Page 54

fifty-four

Diamonds

Dario

After leaving The Academy, Jade watched from the back window of the Ram as we all pressed our triggers seconds after one another. She giggled at the feeling of the ground shaking beneath us. I cup her face and kiss her all the way back to the house, despite the growling coming from the front seat. I refuse to waste time figuring out things instead of just showing her how much I love her and how much she means to me. Actions will always speak louder than words.

Sitting in the passenger seat hours later, Jameson is seething next to me.

“You know I can smell her all over your face?” He spits as I laugh.

“What the fuck do you want from me? She’s my girl as much as she is yours. So when I saw an opportunity to take what I wanted, I did.” I say smugly, which only causes him to slam his fists against the steering wheel.

“I feel like I’m getting nowhere with her. We’re either fighting or not speaking. It’s like the beginning all over again.” He says, shaking his head.

“How have the voices been since you left the institution?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

“Quiet, because she’s around me. They love her, especially when she tries my patience.” He smirks.

“I would take that as a win. This will all take time, but earlier was a tremendous breakthrough for her. She could literally walk us through the vision. That alone was huge, and damn near crushed my heart, but also gave me relief.” I say and he nods.

“Yeah, getting the truth healed my heart a bit, knowing she wasn't trying to leave us.” He sighs as we pull into the parking lot of a rundown bar.

“But there’s something I’ve been hiding that we haven't gotten the chance to discuss, and we need to.” He informs me and my eyes snap to his.

“This entire car ride you jam out to fucking pop music and totally disregard that you are holding on to information. Are you fucking insane?” I yell and he laughs.

“We figured that out a long time ago, Dario. Don’t play stupid,” he says and I slam my fists on the dash.

“Aye, don’t hurt my baby. She’s touchy,” he says like the psycho he is.

“Well, fucking spill, you prick.” I shout, and he shakes his head.

“We can run through it on the way back, but I wish Reid was here to listen to it because it affects all of us.” He says as I curse under my breath.

“He’s probably balls deep in her by now. Fuck!” I grit.

“Let’s go meet with Rico and get our shit.” He says, climbing out of the truck. I reach in the back and grab the duffel full of cash and climb out of the truck, following behind him as he opens the tailgate.

Placing the bag inside the bed, I seethe about what he could possibly have to tell us and how we are always last to find out everything. Bright lights blind us as a car pulls into the spot next to us. Rico gets out with two metal cases and brings them over to the tailgate.

“Rico, how are you?” I say, shaking his hand.

“Ah, same ol, same ol. How’ve you boys been?” He asks, and I laugh.

“Same shit, different day, Rico. Show us what you got.” I say as he keys in the code and pops the latches, opening the case. Two brand new custom black pistols, lined with red diamonds from my collection and Jade’s name engraved. Fucking gorgeous, just like her.

“They’re perfect Rico, please give Vasalise my love.” I say and he nods.

“You know her and those diamonds.” He says and I laugh.

“I know. I have the same obsession. It’s why we work well together.” I say and he nods, looking over at Jameson.

“You ready for case number two?” Rico asks and Jameson nods as Rico unlocks the next case and our eyes both light up at the contents inside.

“Holy shit, Jameson. I thought this was a lost cause.” I say, and he shakes his head.

“Nope, our girl looked too damn sexy to not have this wrapped around her neck constantly.” He admits, causing me to laugh.

“This is true. It’s perfect.” I say, and Jameson agrees. Reaching in the trunk, I grab the duffel and hand it to Rico, shaking his hand.

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” I say as he shakes Jameson's hand.

“We’ll be in touch. Vasalise is working on something else for me.” Jameson says and Rico nods.

“Until next time, boys,” he says, getting back into his car and pulling out. Looking over at Jameson, I raise my brow.

“Fucking spill.” I grit and he takes a deep breath, looking around, making sure we are completely alone.

“First, the Pakhan isn’t dead. I’m not sure who is giving Flynn this information, but it’s false. I also found the location of baby Jaxon and it’s not pretty.” He says.

“That’s it?” I ask ready to punch him in the fucking face.

“No, asshole,” he says and this time I punch him in the arm.

“Well, hurry it the fuck up.” I say and he laughs.

“Something much bigger is going on. My father is MIA, like a ghost. No one can get eyes on him. Someone sent me a time-sensitive email informing me that I am now the primary shareholder of Callaghan Industries and own everything. When I say everything, I mean fucking everything. Even the things I don’t fucking want,” he says and my brows hit my forehead.

“Fuck, Jameson. Fuck.” I say because this is not what he wanted. Not in the least bit.

“Everything I wanted in the fucking contract was all bullshit. He trapped me, and now I’ll never get out from underneath him, but there’s more,” he says, and I furrowmy brow, grumbling under my breath.

"Not only did my father go against The Aces for trying to killing Jade the first time, but when she was supposedly ‘seen’ at a bar, he ordered someone to kill her again, except it wasn't her. It was Marsela.” I gasp as he continues. “And this is the kicker. Dario, you will never guess who it was who dragged the knife across her neck thinking it was our girl.” He says as my eyes go wide.

“Who was it?” I ask, and Jameson shakes his head as his hands turn into fists.

“How did we all miss this shit the whole time?” He shakes his head but keeps going on. “Between the stalker, and the blood on the wall, D’mitri’s helper and now my father's brand new puppet. How did we miss it?” He yells.

“Well, who the fuck was it?” I shout, pushing him as he gets in my face.

“Harrison fucking Monty.” He growls.

Holy fucking shit.