Origins (The Black Diamond Series Book 3) Read online

  “Now we’ll both have nappy hair!” she shouted.

  The girl screamed and sputtered. “What are you doing?”

  Sage looked around the table at all the girls “Next time, keep your damn mouth shut or I’ll kick your ass!”

  She turned and grabbed her purse as the guys at the table were laughing their heads off. Lily patted her afro and smiled at the girls as she followed Sage out of the club.

  Outside they walked to Sage’s car and Lily looked over at her friend.

  “You’re going to get us killed, you know that?” Lily asked.

  Sage smirked. “Please, I could’ve handled all of them by myself.”

  Lily smiled. “That’s why I roll with you Sage.”

  Sage laughed. “You have to admit that was funny as hell.”

  “It was,” Lily agreed. “I never know what you’re going to do, but you always do it with flair.”

  Presently, Lily wondered what was in store for Jordan and Ray. She shrugged and shook her head.

  *********

  Jordan and Sean had received Ray’s Code Black message and were waiting for him in Jordan’s office.

  Sean spoke first. “What’s up Ray? We got your message.”

  Ray took the seat. “It’s Trent.”

  “What about him?” Jordan asked.

  Ray explained. “I assigned him a case of some missing women and it’s turned out that somebody is after him.”

  “What the hell Ray? I told you no dangerous cases!” Jordan roared.

  Ray shook his head. “It’s not the case Jay.”

  Sean looked confused. “Then what is it Ray?”

  “Salvador Esteban,” Ray told them.

  Both Sean and Jordan looked at each other.

  Ray let out a breath and continued. “When Trent was looking for you he also hacked Salvador Esteban.”

  “Oh hell!” Jordan shouted. “How in the hell did he do that?”

  “I don’t know,” Ray answered.

  Sean shook his head. Now this, this was definitely a problem.

  “He knows who Esteban is?” Sean asked.

  Ray nodded. “And he knows what we did to him.”

  “Are you sure it’s him?” Jordan asked.

  “Yeah, he told Trent he was coming for us because of Emilio,” Ray told him.

  Sean ran a hand down his face. “He wants his revenge on Trent.”

  Ray looked at Sean and Jordan. “We killed his little brother, now he’s after ours.”

  “Where is Trent now?” Jordan asked.

  “He’s safe. He’s at the office.”

  “I want up to the minute security updates on him!”

  Ray nodded.

  “We’ll need an intricate plan,” Sean told them.

  “We may need everybody on this one and outside help,” Ray told them.

  Sean nodded. “He’s waited a long time for this. I’m sure he’s planned it well.”

  “We’re not kids anymore and he’s going to learn that,” Jordan stated. “Damn, we should have killed his ass when we had the chance.”

  “Well it seems the opportunity has come again,” Sean remarked.

  “Yeah, it has,” Ray agreed. “This time, no loose ends; we have too much at stake now.”

  All the men nodded.

  *********

  Trent wondered what his brothers were going to do. He knew what they could do and had done. Was this dude really coming after him? He shook his head. No wonder his brothers kept their security so tight. He wandered out to where Callie’s desk was and noticed it was empty. He looked around for her. When he went towards the front door he saw her outside through the glass. She wasn’t alone and it appeared that she wasn’t happy.

  Callie stood outside of the building with the older man.

  “Why are you here? You came to my damn job? Are you crazy?” She asked angrily.

  “Look baby, I just…I just need some money,” he told her.

  She placed her hand on her hip. “When don’t you need some money, huh?”

  “I’m in some debt. They’re going to kill me Callie!”

  Callie shrugged. “Better them than me.”

  “Damn Callie! Why you being so damn hard!”

  Callie’s eyes narrowed. “Because you made me that way!” she snapped.

  He shrugged. “If they don’t get it from me, they gonna come after you.”

  Callie shook her head. “No! They’re not going to come after me, because I don’t have anything to do with this!”

  He grabbed her arm. “They don’t care about that!”

  Callie pulled away. “Don’t touch me!”

  He lowered his head. “Look baby I need the money.”

  “I don’t have money to give you!” she said harshly. “And if I did, I still wouldn’t because all you’d do is go and smoke it up!”

  His eyes narrowed. “I need five grand Callie.”

  Callie’s mouth opened. “You think I’ve got five G’s to pay off your drug debt? You must be smoking more than I thought!”

  “I’ll be back.”

  “Don’t bring your ass back here again! I will call the police.” She walked toward the building. “Stay the hell away from me!”

  When Callie entered the lobby Trent was watching her. She looked at him and tried to compose herself. She went to walk past him but he stopped her with an arm around her waist.

  “You okay?” he asked studying her face.

  She nodded. “Yeah, I’m cool.”

  He nodded towards the door. “Who’s the dude?”

  Callie glanced back at the door. “Nobody,” she said hotly.

  “That’s your man?” he asked.

  “Hell nah!” she snapped before trying to move away. Trent stepped in front of her.

  “You were arguing with him,” he pointed out.

  “It’s fine Trent. Let me pass.”

  Trent stood his ground. “Who’s the dude Callie? What does he want with you?”

  Callie folded her arms and stared up at him hotly. “He wants five thousand dollars to pay off a drug debt Trent, since you have to know.”

  “A drug debt?” he asked confused.

  Callie nodded. “Yes, he’s a crackhead…and he’s my father.”

  “Do you need the money?” Trent asked.

  Callie shook her head. “Trent I wouldn’t give him a damn nickel,” she said harshly.

  Trent stared down at her. “You okay?”

  Callie lowered her head. “I hate all this drama. I left it and it still follows me.”

  Without thought, Trent put his arms around her and held her silently for a few minutes until she pulled away.

  “Thanks Trent.” She didn’t look at him as she walked to the ladies room

  In the ladies room Callie dropped her face into her hands. Would she ever get away from that life? She’d moved out the second she’d turned eighteen but they continued to find her. Growing up with not one but two parents who were addicts had not been a picnic by any stretch of the imagination. She was so embarrassed that Trent had witnessed the latest episode with her father, but she was glad Ray was out of the office at least.

  Callie looked in the mirror and repeated her mantra. “Stay strong Callie. You are destined to meet with your dreams. Your strength is within.” Finishing she took a few deep breaths.

  Callie had plans for her life. She was going to finish school then open a foster home for kids who either didn’t have parents or had ones who couldn’t do a good job. Nothing and no one was going to sidetrack her, especially not Calvin Jones and his habit. If someone came after her, she would deal with them. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  ********

  When Jordan got home that evening, Diamond was seated in her high chair and Sage was serving dinner. He walked over to her and kissed her softly.

  “Hey pretty girl,” he greeted.

  She smiled at him. “Hi Jordan, how was your day?”

  Jordan shook his head. “Busy.”
r />   She nodded and he walked over to Diamond who was playing with her food.

  “Hey pretty little girl,” he said capturing her attention and she smiled at him before clapping and sending food everywhere. Jordan laughed and took a seat at the table.

  “Do you want to change first?” Sage asked.

  “Nah…it looks like everything is ready,” he responded.

  Sage smiled. “It sure is Jordan.”

  They were both seated at the table when Sage turned to him.

  “So Jordan, you never did tell me exactly why you decided not to kill my brother last week.”

  Jordan picked up his fork and shrugged. “It was nothing.”

  “Well, I think wanting to kill my brother is something,” Sage continued.

  Jordan smiled. “I always want to kill Ray.”

  Sage returned his smile. “So it had nothing to do with him dating Isabelle?” She stopped smiling.

  Jordan heard the edge in her voice and dropped his fork. He looked down at his plate and slowly pushed it away from him.

  “Yeah, last week I wasn’t happy with him dating Isabelle,” Jordan admitted.

  Her eyes narrowed. “And you were so upset that you wanted to kill my brother, my only brother. Our daughter’s uncle?” she questioned.

  “I didn’t want him to hurt her Sage.”

  Sage tilted her head at him. “So you’re telling me that you’d kill my brother over… Isabelle? Is that what you’re telling me?”

  “I’m not going to kill your brother Sage.”

  “You’re damn right you aren’t going to kill my brother Jordan!” She stood from her chair.

  Jordan stood too. “Sage…”

  “This obsession or whatever you want to call it, that you have about Isabelle, it’s going to end Jordan. Now, either you handle it or I will deal with it,” she warned.

  “There’s nothing to handle Sage. I’m done with that. I told you.”

  Sage slowly looked him up and down then walked out of the room. Jordan took his seat and looked over at his daughter still playing with her food.

  “Can Daddy have some of your food Diamond? Because I’m sure as hell not eating what your Mommy served me.”

  Chapter 14

  Trent joined Jordan at the barber shop on Saturday morning for their weekly haircuts. Jordan was seated in one chair and Trent in another.

  “What’s new Trent?” Jordan asked.

  “Making sure I stay alive.”

  Jordan nodded. “Just do as we say.”

  “Oh I am, believe me.”

  Jordan looked at his little brother who was growing up before his eyes. He vowed nothing was going to happen to him.

  “We have everything taken care of. Don’t worry.”

  Trent shrugged. “Okay. I believe you.”

  “Sean is taking you to the range right?”

  “Next week.”

  “Cool, just in case.”

  Trent’s brothers had given him explicit instructions and he was following them to a tee. He knew what Salvador Esteban was capable of, but he also knew who his brothers were. He was glad his brothers were on his side and not the other way around.

  “Jordan, are you busy after we get our hair cut?” Trent asked.

  Jordan looked at him. “No. Why, did you want to do something?”

  Trent smiled. “Yeah, I need some new clothes.”

  Jordan smiled. “Me too.”

  “I know.”

  The pair finished their grooming and headed to Jordan’s car. Inside Jordan turned to him.

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “The Grove.”

  “The Grove?” Jordan questioned.

  Trent nodded smiling and Jordan gave him a look.

  “I need to get some food while I’m there. I’m hungry as hell,” Jordan commented.

  Trent looked over. “You missed breakfast?” he asked.

  Jordan looked straight ahead. “I’ve missed a few meals the last couple of days.”

  Trent looked confused but Jordan didn’t continue.

  They entered the shopping plaza and Jordan followed Trent to the men's store where they were greeted by a young woman at the door.

  “Welcome. How I can help you today?”

  “We’re looking for Callie. Is she here?” Trent asked.

  The woman looked over the freshly groomed Trent and Jordan and thought Callie was a lucky girl today.

  “Let me get her for you. Please have a seat.”

  She showed them both to plush chairs.

  Jordan sat and glanced over at Trent. “So this is your player move?”

  “One of many…” Trent winked at him.

  Jordan laughed and looked around the store. “At least they do have some stuff I like.”

  “Good. You can put a hurting on your card today.”

  Jordan shook his head. “Okay player. I got you.”

  Callie came around the corner and froze. The two men sitting waiting for her were gorgeous. She looked over at her co-workers who were all watching her and the men. She came forward.

  “Trent? What are you doing here?” she asked looking up as he stood.

  “I’m here for you to dress me Callie.”

  She looked over at Jordan.

  “This is my brother Jordan.”

  Callie held out her hand as Jordan stood.

  “Jordan this is Callie, she works as Ray’s assistant,” Trent explained.

  Jordan looked at the cocoa beauty and knew why his brother was sprung.

  “Nice to meet you Callie,” Jordan said shaking her hand.

  “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Black.”

  Jordan smiled. “Jordan’s fine.”

  She nodded. “Jordan.”

  Callie turned back to Trent. “Well let’s get started.”

  Trent smiled. “I can’t wait.”

  For the next two hours, Callie fitted both Jordan and Trent with shirts, suits, blazers and slacks of all kinds. When it was time for them to check out Callie began to ring up their purchases.

  “Put them all on one bill,” Jordan instructed her.

  Trent turned to him. “I can pay Jordan.”

  Jordan smiled. “Consider it an early birthday present.”

  Trent wanted to argue and Callie caught his eye. He turned to his brother.

  “Thanks Jordan.”

  “You’re my favorite little brother.”

  Trent rolled his eyes. “I’m your only little brother.”

  “Exactly,” Jordan confirmed.

  Callie continued ringing up the purchases that equaled a nearly five-figure commission for her. She bagged all of their items and handed them over to each guy. Jordan took his packages and turned to Trent.

  “I’m going to grab some food. I’ll meet you down at the restaurant,” he told Trent. Glancing at Callie he looked back. “Take your time.”

  “Thanks Jordan.”

  “Thank you Callie for all your help,” Jordan said.

  Callie blushed. “Thank you Jordan. Thank you so much.”

  He nodded and walked out of the store. Callie turned to Trent.

  “I can’t believe you.” She smiled at him.

  “What?”

  “Thank you Trent. You didn’t have to do this, but I’m so glad that you did.”

  Trent shrugged. “I needed some clothes and Jordan always buys clothes.”

  “Your brother is fall out fine.”

  “Fall out fine?”

  Callie nodded. “Yeah…dude will make you fall out he so damn fine.”

  Trent frowned. “He’s married.”

  Callie laughed. “I saw that Trent. Just because I said he’s fine doesn’t mean I want to get down with him.”

  Trent remained silent watching her.

  “You’re fine too. You know what kind?” she asked.

  He stared down at her. “What kind?”

  Callie glanced around insuring they couldn’t be overhead.

  She licked her lips
. “Make my panties wet fine,” she whispered.

  Trent blinked at her words.

  “I thought you said no games,” he told her.

  She looked up at him. “I’m not playing any. I just told you the truth.”

  “You know that’s wrong.”

  Callie laughed. “You’re here at my job Trent on a Saturday with your brother buying half the store. Who’s playing games huh?”

  Trent waited.

  “You had your brother come over to The Grove with you to give me the biggest commission I’ve ever made. Why?”

  Trent shrugged. “I wanted to do something nice for you.”

  “Because I gave you balloons?” she asked.

  “Nah…”

  “Why? Because you wanna smash? You think since you’ve done something nice for me that I owe you?”

  Trent glanced around then back at her. “Do you always just say whatever you want?”

  Callie placed her hand on her hip. “Yep, it saves a lot of time.”

  He hesitated. “You already know I’m feeling you Callie. I’m twisted right now,” he said honestly.

  Callie smiled at his honesty. “Answer me this, Trent, do you think I deserve someone who’s given his heart to someone else?”

  He didn’t hesitate this time. “No.”

  “I don’t either,” she told him.

  Trent lowered his head. “I just want to be around you Callie. Spend time with you.”

  She took his hand. “We can chill together Trent and when you’re not twisted anymore you can let me know. How is that?”

  Trent tightened his hand in hers. “You’ll wait and give me time?”

  Callie held his dark gaze. “I think you’re worth waiting for Trent, at least a little while.” She lifted a hand to his face and stood on her toes softly pressing her lips against his.

  “I have to get back to work. I’ll see you at the office.” She stepped back.

  Trent smiled at her. “Bye Callie.”

  She smiled and walked to the back of the store.

  Trent headed down to the restaurant to meet Jordan. He found him seated at a table eating his lunch and quickly placed his order.

  “You didn’t wait for me?” Trent asked sliding into the booth with his packages.

  Jordan looked up. “I don’t have all damn day while you play Casanova.”

  Trent smiled. “She said you were fall out fine.” He laughed.

  Jordan raised a brow.