Origins (The Black Diamond Series Book 3)

by D. Camille

  The doctor nodded. “He must be very good.”

  Carolyn looked puzzled. “I guess you're right. He must be very good at whatever it is he does.”

  “He and Jordan Black have remained close after all these years despite your feelings about Justin?”

  “They're two peas in a pod; always have been.”

  Dr. Williams paused. “Does that bother you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Jordan and Sean always had a bond that no one could break. They guarded each other's secrets like gold.”

  “You envied their relationship?” he asked.

  “I guess I did.”

  The doctor nodded. “Their relationship has no bearing on your relationship with Sean,” he told her.

  “I felt like another person was putting me second. I could never be first,” she admitted.

  “How do you feel about Jordan now?”

  Carolyn paused again. “Every time I look at him I see Justin. He looks just like him.”

  “And you feel the pain all over again.”

  Carolyn nodded.

  “But he's not Justin. It isn't fair to make him pay for Justin's wrongs.”

  “I know.”

  “If anything, Jordan has been a true friend to your son Sean. In fact he came here when you were admitted and stayed with your son while he completed all the paperwork,” the doctor told her.

  Carolyn smiled. “One thing I know for sure, Jordan would never allow anything to happen to Sean and vice versa.”

  I believe they would kill for one another...

  While Carolyn was gone, Jordan spent many nights at the Jackson residence. His father had allowed him to keep Sean company while his mother was on her hiatus. The boys had moved an additional bed into Sean's room for Jordan to sleep in. Anna, the nanny who'd been hired to keep an eye on Sean had a room downstairs.

  The boys were dressed in white T-shirts and pajama bottoms sitting on their beds talking.

  “Did you see Shana White today?” Jordan asked.

  Sean smiled. “I think everybody saw Shana White today.”

  Jordan smiled. “I thought she was going to burst right out of her clothes.”

  “I hoped that she would.”

  They both laughed.

  “I think she likes you,” Jordan told Sean.

  Sean frowned. “I don't think so…besides she’s a senior.”

  Jordan nodded. “Yeah, she wants you.”

  “What?”

  “Girls think you're smart and they like that.”

  Sean turned in his bed. “Whatever Jordan.”

  Jordan shrugged. “Okay, but if you give her a chance, you'll get it.”

  “Who says I want Shana White?”

  Jordan rolled his eyes. “Dude, everybody wants Shana White.”

  As the boys laughed again, they heard screaming coming from downstairs.

  “What's that?” Jordan asked.

  “I don't know.”

  They both quieted and heard the screaming again this time louder. Both boys jumped from their beds and ran downstairs. They stopped when they saw Anna being slapped by her boyfriend as she screamed.

  “Hey!” Jordan screamed. “Leave her alone!”

  He rushed over and tackled the guy as Sean ran from the room. The boyfriend turned on Jordan and grabbed him by the shirt.

  “You little shit! Get out of the way,” he yelled pushing Jordan to the floor.

  Jordan jumped up and rushed back at the guy knocking him off balance. The boyfriend eventually rolled over on top of Jordan and raised his fist to punch him.

  “If you hit him, I will blow your fucking brains out!” Sean yelled.

  Everyone in the room turned to find Sean holding a silver pistol in his hands pointed directly at the intruder.

  The guy glared at Sean and slowly stood to his feet. Jordan stayed on the floor in shock as the nanny rushed over to Sean.

  “Don't please!” she screamed to Sean.

  Sean didn't budge. “Get the hell out of my house!” he told the boyfriend.

  “Look boy, this doesn't concern you,” the boyfriend responded.

  “Now!” Sean ordered.

  The boyfriend started towards Sean and the gun sounded like a cannon in the room. Jordan dived across the floor away from the shot as the nanny screamed. The boyfriend screamed in pain and grabbed his arm watching blood run onto his hand.

  “Please, get out!” the nanny screamed to him.

  The boyfriend looked from Jordan on the floor to Sean with the gun still in his hands. He glanced down at his arm again and quickly made his way to the door with Sean following him, the gun still pointed at him. When he was gone, Sean locked the door and walked back into the room.

  “Sean, I'm so sorry. I didn't know he would do this!” the nanny explained. “Please don't make your mother fire me. I need this job.”

  Sean looked at her. “I'm not going to say anything Anna. Just as long as you don't say anything either,” he said still holding the gun in his hand.

  Anna looked at the pistol. “I won't. I swear and I won't have anyone here at the house again. I promise.”

  Sean looked at her. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Yes. I'm sorry.”

  Sean looked to Jordan who was now standing. Both boys checked with Anna again before leaving the room. When they were back upstairs, Jordan turned to Sean as they each tried to slow their adrenaline that was now at full tilt.

  “What the hell, Sean?” he asked. “Where'd you get that gun?”

  Sean sat the gun on the nightstand. “It's my Daddy's. He told me where it was so I'd be able to protect my Momma.”

  “And you know how to shoot?” Jordan asked amazed.

  Sean shook his head. “No. I was actually aiming for his head.”

  “I'm glad I was on the floor then,” Jordan told him. “If he didn't leave would you have really shot him in the head?”

  “I couldn't have shot him after the first shot,” Sean told him.

  “Why not?”

  Sean shrugged. “I only had one bullet.”

  Jordan laughed. “Well thanks for keeping me from getting my face cracked.”

  Sean shook his head. “Did you really think you could beat him up Jordan? He was like six feet two.”

  Jordan shrugged. “It was just a natural reaction.” He laid across the bed.

  “Yes, me too,” Sean said lying across his own bed. “The gun felt natural in my hand.”

  Jordan looked at Sean. “Would you really have killed him?”

  Sean looked back at him. “For hurting her? Yes.”

  Jordan smiled. “Me too.”

  Chapter 6

  Trent sat in the passenger seat next to Sean while Sean drove them both to the facility to visit their mother. He silently watched the passing scenery deep in thought.

  “What's up Trent?” Sean asked.

  Trent turned to him. “She wants to see me?” he asked.

  “Yes. She's been asking about you.”

  He turned back to the window. “Is she better now?”

  Sean watched his brother. “Yes, she's better. Not completely, but much better.”

  Trent nodded without turning back.

  “Is there something we need do discuss?” Sean asked.

  “Nah...I'm cool.”

  Sean nodded slowly glancing over at Trent. His little brother was growing very quickly before his eyes. Over the past few months he'd been working out with Ray and his teenage body was transforming into that of a man. Sean was proud of how Trent had acclimated to his new life and handled his business. He was working with Ray and doing extremely well in all his classes at USC. Trent hadn't been in any trouble since the day he'd arrived and Sean, Jordan and Ray had made sure they took very good care of him.

  “How's everything going?” Sean inquired.

  Trent shrugged. “Okay. School is cool and...Ray is teaching me a lot.”

  Sean turned to hi
m. “That scares me.”

  Trent smiled. “Ray is cool. I like working with him.”

  Sean nodded again. “We know that your birthday is a few months away. Jordan and I along with Ray, Sage and Lily would like to give you party,” he told him.

  Trent turned to him quickly. “For real?”

  “Yes. Would you like that?”

  Trent gave his brother a look. “What kind of party?” he asked.

  Sean looked confused. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean...I wanna turn up for my birthday,” Trent told him.

  “Turn up?” Sean asked.

  Trent laughed. “Yeah, get wild.”

  “How wild?”

  “Like all of you can't be there wild,” Trent explained.

  Sean turned to him. “You don't want us at your party?”

  Trent shrugged. “You all can be there for a while, then I want to be able to do my thing.”

  “Is 'your thing' going to get you arrested?”

  Trent smiled. “Nah, but it's going to get me something though.”

  Sean shook his head. “I assume we're talking about sex now.”

  “Come on Sean, I'll be eighteen.”

  Sean ran a hand down his face. “Okay Trent. You're smart and I know you will handle your business accordingly.”

  Trent looked confused. “For real?”

  “Yes, for real.”

  “So you're just going to let me get wild?” Trent questioned.

  Sean turned to him. “Like you said Trent, you'll be eighteen. You're a man and you'll make your own decisions. I'm not trying to control you.”

  “No lectures, no warnings, nothing?”

  “Do you need it?” Sean asked.

  Trent turned back to the window. “You trust me like that?” he asked.

  “You've never given me any reason not to Trent.”

  Trent couldn't look at his brother as they continued to drive.

  Upon Sean and Trent's arrival at the facility they were shown to Carolyn's room. As they entered she stood and looked at her sons. They were both very handsome sharing the same skin tone. Sean had her dark brown eyes and Trent had inherited Justin's incredible dark gaze. He smiled at her and she saw Justin Black all over again.

  “Hi,” Trent greeted.

  Carolyn smiled. “Hello Trent. Thank you for coming to visit me.”

  Sean looked between the two. “I'm going to stop in and see the doctor. I'll be back shortly,” he informed them looking at Trent for his approval.

  Trent looked at Carolyn and then back at Sean. “Cool.”

  Sean kissed his mother on the cheek and exited the room as Carolyn and Trent stared at each other. She walked over to him and gently reached up to touch his face.

  “You're so handsome,” she whispered.

  “Thank you,” he answered.

  Trent stood while his mother studied him. He looked down at the woman who had given birth to him...and then left him.

  “What do you want to say to me?” she asked quietly.

  Trent shrugged. “Just...why?”

  Carolyn stepped back. “Please sit down.”

  Trent took a seat at the table facing the window and Carolyn took the seat across from him.

  “I was not a good person. I did things I regret so much,” she began before glancing out of the window.

  “Did you ever tell anyone about us?” he asked.

  Quickly she turned to him. “You know?”

  Trent nodded. “Yeah...I know I have a twin sister,” he said quietly.

  Carolyn dropped her head into her hands as Trent watched.

  “Have you told Sean and Jordan?” she asked lifting her head.

  Trent slowly shook his head. “No and it's eating me up inside. They've been so good to me and I feel like I'm lying to them.”

  “Why haven't you told them?” Carolyn asked.

  Trent shrugged. “When I first got here I didn't know them and didn't know what they would do.”

  “Then after I found out they were cool, I contacted her.”

  Carolyn looked astounded. “You know where she is?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What did she say?” she asked.

  Trent turned to the window and stared out for a time. “She said that she has a family. Her adoptive family has taken care of her all of her life and she doesn't want us to contact her anymore.”

  Carolyn watched the pain in Trent's face as they turned back to each other.

  “How did she get a family and I just got shuffled all over?” he asked with tortured dark eyes.

  Carolyn lowered her head. “The family didn't want two children. Justin told me he'd take care of finding a place for you. I don't know what happened. I never even saw you.”

  “You never wondered what was happening to me?” he asked as a single tear escaped.

  “I'm sorry Trent,” she said sadly, as tears fell. “I don’t know what to say to you.”

  Trent wiped his face, turned back to the window and silently looked out as Carolyn watched him. Many minutes passed in silence as she watched him work through the pain. Soon he composed himself and she saw Justin Black all over again.

  “How are you now?” he asked without turning to her.

  “I'm trying to get better...to be better.” She wiped her own face.

  Trent nodded slowly scanning the landscape.

  “How are you?” she asked.

  “I'm cool. Just doing my thing. I'm going to school and working right now.”

  Carolyn smiled. “Sean told me how smart you are. He said that you're a really good young man.”

  He turned back to her. “Sean is a good man, both of my brothers are. I don't know where I'd be without both of them.”

  “Are you going to tell them about her?” Carolyn asked.

  “Sean is getting ready for his wedding right now and I don't want to bring him any more drama. He's been through enough lately,” Trent told her.

  “You mean me?” she asked.

  “And other stuff,” Trent answered evasively.

  Carolyn watched him. “You love your brothers?” she surmised.

  “I'd kill for them.”

  Carolyn nodded. “Sean and Jordan will do the same for each other so I'm sure they'd do the same for you.”

  “Are you going to tell Sean?” he asked concerned.

  Carolyn shook her head. “I will let you do that when you're ready. I've kept the secret this long.”

  “Thanks, I just want him to be happy at his wedding.”

  “Sean is very smart,” Carolyn told him. “What if he finds out on his own?”

  Trent turned back to the window. “He can't. I've erased all trails leading to her.”

  Carolyn looked surprised. “I guess Sean isn't my only genius.”

  Trent turned to her. “No. He's not.”

  They both turned at the quick knock before Sean entered the room. He glanced between the two before taking a seat at the table next to Trent.

  “How are you Ma?” he asked. “The doctor says you're making good progress.”

  “I feel good.” Carolyn smiled at them both.

  “Is there anything that you need?” Sean asked.

  She shook her head. “No. You've done so much already.”

  Sean took her hand. “There is nothing I won't do for you Ma.”

  Carolyn felt the sting of tears behind her eyes. Because of her own hurt and anger, she'd never realized the unselfish love of her son. Love that she clearly didn't deserve but he continued to bestow upon her. She looked between the two and knew she had to continue to strive to change her ways. These two beautiful men she had created were worth it.

  “Thank you both for coming. I know that I don't deserve either of you, but I promise that I am going to do my best to be better,” she promised with watery eyes.

  Trent took her other hand and both men smiled at her.

  “That's all we ask,” Sean told her.

  Carolyn smiled back at them fe
eling like she had been given a new lease on life. She had to make things right to be with her family.

  “Trent, do you mind if I talk with Sean for a moment?” Carolyn asked.

  Trent shook his head. “Nah, I'll just wait in the lobby.”

  Carolyn squeezed his hand. “Thank you. For everything,” she told him.

  “Thank you,” he said standing.

  “Will you come again?” she asked hesitantly.

  Trent smiled. “Yeah...I'll be back.”

  Carolyn nodded and released his hand before watching him leave the room.

  Sean silently watched the interaction between the two.

  “Was everything alright?” he asked concerned.

  “Yes, it was fine. He's a really good boy.”

  “He is.”

  Carolyn squeezed Sean's hand while staring into matching dark brown eyes.

  “I want you to do something for me?” she asked.

  “What is it?”

  “I want to see Jordan. I want to talk to him.”

  Sean frowned. “Jordan?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “I need to heal. I need to apologize to him for holding him responsible for his father's actions.”

  “I don't know if Jordan will want to do that,” he explained. “You haven't treated him well.”

  “If you ask him, he will.”

  Sean sighed. “I will talk to the doctor and see if this is a good idea. If he agrees, I will ask Jordan. Then, whatever Jordan decides I will respect his decision.”

  Carolyn nodded. “For so long Justin Black was a demon to me. I have to finally face him and acknowledge that Jordan is not his father. Jordan has been good to you and Trent. Both of you have nothing but good things to say about him, so he can't be the monster I've created in my head.”

  “Jordan is not a monster. He's my best friend and he's always been there for me. I'd give my life for him,” Sean told her gently.

  “I understand. I always felt that you cared about him more than me,” she told him.

  Sean looked at her. “You're my mother and I love you. That has nothing to do with my relationship with Jordan and never will.”

  “I will always take care of you,” he vowed to her.

  Carolyn studied him. “Why?”

  “I promised my father.”

  Carolyn looked surprised. “Xavier asked you to take care of me?”