All Chapters of DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH : Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Chapter 161: The River GhostThe static from the shortwave radio went up and down like the sound of waves crashing against a shore. Inside the limestone gallery the air felt thick and charged with an old familiar frequency. Julian stood over the console, his big frame still his gray eyes narrowed into slits as he held the analog microphone. His knuckles were white against the plastic casing, his focus locked onto the speaker mesh like he could pull the identity of the speaker straight out of the wire.Elena didn't move away. She stepped closer to his side, her body against his flank, her long fingers resting on his heavy forearm. She could feel the tension running through his muscled frame—a protective reflex that always flared when his fathers empire tried to get back into their lives.The speaker hissed again a sharp spike of interference cutting through the limestone chamber before the voice finally stabilized. It was raspy. It sounded like the speaker was really tired but the acce

Chapter 163: The Gorge CheckpointThe Hudson River gorge made a rumbling sound that vibrated through the floorboards of the villa's lower observation deck. Outside the sun shone brightly cutting through the morning mist and casting shadows on the valley's rock faces. Below an old industrial rail spur followed the eastern bank like a rusty ribbon stuck between the granite wall and the river's white water.Elena stood in front of a console with analog controls, her long fingers quickly adjusting the brass dials of the sensors. Her cardigan was pushed up to her elbows. She was completely focused. She didn't look up when the heavy iron door behind her creaked open signaling Julian's return from the cells.Julian entered the room, his tall frame taking up the space. His jaw was set in a line and his grey eyes seemed sharp and intense. He didn't ask for a status report; instead he put his hand on Elena's back. Pulled her close to his side."Sterling is secure with Marcus, " Julian said in a

Chapter 165: The Sovereign AuditThe iron elevator groaned as it dropped into the cliffside shaft, its steel cables humming with a vibration. Julian stood still in the cage, a wall of hostility. The yellow emergency lights flickered across his features casting deep shadows on his jaw and mouth. He wore a tactical jacket that fit his massive shoulders and hands in his pockets. A calm scary posture.Beside him Marcus monitored the receiver, his face a mask of discipline. "The steam pressure from the emergency brake lock is still venting, Chairman. The heat signatures inside the command car are stationary. They know they're pinned. There's been no movement toward the cargo vault doors."Julian didn't answer. He just nodded slowly, his eyes darkening with a cold focus. His thoughts were with Elena, who sat at the console controlling the canyon's gravity. She was his foundation, architect and the woman who had laid this trap. Every step he took down into the gorge was to protect their empi

Chapter 167: The Closed CircuitThe complete silence that covered the mountain after the train left was total. Below the observation deck the empty iron cars of Victoria's locomotive moved slowly across the newly laid tracks. Their fading sound was swallowed by the roar of the Hudson River gorge. The threat to their area was completely gone. The ridge was now dark, isolated and very hard to attack.Inside the monitoring room the warm light of the wall lamps cast long shadows on the limestone floor. The diagnostic console clicked softly. The seismic needles finally stopped moving. The shockwaves from the war had faded away. All that remained was the raw greatness of the fortress they had secured.Julian didn't look back at the windows or the valley below. His world had shrunk to the woman in his arms. He held Elena tight against the iron edge of the console. His large hands were under her charcoal wool cardigan. He gripped her smooth skin with a strong possessive hold. His broad chest.

Chapter 169: The London LedgerThe titanium doors of the Blackwood Tower closed with a loud whoosh shutting out the worried voices of the people who had just been asked to leave and the distant noise of the London city. Inside the secure vault it was completely quiet like the air was thick and full of energy.The bright white lights overhead made the steel walls and rows of safety deposit boxes shine and these boxes had lots of papers inside like the important 1898 asset papers.. Julian was not looking at all the money around them. He was only looking at the woman standing in the middle of the room.Julian did not let go of Elena's waist, instead he pulled her close to his body, his hands holding her hips tightly like he did not want her to move away. His chest was going up and down breathing heavily and his eyes were looking at her with a hungry stare that had nothing to do with the numbers on the computer screen behind her."The European part is completely gone, Elena, " Julian said