The Danger Zone

Vigilance

Dumbfounded couldn't even begin to discribe Diamond in this moment. What was Uncle Titius doing here?

"Long time baby girl... Or not so baby afterall" The tall man raised his brow as he eyed Christian up and down.

The last time Dia had ever seen him, she was 15. He and her dad had gotten into a scuffle and they parted ways. Uncle had decided to start his own company, separate from her father. And with all due respect, it had nothing on Zone but it was respectable.

"Yes, it been a while Uncle. And yes, I am not 15 anymore but a married woman now" Dia smiled trying to hide her confusion. Her Uncle was here, why? It had been ten long years. He didn't even try to show up at her parents' funeral. I mean his sister died! Didn't he care?

"Of course you are, the world world knows by now" he hugged her softly, and continued, "I am so sorry about your parents. We may not have seen eye to eye but they didn't deserve to die like that. You and Crystal deserved better" he lay a consoling had on her shoulder.

Do you really mean that? Dia thought to herself! I mean her never watched them get buried. "I understand Uncle Ti, thank you" This was a public event not a courtroom, not the time and place to be interrogating your long lost uncle.

"I believe introductions are in order, Uncle Ti, this is my husband Christian Towers. Christian, my mom's older brother, Titus Jones. CEO of JSC. "

"My pleasure" Titus smiled slightly

"No pleasure is mine," Chris chimed in. "Its always nice to meet Diamond's family members considering that few of them actually attended the wedding"

Dia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Like he cared! All you can think about is June! she silently scoffed

"My niece is a handful you know. Most boys don't have what it takes. You impress me son"

"Well I am not most guys, I can be very persuasive." Chris smirked "And Diamond is one of a kind" he placed a lingering kiss on her cheek.

A6 watched them closely from one corner of the room. His muscles clenched in borderline jealousy as his piercing blue eyes bored on them and lips almost twitched.

"Keep that s**t up and your face is gonna freeze that way"

A6 blinked but didn't shift his gaze. It was H6, with a quirky smirk plastered on her face. "You believe in that nonsense?" he chuckled

"No, but that face is no gonna make my sister divorce him, and to be honest, jealousy is not a good look on you." she paused "How is she doing?"

"Just fine, she... she is handling this better than I expected considering the whole June thing..."

"I am really getting tired of talking about that b***h!" Crystal cut him "can't someone just kill her?"

"Don't tempt me," Jake almost smiled

Crystal furrowed her brows "What the f**k is my uncle doing here?"

"Your guess is as good as mine"

Titan's spokeswoman Wu Lihua was just taking center stage when Diamond and Chris took their designated seats at a table. All the while keeping an eye on Jason who was keeping buddy buddy with Titan's CEO Wallace Wu. Lihua, his daughter had wasted no time in introducing herself and the weapon they were pitching to investers. Diamond like the genius that she is had asked the Omega department to get a sneak peak into this new weapon and was aware of the asking price.

Lihua continued, "The Tc-848 distinguishes itself from the ordinary rshot gun in many ways. It takes the functions of the shot gun, and sniper and blends them into one. But that is not the best part"

She was right, this shot gunifle had three barrels and muzzles that could fire simultaneously. "Our experts have removed the single case shelling and replaced it with blocks, each that carries three bullets, and aligned with their respective barrels."

The investers watched in owe. This was some impressive weaponry. Titan Corps had a reputation of shocking the industry of course. Their launch parties were always a surprise to the rest of the world but investors, billionaires and celebrities would kill to go to one of the over the top parties. It was for the cream of the crop. Dia had always found them tacky and the people stuck up but this was her life now.

She carefully watched the prototype on the screen as Lihua continued to explain the rest of its functions, Chris leaned in. "We have to get our hands on that"

"Tell me something I don't already know" she whispered back sharply

"How much are you puting in?"

"I was placing 20 million, problem is O6 just texted me, Jason Fort is planning to put 25. "

"He do you feel with me doubling it?" his raspy voice made her shiver

"You are joking right? What type of string is going to be attached to this huh?"

"You're my wife, there are already strings attached. That's the point of joining forces. Besides I know Jason is responsible for the attack on my hotel" he smirked "I like the idea of making him sweat"

"First of all, we aren't one hundred percent sure that he was responsible, second I am not putting myself on the spot just so you can win some pissing contest with him" Dia was trying to keep her composure. She wished she could smack him across the face.

"Why does it matter to you, either way you seal the deal you stay a step ahead. Or is it that you don't like accepting help from me?"

"Oh so now you wanna help me?" She shot back. Truth is Chris was right either way. She had to come up the highest bid for the investment. "Fine, we wait for Jason to pitch in then we blow him out of the water."

"Good girl. Its not enough to win, we gotta make them cry"

"The asking price is 18 million dollars-" Lihua was immediately cut off

22 million one investor shouted. Soon more chimmed in but no one was willing to go above 24 million. This went on for a whole minute until Jason and Titus started bickering bids back and forth. Diamond was confused. Was this why her uncle was here? To upstage her on her first investment. He couldn't defeat dad so he comes for me!? Chris' offer didn't sound like a bad idea after all.

"24.5 million" Titus shot

"26 million" Jason, refused to back down

"28 million" Titus fired back

"29 million" Jason increased stubbornly

"35 million" Diamond sounded. The whole room went dead silent, you could hear a pin drop. "How is 35 million?"

"Going once," Lihua raised her brows, "twice, sold, to Diamond Towers of Zone"

The audience clapped as Dia took a bow. And off the corner of her eye she watched her uncle sharply starring at her. If looks could kill, she would go limp in this very instant. But for now she smiled happily, she managed not to make the company look bad, unfortunately that was thanks to Chris.

A couple of hours later the party was starting to die down. The main reason why people were here was pretty much over. Dia needed the bathroom to freshen up, also a place yo breathe a sigh of relief for not making a complete fool out of herself. Right after coming out of her individual stall she came across June. Of course she had to be there Diamond wasn't surprised, the b***h had no limits! The tall skinny blonde in a long sleeve black sequin mini dress smiled at Dia, squaring her straight in the eye. Diamond always thought she was too bony, her skin so damn pale. Not that it was her damn business but what did Chris see in her, honestly!

"Diamond" she gave a 'respectful' nod

"That's Mrs Towers to you, we are not at a first name basis yet" she shoved past her toward the sink.

"Well I am having s*x with Mr Towers. I think that qualifies us to be on a first name basis" she cooed.

Diamond turned from the sink, "Yes you are sleeping with him that doesn't have anything to do with me. So don't talk to me or address me with my first name" she tried to move past her but got blocked

"Gosh, you are so bothered aren't you?"

"Did I follow you to the bathroom to try and claim my place in Mr Towers' life? Your insecurities are showing. Not a good look" Dia chuckled

"He will divorce you eventually" June spat angrily

"And risk his company's best protection? Chris is more married to his work than he is to me, were do you think that places you? Baby, you are gonna be a side chick for life. Living in the shadows, wondering 'what if' till the day I die" and with that she marched out.

God, there are times Diamond wished she could just shoot her. As she opened the doors of he main hall she almost ran into someone.

"Mrs Edwards, sorry, didn't see you there" she apologized

"Running from someone?" Dorothy raised her brows. "Anyways, I guess I should be congratulating you on sealing the deal.

"Thank you-" but she was interrupted

"Must be easy when you have a billionaire on your arm"

"Excuse me?"

"Please darling, lets not pretend Fortnight and JSC would not have put you to shame if Christian wasn't married to you"

This old b***h had some nerve! First June and now this? Dia was really being tested. She noticed a couple of ladies eavesdropping on their conversation and giggling.

Dorothy continued "Either way, you have forged a path that has put you above the rest. You are officially the best of the best now"

"Shouldn't you be focusing on other matters. Perhaps the number of s****l harassment claims against your husband?" Dia fired with no mercy

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I need the Alphas"

"Alphas are the highest ranking officials in my company, they protect Heads of States not thugs!"

"My husband is going to be the mayor very soon. He deserves the best of protection and you can offer that. Just name the price"

"Do you honestly think you can buy my loyalty. Your husband isn't mayor yet and if the people of New York use their brains he never will be. I will not disgrace my reputation by protecting him." Dia turned to leave but Dorothy wasn't through yet.

"How was your honeymoon, hope the suite wasn't too crowded" she smiled

"Are you implying something?"

"Honey, your marriage isn't all rainbows. I mean if my man was looking at another woman like that, it would suck" she pointed at Chris you was basically eye f*****g June at this point. Dia closed he eyes for a second to breathe

"Is this some kind of threat"

"No honey, its an understanding. How about we discuss this in a more calm setting, say maybe over coffee, Monday?" she sashayed away to the other ladies

"Are you alright Ma'am?" A6 suddenly appeared behind her. Was his timing always this perfect? Just when she ran out of strength, he just showed up.

"Get me out here, I can't breathe"

"I got you, we will leave out the back" A6 put his arm around her and guided her out. He took her though one of the empty hallways, it was faster. He removed his blazer and placed it on her shoulders to keep her warm. She pulled it against herself and kept walking. She was so lost in her thoughts until Jake stopped in his tracks. He grabbed her arm and pulled her against himself.

"Shh, I hear something" he whispered.

Dia kept her head pressed against his chest and didn't move. Jake kept his arms firm around her and listened. This moment right here was the first she had ever felt truly safe since her parents passed. It was the recognition of the half hushed voices that brought her back to reality. It was Jason Fort and her uncle.

What the f**k!? Why were they together? What relationship did they have?

"...how could you betray me like that we had a deal..." Titus sounded furious

"You failed your part of the deal and..." Jason responded

"How was... gonna marry the guy..." Titus interjected

Their hushed voices made it hard for either her or Jake to make out what they were saying. But it wasn't rocket science that they were discussing her. But why? What deal did they have. And what did marrying Christian have to do with their plan being ruined?