The Golden Chalice Read online

  “Come with me, lovely.” Lee stepped up behind her. His hand slipped around her waist. Michelle could feel herself sink into the cushion of his strong embrace. “Time for me to show off the rarest jewel.”

  After a deep swallow of champagne, she dropped the flute on a passing tray raised by the palm of a very lean server. Together they navigated the cheery crowd, and Michelle could feel the eyes of some of the world’s most notorious smugglers and thieves on her. Lee escorted her to a more private gathering of men in his billiard room. Waiting for her were three of the most ruthless men, cowering in a cloud of cigar smoke. Don Gio straightened his large form after a pool ball strike and fastened his gaze on her. Monk Eastman and Escobar watched her, expressionless.

  “Here she is. Am I a lucky man or what?” Lee asked, with his hand firmly pressed to her hip, keeping her close.

  “Hello, boys,” Michelle said.

  “Indeed.” Don Gio tipped his head, nodding in her direction.

  Monk raised his glass in greeting.

  Escobar cleared his throat. “You’re more beautiful each time I see you. Pops is up there smiling down on you both.” He raised his glass in respect. “Congratulations.”

  Michelle eased her arm around Lee’s waist and held to him. “Thank you.”

  “When’s the big day, Lee?” Don Gio asked, a dark smirk curling the corners of his mouth. He wore a tux like the other men, but his large stomach and three-hundred-pound frame made the tailoring a bit tight around the shoulders. He leaned on the pool cue, keeping her in his line of sight.

  “Lee has left that up to me,” Michelle answered. “I’m still trying to decide on the venue and dress. We’ll nail down the date.”

  Lee stepped from her side. She glanced over to see how intensely he fixated on Don Gio when the gangster’s interest lingered on her breasts. What did he expect? These men were scum. She reached and squeezed his hand to reassure him it didn’t bother her in the least. “I’ll let you boys get down to business. We have guests I should attend to.”

  He nodded his approval. Michelle winked at him and turned and left. She didn’t look behind her. She knew they watched. Her nerves were on edge. She went in search of another glass of champagne.

  ***

  “Gentlemen, excuse us.” Lee gestured for Monk to follow him. The walk to his private office was just up the hall. Monk Eastman followed him. “I assume you came with an engagement gift.”

  “As promised.” He removed the envelope from the inside of his tuxedo jacket and tossed it on the desk. Lee removed several photos of Abahti meeting with men he didn’t recognize.

  “The Nigerians?” Lee asked, resealing the envelope.

  “Not the major players, but yes. The man in the photo is known as Marfo. We’ve done business before. I’ve learned he’s in constant contact with your man.”

  “I had hopes I was wrong,” Lee lied. Oh, he believed. He also knew more, of Monk’s play to take the Chalice. Did they all think him an idiot?

  Monk chuckled. “There’s a bonus in it.”

  “Bonus?” Lee asked.

  “Another snake in your pit. One that I uncovered by accident.”

  “Who?”

  “Your tech, the Indian? He’s hooked on china white.”

  “Kumar?”

  “That’s right. He and the young Dixon girl plan to hit you tonight for the Chalice, sell it to me for ten million, and make a run for it.”

  “Interesting. Very interesting.”

  ***

  “Can you hear me, baby?” Kumar asked.

  “Yeah, I hear you.” Sasha dashed quickly for the back stairs. Once out of sight, she stopped and kicked off her heels. The royal-purple cocktail dress she’d chosen was short on the thighs, short enough for her to do the job. However, time had already escaped them, with Lee conducting business during the party. Eventually, she convinced Michelle to collect him and draw him and the other men out of the offices.

  “Sasha?”

  “Here. I’m here.” She scanned her surroundings. The security camera was trained on her. She knew her sweetie watched from behind the lens. When she crept into the private hall, she paused. No one stood before Lee’s office door. “Why isn’t there a guard on the door?” she asked.

  “Not many know he has the safe inside. But the security triggers on this level would have been tripped if anyone in the house who didn’t know how to disarm it entered his office. Lee probably has security to the north and south perimeters. Remember, he trusts my system, Sasha. Don’t worry, I can see everything.”

  “So we’re clear? You sure?” Sasha stared at the door with dread. Once she breached those doors, there would be no going back. Her life, from this day forward, would be spent on the run with Kumar. She’d never see Michelle again. Everything would change.

  “Go in. Now!”

  She drew in a deep breath and went inside. Careful to keep the lights off, she removed a small pen flashlight from the crease between her breasts and flicked it on. “I’m in,” she panted.

  “You okay? You sound funny?”

  “I’m scared, Kumar. Jeesh, this had better work.”

  “Calm down. Listen, Sasha, it’s not too late. You can leave and we can call it off. I’ll just face Lee and tell him the truth. We can try—”

  “No. No. It’s too late for that now. He’s not going to listen to us and my sister won’t help us. We have to do this. Now where is the safe?”

  “There will be a switch at the edge of the Picasso. Feel for it.”

  Carefully, Sasha ran her hand under the edge of the frame and felt a small button. A single press and the wall shifted to reveal the cold, steel knob of the safe. Sasha stooped. She ran the light over the dial and smiled. “It’s a Garrett, like I said. I knew it would be the same as the one at the pool hall.”

  “Open it, baby. Do it quick.”

  ***

  Michelle plucked a grape and again listened to some athlete’s wife go on and on about rare finds she’d bought thanks to Lee. How great of a jeweler he was. How charitable he could be. Michelle nodded, saying a few words. Bored to tears, she excused herself to the ladies room. The pretension had left her nauseous. She even danced a bit with Lee to break up the boredom, until he once again was pulled from her arms. She gave up. To think Lee actually thought she’d want to play house to this bullshit.

  The crowd grew and so did the celebrating. Michelle slipped out the open door, past his men, and their guests, in search of solitude. The glasses of champagne she’d drunk left her a little wobbly on her feet. She rubbed her weary eyes and opened them to the sound of someone ahead of her. Michelle stopped. Sasha crept along the other end of the corridor with something in her arms, draped in velvet. Curious, Michelle watched her. Sasha found a pair of shoes she’d apparently tucked behind a large vase and swapped them out, easing the new ones onto her feet. Michelle lifted her gaze to the camera in the hall and made sure to stay in the shadows, out of sight. Sasha disappeared around the corner. She knew her sister must be headed for the stairwell that led up to the rooms.

  The door her sister walked out of was Lee’s office. Michelle shook her head sadly at how predictably stupid Sasha proved to be. And, as usual, her little sister was in way over her head.

  ***

  “I’m clear. I’m here…. Open up. Hurry.”

  Kumar opened the door and pulled her in. Sasha couldn’t stop grinning. The fear had been such an adrenaline rush; she felt superhuman. Kumar hugged her tight, the Chalice pressed tightly against her breast. “Hey, I can’t breathe.” She laughed.

  “You scared the hell out of me. You took longer than we planned. Are you okay?” He cupped her face and searched her eyes. She nodded. “We did it! Baby, we did it.”

  Kumar kissed her. He kissed her face and lips and brow. “You did it. You. I love you so much!”

  “I love you, too!”

  Sasha held out the Chalice. Kumar uncovered it and they stood there staring at something so old and valuabl
e, it sucked the very breath from their lungs.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it.” He took the jeweled cup from her. Her arms ached from holding it. The Chalice had to weigh at least ten pounds, maybe twelve. The jewels around the rim were pink, white, and yellow diamonds. There was also a ring of rubies and emeralds. She wasn’t sure of the black stones, but they sparkled like diamonds, too. Along the base, the writing looked to be in an ancient language.

  “What do you think it says?” she asked.

  “Who knows? I want to get rid of the thing as fast as we can. It’s dangerous.”

  “It’s gorgeous. It’s not dangerous.”

  “Sasha, men will kill for it. The thing is bad luck. I feel it. Let’s stick to the plan. Go to the party. I’m going to the drop. Monk says he will have a man waiting.”

  “Wait, is it safe? How can you get out of here with that thing? It’s huge.”

  “It’s safe. I wired this place, remember?” He set the Chalice in an equipment box. “Now go. They’ll miss you.”

  Sasha gave him another long kiss. “I love you! I love you!”

  “This is for us. We’ll be free and I swear to you, babe, we’ll make it,” Kumar said.

  She grinned. “See you tonight. Love you.”

  ***

  Michelle returned to the party. After twenty minutes, her sister moved through the crowd, making small talk with guests.

  “Another glass of champagne, ma’am?” A server stepped in front of her.

  She accepted the crystal flute and approached her sister. Sasha turned and smiled prettily up at her. “Hi, sis. Enjoying your party?”

  “Here you go.” Michelle offered the champagne to Sasha.

  “Thank you.” Sasha beamed. “How did you know I wanted one?”

  “You seem flustered.”

  “Do I? I’m not. I mean, I’m having a good time. Are you having a good time? ’Cause I really worked hard to ensure you’d have a good time. I just wondered if you were, that’s all. If you know how to have a good time, I mean.”

  “I’m having a good time.” Michelle chuckled.

  With a trembling hand, Sasha downed the entire glass and averted her gaze. Michelle touched her cheek and smiled at her. “Work on your nerves, little sister. If you play this game, you got to have the courage to see it through.”

  “Huh?” Sasha gulped.

  Michelle sighed. “Be careful, Sasha.” She shook her head and walked off.

  ***

  “You wanted to see me, boss?” Abahti paused mid-stride.

  Lee stopped his pacing and turned to glare at his so-called friend.

  “Kumar. Where is he?”

  “Not sure. I believe he had to make a run. I thought I saw him leaving.”

  Lee shook his head. He picked up a piece of paper and held it out to Abahti. “You’ll find him here. Get my fucking Chalice and put a bullet between his eyes. You hear me?”

  “Got it.” Abahti accepted the order without question.

  Lee stared at him for a moment longer. “Sasha has plans to leave tonight. Make sure she doesn’t.”

  Abahti gave an obligatory nod and left. Lee picked up his whiskey and dropped down into the chair behind his desk.

  ***

  “Thank you for coming.” Michelle’s hand was lifted to Escobar’s lips. He fixed her with a steady gaze as he pressed a kiss to her knuckles. She forced politeness to her smile and voice when she spoke. “Please give Consuela, my love.”

  The invocation of his wife’s name caused his brow to rise. Escobar was well aware of the mutual dislike between the women. He nodded. “I’ll be sure to do that. Maybe we will see you next year at Joker’s Wild?”

  In your dreams. Michelle nodded politely, but said nothing. She waited for him to depart and gave the same rehearsed thanks to the next person leaving. She’d accepted the role as hostess for the remainder of the night. Particularly after she saw her sister’s little snatch-and-grab routine. Sasha would ruin everything.

  Several times during the last hour of the evening, Michelle expected Lee to reappear at her side. He never did. After the last guest wished her happiness and hinted for an invitation to the wedding, she headed straight for his office. The dark silence almost led her to believe he wasn’t there. She’d nearly turned to leave when he stepped away from the windows at her left.

  “Hi,” Michelle said, hand to her chest. “You startled me. I didn’t think you were in here.”

  “Are the guests gone?”

  “It’s our party and you didn’t return to say goodbye? I thought this was a celebration.”

  Lee’s tall form stood rigid. She could see little of his face, but felt his eyes upon her. Michelle closed the door.

  “Guess business got in the way, right?”

  “You could say that.”

  The silent way he watched her chipped away at her confidence. Did he know about Sasha’s theft? If he did, why was he alone, and her sister not on her knees begging for forgiveness? Careful of the tension building between them, she approached. Lee knew. To pretend otherwise would only indict her in his eyes. She understood her guy in more ways than he did her.

  “My poor baby. Aren’t you tired of all the games? Seems like everyone is playing them tonight.” Before him, with just a sliver of moon rays to illuminate his handsome features, Michelle lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck. She offered him a sweet, soft peck on the lips before resting her face against his shoulder. Lee held her with one arm, but didn’t move to fully embrace her. “You’re angry, aren’t you?”

  Lee brought her arms down from his neck and held her by the wrists. “Did you have anything to do with it?”

  Michelle laughed. The sound of her laughter echoed hollowly. She immediately realized how deadly a mistake it would be to dismiss his anger. Slowly she shook her head no. “You know me, Lee, I’m not that sloppy. Sasha planned her little heist all on her own. I only found out about it when I saw her sneaking out of your office. Now do you see why I need her away from this life? She’s a risk to herself and us. It’s best we cut her loose.”

  She pulled down hard to yank her wrist free from his grip. “I know you’re angry. She’s my sister, Lee. I don’t want you to harm her. She did this because she loves him. Kumar probably convinced her of it. Sasha would never think she could pull this off if she weren’t desperate.”

  “I don’t reward disloyalty, or betrayal. She crossed the line when she tried to steal from me.” Lee forced his hands into his trouser pockets.

  “I agree. She crossed the line months ago when she showed up at your pool hall and struck a deal with you. She’s been making one bad mistake after another.”

  “Oh, give your sister a little more credit. She got in and out of my safe with no problem. This wasn’t a mistake.”

  Michelle noticed his tone of voice was cold and exact. Pops told her Lee could be dangerous. In fact, he’d warned her many times never to trust him. What he must think of his daughters now? She was angry with Sasha. She was prepared to walk away from her forever. But she would not let anyone hurt her. Never.

  “I’m going to be your wife,” Michelle began. “With that comes privileges. At least that’s what you were saying last night in bed.”

  Lee sneered at her.

  She held her ground. “She’s my sister, Lee. She had no business in this life, and I plan to make sure she’s out of it for good. You owe me and you owe Pops. I’ve lost all the family I can stand. I won’t have you doing anything to her. Do you understand? After everything I’ve given you, everything I plan to give you, this is not too much to ask.”

  He grabbed her by the throat. Michelle held his stare. She didn’t flinch. Not even a blink. He drew her face to his and kissed her, a harsh ravishment of her lips as he held tightly to her neck. She turned her head away from his invading mouth. “I know you don’t trust me, Lee, but you want to. This is how you and I earn trust.” She looked
into his eyes. “You do anything to hurt her, all bets are off.”

  “If you ever betray me—”

  “I won’t.”

  “My feelings for you don’t make me weak, Michelle. Don’t ever make the mistake in thinking so. My feelings for you make me something far more dangerous. Deal with your sister. Pack her things, and yours. I want her gone.”

  He released her. Michelle sucked down deep breaths when he turned and walked out. She closed her eyes and summoned the strength to keep standing. Shaking off her fear and disappointment, she opened her eyes again. “Damn it, Sasha. What have you done?”

  ***

  Kumar paced the boardwalk, checking the time. Monk’s people should have showed thirty minutes ago. The party would be winding down. He had to pick up Sasha before anyone got suspicious. This had to work. It had to. He flexed his hands, clenching them into fists, unclenching them. His composure was a fragile shell around his faith. Everything in him said something had gone wrong.

  Dammit, how?

  A motorcycle engine gunned to the left. His head lifted. The rider rocketed out of the parking lane toward the road. The streets were fairly empty except for taxicabs cruising toward the freeway. To his right, he heard the ocean as it rolled in with the late tide, beyond the boardwalk. Kumar tightened his grip on the equipment case holding the Golden Chalice. He started to walk briskly toward his car. He’d call Monk and try to figure out another drop point. Maybe he’d gotten the details wrong.

  Kumar dug deep in his pocket for his car keys. Three black SUVs swerved out of the side street, gunning straight for the parking lot. The first braked and men he knew worked for Lee jumped out of the doors.

  “Oh fuck!” Kumar stumbled. Abahti jumped out of the second vehicle, and Kumar turned and ran. He held tight to the case but the sound of gunfire to his back caused him to drop it and run faster. He heard someone scream and more gunfire. Are they fucking crazy? They could kill innocent people! He braced for impact. He was certain he’d be hit. But he made it to the street and ran hard and fast for the strip of bars and traffic. Kumar dared a glance behind him. They were still in pursuit and closing in on him.