The Golden Chalice Read Online Free Page B

Alone with Kumar, Sasha pouted. The big welcome home had been a bust.
    “Should I go up there?” she whispered, her eyes lifting to the ceiling.
    “I don’t think so, babe. She needs time to get her head in it. You know how that goes.”
    “Did you see how she looked at me? She’s angry with me still. I can tell.”
    “Anger and love are two sides of the same coin. Give her a little space and time.”
    “Yeah, okay, you’re right. Space and time.”
     
    ***
     
    Somewhere in France
     
    “Get out.” Eddie rose. He tossed back another swig of lukewarm beer. He didn’t bother to zip the pants that rode his hips, just tucked his penis down and inside. The nameless woman nodded her obedience, collected her things, and hurried out of the suite to the bathroom. He walked over to the deck, slipping past the French doors. The city awaited with honking horns and street life. He’d been hiding like a coward for months. Hiding had never been his style. He’d reached his limit.
    The phone rang.
    Eddie finished off his beer. He returned inside and plucked it from its receiver. “Yeah?”
    “She’s out.”
    “And?”
    “Nothing.”
    “Will Escobar meet with me?”
    Silence.
    “Will any of them meet with me? Hear my side of things?”
    Silence.
    “Fine. I’ll finish it. I just need one more favor, Monk. Get word to Abahti, I don’t care how. If I can bring the Golden Chalice to The Order, they’ll pardon the killing of Rawhead. I’m sure of it.”
    “Thought of it already. Abahti is refusing to meet. There’s another option.”
    Eddie gripped the phone tightly. “What? What the fuck is it?”
    “The techie, the computer guy. Kumar Suresh. He’s using smack again. I know where he scores his drugs.”
    Eddie smiled. “Ah, that is promising. Very-very promising.”

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    “Where is he? Where is the fucking weasel?” Lee paced his office. His agitation had little to do with Eddie Cumminskey and more to do with his woman and her silent treatment. He lifted his gaze and fixated on the ceiling. Maybe he should go to their bedroom and make sure she was okay. Lee clucked his tongue at Evita, who licked her paw in the corner of his office. “Evita, go find Mama. Take care of her.”
    The Doberman rose, shook her head, and strolled out. Abahti closed the door behind the animal. “We aren’t sure, boss.”
    “About what?” Lee grumbled, having forgotten his rant.
    “Cumminskey. No one’s talking, at least not to us. They know we have the Chalice and I think….”
    “Go on?” Lee asked.
    “I think they want to make a move. To strike against us.”
    “They? Again with the ‘they’. Is that what you think?” Lee lowered to a chair, his chest tight with contempt. Abahti stilled.
    “Yes, boss, it’s what I think.”
    “Shall I share my thoughts? Interested? Good. I think I’ve been distracted since the shooting. Trusting. Too forgiving. Eddie had inside information the night of the heist. I think the traitor is near. Maybe Eddie isn’t my problem, friend. He’s gone rogue with killing Rawhead unsanctioned. The Order will deal with him. I need to focus on the betrayal. Find out who the motherfucker is who would dare try to harm Michelle.” Lee picked up his scotch and took a sip. Over the rim of his glass, he fixed his glare on Abahti.
    Abahti’s stony expression of innocence made Lee doubtful.
    “What is it you want me to do?” Abahti asked.
    “Nothing, friend.” Lee set the crystal glass down on the coaster. The diamond ring on his pinky sparkled. “I’ll take this one on.”
    He gave a nod and Abahti walked out. Lee rocked in his leather office chair and drummed his fingers on his desk. “Interesting.”
     
    ***
     
    “Knock, knock.”
    Michelle turned from the window. Her sister opened the door and stepped inside. “What do you need?”
    “To talk?” Sasha asked. “You came up here in such a hurry I didn’t get a chance to catch up.”
    “A chance? Oh,