by D. Camille
Ray leaned back as well. “You better hope like hell you haven't.”
**********
Jordan checked his phone then lowered his head blowing out a long breath. His office door opened and Sean quickly stepped inside coming over to where he sat.
“It's time,” Sean told him.
“I know.”
Sean looked at him. “Are you ready?”
Jordan looked at his friend. “No.”
“Jordan...”
“Hell no Sean, I'm not ready! I have to go home and tell my wife that her brother, her only brother, has been taken out of the country and I have to leave her and our daughter to go find him. She's going to kick my ass!”
Sean took a seat. “It's time to tell her the truth Jordan, the whole truth. Honestly I don't know why you and Ray haven't already told her.”
Jordan ran a hand down his face. “We agreed that we would only tell her if absolutely necessary.”
“Don't you think it's that time? I've already told Lily everything.”
Jordan stared at Sean. “You told her everything?” he asked incredulously.
Sean nodded. “Yes. There was no way in hell I'd leave her, with the possibility that I might not come back, without her knowing everything about the man she married.”
Jordan shook his head. “What did she say?”
“She was shocked and confused at first, but she understands,” he told him. “She's promised not to say anything to Sage.”
“Damn.” Jordan rubbed his face.
Sean stood. “Jordan, go home and talk to you wife. We need to start moving on the plan and we don't have much time.”
“If she kills me, you'll have to go alone,” Jordan told him.
Sean smiled. “She won't kill you until you bring her brother back.”
Jordan nodded feeling a little relief. “True. I have a little time left.”
“But if you don't bring him back, there's probably no need for you to return either,” Sean said walking out of the office.
“Dammit Ray, this had better work,” he said to the empty office before grabbing his keys and heading out of the door.
*********
Milton and Carl came to a few hours later. Groggily they tried to remember what had happened to cause their disoriented state. Both men rubbed their heads.
“What the hell happened?” Milton asked.
Still rubbing his head Carl answered, “I don't know. We were about to call Esteban then everything went black.”
“The watches!” Milton said reaching for his now empty wrist. “Where the hell is it?”
Carl looked at his naked wrist. “What is going on?” he questioned.
Milton jumped out of his seat and went to the door. His secretary looked up as the door opened.
“Yes, Mr. Martin?”
“Who was in my office?” he barked.
She looked confused. “Uh...Mr. Harrison?”
He sighed as he thought he really needed to hire some better help even though he enjoyed watching her tight young body.
“Besides Mr. Harrison, who else came into my office?”
She shrugged. “I don't know sir. I've been at lunch. I just got back a few minutes ago.”
Milton looked at her then turned and went back inside. She smiled and went back to her work. Milton Martin was such a scumbag. She couldn't wait until he was brought to his knees.
Milton took a seat at his desk again. “They're on to us.” He grabbed the phone. “We need to tell Esteban before he leaves town. He may need to change his plans.” Glancing at the clock on his desk, he replaced the receiver.
“What?” Carl asked. “Why aren't you calling him?”
Milton nodded towards the clock. “We've been out for hours. He's already on his way back to Colombia.”
“How much do you think they know?” Carl inquired warily.
“If those watches had microphones...too damn much.”
Carl looked across the desk at him. “If Esteban fails, we're dead men.”
*********
Jordan sat inside the garage bay at his home where he had to go inside and face his wife. He never wanted to hurt her and tried to avoid it all costs, but this one was inevitable. He knew that Sean was right; he needed to tell her everything. He only hoped that she could understand. Sage was his world and he was about to turn her world upside down.
Jordan climbed out of the car and went inside. He found Sage and Diamond outside playing on the grass. Diamond spotted her daddy and ran to him. He scooped her up, holding her close to him as he inhaled her little girl scent. She wrapped her little arms around his neck and kissed his face as Sage joined them. Jordan looked down at her.
“Hey pretty girl,” he said quietly.
Sage looked into his eyes. “I don't want to know Jordan.”
“What?” he asked.
“It's all over your face Jordan. Something terrible has happened!” She turned her back to him.
Jordan sat his daughter on her feet before hugging his wife from behind as Diamond went back to her playing.
“I have to talk to you Sage.”
She shook her head. “It's Trent isn't it?” she whispered.
Jordan paused. “And Ray.”
She turned slowly. “Ray? My brother?”
Watching her closely Jordan nodded. Sage's hand flew to her mouth and she began to drop to her knees.
“Sage!” Jordan exclaimed as he kept her from collapsing to the ground. He picked her up into his arms and carried her to an outdoor sofa. Laying her down gently, he touched her face.
“Where are they Jordan? My brother and Trent?” she asked.
“I don't know right now, but I'm leaving to find them. Then I'm bringing them both back.”
Sage's eyes widened. “You don't know where they are?”
“They've been taken.”
“By who?”
Jordan took a deep breath. “The same person who sent the note to you and Lily, Salvador Esteban.”
Sage's hand flew to her mouth. “It's a trap Jordan! They want you and Sean to come so they can kill you!”
“I know.”
She threw her arms around him. “No! No!” she screamed.
Diamond paused in her running around the yard to look at her parents after hearing her mother's scream. Her bright brown eyes looked afraid as she watched her daddy holding her mommy.
Jordan held Sage closely. “It's okay baby. We have a plan.”
Sage pulled back. “What kind of damn plan is this? Some damn psychopath has both of our brothers and wants to kill both you and Sean; and you're walking right into his trap? That's a hell of a plan Jordan!”
“There's more I have to tell you,” Jordan said watching her.
Sage lowered her head. “Jordan...”
He lifted her face to his. “Ray, Sean and I are not who you think we are.”
“I know who you are Jordan,” she whispered.
“No baby. You don't.”
Sage looked at him. “This is what you were trying to tell me when Diamond was born,” she surmised.
He nodded slowly.
“Before you tell me anything, tell me this...us...our life...our marriage...our love...its real right?” she asked with damp bright brown eyes.
Jordan touched her face. “You are my life Sage Black. I would die for you and our daughter without a moment's hesitation. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for you, including going to find your brother. I love you.” He lowered his head and kissed her with all the love inside his heart and she responded in kind.
“I love you Jordan,” she whispered against his mouth. “Now tell me who you are.”
Jordan sat up and held her gaze. “When we were in college I brought Sean and Ray together and we formed an elite special force called the Black Diamonds. We chose that name because we were going to become three impenetrable black men. We all got specialized training, mine was hand to hand combat, Sean's was weapons, and your brother knows how to do e
very damn thing imaginable including swords.”
“Our focus was to protect women, or as Ray says, 'shelter the goddesses'. We tracked down and eliminated those involved in human sex trafficking. Many people don't know that in this country forty percent of sex trafficking victims are black women. Their disappearances are often not investigated and they're usually labeled as runaways or their cases are just not on the top of the list as far as importance.”
Sage watched him listening intently.
Jordan continued, “Of course a lot of human traffickers are also involved in drugs so we also eliminated cartel members who were funneling drugs into our neighborhoods where our kids have to grow up. Sean, Ray and I have one thing in common and that is all of us, since we were kids, felt the need to protect the women around us no matter what.” He paused for a moment.
“In order to do this, and to do it successfully, we had to have a leader who was not only fearless, but a brilliant strategist, someone who could out think all the enemies while never being suspected as a threat. We all picked the roles we would play. Ray was the security, Sean was the assistant and I chose the billionaire. After graduation I suggested that we set up legitimate businesses to back our roles up while we secretly handled business.”
“Are you a part of the government?” she asked curiously.
Jordan shook his head. “No. We're not a part of the government but they don't mess with us.”
“Jordan that's so incredible and admirable that you started this,” Sage told him touching his face.
“I didn't.”
She looked confused. “You didn't?”
“Sage, your brother is technically my boss...and Sean's. Hell, your brother is everybody's damn boss.”
“Ray is the leader?” she inquired with questions in her eyes.
Jordan nodded. “Ray started all this and he's ran it from the start. He creates the majority of the plans and makes all these damn gadgets to go along with them. He's richer than me and Sean put together and runs a network larger than any you've ever seen.”
Sage's eyes widened. “A network?”
“Your brother is a kingpin. He runs the largest security network in the country. He has FBI, CIA, Secret Service, police, judges, military...you name it and they answer to your brother.”
“My...brother?” Sage asked trying to comprehend what he was saying.
Jordan nodded. “Yes baby, your brother.”
“My brother is rich?” She still could not believe what she was hearing.
“As Midas...but he plays the role he chose as the security. He acts brutish and unassuming so no one ever suspects how brilliant he really is and since I chose to play the billionaire he always makes sure I pay for everything.”
Sage looked at him. “How did you all amass all this money?”
Jordan shrugged. “When you're busting cartel members there's usually lots of money lying around. We keep it for our services.”
Sage raised a hand to her head. “I can't believe this.”
“Your brother also controls territories all around the city. Those areas are drug-free, gang-free zones. We own all the buildings in Black Diamond's portfolio where we house community and day care centers. Some of our businesses are used as safe houses for women who have been rescued until we can get them back on their feet. Most people think that Black Diamond Holdings is because of my last name, but actually it belongs to all of us. We named it after the group. We are The Black Diamonds and my cover is acting as the CEO.”
“This is too much...” Sage breathed.
Jordan continued. “Salvador Esteban's little brother Emilio was trying to peddle some drugs in one of Ray's territories. Ray warned him but he tried to continue. Ray knew that Emilio's family was also into human trafficking so we handled him. Salvador wasn't around at the time so we didn't go after him. We should have,” he finished grimly.
Diamond walked over to her parents and Jordan lifted her to sit on his lap. He looked into her beautiful brown eyes then into those same eyes on the woman he loved more than life.
“Why didn't either of you tell me?” Sage asked.
Jordan looked at her. “Our lives have been a secret for so long; we were just accustomed to keeping them.”
He took her hand. “But I promise I won't ever keep any more.”
Sage smiled slightly. “Yes you will.”
Jordan laughed. “Yeah I will, but none that are really important.”
Sage held his hand tightly. “You will bring them back?” she asked in a small voice.
“I'm not coming back without them,” he promised.
*********
Trent sat on the plane next to Ray deep in thought. He looked over at Callie and Marc and wondered just what was going on. When he glanced at Ray, he looked relaxed and at ease. What the hell was that about? These dudes wanted to kill them along with Jordan and Sean. They were holding them hostage on a plane flying them to who knows where, yet Ray sat looking as if he was going on a damn vacation.
Trent knew what his brothers were capable of, but he still had doubts about how this situation was going to turn out. His gaze went back to Callie. How could she do this to him? Had this whole thing been a rouse? Had she been sent simply to make him relax his guard? Callie had always told him she wouldn't hurt him. Was all that a lie, a deception?
Be rational Trent, he told himself. Think like a genius and not a kidnapped eighteen year old. He had to admit he was scared as hell right now, but he had to try to analyze the situation. Your brothers have a plan, he said in his head. Granted a plan you don't know a damn thing about, but still a plan. Did the plan include him being taken or had they missed something? Did they know Callie and Marc were going to help Esteban or were they fooled as well?
Trent grabbed his head and lowered it. One thing Trent knew for sure is that he trusted his brothers because they were smarter and deadlier than any other dudes out there, so he just had to play along and wait until they showed him what to do. He glanced over at Ray again and Ray nodded slightly at him as if to say, “It's cool.” He then turned his gaze to Callie as she watched him with concerned eyes. Trent pulled his necklace out of his T-shirt and placed the Ankh she'd given him on his chest. He placed his hand over it and held it tightly.
Callie saw Trent's gesture and turned to look out of the window. When she turned back, she looked around before placing her hand over her own Ankh and holding it tightly. Trent saw the move and put his head back down with his heart beating. The only thing he knew for sure right now was that he didn't have a clue as to what was actually going on.
Marc caught the gesture between Callie and Trent and looked around to see if anyone else had noticed it. He'd already warned Callie about getting in too deep, but she didn't listen. Being the professional he was, he knew that you should never become attached to someone involved with a mission. This was the reason he constantly had to push the vision of a spirited and beautiful girl out of his mind. As Marc looked over at Ray he knew that he had to be at the top of his game, otherwise Ray Parker was definitely going to handle his ass.
Callie felt relieved when she saw Trent's gesture. Maybe he could try to relax a little. She could tell that he was really angry and really scared. She hoped he remembered everything she'd told him. Even though Esteban's plan called for killing Trent, she'd already vowed there was no way in hell she was letting that happen. Ray, Jordan and Sean could fend for themselves, but she would make sure Trent walked away from this unscathed. This was not his battle and she'd protect him with her life, if necessary.
Chapter 16
Isis sat on the sofa in Isabelle's living room staring at her. She couldn't believe this was her sister sitting beside her. Isabelle looked absolutely beautiful and relaxed as she sat next to Isis with an incredible smile on her face.
“Well I certainly don't have to ask,” Isis said giving her a look.
Isabelle continued to smile. “No, you don't.”
“Was it all you expected?” Isis
asked curiously.
Isabelle closed her eyes as she slowly shook her head. “Not in a million years could I have imagined this.” She kept her eyes closed for another minute before opening them.
Isis watched her sister. “I'm so happy for you Isabelle. You deserve it.”
“Thank you Isis.” Isabelle took her sister's hand. “We need to talk about Daddy.”
“I know.” Isis lowered her head. “I can't believe the things he's done.”
Isabelle studied her sister. Isis had always been her heart. She'd loved her since the day she'd come home from the hospital. She was a sweet and beautiful little girl who'd grown into a sweet and beautiful woman. Isabelle felt that now Isis was out of college it was time for her to start taking care of herself instead of relying on their father.
“Isis, you know that you don't have to live off of Daddy. You have your own money now.” Isis had come into a portion of her inheritance when she'd turned twenty-one and she'd receive the remaining portion at twenty-five.
Isis looked at her. “I know Isabelle, but Daddy likes taking care of me. He doesn't have anyone else.”
“I don't want you to get mixed up in Daddy's dealings,” Isabelle warned her.
“Do you think Daddy has done something bad?” Isis asked.
Isabelle shrugged. “At this point Isis, I don't know what Daddy is capable of,” Isabelle answered honestly.
“There's an FBI Agent who is investigating him. An Agent Marcus Graham,” Isis told him.
Isabelle looked surprised. “I've met him. He works with Ray.”
“Well he's insufferable. He's arrogant, he's rude and he's smug,” Isis snapped.
“It seems he's made quite an impression on you,” Isabelle commented. “I also know he's a very handsome man.”
Isis smirked. “Some might find that attractive.”
Isabelle smiled at her sister. “Well, I think you should let Daddy handle his own affairs. Whatever holes he's dug he may have to eventually lie in them.”
“I can't believe Daddy didn't tell us we had a sister,” Isis said shaking her head.
“We went to the same school and she hated me,” Isabelle informed her.
