Art of Deception (The Black Diamond Series Book 4)

by D. Camille

  Kent coughed and rubbed his neck. "You know you're wrong. I'm telling my momma when I get back too."

  Both guys looked at each other and laughed. "I don't know why you laughing. She's going to come out here and whip your ass!" Kent told him.

  "Yeah, 'cause her son can't," Trent teased him.

  "Whatever dude. I'm a lover, not a fighter."

  Trent laughed. "Nah, you just a punk. Callie could probably kick your ass."

  Kent smirked. "Yeah, okay. Just because I don't fight with my hands don't mean I can't get down."

  "You should go to the range dude. Guns might be more your thing to keep that pretty face intact," Trent told him.

  Kent nodded. "I just might."

  Trent looked over at his friend. "What's up with you and Lotus?" he asked.

  Kent frowned. "She's crazy as hell."

  "I told you that."

  He shook his head. "No, I mean really crazy."

  "I told you that," Trent repeated.

  Kent laughed. "But in a cute kinda way."

  "You and Lotus; a match made somewhere in the damn universe," Trent cracked.

  "Ain't no damn me and Lotus okay?" Kent corrected.

  Trent laughed. "She didn't let you smash and you stayed the whole night with her? Yeah dude, there's a you and Lotus."

  "I was trying to give you and your girl some privacy to, you know...talk," Kent explained.

  "Whatever. She's going to cast a spell on your ass." Trent laughed.

  Kent looked concerned. "You think she put something on me? Isn't her moms like a priestess?"

  Trent laughed harder. "You're a damn fool."

  "I'm staying the hell away from that girl," Kent said seriously. "I ain't with that."

  Trent stood and walked toward the kitchen. "I hope you didn't eat her food last night dude..."

  "Shut up! It was room service!" Kent yelled at his back and Trent's laughter filled the apartment.

  ********

  Lily wandered into her living room to find her mother, Carolyn and Sean. From the look on Sean's face, something was definitely wrong. She greeted the women before settling next to her husband's side. He looked over and kissed her softly.

  "What is it?" she asked searching his face.

  "My mother just dropped another one of her bombs," he explained.

  Lily turned to Carolyn. "What happened?"

  "I think Justin Black was murdered and I believe Milton Martin had a hand in it," Carolyn told her.

  Lily gasped and looked at Sean.

  "Do you have any proof of this Ma?" he asked his mother.

  Carolyn shook her head. "No."

  Sean sighed. "Then why are you bringing this up now?"

  "You know, my therapy made me think about Justin...a lot. I remembered things."

  "Things like what?" Sean questioned.

  She shrugged. "Like Milton saying how much he hated Justin and how he was going to make sure he got what he deserved."

  Sean moved and took his mother's hand. "Ma, Justin Black died from a heart attack. That's what the autopsy confirmed. His body was cremated the next day. Jordan and I picked up the ashes when we got back to the city, since we were out of town, and there were no signs of foul play."

  Carolyn looked into her son's eyes. "I believe it Sean."

  Sean ran a hand down his face. "Ma, this is not something you want to go throwing around. Do you have any idea what Jordan would do?"

  "Milton is capable of it," she told him.

  Sean glanced over at Lily who was watching him with concern then back to his mother and Lavender. "I'll discreetly check into it. In the meantime, do not tell anyone else this. Understand?"

  Lavender and Carolyn nodded as Sean stood and looked down at Lily.

  "I'll be right back," he told her leaving the room.

  Carolyn looked at Lily after he was gone. "We have a plan."

  Lily looked at them both. "No."

  Her mother threw up her hands. "You haven't even heard it."

  Lily shook her head. "No. Sean said he would look into it. He'll handle it."

  "Your mother is going to seduce Milton so we can learn all his secrets," Carolyn told her.

  Lily stood quickly. "No my momma is not going to seduce Milton Martin! What are you two even thinking?"

  Lavender looked at her daughter. "I've still got it Lily." She patted her full hips. "It's where you got it from."

  "I don't believe this!" Lily said dropping on the sofa.

  "And Milton always wants it," Carolyn added. "Not from me anymore though, I'm sure."

  Lily dropped her head into her hands as Sean came back into the room. He sat next to her and ran a hand down her back.

  "Lily?" he called her name.

  She raised dark eyes to his. "They say they have a plan. They want to seduce Milton Martin."

  Sean turned to them. "That's not going to happen since I've already told them not to interfere," he said pointedly. "Right?"

  They both looked innocently at him and he shook his head not buying it for one minute.

  "I swear I will put both of you somewhere until I'm finished if you try to interfere. There's too much going on right now for any distractions," he told them both.

  Lavender looked at Carolyn. "He will put us somewhere," Carolyn confirmed.

  Lavender then looked at Lily. "Yes, I will let him," Lily also confirmed.

  "We're just trying to help," Lavender told them.

  Lily took Sean's hand. "Sean knows exactly what he's doing. I trust him completely. If he needs our help, he'll tell us what to do," she told the other women.

  Sean smiled at her and leaned over to kiss her briefly before turning to their mothers. "Actually I do have something very important that I need you ladies to work on," he told them smiling.

  "Okay," they both answered anxiously.

  Lily watched and listened as Benjamin Rucker became a seasoned politician and ran the biggest snow job ever on both their mothers.

  *********

  Isabelle listened to Ray's heartbeat underneath her ear as she laid her head on his bare chest. They both were lying in the bed on his deck looking out over the now setting sun. She flexed the hand that was resting on his rock hard abs.

  "What's going to happen now?" she asked quietly.

  Ray stroked her naked back. "About what?"

  "Shana."

  "Sage will handle that," he told her.

  Isabelle lifted her head to look at him. "Sage?" she asked confused.

  He smiled at her. "She has certain skills that will get us the information we need."

  Isabelle studied him. "There's a lot that I don't know, isn't there?"

  He nodded and watched her.

  "Will you tell me?" she asked.

  Ray turned their bodies until they were face to face on the pillows. He touched her cheek gently holding her with his eyes.

  "What do you want to know?"

  Isabelle touched his jaw. "Who is this beautiful man that makes me so happy?" she whispered.

  "I'm many people. I'm a brother, a boss, a leader, an inventor, a protector and most of all a dangerous threat."

  "A dangerous threat," she repeated.

  He smiled. "Never to you."

  She shook her head. "I disagree. You are a dangerous threat to me."

  "How?" He raised a brow.

  Isabelle wrapped a naked leg around his waist. "To my sanity, you make me lose my mind."

  Ray pulled her closer lifting her leg higher and cradling her behind. "I like when you lose your mind." He kissed her softly.

  "It's the only time I have an advantage," he whispered to her moving to her neck.

  Isabelle threw her head back. "Why do you need one?" she asked breathlessly.

  He looked at her. "I don't want to be conquered."

  She smiled. "Then don't."

  "If only it were that simple Belle."

  Isabelle kissed him tasting his lips gently. "Would it be that bad?" she asked against his mo
uth.

  "To belong to each other for just a little while?" She wrapped her arms around his neck.

  Ray silently watched her studying her face trying to figure out her current strategy.

  "When either of us wants to walk away...no questions, no drama," she explained.

  "Is that what you want?" he asked.

  Isabelle nodded slowly watching him. "Is that what you want?" she asked softly rubbing the back of his head.

  He paused for a moment as their eyes connected. "Okay Goddess."

  She smiled and placed her lips on his opening to the gentle assault from his mouth. When he paused to reach into the nearby drawer Isabelle glanced out at the horizon and smiled. Check.

  Chapter 11

  Milton Martin admired the sparkling watch on his arm as he waited in his home office. His thoughts went to the little punk FBI agent who was trying to bust him. Milton smiled to himself, better ones than him had tried. He wasn't about to let some young buck bring him down. He looked up as Carl Harrington entered the room and took the seat across from his desk.

  "Carl," he nodded.

  "Milton."

  Carl made himself comfortable. "Is everything on schedule?" he asked.

  Milton nodded. "Yeah, everything is in place. The only wild card is that damn Carolyn. She’s reconciled with her son."

  "Should we just have her taken out?" Carl questioned.

  "Hell no!" he said with emotion.

  Carl studied Milton. "You still have feelings for her? After all this time?" he questioned.

  Milton snorted. "I've always loved Carolyn. She was the most beautiful girl in the neighborhood. Every guy wanted Carolyn Price, but I was never good enough for her until she needed help against Sean and Jordan. I tried to help her and now she's turned her back on me. Again."

  "Again? You mean with Xavier?" Carl asked.

  "Xavier and that damn Justin!" he shouted. "Hell, she even had that bastard's baby!"

  Carl smiled. "Well he got what he deserved."

  Milton glanced at him. "Yeah, he did."

  Carl laughed. "Well now it's his son's turn. He's going to find out he's not invincible either."

  Milton laughed too. "To hell with all of them."

  There was a brief knock on the door before it opened and Isabelle entered the office looking first at her father then at Carl Harrison.

  "Hello Daddy," she greeted. "I need to speak with you."

  Milton looked from her to Carl and back again. "I'm in a meeting right now."

  Isabelle turned to Carl. "Excuse me Mr. Harrison. I need to speak with my father right now. It's a family emergency."

  Milton lifted a brow at hearing her words then turned to Carl. "I'll check in with you later," he told him.

  Carl looked between the two and stood. He nodded at Milton and said goodbye to Isabelle before exiting the office closing the door behind him.

  Milton looked at his daughter in confusion. "What is it Isabelle? Is something wrong with Isis?" he asked in a panic.

  Isabelle took a seat. "It seems that we have more family than I thought Daddy."

  Milton frowned as he assumed that Jordan had spoken with Isabelle. "That damn Jordan. He should have kept his mouth shut."

  Isabelle looked at her father. "Why would you do this Daddy? Why would you keep a secret like this for so long?"

  Milton turned red. "You don't question me Isabelle."

  She shook her head. "I want to meet with her."

  He looked at her. "For what reason?"

  "She's my sister. She is my sister, right Daddy?" Isabelle asked tilting her head.

  "Does Isis know?" he asked.

  Isabelle shook her head. "No, I haven't told her yet."

  Milton put his head in his hand and blew out a breath. "I want to tell her."

  She shrugged. "I don't care, but she will find out."

  Milton nodded.

  "Did Mommy know?" Isabelle asked quietly.

  He didn't look at her. "I could never bring myself to admit it to her, but yes she suspected."

  Isabelle nodded and lowered her head. "I want you to call Shana now so I can set a meeting with her." She looked up at her father.

  "I don't think that's necessary," he told her.

  "There are a lot of things that have occurred that were unnecessary Daddy," she said frostily.

  He frowned at her tone.

  She stood. "Fine Daddy, I'll just go see Isis right now and tell her all about you."

  Milton panicked. Isis was his heart and he would do anything to protect her. He wanted to be the one to explain this situation to her.

  "Okay Isabelle. Sit down!" he ordered.

  Isabelle lifted a brow at his tone. She folded her arms and waited. "Make the call Daddy."

  Reluctantly Milton picked up the phone and dialed Shana's number.

  "Put it on speaker," Isabelle instructed.

  Milton glanced at her before pressing the appropriate button causing the ringing to be heard throughout the room. Shana answered on the third ring.

  "Hey Daddy."

  Isabelle frowned and shook her head.

  Milton cleared his throat. "Hi Shana. Um...Isabelle knows about you and she wants to meet with you," he told her while watching Isabelle.

  "Why in the hell would I want to meet with Isabelle? I can't stand her!"

  Isabelle lifted a brow at her father.

  "Shana! Listen to me. It's time that the two of you get to know each other," he cajoled.

  "No! I won't do it!"

  Isabelle shrugged and turned towards the door.

  "Isabelle wait!" Milton shouted and she paused.

  "Dammit Shana, I need you to do this!" he insisted.

  There was a moment of silence.

  "I want a new car," Shana told him.

  Isabelle laughed softly and shook her head at her father.

  "Fine," Milton agreed.

  "I heard Jordan has a Bugatti," Shana told him.

  "A Bugatti!" Milton roared.

  "Yeah, if you want me to meet with her, then I want a Bugatti."

  Isabelle took her seat. "Is it worth it to you Daddy?" she asked pinning him with a look.

  Milton made the final arrangements for the two women to meet and ended the call with Shana. He looked over at Isabelle.

  "I don't know why you're doing this," he accused with angry eyes.

  "I don't know why you do anything that you do Daddy. Good bye." Isabelle stood and walked out of the office and out to the waiting car. She climbed inside and turned to the waiting passengers.

  "How'd it go?" Sage asked.

  Isabelle let out a breath. "The meeting is set. She's meeting me Friday at the restaurant where the engagement party was held."

  Sage smiled. "Good job."

  "Are you okay?" Lily asked Isabelle.

  Isabelle turned to her. "Yes, thank you. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but she really doesn't like me."

  "We don't like her either," Sage commented and Lily nodded in agreement.

  "Thank you both for helping me with the coaching," Isabelle told them with a slight smile.

  "The fun has just begun..." Sage told her as she settled back against the seat. "She has no idea what's in store for her."

  "That's for sure," Lily confirmed.

  Isabelle looked at the two women in the car with her and wondered just who they were?

  *********

  Callie entered the office and saw Trent sitting at her desk. He looked up and smiled at her.

  "What are you doing at my desk Trent?" she asked coming around to where he was still seated.

  He smiled again. "Waiting for you."

  Callie looked around her desk and noticed some things were moved. She lifted a brow.

  "Were you looking for something?" she questioned.

  "Nah."

  She looked at him. "Why are you here so early? Don't you have class?" her eyes narrowed.

  Trent stood. "Class was cancelled and I have a study gro
up tonight so I came in a little early," he explained.

  Callie sat her purse on her desk and looked up at him. "Did Kent make it back to Atlanta okay?"

  Trent stared down at her before touching her face. "Yeah, he and Lotus are back. Kent made sure to get a different flight from her. He's scared she's going to put some kind of hex on him or something."

  Callie laughed. "That boy is a clown."

  Trent trailed a finger down her cheek to her neck. "I also came in early for another reason," he told her with his dark gaze holding hers.

  "What's that?" she whispered.

  He leaned down to her ear. "I need a sexy girl to mess with my head." His lips trailed from her ear to her mouth as Ray entered the office.

  "What the hell did I tell you two?" he demanded.

  Trent smiled and took a step back. "Hey Ray." Callie lowered her head hiding her smile.

  "Is this what's been going on while I've been gone?" Ray questioned with brown eyes flashing.

  Trent shrugged. "Uh...we haven't seen you in like three days."

  Ray turned to him. "Uh...this is my damn office. Don't worry about where the hell I am."

  He turned to Callie. "Has any work been done here?"

  "Yes Ray. We've been working."

  Ray looked at his watch and turned to Trent. "Why are you here so early?"

  Trent glanced at Callie. "Just following up on some hunches."

  Callie caught his look and lifted a brow. He smiled at her and turned back to Ray.

  "Plus I have a study group tonight, so I'll be leaving early," he informed him.

  Ray looked between the two and nodded.

  "No calls Callie. I'm working on something and I don't want to be disturbed," he instructed as he walked to his office.

  "Okay," Callie said to his retreating back. She moved around Trent and took her seat. Glancing around her desk, she detected the items that Trent had moved and turned back to him.

  "If you were looking for the keys to the drawers, I keep them with me," she told him pulling the keys out of her purse and opening said drawers.

  She pulled one drawer completely open and leaned back in her seat. "Help yourself."

  "Callie..." he began.

  "I'm very OCD Trent. I know exactly how I leave my desk every night. I know how and where everything is placed. You were clearly looking for something...so look."

  Trent lowered his head. "I want to trust you Callie."

  "You shouldn't. I've learned that you can't trust anyone. Not even sweet guys who tell you they love you." She closed the drawer and turned to her computer.