Origins (The Black Diamond Series Book 3) Read online

  Trent sat the colorful smoothie on her desk. “I brought you that fruit smoothie that you like,” he told her.

  “Thank you Trent. That's really sweet of you,” she said trying to contain her blush.

  Trent shrugged. “I stopped there for a sandwich and remembered how much you like these so I just grabbed one for you.”

  Callie reached for her drawer. “How much do I owe you?”

  “Nah, you don't owe me anything,” he said still smiling at her.

  She stilled. “Really, I can pay you.”

  Trent studied her for a moment. “How about you come to my birthday party that my family is planning for me?” he asked.

  Callie lifted dark eyes to his. “You're inviting me?”

  “Yeah.”

  She smiled. “How old will you be?”

  “Eighteen.”

  Callie shook her head. “You seem so much older.”

  “I know,” he winked at her.

  She laughed. “I'd love to come.”

  “I should warn you, it's going to be turnt up.”

  Callie nodded. “Oh, I know how to turn up Trent.” She picked up her drink and took a sip watching him.

  Trent smiled. “Cool.” He started to walk towards his office with his drink when she stopped him.

  “Trent, I almost forgot. You had a call regarding that case of the missing women.”

  Trent turned and came back to her desk. “What's up?”

  Callie shrugged. “It was weird. They asked to speak to you, but they didn't want to leave their number. They did say they had additional information and that they would call back.”

  Trent shook his head. “Okay. Thanks Callie. If they call back and I'm not here, just put it through to Ray. I'll let him know what's going on.” He turned away.

  “Okay,” Callie agreed. “By the way, what do you want for your birthday?”

  Trent stopped and turned back to her with wickedness in those dark eyes. “Whatever you want to give me Callie.” He continued to his office.

  “Damn that boy is fine...” Callie said taking a long sip of her drink.

  *********

  In his office Ray sat behind his desk shaking his head at Milton Martin. That dude was something else. How in the hell was he Isabelle's daddy? Thinking of Isabelle, he smiled and picked up his phone to dial her number.

  “Hello Ray,” she answered happily.

  He smiled some more. “Hello Isabelle. How are you?”

  “I'm well, just working. How are you?”

  “Good. I need to speak with you regarding a situation,” he told her.

  “I need to speak with you as well,” she returned.

  “Really, about what?” he asked.

  “I would rather talk to you about it tonight, if possible?”

  Ray wondered what she wanted to talk to him about. “Tonight is definitely possible,” he said.

  “Would you like me to come to your place?” she asked.

  “No, I will come to you.”

  “Okay. I will see you tonight.”

  “Yes, you will.”

  “Bye...” she said softly before disconnecting the call.

  Ray stared at the phone contemplating. He and Isabelle had shared dinner a few times since he'd kissed her that night at her apartment. Ray still didn't want to become 'involved' but he found that he couldn't completely stay away from her either.

  Most of the women Ray engaged expected him to be ready, willing and more than able to put it down on them; and he always exceeded their expectations. He was the Sun God and he ruled the bedroom and every other room where it happened to go down.

  Isabelle was different though. She was reserved but he felt that it was something more than just being shy or inexperienced. In truth, he was actually glad that Isabelle didn't expect him to bless her because he knew in his gut if he ever made love to Isabelle she'd rule over him eternally and he wasn't giving any woman that kind of power, not willingly at least.

  For now Ray enjoyed her company and conversation. She was highly intelligent with a grace and style that constantly kept his attention. Everything about Isabelle screamed perfect wife and mother. He shook his head, nope, not him.

  Ray's phone buzzed indicating Callie was calling. He frowned and picked it up.

  “Yeah Callie?”

  “Hi. Your sister and niece are here to see you.”

  Ray smiled. “Send them back.”

  “Okay.”

  Ray went and opened the door to his office just as they arrived. His niece Diamond saw him and immediately reached her arms out to him. He gladly took her kissing her face and staring into matching brown eyes.

  “Well this is a surprise!” he told Sage, kissing her on the cheek.

  “Hello Sun God,” Sage said as she stepped inside his office and took a seat.

  Ray sat behind his desk with Diamond on his lap.

  “What brings you over here?” Ray asked.

  Sage shrugged. “Well, I haven't seen my favorite brother in a while and Diamond missed you too.”

  Ray gave her a look. “I'm your only brother and I've missed my Baby Goddess too.” He kissed Diamond again.

  Sage sighed. “You know what next week is...”

  Ray sobered and looked at his sister. “Yeah, the anniversary of Momma and Daddy's transition.”

  Sage lowered her head. “It's really hard this time for some reason,” she told him. “I think when I look at Diamond, I think about them. Wishing they could see her and she could know them.”

  Ray stood, came over to his sister and sat next to her. “They would be so proud of you Goddess. You're smart, beautiful and brave. You're a great wife and mother. They wouldn't have asked for more.”

  Sage looked at her brother. “They'd be proud of you too Sun God. You've taken care of me and built a successful business.” She slid him a look. “You haven't given them any grandbabies though.”

  Ray smiled. “I'll leave that to you and Jay.”

  Sage looked away. “Jordan doesn't want any more children,” she whispered sadly.

  Ray watched his sister still holding his niece. “You know Daddy said the same thing and then you came,” he told her. “You changed all of our worlds.”

  “I remember Daddy placed you in my arms and said, 'This is our Baby Goddess. You will always love and protect her as such'.”

  Sage smiled at her brother. “And you have.”

  Ray looked at Diamond. “I remember looking at you, so small with those big brown eyes and thinking, I'm going to have to kick some dude's ass one day...then Jay came along and I want to kick his ass all time.”

  Sage shook her head. “Thanks Ray. I really thought you were going to say something sentimental.”

  Ray looked at her. “You know that you're my heart girl.”

  He looked back at Diamond who smiled at him. “But you may have some competition right here.”

  Sage shook her head laughing. “Nope, she can't have both you and Jordan.”

  “Nobody wants Jay but you,” Ray told her.

  Sage smiled brightly. “You're right, I do.”

  Ray rolled his eyes while gathering his niece. “Let me take you two to lunch.”

  “I didn't come to interrupt your day,” Sage told him.

  “This is the most pleasant interruption I've had today.”

  Sage gathered her bag. “I want to stop and say hi to Trent.”

  Ray nodded. “His office is down the hall. I'll meet you.”

  Sage took Diamond and headed down the hall as Ray instructed. Trent was on his computer when he looked up and saw them. Diamond saw Trent and her face lit up as she started screaming and clapping. She began chanting, “Tint! Tint!”

  “Diamond!” Sage said smiling.

  Trent came around his desk to take his niece. “It's cool Sage. I have that effect on all females,” he said smiling at Diamond.

  “She loves you so much. She chants your name at home,” she told him. “It makes Jordan so mad.�
��

  “I bet.” Trent gave Sage a kiss on the cheek in greeting. “You came to see Ray?”

  “And you. Diamond loves all of her uncles.”

  Trent smiled. “Thanks Sage.”

  “How's it going here?” she asked.

  Trent nodded. “Good. Ray has me doing a lot of things.”

  “If he becomes a taskmaster, tell him kupumzika.”

  Trent looked confused. “What's that?”

  “It's Swahili for relax,” she explained. “Lily tells me that all the time at work.”

  Trent laughed. “I think if I told Ray that he'd tell me estas despedido.”

  Sage laughed too. “Ray wouldn't fire you.”

  “I don't take any chances.”

  “How's school?” Sage asked.

  Trent played with Diamond making faces at her. “It's cool I applied for the Secure Programmer project. It's really competitive and if I get in, I'll graduate college a year earlier.”

  “Oh, that's great Trent. I know you'll get in. You're a genius!”

  Trent laughed. “Thanks Sage.”

  Sage looked at the boy now growing into a man. She looked into dark eyes so much like the ones she loved.

  “We're all really proud of you Trent,” she told him.

  She watched as he lowered his head. “Thanks.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah it's cool.” He continued to play with Diamond. “Thank you guys for planning a party for me.”

  Sage smiled happily. “Oh, I am so excited!” she exclaimed. “Sean told us that you don't want us around for long.” She gave him a look and he smiled.

  “I understand. We'll just do our thing and then let you do yours,” she told him.

  “That's cool. I've never had a party before.”

  Sage looked at him. “Well then we have to make up for all the ones you didn't have.” She smiled at him.

  “For a long time Jordan hadn't celebrated his birthday at all.”

  “Really, why?” he asked surprised.

  Sage smiled. “You should ask him about it.”

  Ray showed up at the door and looked at Trent holding Diamond.

  “Hey, don't be trying to steal my Baby Goddess,” he teased.

  “I don't know Sun God, I think Trent has stolen her heart,” Sage told him.

  “Aw...hell nah.” He looked at Trent smiling.

  Trent handed a reluctant Diamond back to her mother as the three left for lunch. He sat back at his computer and began working. He worked steadily in deep concentration for a time and when he took a break Callie was standing in the doorway. Callie dressed in a blouse that buttoned down the front with a slim black skirt that hugged hips and stopped just before her knees.

  “Hey Callie, what's up?”

  She leaned against the door. “I didn't mean to interrupt you.”

  “It's cool.”

  “Well, you go to USC right?”

  “Yeah.”

  Callie licked her lips as Trent watched. “See, I'm going to be transferring there after my next semester and I was just wondering if you would give me a tour of the campus?”

  Trent leaned back in his chair. “They have tour guides that do that.”

  Callie watched him. “I know, but I'd rather do it with you.”

  Trent smiled. “Yeah, I can do that. Just let me know when you want to go.”

  Callie smiled. “Okay. Thanks Trent.”

  “No problem.”

  She smiled again and Trent watched her turn before tilting his head to watch her walk away in that black skirt and heels.

  “Damn she fine...” Trent said before releasing a long breath.

  Chapter 9

  Ray arrived at Isabelle's apartment and she answered her door with a smile for him. He smiled back at her and entered. After they were seated she turned to him.

  “Can I get you anything?” she asked.

  “Not right now.”

  Isabelle settled on the end of the sofa drowning yet again in those bright brown eyes. She felt the familiar tingle in her spine in addition to some nervousness.

  “What did you want to talk to me about?” she asked.

  “You go first.”

  Isabelle quickly shook her head. “I'd prefer if you went first. Please.”

  Ray smiled and nodded. “Your father was at my office today.”

  “Daddy was at your office, why?” she asked confused.

  “He's trying to hire someone to investigate whereabouts of both Sean and Jordan's mothers,” he explained.

  “He wanted to hire you?” Isabelle asked.

  Ray laughed. “Not after he saw me.”

  Isabelle lowered her head. “Did he make a scene?”

  “No. I took care of it. He won't be back.”

  “I'm sorry. My Daddy is accustomed to doing whatever he wants.”

  Ray moved closer and took her hand.

  “You have nothing to apologize for Isabelle.” He kissed the back of her hand.

  “Now tell me what you wanted to talk to me about,” he prompted.

  Isabelle lowered her eyes for a moment before raising them back to his.

  She cleared her throat. “I understand that you are very experienced...with women.”

  Ray watched her waiting to see where this was going to lead. He nodded slowly.

  She nodded nervously. “Well I don't know if you can tell, but I'm not...uh very comfortable with men.”

  Still holding her hand Ray continued to watch her. Isabelle looked down at her hand in his and bit her lip.

  “I...I want you to show me how to be...sexy.”

  Ray was certain he had not heard her correctly.

  “Could you repeat that?” he asked.

  Isabelle let out a breath. “Can you show me how to be sexy...for a man?”

  Ray frowned. “Is there a man you have in mind?” he questioned.

  Isabelle shook her head. “No. At this point I just want to learn it so if...” She shrugged delicately.

  “What makes you think you're not sexy already Isabelle?”

  She looked at him. “I want to feel sexy.”

  “And you think I can help you to do that?”

  “I think that you have women that spin on a pole for you. I may not get to that level, but I think you can teach me some basics?”

  Ray let her hand go and ran it down his face. What the hell was this, help Isabelle to feel sexy? This beautiful woman didn't feel that a man thought she was sexy when all Ray did was think about her incredibly sexy body.

  He brought his gaze to hers. “And after you feel sexy, then what?”

  Isabelle smiled. “Then...I want to be blessed by the Sun God.”

  *********

  Jordan arrived home to find Sage and Diamond on the floor in the media room. He smiled and removed his jacket before joining them. Reaching over he kissed his wife.

  “Hi Sage.”

  “Hi Jordan.” She smiled at him.

  Diamond quickly scooted over to her daddy and he scooped her up into his arms.

  “Tint! Tint!”

  Jordan frowned. “I'm not Trent baby. It's Daddy,” he told her looking over at Sage.

  “She saw Trent today at Ray's office,” she explained.

  “What has that boy done to my baby?” he complained.

  Sage laughed. “Trent says he has that effect on all females.”

  Jordan smirked. “I'm sure he thinks so.”

  Sage sobered for a moment. “I think he has something on his mind.”

  “Who, Trent?”

  “Yes.”

  Jordan looked at her. “I need to talk to him?”

  Sage shook her head. “I think he'll come to you when he's ready.”

  Jordan contemplated that for a minute. “Okay.”

  “He has a lot going on right now with school and work.

  I think he's excited about his birthday though,” Sage told him.

  Jordan shook his head. “He wants to turn up! I told
Sean I'll turn his ass up alright.”

  “Jordan, let him have his fun.”

  Jordan looked shocked. “How in the hell you're going to tell me that I can't be at a party that I'm giving for you?”

  Sage laughed. “At least he's warning us.”

  Jordan didn't laugh.

  “I think we should have the party here,” Sage told him.

  “Hell no! I don't want all those damn kids here.”

  Sage gave him a look. “Jordan we have all these grounds. We can put up some tents and have everything outside.”

  “Why can't we have it at Sean's place?”

  Sage's eyes narrowed. “Because Jordan, we have much more space.”

  “Let's rent a space somewhere.”

  “We're having it here Jordan. Trent is your brother and it's his eighteenth birthday.”

  Jordan looked down at his daughter. “Tint! Tint!”

  “Since it seems everyone is already in agreement, then fine,” Jordan grudgingly accepted.

  Sage kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you Jordan.”

  She turned to Diamond. “Give Daddy a kiss Diamond.”

  Diamond mimicked her mother and kissed Jordan's cheek before chanting, “Dada, Dada.”

  Jordan smiled. “Now that's better.”

  Sage settled back against the sofa while Jordan and Diamond talked and played for a time.

  Diamond wanted to go back to her toys so Jordan released her to scurry around and play. He looked over at Sage.

  “I've decided to visit Carolyn,” he said quietly.

  Sage smiled and took his hand.

  Jordan frowned in thought. “I realized this isn't about me. It's about Sean, and Trent. She's their mother.”

  “That's very kind of you Jordan.”

  Jordan brought her hand to his lips. “I always want to be a man that you and Diamond are proud of.”

  “You always have been.”

  He smiled at her. “I'm going to listen to what she has to say without judgment.”

  “I think that's a good idea.”

  His grin turned wicked. “I think that I'm going to need a lot of attention from you. This could be very traumatic for me.”

  “What kind of attention?” Sage asked with a naughty look.

  He brought her hand to his rapidly rising arousal.

  “Start right here.”

  *********

  Ray stared at Isabelle as they sat on her sofa in her apartment.

  “Isabelle...” he finally began.