SIXTY TWO

DAMON

“Wh-what?” Basiton’s question ripped my heart.

“Why do you think she’s keeping you close?” his rough voice spoke, wearing some sort of excitement. The hold he had on the back of my head turned into a light caress which made my insides churn with anger. I tried to push my head out of his hold, but he was too strong.

And, the booze stench coming from the innards of his mouth caused me to swing my head to the side but that caused my eyes to link with Selena’s.

That lack of expression was still there and the fact that she wasn’t making a move to refute Basiton’s unbelievable claims made me feel more scared.

Basiton was still running his fingers through my hair when he said, “She is going to dump your ass when she gets her diamonds back. And, that’s if you are lucky. She might be in a bad mood and decide to end your life.” His eyes searched mine and his lips wore a smirk. “Just like she did to your brother.”

"Shut up,” I growled.

“It looks like you don’t believe me.” Basiton faced Malik or rather, Mr. President, who was now seated majestically on one of the couches. “He doesn’t believe me.” The excitement in his voice angered me greatly and I would have slapped him if I wasn’t struggling with keeping my racing heart calm. Basiton’s hold finally disappeared and he started to walk toward Selena, saying, “How about we ask little MIss Dangerous Dame? Let’s ask her if I am lying.”

A shuddering breath escaped me as I purposely pinned my gaze on Selena who stared back at me, her eyes void of emotions. My hands drew into fists as I prayed fervently within me that Basiton’s claims were untrue. My eyes felt teary as I silently begged Selena from where I stood. I wished for her to say something… anything that would shut the men up for good. But neither a word nor a slight motion came from the woman.

The only connection I had with Selena was torn away when she faced Basiton who rested his masculine hands on both sides of her shoulders.

“Can you tell him… Ahh!” Basiton screamed and his cockiness was instantly deflated. With fury in his breaths, he glared at  Selena who plunged a fragment of the plate that broke earlier into the flesh that was close to his neck. Trying to grab something to help him stand was useless as his knees gave in and kissed the tiled ground.

Blood on her fingers, Selena watched with satisfaction as Basiton groveled at her feet, begging for some help with his croaky voice. That look of gratification on her face made my heart shatter and I could feel my entire soul gradually drowning in the pool of absolute pain.

The fact that she stabbed Basiton told me a lot and a part of me started to believe  Basiton’s words in a way that shattered me.

Selena walked out of the kitchen, her sole stained with blood.

Clattering came from where Malik was seated. The man scrammed as Selena walked further into the room.

But that was not my concern. After Malik scuffled out of the house, I ran after Selena who was walking toward the front door like some sort of introverted zombie.

Grabbing her elbow to halt her movements, I tore my gaze off her feet which had left a trail of feet-shaped bloodstains on the floor. A deep exhale followed and I said, “Selena, we need to talk.” She said nothing. I tugged her arm and grabbed her hand. With my desperation growing, I tried to make her face me, but she wouldn’t budge. My heart felt heavier as her silence grew. Not willing to let her leave without hearing the truth, I swiftly moved to stand in front of her.

I was about to speak when she suddenly jerked her arm out of my hold.

Not sparing me a glance, Selena proceeded to walk out of the house.

I knew I was supposed to run after her, but her failure to say a single word, her refusal to look me in the eye and assure my aching heart that all was well, dissuaded me.

And I just couldn’t help but let Basiton’s words ring in my head. And I finally started believing them.

My heart raced more than usual, my eyes welled more tears, my feet failed to stay still and that pain in my soul enveloped me so much that a small wince escaped my lips before I gave in to the weakness in my knees.

I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t bring myself to accept the fact that Selena might have been my enemy all this while.

Feeling suffocated, I began to breathe through my mouth, the fingers on my right hand drumming on my chest as my blurry sight looked ahead.

I could hear the sound of crashing waves but the pounding in my chest was louder.

Dejectedly, I recalled Basiton’s words and another wince followed.

I don’t think I can survive if his claims turn out to be entirely true. Everything would crash if that is the case. No, I will crash.

For this woman, I exposed myself. I gave her the freedom to protect my family. I let her crawl into my heart after she awakened my need for our bodies to connect in ways I could have never imagined. Of all things I could do with my life, I found myself in a gang. Everything in my life changed because of Selena. My heart beats for her. My anger and resentment could not fight against the strong way I felt for her.

So, yes, I would crash if I find out that my life drastically changed because Selena just wanted to use me to get a hold of diamonds. The ache in my heart would worsen if it is confirmed that she is indeed responsible for my brother’s death.

But, there is still a chance to make sure the worst doesn’t happen. While Selena’s silence was hurtful, I wished to think that she would tell me all I need to know when I confront her.

Admonishing myself to stay calm was quite foolish to my raging soul, but I had to do it.  I could not afford to let my emotions cloud my thinking at such a critical time. Besides, at the end of the day, this sudden issue will always be a result of the war between the Damish Gang and Malik’s gang.

So, while I rushed air out of my lungs at intervals, I got up and decided to get to work. The tip of my fingers wiped off the tears in my eyes and I told myself that I needed to be certain of the truth before things get out of hand.

I was about to approach the bedroom when a groan reached my ears.

For a second, I entertained the thought of leaving Basiton to die. At least, I knew that’s what Selena would want. But I am not Selena or Malik. I am Damon Jones.

The kind of person I am won’t let me witness another person dying because of my actions. I already shot a man dead, I don’t want to deny another a chance to live. Besides, I don’t have a valid reason to want Basiton dead, so I went to grab my phone and I called for an ambulance.

Seconds later, I was walking out of the house, my little bag in my grasp.

~

“Grandma, Uncle Damon is back!” Becca squealed as she opened the door. Sparing her a warm smile, I patted her head after I walked in and closed the door behind me.

“Rebecca, are you tripping?” my mother asked from her room and my brows arched in reaction. Doors were slammed and seconds after, my mother walked into the living room, her shock halting her steps.

Ushering Rebecca to a nearby couch, I said, “I don’t think that is an appropriate question to ask a young one.”

Her head tilted to the side. “Why are you here? What about your vacation?”

“Ma, are you listening to me?” I dumped my bag on the floor and walked closer. “Don’t ask Rebecca ridiculous questions like that.”

“Okay, okay.” She nodded dismissively. Her attention was still on my abrupt appearance. “Did something happen?”

Sighing, my hands slid into my pockets and my ears listened to Rebecca as she read one of her stories aloud. “Mom…”

“What is it?”

“It is about Vani Jones.”

Her eyes instantly wore an aggressive look. Resting her warm touch on both sides of my arms, my mother peered into my soul and asked with extreme seriousness, “Did that man cause trouble for you before he died?”

“He has always caused trouble, ma. You know that.”

“What happened?”

Lowering my voice, I asked, “Have you heard about any diamonds?”

“D-diamonds?” The feverish tone in her voice was not a good sign. My mother darted her eyes to the side and said, “Your brother died because of those things. Why are you asking about it? What do you know?”

“Did Emmanuel really have the diamonds with him?” I asked further as I tried to mask the chaos that was about to start brewing in my heart. My mother didn’t respond. My hands held hers firmly. “Ma…”

“Yes. Yes, he did,” came that lowered voice that reeked of regret.

“So…” The sides of my eyes began to twitch, my palms started to feel sweaty again and everything I have heard about these diamonds started to circle my mind. “My brother died because of those diamonds?”

“I’d like to think that your father is the reason Emmanuel died.” My mother lifted her head and I saw unmistaken fury in her eyes. The volume of her voice reduced some more, she continued, “Your father is the reason bad luck has always befallen our family.”

“That man is not my father, Ma. Don’t call him that.”

“Damon…” Her hands started to run through the thickness of my arms as her eyes wore a certain plead. “My baby…” She bit into her lower lip so much that her side dimple appeared. “I didn’t know this day would come, but I have to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“The diamonds are with me,” she suddenly dropped that bomb sentence. “They have always been with me even before Emmanuel died.”

“Wh- Wh- what…” My lips began to quiver as something choked my throat. I was almost forcing myself to speak as my head processed her words. “Wh- what are you talking about, mom?”

A deep exhale and she took steps back. “Before your brother died, he kept the gems with me and instructed me to never touch them until the day you make mention of it. Damon,” her distressed eyes searched mine, “I don’t know how you found out about the diamonds, but I have to pass the gems to you as your brother wished.”

“Why…” I gulped hard as I tried to wrap my head around the whole thing. “So, Emmanuel knew he was going to die?”

“Your father… I mean, Vani mingled with Mafia Dons during his lifetime. From what I heard, he always caused chaos wherever he went. He stole from these dons and he was always on the run. One way or the other, he survived. But he couldn’t stay alive after he got his hands on the diamonds.”

My eyes narrowed. “Did he steal them?”

“No, they were his.”

I found that hard to believe but that was not the concern. “So what happened?”

“Since he had so many debts to pay back, Vani was obligated to ration the gems to the Mafia Dons. He tried to evade things but the Damish Gang didn’t allow things to go his way.” The mention of that gang caused my heart to thud. “The leader of the Damish Gang paid the other dons that Vani owed a thing or two and he made Vani sign a contract that required him to give up the entire diamond.”

“So, Vani Jones tried to run away?”

“He died before that could happen. But, before he died, he did something crazy.” My brows arched as I wondered what that was. My eyes followed my mom as she walked to the dining room and had her seat. Then, she said, “He contacted your brother and left the diamonds in his care.”

Scoffing with disbelief, I asked, “So, my brother died because Vani Jones kept the diamond with him?”

“The gang that was after your father and the diamonds were relentless.”

“So… did the Damish Gang kill my brother?”

“As far as I know… yes.”

"Are you certain?"

"No. But I know that a powerful gang murdered him."