The Golden Chalice Read online

  “I didn’t use that night.”

  “I know every time you got your nose wet. Now, let’s talk shop. I’m the only game you got going right now, Mr. Suresh.”

  ***

  Michelle changed. She liked the feel of her lavender silk wrap dress over her curves. The split to the front of the dress parted with each step. A pear-shaped diamond solitaire the size of a quarter rested at the crease of her cleavage and matching gems hung like tiny teardrops from her lobes. She’d taken the time to curl-set her hair. She descended the stairs an hour and half after he’d commanded her to be ready to leave. She figured he’d be more than irritable over her making him wait. Instead, she found him pacing and talking in a lowered voice with Abahti. The tall Nigerian looked up and his gaze latched to hers. He glared at her. When Lee noticed her, a brief smile crossed his face but soon faded.

  “Call the meeting. I’ll return in the morning.” He motioned for her to come to him. As soon as she drew near, he captured her hand and led her to the door.

  “I thought it was just lunch?”

  “You aren’t dressed for lunch,” he said under his breath.

  “Something wrong with what I chose?” she asked.

  Lee ushered her out. No words or explanation were offered during the drive. The freeway was congested with braided strands of traffic. Cars paused and purred slowly past a collision of two vehicles, forced to the emergency lane by police. Michelle kept her vision trained on the events outside the window and avoided small talk. Lee made a few calls. Every few minutes he’d touch her thigh, or run his hand up under the hem of her skirt. They passed through one of the main arteries along the beachfront town, and she soon understood their destination. He was taking her to the private airport. She wasn’t the least bit surprised by his agenda. Nothing at this point surprised her when it came to Lee. Part of her hoped she could find some kind of closure between them before things came to an end.

  The driver parked. Lee escaped through the door and extended his hand for her to join him. Together they boarded the jet and she immediately found a seat. Lee went up front with the pilot.

  “Something to drink, ma’am?” asked a redheaded attendant with a bubbly voice and bright green eyes.

  “Vodka and orange juice,” she answered in a dry, disinterested tone.

  Lee returned. He didn’t sit next to her. He chose the seat directly across from her. Eventually, she felt drawn to the piercing stare he fixed upon her. He fastened his seatbelt with a click and dropped his head back. Those eyes of his never left her.

  “Is there something you want to say to me, Lee?”

  He sat forward. The attendant handed her the drink, which she sipped instead of speaking.

  “I think you and I need to clear the air. Especially before you take this trip with Sasha. I think we need to say the things we haven’t. The baby.”

  “I won’t discuss the baby with you.”

  “Why? It’s my baby, too.”

  “Because the baby’s gone. And even if you want to suffer and feel the pain, I don’t. Do you understand? I’m done with the subject.”

  Those words hung between them for an uncomfortable pause. The jet began to accelerate. Lee pushed down in his seat as they raced along the runway and lifted into the clouds. The pressure from the cabin was nothing compared to the wall of tension that separated them. If he continued down this road, she would tell him more hard truths.

  “I know our life doesn’t have an option for children. But if ever I wanted a kid, it would be with you,” Lee confessed.

  “Really?” Michelle smirked. “Another thing for Leith Sullivan to own, or just something to chain me to you?”

  “I don’t need a chain. You belong to me; we struck that deal long ago.”

  Michelle sipped her drink. “Why the trip? It’s unnecessary. You want to fuck? We could have stayed at your place.”

  “You’re purposefully trying to piss me off?”

  “I’m being honest.” She shrugged.

  When he didn’t answer, she felt a small measure of triumph. She saw the raw hurt in his tensed jaw and his soft eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Lee. I don’t want to hurt you. It’s like the only thing I can do now. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I can take it. I will take it, until you give me your heart again.”

  Michelle frowned.

  He nodded. “And I’ll put everything on hold until that happens.”

  ***

  Sasha turned the corner and Kumar walked in. The sight of him in his brown leather jacket and faded blue jeans sent a warm glow through her. Sasha hurried toward him with her heels click-clacking over the hardwood floors. He swept her up into his arms, weightless, and held her snugly against him. Without looking away, she backed out of his embrace. “What took you so long?”

  He gave a half smile for reassurance. He cupped the side of her face, his touch firm and persuasive. “I’m sorry, love, got caught up.”

  “At the equipment store?”

  “Ah, yeah…you okay?” He lowered his hand but held her stare. She could see the genuine concern in his eyes. Sasha relaxed and threw her arms around his waist once more. Her body tingled from the contact. Kumar dropped his keys in his pockets and held her. “I called you over an hour ago. I’ve been waiting. Things are crazy.”

  “Tell me about it,” he mumbled.

  Her head lifted. She detected something in his glassy stare that made her heart drop. Sasha took the time to really look him over. He appeared flushed, with weepy eyes. He kept glancing away from her and that made her uncomfortable. She dreaded her suspicions. Cursed herself for even thinking for a moment he’d slipped. Still, the thought gnawed away at her. “Where did you say you were again?”

  Kumar leaned forward, making his voice a soft, warm whisper against her ear. “Does it matter, baby? I’m here now.” He kissed her jaw and under her neck. His hand moved gently down her backside.

  Sasha smiled. “No. I guess not. Lee and Michelle left. I had hoped to get in front of him with you.” She pushed him and stared up at him. “We need to find out what this deal is that my sister struck. I can’t trust her now, with her so angry at me.”

  “I got a plan, babe. It’s where I’ve been. Let me work out the details.” He stepped around her and started for the stairs.

  Sasha stood there stunned for a moment. He had a plan? Great. How did he get one so soon? “Wait, Kumar? What plan?” He was halfway up the stairs by the time she finally caught up. But he kept going. “Kumar? Stop.”

  She cornered him at their bedroom door. “What is this plan?”

  “Either way things go down with Lee, Sasha, we have to leave. I can’t do this anymore. Not when I know there’s a chance you could get hurt. My plan is we do just that, but we do it on our own terms, and we take enough money so Lee can’t find us.”

  “How? Steal it? Do another job? Michelle’s right, things are hot out there now for us. And you and I don’t have the kind of cash to keep Lee from tracking us down. I won’t steal from him, Kumar. It’s a death sentence.”

  “I’ll work it out. I might be able to.” He opened the door to the bedroom and walked inside.

  Sasha went in after him, slamming the door shut. “Be able to what?”

  “Just trust me. I’m your guy; I’ll take care of everything.” He sniffed and shed his jacket.

  He looked tired. A pang of guilt stabbed Sasha’s heart. She’d been hammering him since he’d walked in the door. Suddenly, she felt the need to comfort him. She walked over and picked up his cast-aside jacket, hanging it in the closet. “You hungry? Want me to fix you a burger or something?”

  “That would be cool.” He gave her a wan smile. She saw him sniff again and rub his nose. He reclined on the sofa in their room and picked up the remote. Sasha stood there for a moment before turning away. “Okay, I’ll make you a burger and some fries. Are you coming down with something?”

  “Yeah, got the sniffles. Cold as hell out there.”


  “Um…okay. Relax, I’ll be back in a bit.”

  She headed for the door. The nervous energy stirring in her gut had her palms sweaty. She rubbed them at her sides.

  “Sasha?”

  “Yes?” she asked at the door.

  “Hurry. I missed you today.”

  His voice made her go weak with need for him. She smiled brightly and nodded, hurrying to fix her guy something to eat. He had a plan and that was good enough for her.

  ***

  The plane coasted to a smooth landing, and Michelle set down the glass of vodka she’d been nursing since takeoff. She crossed and uncrossed her legs. Lee lowered his gaze to her swinging foot. His eyes made a slow climb before latching onto her face.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Michelle forced a smile but said nothing. Once they’d taxied to a stop, she sucked down a deep breath for whatever was to come next. She felt so empty when he was away from her, and even more empty when they were together. She couldn’t decide on the meaning of her numbed emotions.

  They were ushered into a chauffeured car and whisked away to a marina with the most luxurious of liners. Yachts with sleek bodies, tinted windows, and personal crews bobbed in the dark waters, waiting for passengers. Most striking was the one Lee led her to, with the name ‘Chocolat’ written across the stern.

  “It’s yours.” He smiled.

  She looked at him before returning her gaze to the boat. He slipped his hand into hers and pulled her along, careful of her steps in her heels. She had no need of a coat. Though the wind was a force blowing in over the marina, there was still the noon sun, beaming down warmly. They were welcomed aboard, led inside by the captain to a sinful buffet.

  Lee laughed with the captain. He asked that they set sail immediately. For her part, she walked around the spread, eating cheese cubes and grapes. Ignoring the stomach burn from the vodka she had earlier, she settled on a freshly poured glass of champagne.

  “Do you like it?”

  “Mmm,” she said, licking her lips and draining the glass.

  “Do you?”

  “Like what?” she asked dryly.

  He stared hard at her. Nothing stopped the constant stares. Finally, she looked over to him and gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Boat’s beautiful, Lee. Just what I always wanted. A boat that I’ll never use or see unless you want me to.”

  “I don’t know about that. After tonight, you might be surprised by all that you are welcome to.”

  Michelle swallowed. “What?”

  He held to his secret, extending his hand for her come and sit. Michelle approached him, holding tight to the flute of champagne. She lowered to the chair he’d pulled out from the table in a gentlemanly fashion. Lee took a seat across from her, his gaze again focused on only her. Silent crewmembers placed dishes of all her favorites. He’d clearly ordered it just so, and by the time she was halfway into her meal, she was laughing, talking to him again with ease.

  “I like that.” The smoldering desire in his eyes made his statement profound.

  “You like what?” She set her glass down and gave him her full attention.

  “Your smile. I missed it the most when you were recovering.” He touched her chin and pinched it softly. She thought he’d kiss her, but instead he studied her.

  “Yeah, well, it was hard to smile.”

  “I know that’s my fault. I should have never let you do that job. Never treated you the way I have. Hindsight and all that.”

  “It’s done, Lee.” Michelle turned away. She prayed he didn’t ruin the evening by picking at old wounds between them.

  “Is it? My lies divide us now. I’m no fool. You lost the baby and you blame me. I blame me. It’s something I can’t fix. I can’t change it.”

  “It’s not the baby, Lee. The baby I can deal with. It’s you.”

  He stared on blankly, as if he didn’t understand. She knew he did. It was the one thing he hasn’t been so ready to discuss. He kept mentioning the baby and their loss. Well, fact was fact. There was never supposed to be an “us” when it came to them. Pops had warned them both. She first thought her father’s disapproval laughable. How could he deny her Lee when he’d been the one to expose her to all the wrong people and choices in life? Now she knew different. Pops loved them both, and he knew the pain they’d share if ever they crossed the line.

  “Help me understand, Michelle. I need to.”

  “Where do I begin? You slept with Sasha. Even worse, you kept it from me. I had to hear it in a tunnel, knee-deep in shit. My life is no longer mine because you and Sasha decided to make that so. Why the hell do you think I would look at you with anything but contempt?”

  “Because you love me. And you can’t let go.”

  “It’s you that can’t let go.”

  “Right. I can’t. I won’t. I know what I have in you. A partner, an equal, someone who gets me. Someone I can trust.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far.”

  “I would. First, I never slept with your sister—”

  “Don’t deny it!”

  “I never slept with her, Michelle. I admit things got out of hand with us, but I put an end to it, and this was before I even considered the possibility of falling in love with you. I should have told you. I was a coward.”

  “You still are.”

  Lee heaved a deep sigh. “When Cumminskey tried to cut a deal, you rejected him. You kept it straight with me. I don’t deserve your loyalty, babe, but I need it. You’re all I have. All I need.”

  Michelle shifted in her seat, thinking of her bargain with Abahti. “Yeah, so you keep saying.”

  “That’s why I have to know.”

  She looked away. “Know what?”

  A member of the staff came over and set a small dessert plate with a silver dome covering onto the small cube of a table in front of the sofa. He gave her a curt nod before he walked off. She stared at the dome cover and saw her reflection. Her heart stuttered in her chest, and the muscles lining her stomach constricted. Women’s intuition had the hairs on her nape standing on end. Michelle stroked the lid. She lifted the handle slowly without any encouragement from Lee.

  The unveiling revealed a black velvet box with the hugest diamond set on a wedding band.

  “Will you marry me?” Lee said.

  It never dawned on her that he’d go this far. Never in her life did she believe him capable of a proposal. She remembered an older neighbor who used to sit in her window and watch the neighborhood when they’d lived in Brooklyn for a short time. Michelle was only eight and Sasha was barely walking. The woman had a strong distaste for some of the girls chasing the hustlers in the neighborhood. Always a cruel word of disgust for one or another. And when one showed up with a diamond band on her finger and a big smile over her engagement, Ms. Claudine scoffed. “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk free!” she said in a huff, shattering the girl’s happiness.

  Michelle never understood the words, or thought much of them afterward. But now, they rang in her head, loud and clear. “Why buy the cow when you get the milk free,” she said softly.

  “What did you say?” Lee frowned.

  Michelle sighed. “What is this, Lee?”

  “It’s me being as real with you as I can be. It’s me putting it all on the line because you mean that much to me. Will you marry me, Michelle?”

  “I—” She stopped herself. She finally had him where she wanted him. She could have her revenge. She could break free of this world and start again. “You changed the rules, Lee,” Michelle said in a sad voice. “You don’t get to do that. I’m sorry, baby, but you don’t.”

  She rose from the sofa and walked as fast as she could to the steps and the upper deck. She didn’t have to see the disappointed hurt on his face. If she looked back she’d weaken and pretend with him. They’d sail through the night and act as if their lives were their own, but it wasn’t true. She couldn’t play pretend with him anymore.

  Chapter Six

 
; After Michelle’s words of rejection, Lee felt the knifepoint of anguish puncture through his fragile heart. Tightening his hand into a fist, he focused on where she fled. It wasn’t just that she’d refused. He’d imagined it would take some convincing to get her to go against the grain that was them. He’d agonized over this for weeks. His business, lifestyle, temperament—none of it made room for a wife. But more than that, it was her cold detachment. That’s who she was now, hot and cold, and nothing like the young, vibrant woman he once knew. He thought the sex between them meant she’d softened her heart. He had to wonder if she only pacified him now for another agenda. If she left him or betrayed him, he wouldn’t be able to contain his anger.

  With considerable mental effort, he cast aside his wounded pride, rose, and went after her. The irony of the role reversal in his life wasn’t lost on him. Since the shooting, her happiness, her health, all of it had consumed him.

  Lee shoved his hands into his pockets, leaving dinner and the seduction behind. He walked through the cabin, climbed the cramped stairs, and went topside. The yacht bounced over the glistening sapphire blue waves. The sun felt like fire along his nape, but a cooling breeze swept along the ocean waves and soothed him. He inhaled the salty sea air and was stunned by the beauty of it all. Holding to the awning, he walked along the side of the boat.

  Michelle stood at the bow. Her hair blew out behind her, her dress pressed to her curves. He watched for a second and considered his offer. It wasn’t just marriage. He needed to explain their position now. The Chalice was the biggest score they’d ever done. He could take her anywhere in the world and they could start over. She couldn’t be a doctor, and he couldn’t be just a businessman but they could definitely have the life they deserved. Together they’d be unstoppable.

  “I brought you out to sea so you couldn’t run from me. Looks like you still find a way to do so.”