by D. Camille
“I didn’t know I was coming home to all this,” she told him quietly.
“I thought we’d at least be on the road before we got into any real work.” Xavier agreed.
She looked at him, dressed in his all black attire. “John was right. You do look good in black.”
He gave her a look. “So do you,”
“How’s your head?”
“It’s fine. I told you not to worry about that.” Xavier told her. “I’m an Agent. You think I’ve never been hit in the face?”
“Justice shouldn’t have taken a swing at you.”
Xavier shrugged. “He apologized, so we’re good. I was expecting it.”
“Is it really worth all of this, Xavier?” Diamond asked, holding his gaze.
He crooked a finger at her. “Come here and let me see…”
She smiled and moved closer, before cupping his jaw and placing her full lips on his. Xavier allowed Diamond to deepen the kiss, and pressed closer. Pulling her into his arms, he laid back on the sofa with her on top of him. Together they decompressed from the day, with hot mouths seeking each other.
Diamond lifted her head and stared down into his face. “I think I’ve got too much energy left over from the ritual.”
“I think you’re a sensual woman.” He told her softly, with a hand on her back, holding her in place. “But it does create a lot of energy when all the Heirs are focused.”
“When the leaders of the village gave us the masks and taught us how to collectively use the gifts you and Alex have, my Daddy freaked all the way out,” Diamond told him.
“Uncle Kent did too,” Xavier smiled. “He still can’t believe we can do that.”
“The Heirs are special,”
He nodded. “Every one of us…especially this beautiful Lioness.”
“Thank you, Cheetah.”
“We probably won’t be repeating the ritual again.” Xavier told her. “John Brown was a necessity.”
She frowned. “I can’t believe he put you on their radar. Damn right, he was a necessity.”
Xavier caressed her spine and sighed. “I’m exhausted…”
“It has been a long day,” Diamond agreed. “You rehearsed, got propositioned, fought Justice, and handled John Brown.” She kissed him softly. “You’ve been a busy man.”
“I also had to watch you date another dude,” he said, frowning.
Diamond smoothed his furrowed brow. “It wasn’t a date.”
“His smug ass…I hope he’s connected to this.”
“Jason is pretty confident in his…but I’m Diamond Black.”
Xavier’s eyes narrowed. “The whole time, he was thinking about undressing you.”
“I bet he was,” Diamond replied. “But you know what I was thinking about?”
“No, I don’t…”
“You.”
He looked into her brown eyes. “Really…what were you thinking about me?”
She pressed into his firm body. “I was thinking that since you’ve somehow gotten me to admit to the Heirs that we’re dating…we can actually date.”
“I hated seeing you out with him.” Xavier held her tighter. “I was supposed to be sitting there.”
“Well, I don’t really like little ‘dancers’ offering to come to your hotel room.” Diamond pointed out.
“I’m the X-Ception.”
Diamond laughed. “Yes, you are…”
Xavier pulled her head down to his and kissed her sensuously, while fitting her over his tall frame.
“Diamond Black,” he whispered against her lips. “I love you…”
Diamond lost her breath. “Xavier…” His mouth cut off any additional words and they both became content in expressing their emotions, wrapped in each other’s arms. Time faded away and the activities of the day, tired them both out. Skye found them a few hours later, when she emerged from her bedroom.
She smiled at the sleeping couple, with Diamond’s head resting on Xavier’s chest as he laid sprawled out on the sofa. His arm held her protectively against him, and her face looked relaxed and content. Although, she hated to awaken the lovebirds, it was time to get ready for work.
“Good morning Cheetah and Lioness! Rise and shine!” Skye sang. “Another day of finding killers and abusers awaits you.”
She waited until they both stirred, then Xavier looked at his watch and frowned. “Damn…”
Diamond squinted and rubbed her eyes, while Xavier sat up.
“Good morning, Skye.” Diamond greeted.
“Sorry to wake you two, but Xavier has a big day,” she reminded them.
“Yes, I know.” He said sleepily. “Thanks Skye.”
She smiled. “I have your outfit all ready for tonight’s concert.”
Xavier got to his feet and stretched his long body. “I appreciate that. I’d better go get myself together.” He looked down at Diamond.
“Good morning, Diamond.”
Diamond stood to look up at him. “Good morning.”
They stared at one another until Skye said, “You do know this is why the Uncut Diamonds got dismantled?”
The couple laughed, before Diamond took hold of his muscled arm and they walked to the door. Skye went to the kitchen as they stood at the exit.
“I’ll come have breakfast with you,” Diamond told him.
“I should have time before going to finish off John.” Xavier relayed.
Diamond tightened her hand on his arm. “Be careful.”
“Six will be with me…”
“Watch your back.”
Xavier touched her still warm face. “You too, and steer clear of that damn Jason, when I’m not around.”
Skye returned from the kitchen eating yogurt, and frowned at the couple still standing at the door. “I’ve created some monsters,” she said, shaking her head. “Diamond, let the man go…we have an agenda.”
“I have to go, Goddess.” Xavier leaned down and kissed her face. “I’ll see you later.”
She nodded and he was out the door. “Bye, Skye!” he called over his shoulder.
Diamond watched him head down the hall to his room, before closing the door and leaning back on it.
“I know it’s hard to let all the sexiness go, and although you two are absolutely gorgeous together…we do have a mission.” Skye told Diamond.
“I know,” Diamond sighed. “Once my mind accepted him as a grown man, my body quickly caught up and moved full steam ahead.”
Skye stood eating her yogurt with a spoon. “I’m sure it wasn’t hard.”
“Plus with all that energy last night,” Diamond walked back to the sofa and Skye took a chair.
“I love rituals,” Skye smiled. “There’s only one other way to even come close to that spiritual level, without all of our intensity combined.”
Diamond looked at her cousin.
“But I bet when you and Xavier come together, it’s going to shake the entire foundation. Two Heirs releasing all that energy? The combustion might cause an earthquake…” She licked her spoon.
“Skye…”
“What?” Skye asked. “Diamond, when you two look at one another, the entire room heats up like the African sun. I saw you last night with Jason…wishing you were somewhere else, with someone else.”
“Jason is a complete pain in the ass.” Diamond said with a frown.
“Xavier is going to kick his ass, if he doesn’t leave you alone.”
“I’m not worried about him.” Diamond said confidently. “He’ll get the message, one way or another.”
Standing, Diamond looked over at Skye. “I need to get showered and dressed in time to meet Xavier for breakfast.
“I’m going to head over to Jade and Lilac, then we’ll meet up with Justice and Six.” Skye agreed. “Jade will let Xavier know when John is ready for him.”
“I want to thank you all for letting us spend time together, even though we’re on a mission.” Diamond told her.
Skye studied the woman sta
nding in front of her. “We want you both to be happy. We love you.”
Diamond smiled. “We love you, too.”
“Have a nice breakfast,” Skye told her slyly. “And let Xavier get some rest, he has a concert tonight…”
“I’m his Personal Assistant…I take care of all of his needs,” Diamond told her, doing a sexy dance, before heading to her room.
Skye shook her head. “They might create a Tsunami…”
******
Diamond showered and dressed to meet Xavier. In the mirror she added some makeup and styled her dark hair in a low bun on the back of her head. Adding some perfume, she placed the ‘x’ chain around her neck and headed out of the suite.
Skye had already departed to join the others, so Diamond grabbed her bag and headed out of the door. As she walked down the hall, she heard the elevator chime and when she was near Xavier’s door, she saw the two dancers from yesterday.
They spotted her and smiled, quickly heading in her direction. Diamond paused and waited, wondering what the hell they wanted.
“Hey, you work for the X-Ception, right?” The woman pointed at her necklace.
“Hey, I do.” Diamond responded.
Both women smiled at Diamond again. And again, she wondered what the hell they wanted.
“So we know that his room is on this floor, but can you tell us which one it is?” One woman asked.
Diamond blinked. “I’m his Assistant. What do you want with him?”
The other grinned. “It’s private.” They both gave a suggestive laugh.
Nodding, Diamond reached into her bag. When her weapon appeared, they both jumped back.
“Girl, what you doing?” One woman screeched.
“As of now, you’re trespassing and stalking,” Diamond informed them. “Now, I’m going to tell you this once and I don’t want to see you again, while we’re on this damn tour. The X-Ception is not here for your little fantasies. He doesn’t need any ‘dancers’ or groupies. Now, raise the hell up and the get the hell on. I don’t have time for this.”
They both looked at the silver pistol in her hand.
“Trust, I use it on the regular,” Diamond told them. “You know where the elevators are.”
Diamond followed them to the elevators and waited until they got on.
“Have a good day. Don’t let me see your asses again.” She told them as the doors closed.
Rolling her eyes, she headed to Xavier’s room and knocked on the door, just as Six arrived at her side.
“What are you out here doing?” Six asked Diamond, as Xavier opened the door to them both.
“Handling a little business.”
Xavier looked at them. “What’s going on?”
“That’s what I want to know,” Six asked Diamond, and Xavier also gave her his attention.
Diamond walked inside and Six followed. “Those dancers from yesterday were trying to find the X-Ception’s room. I redirected them,” she explained simply.
Six looked at Xavier. “You got this?”
Xavier nodded. “Yes, I’ve got this.”
“And tell Jade to turn the monitoring off until after breakfast, please?” Diamond asked, dropping her bag on the table.
“Thanks for the warning.” Six looked at Xavier again, then headed out the door.
Xavier walked over to where Diamond stood. “You’re chasing them away?”
“We have enough going on without that nonsense,” she told him.
He smiled down at her. “Did you come to give me a proper welcome?”
Diamond stepped into his arms. “I came to give you more than that.”
Xavier hugged her close. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She returned his hug and stepped back, looking over his ensemble. “And I’m getting used to Skye’s outfits for you…”
“She’s toned things down a bit.” He agreed. “At least they look more like regular clothes.”
Diamond laughed. “You look good in just about anything… and out of everything.”
Xavier touched her lips. “I’d like to be able to say the same…”
Her tongue touched his finger and their eyes met. “We start on the road tonight, so we won’t have much privacy.” Diamond whispered.
He continued to stroke her lips. “When we get to Brooklyn, we’ll stay a couple of nights in the hotel.”
“Tara’s flying in to see me.” Diamond informed him. “And I’m going to spend some time with her…”
“Yeah, we’ll meet with Steph, too.” Xavier said. “So we can see how it works out for us?”
She smiled. “Yes, we can do that.”
“Don’t forget the invitation I extended, when you break into my room.” Xavier now caressed her cheek.
“Mmmm…I don’t know. You’ll be ready for me now.” Diamond whispered.
Xavier kissed her lips. “Goddess, I’ve always been ready for you.” He lifted her face to his.
“Are you ready for me?” He asked staring into sexy brown eyes.
Diamond’s chest rose and fell as she looked up at the man who was making her body desire him, like she’d never desired another man. She jumped as her device buzzed in her purse and Xavier’s did the same on the table.
Quickly, they both moved to retrieve them and checked the message. Diamond connected with Jade immediately and Xavier moved to her side.
“What’s up Jade?”
“Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but John is losing it. Xavier needs to get up there now.” Jade told them. “Six is on his way to meet him.”
“I’m out the door.” Xavier, said before Diamond severed the connection.
“Make sure you eat breakfast, and I’ll see you later.” He told Diamond, kissing her quickly and rushing out the door.
Diamond got Jade back on the line.
“What’s the latest?” she asked her sister.
“I’ve been watching John through the cameras we planted, and he’s just figuring out that something is definitely wrong. He may be contemplating calling for help, so Xavier needs to get there quick.” Jade explained.
“He’s gone, so he should be up there any second.” Diamond said grabbing her bag. “I’m coming to monitor with you.”
******
Six and Xavier exited the elevator and walked to John’s door. Xavier knocked and waited for the anguished man to answer. Finally, the door cracked open slowly and Xavier turned his head to look inside.
“John?”
When there was no answer, Xavier and Six pushed the door open and stepped inside.
“John?”
They saw the man in question sitting on the floor, and Six prepared his weapon as they moved closer.
“X-Ception, please help me…” John cried, holding on to his genitals.
“You in pain?” Xavier asked.
John nodded. “Yesssss...I’m dying.”
“You dying, huh?” Xavier questioned. “Where does it hurt?”
“Here!” John pointed to his private parts and opened his robe to show his now shriveled and bunched up penis, that barely could be seen. “Look at me! How the hell did this happen?”
Xavier looked at Six before they both turned their attention back to their subject.
“I’ll call for help.” Xavier told him.
“I don’t want this to get out.” John moaned.
Xavier smiled. “Don’t worry. We can keep secrets.”
Six pulled out his phone and dialed. “Yes, we need medical assistance in Room 5024. A male is in distress.” There was a pause. “Thank you.”
“They’re on their way.” Six told Xavier and they both nodded.
Xavier leaned down to John. “What…happened, John?”
John began to scream in terror. “Oh my god! Get them away from me!!!!”
Six stood back and watched the show.
“Get what…away from you?” Xavier asked.
“The animals!” John yelled, trying to back away from the sight he wa
s seeing.
Xavier moved closer. “What…animals?”
John curled up in a ball. “The cheetah, and…and…and the lion…”
“What else?”
John turned and screamed. “A lioness…and…a…black jaguar.” Each time Xavier spoke the trigger word, the visions became more harrowing than the last. “And antelopes…oh my god, they’re getting closer!!!”
There was a knock on the door and Six put his weapon away before going to answer.
“Someone call for assistance?”
Six nodded. “Yes, my client came to meet with the publicist and he was distress. He’s over there on the floor.”
The EMT’s rushed into the room and Xavier pointed at John.
“Sir, what’s the problem?” one asked.
John swung his arms and tried to protect his face. “They’re going to attack me.”
“Who is going to attack you sir?” the other EMT asked, looking at Xavier and Six.
“All these animals! Don’t you see them!”
“We found him this way,” Six told the confused technicians.
They turned to John. “Sir, we don’t see any animals.”
“How can you not see them!” John eyes bulged in fear. “They’re right here!”
Xavier stepped closer. “Tell them what’s…wrong, John.”
John fell flat on the floor as the animals pounced on him and began to tear at his skin.
The EMT’s looked at Xavier and Six, who both shrugged, while John shifted across the floor in agony, screaming at the top of lungs for help, until finally he stopped and didn’t move.
Both paramedics dropped to the floor and began to vigorously try to revive him. After a short period, they stopped, and one looked up at Six and Xavier.
“He’s gone.”
Xavier and Six shared a look.
The other paramedic asked. “Was he taking any drugs that you know of? He seemed to be having hallucinations.”
Xavier answered. “We just arrived and found him in pain, then we called for help. This was supposed to be a business meeting.”
The EMT stood. “I wonder why he was screaming about lions, cheetahs and black jaguars?”
Xavier looked around the room. “I guess he had a wild night.”
Chapter 13
That evening, Diamond stood behind the stage as the X-Ception performed in front of a crowd of screaming women. With Six by her side, they surveyed the area and kept an eye on Xavier. When Jason approached, Six stood with his arms folded and his weapon on his waist.
