The Black Diamond Trilogy

by Brittani Williams

  “Who is this?”

  “Mica. Is this Kemp?”

  “Yeah, where’s Diamond?”

  “Something bad’s happened, she needs you right now.”

  “Bad? Like what?”

  “I’ll let her tell you when you get here but she really needs you right now.”

  “All right, I’ll be there.”

  Damn, that was easy, I guess he really did care about her. I didn’t expect him to just drop everything and come right home. Men like Kemp usually cared more about their work and money more than anything. I’m not saying that they’re heartless but their priorities are just different than normal people. The shower was still running, I thought that it was pretty long for her to be in there but I figured that she was using it to drown away tears. I had done it myself in the past and though it wouldn’t make everything go away, it eased the pain temporarily.

  About twenty minutes later Kemp came in the front door. He looked at me, probably waiting for an answer, but I sat quiet.

  “Where is she at?”

  “In the shower, she’s been in there a long time, though.” He ran up the steps skipping two at a time. I heard him banging on the bathroom door and calling her name. I began to get worried so I hurried up the steps and stood at their bedroom door. She wasn’t answering and his knocks got louder and louder. After a few more seconds of no response he used his shoulder to knock the door open. I ran to the bathroom to follow him. Diamond was sitting on the floor of the shower with the water running over her. She was awake but had a blank stare on her face. This is what I was afraid of. Kemp shook her a little bit and called her name. She still didn’t respond. Kemp picked her up and brought her out of the bathroom. I grabbed some towels and put them on top of her.

  “Babe, what’s going on?” Kemp asked, as she began to come out of whatever trance she was in. “Talk to me, Diamond.”

  “I’m okay, I was just a little tired.”

  “No, that was something else. What the hell is going on?”

  “Her mom died and they didn’t tell her,” I blurted out. She gave me an evil stare, but shit, he needed to know. She was acting crazy. I didn’t know what the big deal was. Why wouldn’t you want your husband to know what happened?

  “What? They didn’t tell you?”

  “No, they didn’t. I was a little upset but I’m okay now. Honestly, I just want to be left alone so I can go to sleep.”

  “You sure?” Kemp asked, while rubbing her hand. This was the sensitive side of him and strangely it was turning me on. I mean, Kemp was fine as hell and not to mention super-rich. What woman wouldn’t be turned on by him?

  I stepped out of the room to give them some time. It wasn’t long before Kemp came downstairs and joined me on the sofa.

  “Is she okay?” I asked.

  “I guess so. That’s fucked-up, what her family did.”

  “I know, I couldn’t believe it, I just stood there trying to figure out what the hell was going on.”

  “Well, she’s the type that likes to hold shit in until she explodes, so if she doesn’t want to talk she won’t.”

  “I’m glad that you came though because I was almost on my way out the door.” I lied. I just wanted to make him believe that his presence was appreciated. Shit, his wife damn sure wasn’t.

  “It’s cool, ma, I’m so used to her; it don’t even bother me anymore.”

  “Well, it should. I mean, she is your wife.” I sat still, wondering what his response would be.

  He turned and looked at me puzzled, probably wondering where the hell that came from. I mean, he didn’t know our history so he couldn’t possibly think that we were friends. I was glad that she’d been helping me out but I still didn’t trust her and at this point she shouldn’t trust me, either. Her man had caught my eye, and if she wasn’t willing to do what she had to do to keep him I was going to let him know that he could find what he needed in me. Hell, I was a sucka for love and any way that I could get it I was planning to.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Diamond: Stick to the Script

  Though I was still angry, I realized that I didn’t have a choice but to get over it if I wanted to move on with my plans. I didn’t trust Mica as far as I could throw her and I almost doubted her importance. I mean, did I really need her? I didn’t doubt that I could handle it on my own, but now that she knew a little bit of what I had planned she could potentially ruin it all. I wasn’t about to let that happen. I felt like she was trying to backstab me anyway. I didn’t ask her to call Kemp nor did I ask her to tell him what happened so I knew that she had an angle. I just had to figure out what the hell it was.

  I tried to steer clear of her for a few days just to get my plan in order. I decided to let Kiki in on what I’d been up to. I hadn’t spent much time with her lately and I know that she would probably think I was crazy, but I was far from crazy. I was more determined, if anything. I lightly knocked on Kiki’s door, hoping that she wouldn’t peek out the door, see it was me, and leave me standing there like a fool. I stood out there for a minute or two and had turned around and began to head back down the steps. I heard the lock on the inside turning and smiled as I turned back around.

  “Still impatient, I see.” She laughed, while putting her hand on her hip and shaking her finger at me like I was a student that had been bad in class. She was right, I was impatient and I’d probably always possess that character trait.

  “I know, girl. I missed you, I thought you would be pissed at me.”

  “I am pissed but it doesn’t mean I’m not happy to see you,” she said, reaching out to give me a hug.

  “Where the hell have you been?”

  “Long story, girl,” I said as I walked into her living room.

  “I’m listening. Shit, I want to know what had my best friend so tied up she couldn’t even call and see how a bitch was doing.”

  “Kemp got me wrapped up in some crap.” I conveniently left out the fact that my mother had died. I didn’t want her to feel sorry for me so I figured the only way to do that was simply not to tell her about it.

  “Don’t tell me you’re going down that road again, you promised me you wouldn’t do that to yourself again.”

  “Hell no, girl. I’m not a damn fool. I know better than to get wrapped up in that again. You remember that girl Mica I told you I used to hang with back in the day?”

  “I think so, but what does she have to do with anything?”

  “Well, Kemp kidnapped her because her man stole some of Kemp’s money. To make a long story short we started catching up on time lost and I felt like I could use her in my plan.”

  “Plan? What the hell are you talking about, Diamond? I don’t know if I like the way that sounds.”

  “Well, you know that when I met Kemp my goal was to get enough money to make it on my own. I wasn’t trying to get caught up like I did with Davey’s trifling ass. I only made it official and married his ass because I could get so much more from it. I’m about to get what’s mine. Shit, I’ve been through too much pain not to.”

  “I’m still clueless.”

  “I’m going to take over Kemp’s empire.”

  “What?” she asked, before bursting into laughter.

  “What’s so funny about that?” I was a little annoyed—laughter definitely wasn’t the reaction that I was expecting. I expected her to be upset and try to talk me out of it. That was the Kiki I knew. Even though what she said usually went in one ear and out of the other I still liked to hear it from time to time. At least that made me think that someone cared about the choices I made, because the reality is most times I didn’t. I know that may sound like the dumbest things you’ve ever heard, but it was just the way that things were. I’ve made a lot of decisions that were careless, but I usually came out on top.

  “It’s not really funny. I just can’t believe you’re serious, but if you are I want to know how I can get a slice of the pie.”

  Now I was really confused. What the hell
had happened to her in the past month?

  “Kiki, are you serious?”

  “Yeah, girl, shit, if you’re going to hit it big why can’t I join you? I am your best friend, unless Ms. Mica has come and taken my place.”

  “First of all, I don’t even trust her so there is no way in hell that she could take your place.”

  “So then tell me about the plan and stop beating around the bush.”

  “Okay, I have to get rid of him in order to inherit all of his businesses and money.”

  “What? What the hell do you mean, you want to kill him?”

  “That’s the only way.” She probably really thought I was crazy now.

  “You are really serious. What’s gonna happen if you get caught?”

  “I’m not going to get caught; I’m way too smart for that.”

  “Being smart ain’t got shit to do with it, the smartest people get locked up. I just hope that you know what you’re doing because I don’t want to see you in the penitentiary.”

  “That’s not even an option.”

  “Well, you know I got your back and anything that you need me to do I got you”

  She reached out to hug me. I was confident that she had my back no matter what. I wanted her help but I knew that there was a possibility that I would get caught. I didn’t want to drag her into my mess. I was afraid of going to jail again, especially for murder, but I had to go through with it. Was I crazy? Maybe a little, but who wouldn’t want to inherit all that I stood to gain? There wasn’t anything that I wanted more than the power of running his empire.

  “I love you, girl, even though you’re crazy as hell!” She laughed.

  “I know.” I joined in the laughter.

  After leaving I stopped at the Hallmark card store to pick out a get-well-soon card for Black. He had left the hospital and was in rehab. I hadn’t gotten to see him since the night of the shooting. I called Kemp to see where he was, since I didn’t really want him to know that I was visiting Black. Was there a reason for me to leave that information out? Definitely, since no man wants competition and I’m sure that if he had any competition in the world Black was the strongest contender. It took me all of a half an hour to find the perfect card. I wanted to make sure it said all I wanted it to say. I was just on my way out of the store when my cell phone rang. I took it out and glanced at the caller ID. It was Mica. I really didn’t want to talk to her, but I knew that if she knew that I was angry it would screw things up.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, girl, what’s going on? Feeling any better?”

  “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  “What are you doing? I want to go to the mall.”

  “I have to make a run, but if I get done early enough I’ll call you.”

  “I can make the run with you if you stop by and scoop me up.”

  “No, I’ll see you when I’m done. This is something I have to do alone.” I was getting annoyed. I barely wanted to talk to her ass, let alone hang out with her at the damn mall.

  “Okay, then, just call me. I’m bored to death over here.”

  “All right,” I quickly responded before I hung up. I was trying to hurry her off the phone before I made it to the rehab. I didn’t want her to hear anything in the background that would give her a clue about where I was. I still didn’t trust her and I still hadn’t figured out what trick she had up her sleeve.

  Once I reached Black’s room I was almost too nervous to go inside. I didn’t know if I should have been there or not. I definitely couldn’t risk Kemp finding out about the visit so I was planning to make it quick. I knocked on the door even though it was open and smiled when he turned around to look my way.

  “Diamond, what’s up? I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “I know. Glad to see you’re up moving around,” I said before passing him the card and bending down to give him a hug. The hug felt so good that I almost didn’t want to let go. He obviously didn’t want to let go because each time I tried to pull away he pulled me closer. It was weird but it was something that I wanted. Shit, I wanted more but I knew that now wasn’t the time to pursue it.

  “This feels too good, I don’t want to let go,” he whispered into my ear. The whisper sent chills up and down my spine.

  “Well, I can’t stay here forever so I guess that means you have to.”

  “I guess so,” he laughed. “So what brings you here? I’m surprised Kemp let you come up here unsupervised.”

  “I didn’t tell him that I was coming.”

  “Why not, you plan on doing something wrong?”

  “I don’t plan on it but shit happens.”

  “Shit happens, huh? That’s your excuse for wanting me?”

  “What excuse? And who said that I wanted you?”

  “Come on now, Diamond, we’re both grown. You don’t have to bullshit me. I’m a real nigga and I know when someone wants the kid.”

  “I’m happy with Kemp so I’m really not trying to screw that up.”

  “You’re not happy and we both know that. You need a nigga like me in your life. Kemp has the money and power but you’ll never be much more than a trophy to him.”

  “What?” I was a little annoyed by that comment, but honestly it was probably the truth. Was I nothing more to him but a prize to put on display? The fact that I was using him should have meant that I didn’t care, but it didn’t. Who wanted to feel used? I definitely didn’t take that kind of thing lightly. “I doubt that I’m his trophy. I am his wife. Why would he have married me in the first place?”

  “Because that’s what he does. You’re not his first wife, Diamond. Kemp likes control and by marrying you he can keep you closer. You fell right in line like the other ones just because of the dollar signs.”

  “He’s been married before?” I asked. I couldn’t believe that he hadn’t told me that. I should have known by the way he rushed me to get married. Damn, I hoped that didn’t mean I would have competition when it was time to collect the money. I wished that I had known about this from the beginning.

  “There are a lot of things about Kemp that you don’t know. He’s pretty good at keeping secrets. I’ve known him all my life so I know more about him than anyone.”

  “So why are you telling me this?”

  “Because I like you and I feel like you deserve better.”

  “But if Kemp found out you know that he would be furious. Why would you risk that?”

  “Kemp doesn’t scare me and when I’ve got my eye on the prize I fight to win it.”

  I had to really sit back and think about what he was saying. Was he really serious? How the hell would he expect to be with me with Kemp still alive? I couldn’t let him know what I planned to do, but it was weird that he would come at me as if he already knew. I know that I was smarter than most women and definitely smarter than the other wives he had. I knew this because I was his wife now. I’d be dammed if I was going to let him walk away from me and leave me with nothing.

  I was tempted to let the inevitable happen. Black knew that I was attracted to him and it was just a matter of time before I let myself fall for him. But then my plan came back to mind. I couldn’t mess it up—I had to stick to the script for things to go my way.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Mica: Make Me Love You

  If she even had the slightest clue that we were sneaking around behind her back, I’m positive I’d have a fight on my hands. I couldn’t resist. Following the night that her mother died I was there for him when she wasn’t. We had formed a bond and he promised me that soon I would be able to take her place. Besides the fact that I didn’t trust her, I knew for a fact that she was using him and he was a good man, for the most part. He had his flaws as did everyone else, but I’d rather have the man and the money and not the money without the man. What was I supposed to do? Turn down a man that could make all of my dreams come true? I was a sucka when I fell for Tyson but Kemp was different. He was a man of his word. I knew for a fact that whatever
he said he would do—would be done.

  I thought about my brother a lot lately. I still hadn’t been able to see him and even letters telling him that I was friends with Diamond again didn’t get me a visit. I didn’t know what else I could possibly do to make him want to see me, but I wasn’t about to give up on him, either. I decided to try one last time to visit him. If he turned me away this time I wasn’t going to force myself to try it again. I took the long ride up to the prison and was searched and put into the waiting area. After waiting for a half hour my name was called. I smiled. He hadn’t turned me away. I rushed toward the door that led to the visiting area. He sat there at the table with his head down. Either he was tired or not happy to see me. I didn’t care, at least this time he accepted my visit.

  When I reached the table he looked up but didn’t speak. Almost as if he didn’t have anything to say or was waiting to see what I would say first. I had a lot to say, so much that I didn’t know where to start. He looked different as if he’d aged five years since the last time I’d seen him. He stood up, silent, and reached his arms out to give me a hug. He was thin, not the muscular body that I was used to.

  “I’m glad to see you,” he said in a low tone before sitting back down in the seat.

  “What happened to you? Are you sick or something?”

  “Damn, it’s that obvious?”

  “What’s wrong, Johnny?” I began to get nervous. I could tell by looking at him that something was wrong but I wasn’t sure if I was really ready to hear his answer.

  “I’m sick, baby girl, real sick,” he said without looking me in the eye.

  “Well, what is it? What’s going on, Johnny?” I could feel the tears building up and I knew as soon as he told me they would begin to fall.

  “I have cancer and I don’t have much longer to live.”

  “Cancer?” I asked to make sure that I heard him right.

  “Yeah, I have cancer and I want to apologize for not accepting your visits. I was being selfish because I didn’t want you to see me like this.”

  I couldn’t speak. The words were sinking in. I was going to lose my brother and there wasn’t anything that I could do about it. After the shock came the anger. I was upset that he had denied me the time. His time was limited and he hadn’t even thought about how this would affect me, especially since I hadn’t been able to see him in months. I wanted to tell him the things that had been happening, but after hearing what he just said I felt like it wasn’t even important. Besides, I didn’t want to upset him. I was still crying. He reached across the table and held my hand.