Art of Deception (The Black Diamond Series Book 4)

by D. Camille

  “We'll take care of him,” Jordan vowed and Ray agreed.

  “Is Marc closer to finding the women down there?” Sean asked Ray.

  “No. Since the initial plan called for me to get the information from Esteban it's probably going to take longer to find them since I put a bullet in his head instead,” Ray told them.

  “You should have put a bullet in his ass. Two or three,” Jordan said angrily.

  Ray quieted for a moment. “I know I let you down. Just know it won't happen again.” He stood to his feet.

  Jordan and Sean shared a look before Jordan got to his feet and walked over to Ray. The two men looked each other in the eyes. Dark eyes connected with bright brown ones. “You've never let us down Ray. We'd follow you into hell because we trust you with our lives. That hasn't changed.”

  They gave each other a manshake with a light hug before Sean came over and did the same. “Thanks. I appreciate that,” Ray told them both.

  Jordan gave Ray a look. “Now, I owe you an ass kicking for dragging us through that hot damn jungle and leaving us that raggedy ass car!”

  Chapter 20

  Carolyn sat on her son's bed watching him. Sean had given her the key to Trent's apartment to come and check on him since he hadn't answered anyone's calls. She'd found him in bed asleep. Gently she stroked his handsome face, so much like his father. She called his name and he didn't stir. Carolyn touched his shoulder and shook him a little.

  “Trent. Honey wake up,” she called.

  He still didn't move.

  “Trent! Wake Up!” Carolyn said in a louder voice shaking him harder.

  She watched as dark eyes opened slowly. He appeared dazed and confused as he looked at her. Trent raised a hand to his head and ran it down his face. He looked around his room then at his mother.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked confused.

  “It's been two days honey. No one has heard from you. We were worried about you.”

  Trent put his hands to his face. “Two days?”

  “Yes. Have you been asleep all this time?” she asked concerned.

  He looked at her. “Nah, I've been up to go to the bathroom.”

  “Why aren't you answering your phone?” she demanded.

  “I turned it off. I didn't want to talk to anybody.”

  She looked at him. “You didn't think we'd be worried Trent?”

  He shrugged and turned to sit on the edge of the bed putting his head in his hands. “I'm trying.”

  Carolyn placed a hand on his back. “I know. I'm not fussing at you. I'm just concerned.”

  “I needed to try to breathe,” he told her quietly.

  She rubbed his back. “I understand. I made you some lunch. Can you eat?”

  He looked at her. “Thank you.”

  “You're welcome honey. I'll be out here with your food.” She stood and walked out the door and Trent shook his head trying to clear it. Two days, he wondered if he could stay asleep for the rest of his life. It would be easier.

  He got to his feet and went into the bathroom quickly taking a shower and grooming himself. After he was dressed, he joined his mother in the kitchen. She looked up and saw he'd showered and dressed. She smiled at him as she motioned him to the table.

  Trent took a seat and she placed a plate in front of him. She turned and went to the fridge pouring him a glass of juice before sitting across from him. Carolyn watched him struggle to eat.

  “You don't like my cooking?” she teased him.

  He looked up and smiled a little. “Nah...it's good.”

  She reached over and touched his head. “One day at a time honey.”

  He nodded and went back to his food. As he was finishing the doorbell rang. Trent groaned knowing it was probably one of his brothers and he didn't want to see them right now. His mother went to answer the door while he took his plate to the sink. When he turned around Kent was standing in the doorway. His friend crossed the room quickly grabbing him and holding him tightly.

  “Dude! Why didn't you call me?” Kent said gruffly in his ear before releasing him.

  Trent shrugged. “I couldn't talk to anybody,” he whispered. “What are you doing here?”

  “Your brothers sent the jet for me.” Kent studied his friend. “I'm sorry dude. I'm so sorry.”

  Trent let out a breath. “Yeah...”

  His mother walked into the kitchen and looked at the two guys.

  “Since I know you're awake and you've eaten, I'm going to take off.” She walked over to him. “Please call or text me and let me know you're okay?”

  Trent nodded before hugging her gently. “Thank you.”

  Carolyn touched his face. “I'm here anytime.” She turned and said goodbye to Kent before leaving.

  Trent and Kent moved to the living room and sat on the sofa. “What do you need Trent?” Kent asked.

  “I don't even know,” Trent answered honestly. “I'm just empty right now.”

  Kent leaned forward. “What the hell were you doing in Colombia?” he asked confused. Trent's brothers had given him very little information on what went down, only saying that Callie was gone and Trent was not in a good place.

  Trent frowned. “Some shit my brothers were involved in that spilled over to me.”

  “They really are mafia, aren't they?” Kent asked.

  Trent looked at him. “Dude, not now. For real.”

  “So what happened? Your brothers didn't say anything just that they were worried about you.”

  Trent dropped his head into his hands. “She was shot and my brothers held me back and wouldn't let me go to her. They threw my ass in a helicopter and I had to leave her lying on the damn ground!” he said angrily.

  “Damn Trent.”

  “Then they let that punk ass Marc stay with her!”

  Kent frowned. “The FBI dude that was at your party?”

  Trent looked up at his friend. “Yeah. I can't stand his ass and I don't trust him. He was standing right next to Callie when she got shot, but his ass didn't have a scratch.”

  “You think dude did something to her?” Kent asked.

  Trent shook his head. “I don't know, but I'm damn sure about to find out. And if he did, I'm killing his ass, for real.”

  Kent looked warily at his friend. “You serious?”

  “Hell yeah, I'm not that boy living on the street anymore and I'm putting dudes on notice right now. Losing Callie showed me one thing for sure. I'm not ever being anybody's pawn in their games. I'm the damn king now.”

  Kent nodded. “Okay.” He sat back in his chair staring at Trent.

  Trent looked over at him. “I'm glad you're here dude. I needed to talk to somebody, to get my thoughts together.”

  “So how are you going to find out if this Marc dude was involved?” Kent asked.

  Trent sat back. “I'm about to make my own damn plan.”

  *********

  Isabelle's return to work was met with greetings from all the staff. In all her years here at the museum she had never taken off as many days as she had since becoming involved with Ray Parker. She smiled as she thought of him. Isabelle picked up her phone and dialed his number.

  “Hello Goddess,” he answered in that voice sent chills through her body.

  “Hello Ray,” she whispered.

  “Do you want me to come and get you?” he asked.

  Isabelle looked surprised. “Why do you ask me that?”

  “Because you sound as if you want to be blessed by the Sun God.”

  She smiled. “So if I said yes, you would just drop everything and come and get me?” she questioned softly.

  “Say the word beautiful.”

  Isabelle looked around her office. It was still early afternoon and she had been gone for a few days already. Then she thought about the man with the sexy brown eyes and magnificent body.

  “Yes...” she whispered hotly. There was a knock at her door and she jumped. “Hold on...”

  She walked to her door
and opened it to find a pair of sexy brown eyes and a magnificent body waiting for her.

  “Let's go.”

  She smiled at him before rushing over to her desk grabbing her purse and phone. Ray stepped inside and closed the door as she walked back over to him. Isabelle stopped and looked up at him as he touched her face.

  “I shouldn't jump at your commands this way,” she whispered hypnotized by bright brown eyes.

  He pulled her to him. “Hmmmm...I shouldn't think about you all day and want to see you.”

  “Okay, we're even then,” she said smiling up at him.

  Ray lowered his head and kissed her bending her back across his arm. Isabelle held on marveling at his solid strength, as she was not petite by any means.

  He lifted his head. “We should go before I have you on your desk.”

  She nodded. “Maybe another time.”

  Ray laughed. “I see Belle wants to play today.” He led her out of the office and Isabelle smiled. This would probably be a good time for items two and one on her list, she thought. She glanced over at Ray walking next to her with his hand on her back. Oh yeah...she might even repeat five, four and three. They entered his car and he turned to her giving her a sexy look. She licked her lips and returned his look before he quickly started the car and drove off.

  *********

  Kent sat on the sofa at Trent's apartment thinking about his friend. Dude was trying to turn into a damn Jason Bourne. He knew Trent well, probably better than anyone else did so he knew that when he made his mind up about something, it was usually a done deal. He hoped that this Marc dude didn't have anything to do with Callie's death because Trent would carry out his threat.

  Trent had gone to his room to lie down while Kent stayed on the sofa watching television. He'd tried to get Trent to turn his phone back on, but he'd still refused saying he didn't want to talk to anyone else right now. Kent had sent a text to both Jordan and Sean letting them know that Trent was doing okay and they'd asked him to keep them updated.

  The doorbell rang and Kent looked around to see if Trent would come and answer it. When it rang again and he hadn't appeared, he stood and went to open it. He found Isis on the other side of the door and his eyes widened.

  “Hey Isis...” he said puzzled.

  Her brown eyes looked concerned. “Is Trent okay?” she asked quickly.

  “Uh...yeah. Come in,” Kent said stepping back and letting her inside.

  “Isabelle said something happened to Callie,” she told him. “I wanted to see if he was alright.”

  Kent took a seat and Isis looked at him. “He's in his room.” He nodded in that direction.

  “Can I see him?” she asked.

  Kent shrugged. “I guess. You can knock and see.”

  Isis walked to the door and hesitantly knocked while Kent watched waiting to see what was going to happen. Trent came to the door and opened it staring down at her.

  “What are you doing here Isis?” he asked.

  “Uh...I heard about Callie and I just wanted to see if you're alright.” She put her arms around him hugging him.

  Trent's eyes met Kent's sitting on the sofa and Kent raised a brow.

  Trent looked back down at her and stepped back out of her embrace. “Thanks Isis. You didn't have to come all the way over here.”

  Her dark brown eyes connected with his. “I tried to call several times, but you didn't answer.”

  “Yeah...I turned my phone off.”

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  Trent shrugged. “I'm cool.”

  “Is there anything I can do?” she asked.

  Trent studied her for a moment. “Let's sit down,” he said leading her to the sofa where Kent was seated. Trent took a seat in the chair.

  “When you saw Callie and Marc on campus you said they were arguing?” Trent asked.

  Isis nodded. “Yes. It seemed very heated. Callie said it was about a case, but it seemed personal.”

  “Personal?” Trent questioned and looked over at Kent.

  “Yes. He seemed angry with her about something. I don't like him anyway,” Isis supplied.

  Trent looked surprised. “You don't like Marc? Why?”

  “He's so arrogant and thinks he's untouchable.”

  Trent nodded. “I know you don't speak Spanish but do you remember any of the words Marc said to Callie that night on campus?” Trent asked.

  Isis thought about it for a moment. “He said something like moo eto, moor eto? I don't know.”

  Trent sat up. “Did he say muerto?” he asked with his heart beating.

  “Yes, that's how it sounded!” Isis confirmed.

  Kent looked at Trent. “What does that mean?” he asked.

  Trent's eyes narrowed. “It means 'dead'.”

  Isis gasped and Kent stared at his friend in shock. Trent stood and walked around the room trying to calm himself.

  “You think he threatened her?” Kent asked him.

  “Why would he say something about being dead and then she's gone?” Trent yelled.

  Kent stood. “Look, calm down Trent. Isis isn't even really sure that's what he said.” He looked at Isis.

  “That is what it sounded like,” she confirmed and Kent frowned at her.

  Isis stood to her feet. “Look, I just wanted to make sure you were okay Trent. If you need anything you can call me,” she told him walking to the door. Trent joined her and looked down at her.

  “Thank you Isis. I appreciate everything.” He smiled a little.

  She reached up and touched his face. “Take care of yourself Trent. I'm so sorry.”

  He nodded and she lifted to kiss his cheek before walking out the door. Trent watched her go to her car and drive off before closing the door and turning back to Kent.

  “Dude, what the hell was that?” Kent asked.

  Trent took a seat. “Isis is just concerned. It's cool.”

  Kent smirked. “Dude, her feelings were bouncing off the damn walls in here. You still feeling her?”

  Trent looked at him incredulously. “What the hell are you talking about? I'm not thinking about no damn Isis when the girl I loved was just murdered!”

  Kent put his hands up. “Okay, just trying to see where your head is at dude? She's clearly still feeling you though.”

  “Isis played too many damn games. I don't have time for that,” Trent told him. “I'm glad she did though or else I might have been still stuck on her and missed the girl I love more than anything,” he finished quietly.

  “Yeah...she loved you too. Everybody could see that,” Kent agreed. “You think Marc was trying to get on and she turned him down?”

  Trent shook his head. “I always felt like he'd caught some feelings for her but he was so damn slick I didn't know for sure.”

  Kent sighed, “Damn Trent, you might be right about old dude.”

  “I owe this to Callie. She would do anything to take care of me, so anybody who had anything to do with her death is going to pay. No matter who it is,” Trent vowed.

  *********

  Ray sat back against the pillows in white Pringle boxers lying on black sheets on the Temple bed. He watched Isabelle as she undressed to her underwear in front of the shiny pole.

  “So Belle, what do you have for the Sun God today?” he asked looking her over in her black thong and bra.

  She smiled and grabbed the pole. “What does the Sun God require?” she asked as he pressed a button and the sexy music filled the room.

  “Surprise him.”

  She climbed up slowly. “Oh, I will.”

  He laughed watching her begin her performance. When she launched into a series of spins and twirls he lifted a brow.

  “I see someone has been practicing,” he commented.

  She smiled slyly. “Not only at pole dancing.”

  Ray lifted a brow and she laughed naughtily continuing to execute her moves. When she was done, she landed on her feet in her high heels and dropped into a full crouch in front of h
im before standing and glancing over her shoulder at him. She smiled as she turned and came to the bed slowly placing one knee then the other on the mattress until she was kneeling looking ahead at him.

  Item number two...Get Yourself Off...let him watch you pleasure yourself.

  Isabelle connected her gaze with his as she brought her hands to her breasts cupping the full mounds gently then squeezing them. She decided to throw in a little of item number five...talking dirty to him.

  “I love it when you touch my breasts, the way your big hands cover them when you're caressing them.” She slid the straps down her shoulders.

  Ray didn't move as he watched and listened to her intently.

  “Then when you slide those hands down my body...” She acted out her words moving her hands across her stomach down to her navel still watching his eyes as they watched the movement of her hands.

  “When you touch my sacred spot,” she whispered and threw her head back and closed her eyes as she spread her legs wide and touched herself with one hand while she moved the other behind her head arching her back.

  “Ahhhhh...when you put your mouth there and I can feel your tongue so warm and wet inside me.” Isabelle brought her hand down from her head and released the clasp on her bra while she stroked herself below.

  She pulled her bra away exposing her hardened nipples. “When you put these in your mouth...” She tweaked the little buds. “Mmmmm...when you tease them and suck them, I come apart.” Isabelle continued to stroke herself and when she looked up Ray was stroking himself as well. She smiled at him and went deeper in her exploration with her hand.

  “Oohhhh....” she moaned. Watching him made her hotter as he pulled his member from his underwear and it stood straight up saluting her. She watched as he stroked himself very slowly while watching her do the same. Isabelle fondled her breasts and brought herself to completion staring in his eyes. She removed her hand and wiped the excess on her breasts as he smiled at her. His brown eyes were completely wicked as he continued to engage his overly impressive package.

  Item number one...Suck it up...no explanation required.

  Isabelle crawled between his legs replacing his hands with hers. She continued the slow stroking that he'd begun. Ray laid back watching her closely waiting to see what her next move would be. When she made that move his thought was...damn, had she been practicing this!' This had not been one of their lessons...yet. He groaned as those luscious lips enfolded him.