Art of Deception (The Black Diamond Series Book 4)

by D. Camille

  Lavender nodded. “Positive.” She went back to waving her sage stick. “I need to cover them with as much of this as possible. They're going to be some forces to be reckoned with one day.”

  “What do the waist beads do?” Isabelle asked curiously.

  Sage munched on a carrot stick. “They help with fertility.”

  Isabelle blushed. “Oh, thank you.” She went back to her task but not before glancing at the countertop she'd been spread out on more than a few times. Her body tingled at the memory.

  “I told Jordan I was going to have some made for Diamond and he flipped out,” Sage laughed.

  Lily laughed. “I bet he did. He probably never wants her to even look at a guy.”

  “He said he'd kill a guy if he tried to touch her,” Sage told her. “I think he was serious.”

  “You think?” Lily asked laughing. “Jordan is scary.”

  Sage smirked. “No he's not. Jordan is sweet.”

  Lily lifted a brow at her.

  “On the inside he's really sweet,” Sage amended laughing.

  Carolyn laughed too. “Sage is right. Jordan is sweet. He always has been.”

  Sage stuck out her tongue to Lily. “See, I told you.” She reached for a piece of apricot handing it to Diamond.

  “I agree with Sage as well. Jordan is sweet,” Isabelle inserted.

  Lily rolled her eyes. “This from the woman involved with Ray. He's a pit bull.”

  Sage nodded. “Yeah...my brother is a pit bull,” she agreed smiling.

  Isabelle eyes widened. “He is not a pit bull!” All the women looked at her.

  “Maybe a pit bull puppy...” Isabelle shrugged and everyone burst out laughing.

  “In truth all those guys are extremely dangerous,” Lavender told them. “And they're about to prove just how dangerous they are.”

  They all nodded hoping that their dangerous men handled business. When their meal was completed, all the women sat down and tried to enjoy it. Together they cleaned the kitchen and began to retire for the evening.

  Jordan and Sean had designated the bedrooms for them all. Sage and Diamond were in one bedroom. Lily was in another. Carolyn and Lavender shared the room with two beds and Isabelle was given the master.

  Isabelle entered the familiar room and felt her heart flutter. The last time she'd been here, there had been an incredible man with her. Now she didn't know where he was or what he was doing. Was he okay? Had he been hurt? What was going on? She'd wanted to ask Sage and Lily but had refrained. Although she felt they were getting closer, she wasn't sure if they were ready to share secrets with her. They were Sean and Jordan's wives, she was Ray's...well she couldn't quite say.

  She took a seat on the bed and looked around the room. Her gaze landed on a suitcase near the bathroom. She stood and retrieved it carrying it over to the bed. Isabelle opened the case and looked inside. There were some blouses and slacks and of course...underwear. “Where are you Ray Parker?” she whispered to the empty room. “Please come back to me.”

  There was a knock on the door and she quickly answered it finding Sage and Diamond on the other side.

  “Can we talk?” Sage asked.

  “Of course.” Isabelle let her in immediately.

  Both women walked over to the bed where Sage sat a sleepy Diamond down on the covers. After settling the little girl, she turned to Isabelle.

  “What did the guys tell you about what's going on?” Sage asked.

  Isabelle shrugged. “Not much. Just that Ray's been taken and they were leaving to find him.”

  Sage leaned forward. “I have to ask you Isabelle. Do you love my brother?”

  Isabelle looked away. “Sage, I don't know if I-”

  Sage cut her off. “I need to know Isabelle.”

  Isabelle wondered if she should admit the truth to Sage. After all, she was Ray's sister and her allegiance was and would always be to him. She looked into bright brown eyes that reminded her of another pair. A pair that belonged to the man she was worried to death over right now.

  Isabelle lifted her eyes to Sage. “Yes Sage, I love your brother. More than I ever imagined I could love someone.”

  Sage nodded and smiled. “I thought so.” She took Isabelle's hand.

  “My brother and Trent have been taken by a man who is after all of our guys. It has something to do with their past but Jordan assures me that they have a plan, so I have to trust him.” She glanced down at her daughter. “I know that he wouldn't do anything that would take him away from us.”

  Isabelle listened in stunned silence for a moment. “Are they going to be alright?” she asked giving Sage's hand a light squeeze.

  “We have to trust that they have this under control.” Sage told Isabelle looking at her. “I want you to know that we are all in this together. My brother wanted you here because he cares about you, otherwise he would have just put some security on you to keep you safe,” Sage explained. “The fact that you're here is my brother's way of telling me that he trusts you and that I can too.”

  Isabelle smiled. “Thank you Sage. That means a lot to me, that you would embrace me.”

  Sage laughed. “Yeah...there was a time...” She lifted a brow.

  “I know this has all been so confusing but I can tell you this...I'm not confused about how I feel about your brother and it's never going to change.”

  “The Sun God is all that,” Sage boasted smiling.

  Isabelle nodded. “He certainly is.” She turned to the sleeping little girl on the bed.

  Sage stared at Isabelle. She was in awe that this was the Sun God's Moon...and of that, she was certain, even if he wasn't ready to admit it. She watched as Isabelle gently stroked Diamond's cheek as she slept.

  “She's so beautiful,” Isabelle said staring at the sleeping doll.

  “Thank you.”

  Isabelle looked at Sage. “And you're having another one?”

  Sage nodded happily. “Yes, it took a lot to convince Jordan but I wanted him to have a son.”

  “Ms. Masters says that you are,” Isabelle commented.

  Sage rolled her eyes. “Lily's momma is not always right. Although I am more inclined to listen to her now...”

  Chapter 17

  Carl Harrison entered the building where he was meeting Milton. He wondered why Milton had picked this location so far out of the way, but Milton had said they needed to find a place where no one would think to find them. Carl thought that Milton was just paranoid...always had been.

  He walked inside and found him waiting in one of the rooms. Carl took a seat across from Milton who was sitting in a chair behind a desk.

  “Milton, why in the hell are we way out here?” Carl asked. “We don't have the watches anymore, so they can't spy on us.”

  “I'm not taking any chances,” Milton told him watching him.

  Carl shrugged. “So what are we going to do now? If Esteban isn't able to kill all of them, we're in real trouble.”

  Milton nodded. “I've been thinking about that.”

  Carl shook his head. “I can't believe they got us with those watches. How did they even get something like that?”

  “You always want to underestimate them. I told you they're damn killers! They killed Esteban's own brother.”

  “Joanna always said Jordan was a bastard,” Carl commented.

  Milton frowned. “And where is her ass now? Nobody knows.” He stood from the chair. “I keep telling you these guys are dangerous.”

  Carl sat back. “We've gotten away with lots of stuff Milton. Why are you so paranoid now?”

  “Because if those guys come back they're coming after us,” Milton told him.

  “So what, we helped Esteban. They're not going to kill us.”

  Milton shook his head. “Are you this damn dumb? Jordan has made his own mother disappear. You think he gives a damn about us?”

  Carl sat up. “Do you think he knows about Justin?” he asked warily.

  “No. If he even suspected we
'd both have a bullet in our heads already,” Milton told him taking his seat again.

  “So what are we going to do to protect ourselves?” Carl asked with his hand out.

  Milton looked at him. “I've already decided what I'm going to do Carl.” He pulled a pistol out from underneath the desk.

  Carl looked shocked. “What the hell are you doing Milton?” he yelled.

  “Dead men can't tell secrets. Isn't that what we said about Justin?”

  Carl put his hands up. “All we've done together, you're going to kill me Milton?” he pleaded.

  Milton shook his head. “Jordan and Sean might come back and I'm not going to have you turn on me to save your own ass.”

  “I wouldn't do that!” Carl exclaimed. “Have I ever sold you out?”

  “See with you gone, I'll just say everything was your idea and I just followed along because you were blackmailing me. You hated Jordan because he kept you from finding your cheating ex-wife and you forced me to help you bring him down. You threatened my daughters because you know how much they mean to me and I would do anything to keep them safe.”

  Carl gave Milton a hard look. “You bastard! I trusted you!”

  “You shouldn't have.” He aimed the gun.

  “You will get what you deserve Milton,” Carl told him right before a gunshot rang out.

  *********

  Ray picked up the tray that had been left for him. The delicious smelling food teased his nostrils, but food was not what he was looking for right now. He carefully removed the dishes sitting them on the bed then quickly turned the weighted tray over. Underneath he found all the pieces to 9mm pistol along with ammunition. He expertly assembled and loaded it before placing the weapon underneath the pillow.

  Ray returned to the food and dined on the delicious delicacies as he smiled to himself. Lina always was a good cook, although her food had not been what he'd enjoyed the most. He continued to eat since this would be the only thing of Lina's he'd be tasting while he was here. He completed the meal and sat back on the bed.

  Lina returned a little while later to retrieve the tray. Ray stood from the bed as she approached with a smile. When she reached him, she placed a hand on his chest.

  “I have so missed the Dios Del Sol,” she whispered.

  Ray looked down at her. “Thank you for providing what I needed.”

  She smiled sexily at him. “I am your loyal servant.”

  Ray laughed. “You are a problema. Nothing but trouble.”

  She moved her hand lower and he halted her progress.

  Ray shook his head. “I am here strictly for business Lina.”

  She looked up at him and pouted.

  He ran his thumb across her protruding lips. “The Sun God will make sure your family continues to be taken care of very well.”

  She broke into a huge smile. “Gracias!”

  Ray leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Be safe bonita.”

  “You too Dios Del Sol.”

  Ray nodded. “Your cousins left the vehicle where I instructed?” he asked.

  “Si. It is where you told your friends it would be.”

  Lina picked up the tray with the empty dishes and headed to the door. She turned one last time and looked Ray up and down. She licked her lips and exited the room.

  “Okay Jay and Sean...I hope you're on schedule.”

  *********

  “Next time, I'm making the damn plan!” Jordan grumbled as he and Sean walked through the jungle to locate the vehicle Ray had told them would be waiting. They were both fitted with bulletproof vests complete with weapons on both their hips and ankles.

  “Jordan, stop whining,” Sean told him moving trees out of the way as he walked.

  “I'm not whining. It's hot as hell out here and we've been walking for like three damn miles! He couldn't have had the car parked closer?”

  “You're a runner Jordan; this should be a piece of cake.”

  Jordan looked at him. “I don't run with a bulletproof vest on through a damn jungle!” He swatted at a large leaf.

  Sean shook his head. “It shouldn't be much further.”

  “First he had us land the plane in another part of the damn country then take that old ass double decker mini bus to the jungle. I thought the damn thing was going to break down at least ten times on the way and I think the driver was blind in one eye by the way his ass was driving. Now we're out here searching for a car that's hidden somewhere in the middle of the damn Amazon!” Jordan complained swatting another leaf.

  Sean kept walking. “We couldn't just land at the airport and walk off the plane Jordan. We'd have been dead before it came to a stop. We have to go incognito... and I don't think the driver was blind, I think he was drunk.”

  Jordan gave Sean a hard look as they kept walking.

  “We couldn't just ride up in a private car Jordan,” Sean pointed out.

  “I swear Esteban's ass is dead.” Jordan trudged forward.

  Sean smiled. “That is the plan.”

  Sean and Jordan entered a small clearing and saw an old rugged jeep with no windows or doors waiting for them. Jordan turned to Sean.

  “Oh hell nah! I'm kicking Ray's ass!” Jordan exclaimed as he walked to the vehicle.

  Sean followed chuckling and Jordan turned to him.

  “This isn't funny! No doors, no windows, no air! Oh, I got his ass.” Jordan climbed into the driver's seat with Sean following. Sean smiled. He understood Ray's plan completely. He wanted Jordan to be agitated as hell when he arrived so that he would be coming through the door shooting first and asking questions later.

  Sean entered the passenger seat and strapped his seat belt as Jordan tried to start the car and it didn't turn over.

  Jordan turned to Sean with fury on his face. “Oh, his ass is done. For real!”

  Jordan tried three times before the car finally started. He took off cursing all the way, as Sean held on shaking his head.

  **********

  Trent sat on the bed in the small room still trying to figure out what was happening. He'd been in this room since they'd arrived. Before leaving to find his brothers, he'd never been out of Atlanta now here he was being held hostage in another country.

  He hadn't seen or heard from anyone except for the delivering of his meal. He wondered if his brothers had arrived and was Ray okay. He'd tried the door and it was locked, just like he'd thought but it had been worth a try. He heard a key in the lock and then watched as the door opened. Callie walked inside and closed the door behind her leaning against it with her gun on her hip. Their eyes connected.

  “Did you come to kill me Callie?” he asked lifting a brow.

  She watched him looking into his handsome face. “You think I could kill you baby?”

  “I don't know what the hell you could do...obviously!” He gestured around the room.

  “I need you to listen...”

  Trent jumped to his feet. “Listen? To who? To you? You must be out of your damn mind!” He frowned at her.

  She came toward him. “Lower your voice! I'm not trying to hurt you Trent.” She touched his arm and he jerked away.

  “Don't touch me Callie!” he snapped.

  “Trent please...”

  He stared at her. “Please what Callie? You fuckin' kidnapped me at gunpoint and helped a dude who wants to murder me and my brothers! What the hell do you want from me?”

  “I gave you the sign on the plane that I'm not trying to hurt you,” she reminded him.

  “Yeah you gave me the sign then you let them lock me in this damn room! Where is Ray?” he demanded.

  Callie sighed. “He's fine.”

  Before she knew what happened Trent grabbed her, turned her around and pulled the gun from her waist. He held it pointed to her side.

  “Trent...I'm not trying to hurt you baby, I swear to you,” she whispered with his arm around her neck.

  “I don't want to hurt you Callie, but I won't let you hurt my family.”

  She no
dded. “I'm not.”

  “Tell me what the hell is going on. Now!” he said in a low growl.

  She squirmed. “Can you let me go? You're hurting me.”

  Trent loosened his hold just enough to allow her to breathe easier. He prodded her with the gun in her side.

  “I work for Ray...not just as his assistant. Salvador and Pedro approached me because of some drugs my father had stolen that belonged to them. They threatened to kill my father and me if I didn't cooperate. They were after Ray and your brothers and knew that I had some kind of connection to them.”

  “I went to Ray after they threatened me and he planted me within their organization. My assignment was to let them think I wanted the money and to save my father while getting information on their plan but then when Esteban threatened you, my assignment changed to protecting you. I would never betray Ray or you,” she whispered.

  “So you just got close to me to protect me?” he asked harshly.

  Callie lowered her head. “I got close to you because you took my heart. I protected you because I love you.”

  Trent sighed. “How do I know you're not playing me Callie?”

  “Then shoot me Trent. Shoot me right now and walk out of here because if I could do that to you, I deserve to die.”

  Trent's mind told him this could just be a ploy on her part to play on his emotions, but his heart told him that this was Callie. He loved her and now holding her close to him, he knew he would never stop. He turned her into his arms and she held him tightly.

  “Okay. Tell me what I need to do Callie...”

  She looked up at him. “Your brothers should be arriving soon and when they get here all hell is going to break loose. When you hear shooting and commotion, let yourself out of this room, there's a safe room at the end of the hall on the left. Go inside and lock the door behind you. I'll come find you.”

  Trent looked confused. “Let myself out?”

  She nodded. “The necklace I gave you is specially designed. It opens the doors here. It's the key.”

  Trent shook his head. Was all this real? He looked down at Callie.

  “You told me that night it was the key.” He remembered now when she'd told him she wouldn't leave him out there.

  “Yeah...I did. Now, if you're not going to kill me, I have to go,” she whispered.