Their Lost Diamond

VIII

*Diamond's POV*

"Smelly catttt, smelly catttt, what are they feeding youuuuu" Xavier sang, pointing his finger at me. I faked offense and threw a handful at popcorn at him, and we both exploded in a fit of laughter. He took some of the popcorn that fell on his lap and tossed it in his mouth. 

Xavier and I were home alone and watching Friends reruns. The rest of the brothers said they had some "very important business" to take care of. Xavier was supposed to go too, but he decided to stay home with me instead. 

"Phoebe is the best character on the show." Xavier claimed. 

"No way! Monica is the best!" I countered. I like Monica the most because I relate to her the most. She's driven, organized, and seems like a very modern woman. Xavier just stuck his tongue out at me.

"Wow how mature," I said, laughing.

''I'm going to make more popcorn," I added, getting up from the couch. As soon as I got to the kitchen, the door that only our maid Greta had access to slammed open. A man, about 6'2 and wearing all black, trudged through the door holding Greta at gunpoint. She was shaking in fear. 

As soon as he saw me, the man threw Greta to the side, including the key only she had to open the door. She grabbed hold onto one of the barstools for support. The man then lunged at me and held the gun to my temple. Xavier was up in an instant but still held his hands above his head to show that he was unarmed. 

"Let go of her!" he shouted angrily. The man just sneered at him

"Where is the drug package I was promised?" he demanded, putting his finger on the trigger. I froze, worried any sudden movements would prompt the man to shoot.. "I spoke to Vincent a few weeks ago and prepaid for fifty cartons, and I only received forty. If I don't get an answer I will shoot this girl!" 

"I have no idea and I promise you that she doesn't know either. Take it out with Vince." Xavier tried to reason, but there was a more pressing question. "How did you even find where we live?" 

"I have people on the inside." the man growled, pressing the barrel of the gun further into my skin. All of a sudden, I heard a loud bang and the man crumpled to the floor beside me, blood gushing out of his head. I turned and saw Elijah on the other side, a handgun pointed to where the man was standing. His eyes held anger and shock, but at the same time there was fear. Fear for me. There was a lot of yelling and I slowly noticed the world around me blur. The last thing I remembered was Xavier yelling my name and a pair of arms wrapping around me before everything went dark.

Time skip

"I think she's waking up." I heard someone whisper next to me. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Tyler sitting on the side of my bed. He smiled sympathetically at me. The events from earlier rushed back and I shot up. I immediately regretted that when I got dizzy with head rush.  

"Where's Elijah and Xavier?!" I yelled. "I need to see them right now!" 

Greta quickly came and laid me down again, grumbling about how I need my rest. Tyler got up and Vincent sat where he was. 

"Diamond, this is part of the family business. I know it seems weird and scary, but you need to trust me. I can't tell you now, but I will someday." he said, leaning in like he was going to kiss my forehead before pulling away and leaving the room. The other brothers looked at me worriedly before following Vince. 

"Greta, where are they going?" I asked her groggily. 

"Shh, honey. They just went to settle a few things. Just rest now and you'll be okay." she said to me kindly. I felt myself falling asleep as she left the room and the door closed. 

*Xavier's POV* 

I was still on edge after what happened with Diamond this morning. After Elijah shot the man, Diamond passed out and I caught her just as she hit the floor. We took her to her room and Greta took care of her as we called everyone else. They all got home and waited until she woke up. Vince was more worried than the rest of us; he was pacing until Greta finally told us that she was stirring. 

"Vince, the man was yelling about how he didn't get his drug cartons. What was he talking about?" I asked him. Vince sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"You know that drug package we shipped in last week?" He asked. We all nodded. "10 cartons were stolen. I already killed the men who were responsible, but they must've already sold the cartons themselves, because we can't find them. The man who broke in today already paid for 50 cartons, and when he didn't get his 10 he got angry. I guess he thought the best option was to break in instead of come see me directly. Look where that's gotten him." 

"What will Diamond think?" Elijah asked what we were all thinking. "She can't know about what we do; it would destroy her." 

"You think I don't know that?" Vince snapped. "If she finds out what we really do, she'll be terrified of us. I already lost my little sister once. I'm not letting it happen again." 

We all agreed silently. We would have to tell her eventually, but I think now's not the time. She only met us a month ago, and is just now getting comfortable. If we tell her it could ruin all the progress we made. 

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas!! What do you guys think the "family business" really is? Leave your guesses in the comments!! Also a shoutout to my mom for helping me write this chapter :)) Don't forget to vote, comment, and share!! xoxo

- Nina <3