormant in his heart. His phone vibrating, brought him back to reality and he fished it out of his jacket pocket.

  Parking the car, he glanced down at the screen.

  Hi. It’s Simone. Are you free tomorrow?

  Nick replied:

  All day

  He wasn’t, but he would be now.

  Simone wrote back:

  I’ll be there around 10 am

  He confirmed.

  I will be there.

  Putting his phone back in his pocket, he exited the car and walked into the police station. Nick was greeted by a few officers, before his contact arrived.

  “Nick,” the man stuck out his hand. “Still looking like a killer,” he joked.

  “Not just looking,” Nick told him, shaking his hand.

  The detective led him to a small office and Nick took a seat.

  “I’m assuming you’re here about last night. The house fire?”

  Nick nodded. “What else do you have?”

  “So the husband doesn’t own a vehicle like the one, the woman described.”

  “Miss Jenkins,”

  The detective looked up from his notes to Nick’s dark presence. “Huh?”

  “The woman’s name is Miss Jenkins.”

  “Oh, yeah, okay…Miss Jenkins.”

  “Go ahead,” Nick prompted.

  Clearing his throat, he continued. “We still haven’t located him to question him about the fire or the incident at the Women’s Center.”

  “Do you have extra patrols around the Center?”

  “We did last night,”

  Nick lifted a brow. “And today?”

  “Budget…”

  “You know I don’t give a damn about your budgets. A male suspect has threatened to shoot up a women’s center and your budget can’t handle a few extra patrols in the area?” Nick asked.

  The detective sat up. “Look, Nick…”

  “You want me to find him?” Nick asked, looking at his watch. “Because I can have this shit done in an hour.”

  “We don’t need a homicide, an arson and a threat to a Women’s Center, all on the same case,”

  Nick stood. “Then get some damn patrols over there.”

  “Fine, just let us do our job.”

  “I’ll be in touch,” Nick said, heading to the door. “If he shows up again at that center, I guarantee…you will have that homicide.”

  The detective watched him walk out and got on his phone, to get more cars in that area.

  Nick drove back to the house that he’d followed Simone to last night. Parking, he stepped out of the truck and walked toward the house. He was greeted by a few guys on the sidewalk.

  “May I help you?’ he asked.

  They nodded towards his vehicle. “That your truck?”

  Nick looked back at the SUV. “Didn’t you just see me get out of it?”

  “What you doing over here? You Feds or what?”

  “No, I’m not Feds. Did you know the woman that lived in this house?” Nick asked them.

  One laughed. “You got questions?”

  “Do you have answers?” He brushed his jacket back to reveal the weapon on his hip. “Or are we taking this somewhere else?”

  Another guy shook his head. “Look, we not into all that,” he told Nick, who replaced his suit jacket.

  “That’s not what I came for,” Nick explained. “I just want to know about the woman that lived in this house.”

  “Man, this place is a trap…”

  Nick narrowed his eyes. “What are you taking about? A trap house?”

  The guys nodded.

  “Who was selling out of here?”

  They all looked at one another.

  “I’m not the police,” Nick assured them. “Three kids could’ve died last night.”

  “JP,” one whispered.

  Nick watched the guys. “Who is JP?”

  “Look, we said too much already,” one said, “Our house might be next.”

  The others agreed and Nick nodded. “Thanks,” he told them, before they slowly walked away.

  ******

  The next day, Nick stood in the parking lot watching as Simone pulled into his shooting range. Walking to her car, he opened the door and helped her out.

  “Hi,” she smiled up at him.

  “Hello, Simone. Thank you for coming.”

  “Thank you for inviting me.”

  He extended a muscled arm and she wrapped a soft hand around the bicep. “Let me escort you inside.”

  Simone scanned the area as they walked, taking in the surroundings. “This is nice.”

  “Thank you,” Nick said opening the door for her. “I thought we’d shoot some targets.”

  She agreed. “Okay, you want to see my skills?”

  “Yes, and I want to show you mine,” he said smoothly.

  Simone gave him a once over in jeans and a black T-shirt stretched across his broad chest. She admired his six-four height, along with the well packaged body that went along with it. That over active imagination of hers went into overdrive as she studied him.

  “But you seem to be examining it already,” Nick told her, amused.

  Simone laughed softly. “It’s worth examining thoroughly.”

  Nick placed his hand over hers, on his arm. “Would you like to examine it over lunch as well?” he asked.

  “I’d love to have lunch with you,”

  He nodded. “We can practice, have lunch, then talk about your Center?” he suggested.

  “That sounds like a plan,” Simone agreed.

  Nick continued to guide her around before finally making their way to the target practice. Inside a stall, he handed her a pair of goggles and she put them on before looking at the pistols in front of her.

  “I didn’t know if you were bringing your own, so I picked out a couple that I thought you’d like.”

  Simone agreed. “I do have my own, but I think I’d like to try that one.” She pointed excitedly at one of the shiny weapons.

  Nick glanced to where she’d pointed. “You like that one?”

  She nodded and he picked up the gun and handed it to her. “Do your thing.”

  Putting on his glasses and headphones, while Simone added her own headphones, Nick stepped back and watched her ready herself. Studying her form, he watched her focus on the target.

  Several shots later, Simone sat the gun down and Nick pressed the button to bring the target in. Joining her, by her side, he studied the target filled with expertly delivered holes as they removed their headphones.

  “You’re an incredible shot,” Nick complimented. “I expected no less from a Diamond.”

  Simone studied her target. “That wasn’t really my specialty. I think this weapon made the shots better. It felt good in my hands.”

  Nick picked up the gun and looked it over. “You like this?”

  She laughed. “Look at my target.”

  He nodded. “It’s yours, then.” Nick handed it to her.

  “What?” Simone asked confused. “I can’t take your weapon.”

  “It’s my gift to you,” Nick told her. “And if it makes you accurate like that,” he pointed at the target. “I want you to have it, to protect yourself.”

  She took the gun. “Thank you. I’m stunned.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Let me see what you’ve got,” Simone said, nodding toward the target.

  He agreed and picked up one of the guns. After covering their ears again, Simone moved to the side and watched the master in action. Nick proved why he owned gun sho
ps and a range. When the target came in, there was one single hole after several shots.

  Simone looked at him and removed her earphones. “You’re a show off.”

  “I want to impress you.” He uncovered his ears.

  “I think showing up out of the blue, jumping through a window, and running out of a burning house with three kids, did that already,” she told him.

  “I’m glad that they’re safe, and you.” Nick said softly.

  “I hope their mother makes a good decision.” Simone said, shaking her head.

  “I want to talk to you about that,” Nick relayed.

  Simone looked interested. “Okay,”

  “Let’s get some lunch?” He offered.

  She agreed and Nick led her outside to his car. “I hope you don’t mind riding with me. The restaurant isn’t too far from here.”

  Simone smiled. “No, I don’t mind riding with you.”

  After Nick helped her into the vehicle, he sat in the driver’s seat. Taking a minute to look her over, he said quietly, “You look very beautiful today.”

  Simone glanced down at her shirt, khaki colored skinny jeans and heels. “Thank you for noticing,” she said, returning her gaze to his.

  Nick slid his glasses on his face. “I notice everything.”

  Starting the car, he took off and drove the short distance to the outdoor restaurant. When they arrived, Simone added her own sunglasses, as they exited the vehicle. The couple was greeted by a hostess inside the door, and Nick followed behind Simone to a table, then held out a chair for her.

  “Thank you,” Simone said, as she was seated.

  “You’re welcome,”

  Nick took the seat across from her and they looked at one another. “This is a nice place. I’ve never been out here before,” Simone said, taking in the beautiful landscape.

  “I hope you enjoy the food,”

  She turned back to him. “I’m sure I will.”

  “How is the Center?”

  “Everything’s back to normal.” Simone told him.

  He sat back. “How’s the grandmother?”

  “The family is still at the Center. Mrs. Polk has four more days before I have to move her and her family. We have a five-day limit, to make sure that we have rooms available for new clients,” Simone explained.

  “I found out some information on your Mrs. Polk.” Nick told her.

  She listened intently.

  “I went back to the grandmother’s home yesterday and I found out that someone that goes by JP was selling drugs out of that home,” he informed her.

  Simone frowned. “Her husband Ja’Traveon?”

  “They wouldn’t confirm it for me,” Nick relayed.

  “So maybe he didn’t do the firebombing?”

  Nick shrugged. “Not ruling him out yet.”

  Simone shook her head. “I need to speak with Mrs. Polk and find out what the hell is going on with her family.”

  “I’d like to assist you on this,” Nick offered. “My gut is telling me that there’s a joker in the deck.”

  She agreed. “This situation is more than I expected.”

  “I know you’re a Diamond and you can handle this on your own, but I don’t mind being your second.”

  Simone smiled. “I’ve never had a second.”

  Nick removed his glasses and stared across the table at her. “Then I would love to be your first.”

  Chapter 5

  “Milestones are important,” Simone replied softly.

  Nick looked up as the waitress arrived to take their drink orders. Simone ordered sweet tea, while he chose lemonade.

  She smiled. “You must have spent time with Kent and Lotus. They serve lemonade all day and night.”

  “Yes, I’ve had lemonade at the Bakers. It’s very good.”

  “I’m from LA, we usually have real drinks, but I’ve become fond of the sweet tea down here.”

  “Everything is better in the South,” Nick told her.

  Simone gave him a look. “Oh, really?”

  “Trust me,”

  She removed her sunglasses and looked at him. “I don’t do that easily.”

  “I won’t make it hard,” Nick assured her.

  “How do you know I’m even interested?”

  He held her gaze. “You told me.”

  Their drinks arrived and Simone took a small sip of her tea to calm herself. Nick’s self-assurance did something to her insides. She watched him drink from his glass and swallow. Her attention was drawn to his neck and she sipped the ice cold drink again, to cool herself.

  “I honestly wonder what that is all about,” Nick told her quietly.

  Simone gave him her attention. “What?”

  “The way you stare at my neck,”

  She traced the condensation on her glass. “It’s a fetish.”

  Nick nodded. “Hmmm…I’m acquainted with those.”

  After removing her own glasses, Simone connected their gazes. “You say that you know I’m interested. Are you?”

  “A beautiful woman who dives into a burning building?” His eyes caressed her face. “A former Diamond, who undresses me with her hands, and her eyes?”

  Nick looked away to calm himself. “Yes, Simone…if there’s any doubt, then let me rectify that right now.” He looked into her face. “I’m interested in discovering everything about you, including why a woman who’s so strong, seems unsure of her own strength, and why a woman that’s so beautiful and sensual, doesn’t have a man who would object to me having lunch with her.”

  Simone crossed her legs underneath the table to guard from his deeply spoken words, because that part was ready to let him discover whatever he wanted, however he wanted. Reaching for her glass, she took a large swallow to cool herself.

  “How do you plan to discover those things?” she finally asked.

  Nick sat back and folded his arms. “By spending as much time with you, as you will allow, and by listening to all those things you try to refrain from speaking.”

  The waitress reappeared to take their lunch orders. Nick waited while Simone quickly looked over the menu, then placed her order. He ordered his usual and returned his attention back to her.

  “If you don’t approve of my methods, you should tell me now,” Nick informed her.

  “If I don’t approve, what will you do?” Simone inquired, lifting a brow.

  “Change my methods, but not my goals.”

  She nodded slowly. “I approve, for now…”

  With his mission solidified, Nick moved in. “What would you like to not tell me, right now?” he questioned, with humor in his dark eyes.

  “I’m sure you know a lot more than I’ve relayed.” Simone said pointedly.

  He agreed. “Yes, I’ve checked you out.”

  “I expected no less…” She toyed with her glasses on the table. “And yet, you’re still interested?”

  “I’m sure that won’t diminish,” Nick said slowly. “Just like I’m sure, that what I learned on paper isn’t half of the woman sitting across from me.”

  Simone looked at him. “What did you learn?”

  “You’re thirty-two, no husband, no kids…parents live in LA,” Nick began. “You have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, because you were studying to become a therapist, but something happened during your last year of college and you changed course.”

  Simone held her breath as she listened.

  “I’m assuming it had to do with the deceased individual, you mentioned yesterday. I’m also assuming that your move to Atlanta also has something to do with that incident,” he finished.

  “You’re quite the detective,” Simone commented softly.

  Nick sat up and reached for her hand that was still toying with the glasses on the table. He covered it gently, and she looked at him.

  “I’m not going to pry, or snoop about something so private.” He assured her. “I hope that one day you will feel comfortable enough to share the dark things in your past, a
nd that I’ll be able to do the same.”

  “You have secrets?” Simone asked quietly.

  “You can’t do what we do, and not have a multitude of them.”

  She looked out at the scenery. “Sometimes, it all seems like a bad dream.”

  “But you can wake up to whatever reality you choose,” Nick told her.

  Simone shook her head. “I really wish Lotus would’ve warned me about you.”

  “Why?”

  “Then I could’ve prepared myself…”

  He gently squeezed her hand. “Neither of us could’ve prepared for this, Simone. It’s unexpected and puzzling, like following a suspect that disappears into thin air in the middle of a park…”

  She smiled. “Or getting knocked out by one of your own team members, when your assignment was to help protect them…”

  Nick agreed. “Exactly…” He lifted a hand and touched her face. “Like showing up at a burning house and finding a perfect Diamond…” he whispered. “Unexpected and puzzling…”

  He moved away as their food arrived and Simone still felt the heat from his touch on both her hand and her face. Quietly, she picked up her utensil and began to eat. They watched each other across the table until Simone spoke again.

  “I have to ask,” she paused. “You’re thirty-five and never been married, with no kids. You’re a very handsome, sophisticated, successful man. Why is there no Mrs. Webster?”

  Nick continued to move his food around his plate with a fork. “Women think that they want a dangerous man, but there’s a lot that comes with that. I’m not your everyday businessman or accountant. Danger is now a part of me…”

  Simone felt the heat begin to start.

  “I don’t go looking for it anymore, but when I come across it…I handle it.” Nick said firmly. “And I need a woman that can handle me and any situation.”

  “You don’t want a damsel in distress?” Simone asked.

  He looked up. “She can be in distress, but she’d better be able to try to get herself out, and me too, if necessary. I’m not trying to be the superhero all the damn time.”

  Simone lifted a brow. “You want her to be able to rescue you?”

  “If I need her to, hell yes…” he said adamantly. “A strong woman is the sexiest thing on this earth.”