Novels by DIAMOND

The subway rattled beneath me, the hum of tracks and the chatter of commuters filling the air as I stood gripping the pole, my bag slung over my shoulder. Morning light filtered through the grimy windows, catching the faces of strangers lost in their phones or their thoughts.I’d left the apartment early, the memory of last night’s dinner with Nick, candles, his warm hand in mine, still lingering like a soft glow. But today was big: the Reid Corps meeting to finalize the contract, and the issue of the mock-up sabotage was imminent, with Marcus Reed’s name circling in my head. I adjusted my navy blazer and took a deep breath, steadying myself for whatever the day would bring.The subway lurched to a stop, and I stepped onto the platform, joining the stream of people heading toward Haven Enterprises. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, seeing a text from Clara: “Where are you already? Ms. Devlin’s team is already here!”I smiled, typing back: “On my way. Save me a coffee!

The office was nearly empty as I walked back to my desk, the golden light from the windows casting long shadows across the floor. The hum of computers and the occasional laugh from a cubicle were the only sounds left.My bag was packed, and my laptop shut. Still, I dawdled, my mind tangled in the day’s highs and lows, the situation back at home, Reid Corps’ contract on the horizon, the mock-up sabotage, and Nick’s promise of pasta and a quiet night felt like a beacon, but I couldn’t shake the unease about that ghost account. Who was behind it, and why?I was about to leave when Torres appeared, his glasses slightly askew, a stack of printouts in his hands. “Tracy, glad I caught you,” he said, his voice low and urgent. He glanced around, making sure no one was close, then sat on the edge of my desk. “David and I finished the scan on that mock-up file. You’re not gonna like this.”My heart skipped, and I leaned forward, my hands gripping my bag. “What did you find? Was it a hack?”He sh

The office was more subdued now, the lunch hour ending with people filtering back to their workstations, their voices a gentle buzz over the sound of keyboard clicks. I sat back in my chair, gazing at my phone, Mom’s words concerning Dad’s health and the bills lingering in my thoughts. The cold coffee in front of me was all that had been moved, but I didn’t care.The sabotage of the mock-up was a distant storm compared to the pain of knowing my parents were struggling. I wished I could correct it all, send them money, make Dad recover, and take the burden off Mom, but I felt stretched taut, like I was keeping too many pieces together.Footsteps interrupted my thoughts and I glanced up to see David coming towards me, a frown replacing his usual grin. He held a tablet in his hands, tapping the edge of it with nervous fingers. “Tee, got a minute? I went back over the logs on that mock-up debacle and… it’s strange.” He sat down beside a chair, speaking in a whisper so that no one could ov

I sat at my desk, the office noise receding to a distant buzz as I gazed at the tampered mock-up document in front of me. The incorrect numbers leered back at me, accusatorily silent, and my chest constricted with anger and confusion. Clara had suggested someone had done this deliberately, and I couldn’t help but see Jordan or Suzan as a suspect. Who would sabotage our effort? I massaged my temples and the morning coffee turned bitter in my gut.The marketing floor door swung open and there he was, tall and cutting a path through the hubbub, blue eyes scanning until catching mine. He strode over to where I sat, suit jacket over shoulder, tie still undone from the debrief. "Tee," Nick whispered, taking a chair beside me, steady voice but hinting with concern. "What is it? Clara gave me a quick rundown, but I want to hear the rest from you."I turned to him, fiddling with a pen in my hands. “Someone tampered with the Reid Corps prototype. The data's all incorrect, old data, not the new

I woke to the soft patter of rain against my window, the gray light filtering through the blinds tossing gentle shades across my room. For a moment, I just lay there, wrapped in the warmth of my blankets, the quiet morning wrapping around me like a hug.Nick’s side of the bed was empty, the sheet where he’d been was cool and I reached out, my fingers brushing the spot where he’d slept. A small note resting on his pillow caught my attention. ‘Early meeting. Coffee’s on. Call me later, Tee. –N”. I picked it up, smiling as I thought of last night, the way he’d held me close after my sisters left, making me feel safe when the worries about Mom and Dad crept in.I sat up slowly, the hardwood floor cold under my feet as I slipped out of bed, still wearing Nick’s oversized T-shirt that hung past my knees. The smell of fresh coffee pulled me toward the kitchen and when I got there, I poured a mug, the steam rising in little curls as I leaned against the counter.The taste was strong and bitte

Later that afternoon, I unlocked my apartment door, Nick trailing behind with a bag of groceries we’d grabbed on the way. Emma and Ella were already inside, sprawled on my couch, my laptop open on the coffee table, papers scattered everywhere.Their identical faces, hazel eyes, and dark hair like mine, lit up as I walked in, but I caught the tension in their postures like they’d been arguing.“Hey, big sis!” Emma called, jumping up to hug me, her hoodie smelling faintly of her favorite vanilla perfume. “Thanks for the laptop.”Ella stayed seated, her arms crossed, her voice quieter. “Yeah, we are grateful.” She glanced at Nick, curious but guarded. “Hello, Mr. Nick. Tracy talks about you nonstop.”Nick chuckled, setting the groceries on the counter, his charm on full blast. “All good things, I hope. I’m Nick White, nice to meet you both.” He extended a hand, and Emma shook it eagerly, while Ella gave a small wave, still sizing him up.I raised an eyebrow, kicking off my shoes. “What’s