Chapter 8 #2
“Wow,” Haven breathed.
“The one I saw wasn’t that big,” Gia said. “It can’t possibly be that diamond.”
“No,” Deborah agreed. “But there are rumors and legends that say the Daria-i-Noor came from a larger diamond.”
“Larger?” Gia said weakly.
“In 1642, a French jeweler by the name of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier described a large pink diamond that was studded in the Shah’s throne.
He called it Diamanta Grande Table, or the Great Table diamond.
It was estimated to be 400 carats. Some people believe that the Daria-i-Noor, and another oval pink diamond that is also part of the Iranian Crown Jewels called the Noor-ul-Ain or the Light of the Eye, were both cut from the Great Table diamond. ”
“So, the Daria-i-Noor is 182 carats,” Gia said.
“And the Noor-ul-Ain is 60 carats,” Deborah added.
“That leaves approximately 150 carats,” Gia said.
The older woman nodded. “Obviously some gets lost during the cutting process, but there could have been other diamonds that came from the Great Table pink diamond.”
“There are no other leads or stories?” Haven asked.
“No,” Deborah said. “There are always plenty of myths and legends, though. Pink diamonds are said to increase creativity and intuitiveness. And many of the diamonds that came from the Kollur Mine are said to be cursed.”
Gia remembered a cursed diamond exhibit held at a museum in Washington DC not too long ago. There was a dangerous attack that made the headlines across the country. The press gloried in diving into all the gory details on the curses.
“If this diamond was part of the Great Table, it would be very valuable,” Gia said.
The woman nodded. “Quality and size aside, it’s steeped in history, once owned by emperors. That adds to its value.”
“God.” Who the hell had the diamond?
Suddenly, her door flew open and Saxon strode in, unhappiness blasting off him. “What the fuck is going on?” He pressed his hands to his lean hips.
Gia rose. “Saxon—”
“I told you to stay here, and no visitors. Explain.”
* * *
Saxon stared at Gia, waiting. He’d been mad from the moment that Ace had called him to tell him that Haven and her friend were on the way.
Fire ignited in Gia’s eyes. “Don’t take that tone with me.”
“I’m trying to keep you safe.”
She moved toward him. “I didn’t leave. I hardly think Haven is going to attack me.”
“And do you know your other guest?”
Both Haven and the other woman watched them with rapt attention.
“No,” Gia said. “But Haven does. And I don’t think even Lex can pull off masquerading as a woman.”
Her perfume hit Saxon and that chin jutted at him. Damn, he loved it when she was mad. He tried to keep a hold on his anger.
“Instead of coming in here, growling like an enraged alpha male—”
Saxon growled and gripped her arm.
“Saxon!”
He dragged her close and kissed her. It was the best way to shut her up. The kiss was hard, deep, and wet. Then he set her back down on her heels.
She blinked. “Damn you, Saxon Buchanan! You can’t just end an argument by kissing me.”
“Darling,” Deborah drawled. “I’d let him.”
Haven grinned at them.
“Saxon, this is Deborah Cohen,” Gia said. “A jewelry expert Haven knows.”
Saxon nodded at the woman.
“She’s an expert in old, historic jewelry.”
He straightened. “The diamond?”
Gia nodded and shared what they’d learned.
He scowled. “Shit, I hope what we’re looking for isn’t part of that diamond.”
“Thank you for your help, Deborah,” Gia said.
The woman rose and shook Gia’s hand. “Good luck. I hope you get your situation resolved soon. Let me know if you do find the diamond. I’d love to see a picture of it.”
After Deborah left, Haven grinned at them. “So?”
“We aren’t together,” Gia said.
“We are,” Saxon said.
“God, you guys generate so much steam.” Haven stood and shivered. “I might have to jump Rhys for a quickie before the get-together tonight.”
“Ew. TMI.” Gia held up a hand. “Wait, what get-together?”
“The guys decided on dinner and drinks tonight at some new sports bar,” Haven said.
Gia pinned Saxon with a look. “Can I go?”
“Well—”
“Were you going to tell me, or—”
He pressed a hand over her mouth. “I was going to tell you. I haven’t had a chance, and you gearing up to rant will delay it even more.”
Chocolate-brown eyes fumed, then she bit his palm.
He yanked his hand back and shook his head. “You can bite me later, Contessa.”
She sniffed.
“And yes, we can go. All the guys will be there.”
“Yay.” Haven hugged Gia. “I need to get back to the museum to finish a few things. I’ll see you there.”
Gia walked back to her desk.
“Are you almost done?” he asked.
“I have a couple of more things I want to finish—”
He pressed up against her, trapping her against her desk. “Did I tell you that I like your shirt? And your shoes?”
“No,” she breathed.
“I like what’s under that shirt even more.” He slid a hand around her waist, then leaned down and nipped the side of her neck.
A small moan escaped her, and he felt it in his gut, his cock.
“I need you soon, Gia Gabriella. I’m burning up for you.”
She pressed her ass back against him. “We shouldn’t do this.”
“You want it. Where’s that courageous, fearless Gia I know?”
“Don’t you mean reckless?”
He nipped her neck again and she turned her head. He took her mouth. The taste of her, the scent of her, the feel of her. Saxon felt like Gia Norcross was in his pores. “You be reckless, I’m here to catch you, baby.”
“Gia, I… Oops, sorry.” A grinning Ashley whirled away from the door.
Gia shoved Saxon back a step. “God, you short-circuit my brain.”
He smiled at her. He liked knowing he got to smart, sexy Gia.
“Go.” She pointed to the couch. “Sit. Let me finish without any distractions. Don’t look sexy. Don’t sound sexy.”
His smile widened.
“No,” she cried. “ Go . I’m not looking at you.”
He sat on the couch, waiting and watching as she worked. He didn’t disturb her. He sent a text to Vander with info on the Daria-i-Noor and the Great Table diamond.
Shit, Saxon hoped this diamond they were looking for was just an ordinary hunk of carbon.
Once Gia was finished and had freshened up—which included a fresh coat of red, kiss-me-now lipstick—he led her out to his Bentley.
He zoomed down the street and found a parking space near the sports bar Vander had picked. When they walked in, they found the Locker Room packed. He moved in close behind her.
It was a big, open space with lots of wood and a friendly vibe.
Screens lined one wall, showing lots of games.
A row of pool tables was situated at the back.
A sleek bar was packed with people, the bartenders hopping.
The rest of the space was filled with comfy chairs grouped around low tables, or high tables with stools.
One wall was decorated to look like a locker room, and covered in signed sports memorabilia.
“Nice place,” he said.
“I know. My firm’s doing PR for the place, and the owner’s planning to open more. The End Zone, the Press Box, and the Dugout.”
“Catchy.” They spotted Vander, Rome, Ace, Rhys, and Haven by some high tables not far from the pool tables. The men were all nursing beers. Haven waved.
Haven and Gia both claimed stools, heads together. Saxon ordered a beer, and a glass of wine for Gia.
Vander scowled. “I hope to hell this pink diamond is not from some priceless, mythical diamond.”
Saxon sipped his beer. “Me too.”
“I’ve got a contact who might know more.” Vander lifted his own beer. “I’ll see if they know anything about the Great Table diamond and diamonds that came from it.”
Saxon knew who Vander’s contact was. A guy from a covert, black-ops team that’s name was a whisper, and which completed missions that did not exist.
“I know a guy in Denver,” Rome said. “He’s a former SEAL, and runs security for archeological digs and expeditions. His father is a history professor.”
“Treasure Hunter Security?” Vander said.
“Yeah,” Rome said. “Dec’s a good guy. It’s a good outfit.”
Vander lifted his chin. “Ask him, but tell him to keep it quiet.”
A bunch of rowdy, drunk guys at the closest pool table started making a lot of noise and Saxon frowned. He saw one of them eyeing Haven and Gia. When the man took a step toward the women, Saxon shifted and shot the man a look.
The guy hastily turned away.
Satisfied, Saxon returned to his beer.
Easton arrived, yanking off his tie. “I’ve had back-to-back meetings, my new assistant is giving me high blood pressure, and I need a drink.”
Vander raised his brows.
“Met the assistant today,” Saxon said. “Firecracker.”
“I’m going to fire her as soon as I find a competent replacement. One who doesn’t ride me every second of the day.”
Saxon pressed his tongue to his teeth. “Sure you don’t want her to ride you in another way?”
Easton stiffened. “No.”
“Clue me in,” Vander said.
“Easton’s new assistant is a curvy, opinionated blonde.”
“She’s my employee,” Easton said stiffly. “Fuck, I need a Scotch.”
Saxon smiled. Gia and Haven were still talking, and Gia was waving her hands around. Even as a kid she’d always talked with her hands.
The rowdy drunks got even louder. Trouble was brewing. One of them pushed another guy.
Fuck . A fight broke out. Sloppy punches were thrown and then a guy slammed into a chair. Wood splintered.
Pandemonium ensued, others bellowing and joining the fight.
Vander cursed and set his beer down.
A man came barreling toward Vander. One punch from Vander and the man went down.
Some of the guy’s friends rushed Vander, and he calmly flexed his hands.
Then he fought.
Vander wasn’t flashy, but he was fast, brutal, and effective. He bent his knees and tossed a man. Then he spun and launched a hard side kick into another man’s gut.
Tables tipped over and customers screamed. Security guards pushed through the crowd.
“Oh, God, more drama for me to sort out,” Gia yelled. “My client will not be happy about this.”
“Incoming,” Rome murmured.
Sure enough, several guys were headed in their direction.
Haven and Gia watched, wild-eyed.
“Don’t move,” Saxon yelled at them.
A big guy came running at Saxon. Saxon ducked, then rammed an uppercut to the guy’s stomach. He groaned and doubled over.
When Saxon looked up, he saw Vander standing in the center of the room, unconscious or groaning men littered on the floor around him.
Saxon grinned and turned.
Then his stomach dropped away. Haven was on the ground, struggling onto her hands and knees.
There was no sign of Gia.
“Haven!” Saxon yelled.
She looked over her shoulder and met his gaze. “Someone knocked me over and took Gia!”
Fuck .