Diamond (The Heirs Series Book 2) Read online

  DIAMOND

  The Heirs Book 2

  By

  D. Camille

  This is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, places, and incidents are products

  of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real.

  Any resemblance to actual events,

  locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is

  entirely coincidental.

  Diamond

  Copyright© 2018 D. Camille

  Sable SiStars Publishing, LLC

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without

  written permission, except in the case of brief

  quotations embodied in reviews.

  EMAIL: [email protected]

  WEBSITE: www.dcamille.com

  TWITTER: dcamille_maat

  FACEBOOK: Author D. Camille

  DEDICATION

  To my Diamond readers and lovers of all things,

  in the Diamond Universe…

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I would like to give thanks to the Universe for provision, creativity and power.

  To the Goddess Team for keeping me focused and on track.

  To all my readers who support me and my works, I appreciate you. Thank you to all who have supported the Diamond family and grown to love them as much as I do.

  Thank you for the reviews, messages, posts, and words of support.

  Ase’

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 1

  “He who marries beauty, marries trouble...” ~ Nigerian proverb

  Sitting on the private plane, Diamond Black stared out at the sky. As the aircraft descended, her heart rate increased. Soon, she would be home…for good. Over three years ago, after she’d graduated from Stanford University, Diamond had departed to complete her graduate studies at Oxford University in the UK, then trained as an Heir, and traveled.

  Although she’d returned home for holidays and special occasions, now she was returning for good to take her place full-time as an Heir. Her father, Jordan Black, was one of the original Black Diamonds, an elite force of three that handled business.

  The torch had now been passed down to the eight adult children of the flawless Black Diamonds, and with their young leader in the position to take control, the team was summoned back to the base.

  Returning home this time, meant that Diamond’s time was up, but she was a Black, and Blacks feared nothing. Their confidence levels far exceeded the norm and they were proud of it. Diamond was no exception, but there was one person who shook her…and she was coming home to him, just as he’d predicted so long ago.

  Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath to calm herself. Once upon a time, her mother, Sage, had flown this route to begin a life in LA. She’d met the man of her dreams and they’d created a beautiful family together, with Diamond being the first child of that special union.

  Her mother had not known the man who’d been picking her up from the airport at that time. She’d had no idea that Jordan Black would take her breath away and win her heart, but Diamond knew the man who would be awaiting her return. Had known him since he was born…

  Again, she felt her heart speed up at the thought of the handsome, brilliant, kind, and dangerous man. From his serious dark eyes, to full sensual lips and a body that was chiseled to perfection…Diamond couldn’t close her eyes without seeing his face.

  Opening her eyes, she watched as the city came into view. Soon, she’d be in his presence again…and she wasn’t sure if she was ready. Over the past years, she’d avoided him as much as she could without being too obvious. For his part, he’d just allowed her to play her game without so much as a word.

  In Diamond’s mind, he was family, since they had been raised like cousins…but as he’d pointed out one fateful night, he was not her cousin. Then he’d made it clear, just what he intended to be, to one Diamond Black.

  Since then, Diamond had encountered many men, all over the globe…but one kiss from a teenage boy had locked away her heart, even though she’d fought it with all of her might. Diamond had watched the young boy grow into a man that made women drool at the sight of him.

  A sexy genius, who could read your mind…the Universe did strange things.

  The first touch of the wheels to the ground had her holding her breath. She turned to the window as the aircraft taxied to the destination. Diamond watched until the dark SUV came into view, waiting on the tarmac.

  Leaning closer, she looked through the small glass and saw the door to the truck open slowly. One dark expensive shoe appeared, then a long leg, encased in tailored dark slacks. The tall body unfolded and stood straight.

  The door closed and then dark eyes, turned to look at the plane. Diamond stared at the man standing in the black suit and tie. The badge and weapon on his waist, indicated what he did for a living, but gave you very little inclination of the danger that lurked beneath.

  With a wide stance, he waited patiently…and when he spotted her in the window, their eyes connected. Neither moved, nor waved, to acknowledge the other, because they both knew that she’d be coming, and he’d be waiting.

  Diamond finally tore her gaze away to prepare to exit. “Time’s up,” she told herself.

  She put on her big girl panties, and stood to her feet. It was time to tell him that although she was home, they couldn’t be anything but family to one another. It would cause too much confusion in their families…and the Diamonds had enough drama to last a lifetime.

  Diamond walked to the opening and stopped at the top of the stairs. Looking down, she saw him waiting at the bottom. She breathed in and began taking one step at a time, closer to where he stood. A few steps from the ground, he held out his hand to her.

  Steeling herself, Diamond placed her hand in his and allowed him to assist for the last few steps. When her feet were on solid ground, she looked up into his face.

  “Hello, Xavier…”

  “Hello, Diamond,” he replied. “Welcome home, Goddess.”

  “Thank you for picking me up,”

  Xavier stared down at her. “You knew I’d be here.”

  She nodded. “I did.”

  He glanced to the side and saw the attendants placing her bags in the truck. Turning back to her, he asked, “Do I get a proper welcome?”

  Diamond slowly walked into his embrace, and they held one another for a long moment. “We have to talk, Xavier,” she whispered in his ear.

  Xavier pulled back and looked at her. “I already know what you’re going to say…”

  “You read my mind?” she questioned.

  “I see it on your face,”

  Diamond looked away and lowered her head. “I don’t want to hurt you…”

  “Let’s talk on the way,” Xavier told her, before placing a light hand on her back. He led her around the truck and opened the door for her to climb inside. Diamond watched him walk around to the other side, then
slide in next to her.

  Xavier turned to her. “You look beautiful.”

  Diamond smiled. “Thank you, and you look incredible.”

  “Thank you.” Xavier started the car and Diamond inhaled his cologne, which blended perfectly with his natural scent.

  Closing her eyes, she chastised herself for remembering how he smelled…but she did remember. Just like she remembered his lips on hers, his voice in her ears and his touch on her face. Xavier Jackson had put some type of hocus-pocus on her years ago, and she still wasn’t able to shake it.

  “Tell me what’s on your mind.” She heard him say. “Or I could just find out on my own…”

  Diamond looked him over. “Don’t you still need permission?”

  He nodded. “Unless you’re a criminal, then I don’t apply that rule.”

  Her eyes went to his badge. “I bet the CIA loves that you have that ability.”

  “They don’t know that.” He glanced at her. “Yet, I’m still the best agent in the CIA.”

  Diamond smiled. “I see the Heirs have not lost their humility.”

  “I know that Diamond Black isn’t saying that,”

  She laughed. “True…”

  “What do you want to tell me, Diamond?” Xavier asked, after she sobered.

  Diamond inhaled. “Xavier, I know that you believe that something is going to develop between us now that I’m home for good, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  He nodded. “Why not?”

  “Because we’re family and it will freak out the rest of our family,” she explained.

  “What else?” he questioned.

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Do you have any other reasons, why you don’t believe that something is going to develop between us?”

  She paused. “No.”

  Xavier turned to her. “Diamond, do you not realize that something developed between us a long time ago?”

  “That’s what you believe,”

  He shook his head. “So you’ve been avoiding me for the past years for no reason?”

  “I didn’t want to give you the wrong impression,” she protested, then looked surprised when he pulled off the road. “What are you doing?”

  Xavier placed the truck in park, then turned to her.

  “You didn’t want to give me the wrong impression?” he asked, watching her.

  “That’s what I said,”

  He nodded. “So you didn’t want to give me the impression that you think about me, as much as I think about you? You didn’t want to give me the impression, that you remember everything about me, like I remember it about you?”

  “Is that the impression you didn’t want to give?” Xavier asked.

  Diamond’s eyes narrowed and she turned to look out the window to calm herself.

  “Diamond Black.”

  She turned back to him.

  “Do you know when I fell in love with you?” Xavier asked.

  Diamond felt her breathing increase as she listened, holding his gaze.

  “At your eighth birthday party, when you told Justice that you’d kick his ass…”

  She couldn’t contain her smile. “He didn’t want to switch chairs,” she recalled.

  “After that, no girl could hold a candle to Diamond Black, and I knew that one day, she was going to be mine,” Xavier told her.

  “Give me your permission,” he continued. “And, if your mind says that you don’t want me, I’ll remove myself.”

  Diamond stared at him, until she looked away. “You did something to me…that night on the patio when you kissed me. What did Grandma Lavender teach you?”

  She turned back and saw his smile, which made her heart speed up. “You sound like Uncle Kent.”

  “Really, Xavier…what did you do?”

  “I didn’t do anything, but fall for a beautiful girl that turned into an even more beautiful woman,” he told her softly.

  Diamond frowned at him.

  Xavier turned back to the wheel and started the car. “The family is waiting,” he told her and began driving.

  “Do we have an understanding?” Diamond asked.

  Xavier maneuvered the truck. “I understand that you’re going to fight this until you open your mind to it. So, I’m going to let you chase me, when you realize that I’m what you want.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  Diamond laughed. “You think I’m going to chase you?”

  “It’s the only way that you’ll appreciate what you’re getting.” He said, glancing over at her.

  “You sound like a damn fool,” Diamond told him.

  “And I’m going to enjoy every minute of it…”

  Diamond looked out the window again. “You don’t know who I am,” she said, shaking her head.

  “I know exactly who you are, Diamond Black.” Xavier responded. “I’ve known you all my life.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you, Xavier.” She told him, gently.

  He slid her a look. “I’m a big boy, and I can handle whatever you dish out. I’m not Justice…or any of the other Diamond kids.”

  Diamond stared at him. “You really believe that I want you.”

  “What were you thinking when you saw me waiting at your plane?” Xavier asked casually.

  “I knew you’d be there,” she answered.

  “How’d you know that?”

  Diamond sighed. “Because you’re always there…when I come home.”

  “Do you know why I’m always there?” Xavier questioned softly, and Diamond remained silent.

  “Because I know, you look for me to be there,” he answered his own question. “And I know that you want to see me. Even though in the past, you’d ignore me for the rest of your visit, the way you’d smile at me when you arrived, told me everything I needed to know.”

  “I didn’t ignore you,”

  Xavier gave her a look. “Yes, you did…but it was okay. I knew you were coming home to stay one day, and then you wouldn’t have a plane to run back to…”

  He turned back to the road. “We’re both here with nowhere to go now,” Xavier told her.

  “So you’re not going to pressure me about starting something between us, right?” Diamond confirmed.

  Xavier smiled as they pulled up to the Black Estate. “I don’t have to pressure you, Diamond. You’ll come to me.”

  They pulled up to the home and Diamond waited for him to come around and open the door for her. Xavier helped her out, then walked her to the door with a hand on her back. The door opened and her parents stood in the doorway.

  Diamond ran to greet them and Xavier followed, at a slower pace. He watched her hug her mother and father, while admiring her from behind. Diamond was home and it was time for him to fulfill the next item on his list…

  He knew that Diamond Black had to do things her own way and in her own time, so he would let her find out for herself what her heart was telling her. She thought he’d put some kind of spell on her, but all he’d done on the patio that night, was shown her a glimpse into their future.

  “Xavier!”

  Xavier smiled. “Uncle Jordan,”

  The two men hugged.

  “Thanks for picking up our Little Pretty Girl.”

  Xavier looked at Diamond. “I don’t mind picking Diamond up. It’s my pleasure.”

  Sage smiled and hugged him. “Well, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, Aunt Sage.”

  “Everyone’s out back, waiting to start the celebration,” Sage told them.

  Diamond frowned. “Celebration?”

  Jordan frowned along with her. “Your mother’s idea. She knows I don’t like all these damn people at my house.”

  Sage took Jordan’s arm. “Stop fussing old man.”

  “Who are you calling an old man?” Jordan demanded.

  “Then stop fussing like one,” she rebutted.

  He picked her up in his arms. “Who’s an
old man?” Jordan challenged.

  “Jordan, put me down!”

  Jordan kissed her firmly, then set her on her feet again. “Later on, I’m going to show you who’s definitely not an old man.”

  Sage smiled up at him. “I was just talking about fussing. I don’t have any other complaints.”

  “Get it right, then,” Jordan told her, lowering his mouth to hers.

  Xavier watched the couple. “I’m going to get Diamond’s bags out of the truck.

  Jordan looked at him. “Okay, you two come out back, when you’re done.”

  Nodding, Xavier headed back out to the truck and retrieved Diamond’s bags. Inside, he followed her up to her room.

  “How long are you going to stay with your parents?” Xavier asked, sitting the bags down.

  Diamond looked around her childhood room. “Not too long…since Jade and Lilac share the old apartment, I didn’t want to bunk with them. I’ll look for something soon, but I just want to get settled first.”

  Xavier walked over to the mural painted on her wall. “I still can’t believe that my mother painted this.”

  She joined him and smiled. “It’s so beautiful. I remember falling to sleep staring at it.”

  He turned to Diamond. “I fall asleep thinking of you.”

  “Xavier…” she whispered.

  Xavier placed a hand on her chin and tilted her face to his. Staring into his eyes, Diamond knew what was coming, yet didn’t want to stop it. The last memory of being this close to him still burned in her thoughts.

  “Kiss me…” her mind screamed, as she stared at his mouth.

  His mouth covered hers, and this was no teenage peck on the lips. This was a man, kissing a woman that he wanted. Xavier’s arm slipped around her waist and pulled her against him, then Diamond felt the electricity like a lightning bolt through her body.

  As quickly as it started, it was over and she was staring up at him.

  “Come and get me, Goddess…”

  Diamond stood rooted to the floor as she watched him walk out of the room. She put a shaky hand to her tingling mouth.