The Diamond Syndicate

Dante hadn’t been eating right for months, and was happy as hell that his mother came over and cooked for him.

They walked into the kitchen, and Dante sat down and waited for his mother to fix his plate like she used to do when he was a little boy. She filled his plate with collard greens, yams, baked macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and corn bread. Diamond sat the piping hot plate in front of Dante, and before she could even fix her plate, he dove in.

For a long moment, they actually behaved like a normal family.

SIXTEEN

Accidents Happen

Diamond and Dr. Ricci had become quite an item. Although Dr. Ricci’s money was tight, he did find ways that they could do things on occasions. At that point Diamond didn’t care, since she really enjoyed being with him.

Diamond stepped out of the Jacuzzi-like tub after having sex with Dr. Ricci. She had spent a good hour basking in the tub, soaking her body and swimming in her thoughts after leaving him lying on his back, snoring. She dried her body and wrapped a towel around herself. She walked into the bedroom, got a T-shirt out of his drawer, and put it on. She noticed he was no longer asleep in the bed.

She walked through the house and found him in the kitchen preparing something for them to eat. He turned to see her enter the kitchen and simply smiled at her. She smiled back and took a seat at the kitchen table.

They were both silent while he continued to cook, and she sat watching him move around the kitchen with ease.

After a few moments of silence, he said, “You know, Diamond, I really feel something special for you.” He turned to look at her.

Diamond was also enjoying the time she’d spent with Dr. Ricci, even though he wasn’t rich. When she was with him, it seemed that a certain calm blanketed her soul. She honestly felt that he genuinely cared for her. That was something that was missing in her life, and she had longed for it for years. She struggled with her inner self often, but this time was different. She really wanted to be with Dr. Ricci. She had even thought of letting everything else go and focusing on building with the doctor. Dante had expressed to her that he didn’t like how she was living, and this also played on her mind. But the greedy side of Diamond would not give up.

“You do?” she asked.

Dr. Ricci set a plate of food in front of her, leftovers that he’d warmed up from last night’s dinner, and took a seat at the table across from her. “Yes, really. Diamond, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. You are a dream come true. I have never had a woman make me feel the way you do. I’m not just talking about the lovemaking either. You are a wonderful woman, and whatever it takes to make you happy, I will do it.”

Damn! I really like this man.

Diamond thought about how Trey would take the news if she told him she didn’t want to be with him anymore. She knew the others wouldn’t have a problem with it, as they were just jump-offs anyway. But Trey actually thought Diamond was his woman and was very overprotective of her, not to mention, he was a beast. Diamond knew it wouldn’t be easy to tell him.

She pictured Trey killing Dr. Ricci. She realized she would have to protect Dr. Ricci from Trey. She would just go forward with the plan and then slowly back away from Trey and the others to build a life with Dr. Ricci.

“That is so sweet of you, Michael.” Diamond smiled at him. “Now that you mention it, there is something that I do want you to do for me.”

“Anything. What is it?”

“No, never mind. You may think it’s stupid.” She looked down in her plate of food and pushed it around with her fork.

“No. What is it?” Dr. Ricci got up from his chair and sat in the chair next to Diamond. “Don’t think anything that you want to say to me is stupid.”

“Well, I have an idea that could make your profits double. I mean, it is a little risky, but we can do it a few times and get out of it with no problems.”

Dr. Ricci looked into her eyes, waiting to hear more. “What is it, Diamond?”

“I mean, I know you’re struggling just like I am. Your ex-wife is trying to send you into the poorhouse, with all the money you have to give her, so I figured this would be a good way to at least get you out of the hole.”

“I understand. But what are you trying to tell me?”

Diamond proceeded to tell Dr. Ricci her plan for committing insurance fraud, and he gave her his undivided attention with no interruptions.

“That sounds like a good plan, and yes, it would double my bank account, and I sure can use the extra cash. However, it’s illegal, no matter how you dress it up, Diamond. I will lose my license, my livelihood, and all my assets if I get caught in this. I cannot risk that.”

“See, I knew you wouldn’t go for it. I knew you would say that. It was stupid of me, and I’m so sorry for even asking you to do such a stupid thing.” She pouted.

Dr. Ricci looked into her alluring eyes, grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I said it was a good idea, sweetheart. It’s just that the risks involved with doing such a thing are too high. I’m no criminal.”

Diamond forced tears from her eyes and looked at him, so he would see she was crying. “It’s OK, Michael. I’m sorry.” She pulled her hand from his and wiped away her forced tears.

“Oh, don’t cry.” Dr. Ricci was beginning to feel guilty. He had always been a sucker for a woman’s tears and hated to see any woman hurt. He moved his chair closer to hers and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his arms.