The Heist (17 page)

“I know.” His hands slipped from her back then lowered further to cup both halves of her butt cheeks. “You will.”

“Stop….” She tried to step around him to avoid more intimacy, but his arm smoothly blocked her passing. Her gaze lifted to his face and his dropped to hers.

Michelle tucked wild strands of hair behind both ears. He watched her for a moment, then took her hand and kissed it. “First we have breakfast, then I make love to you again, and we shower before we join the others.”

“Sex, love, ah who knew they were the same?” She gave a nervous smile.

“Last night they were.” His voice dropped an octave.

“Let’s not go there, okay? You’re blackmailing me. You kidnapped my sister. I’m not here for romance. I’m here to get you out of my life, something we both know will eventually happen.” Again she tried to step around him, but he drew her back.

“If you distrust me so much, Michelle, then why let me taste you? This is no way to prove how you much you
don’t
want anything with me.”

“Business and pleasure can cut both ways in our hustle. You of all people should know that, sugar. Besides, I gave you more than a taste, remember?”

Lee studied her. The uncomfortable pause between them charged the air. “Okay, no more analyzing this. Let’s just enjoy the flow,” he conceded.

“We already are.” She motioned with a slight tilt of her head toward the dinette table.

Taking her hand and kissing it, he led her over. Michelle sank into the chair, realizing how hungry she was. She watched as Lee poured her a mimosa then uncovered her breakfast: Eggs Benedict, roasted red potatoes, and fresh, cut fruit.

“What time do the games begin?” she asked, forking some of the muffin ensemble into her mouth.

“Who says they haven’t already started?” He reached under his plate to remove a large envelope, sliding it across the table to her.

Michelle’s eyes locked on the envelope with mild interest. She looked up, still eating her meal. “For me? Why, Lee, you shouldn’t have.”

Retrieving the package, she opened it and removed the document. She sat back, swallowing. “The Argyle Pink Diamonds? They're a million dollars per carat.”

“Not the pink diamonds, these are known as the Raspberry Diamonds. There’s been some dissention among the men over them.”

“You’re going to discuss The Order’s business with me? Is that wise?” Michelle asked, sniffing for the truth. Since when did Lee trust her that much?

“Like I said, there is much you don’t know. But I’ll share this. The Order is real. They aren't an elitist sect of white men, or some ruling monarchy. The Order are the men you should fear, and blood and power changes each man who finds himself in a position to acquire a seat amongst them. We own the law, the government, dictators, and queens, because they fear us, and they need us. We trade in the product they want to keep unseen.”

“We? So you are saying Pops was once a member.”

“When we met he was the most powerful. He saved my life and brought me in. Taught me everything about thievery.”

“Go on. Because this is utter bullshit,” Michelle snapped. “I’ve been at Pops’ side since I was five. He didn’t have power, money, any of the things that would qualify him as a member of your precious Order.”

Lee smirked. “Of course he didn’t. He walked away from it, for you.”

Michelle grappled with Lee’s truth. It couldn’t be her own.

“Pops was smart. He came up in the ranks hard and fast. He had a taste for the sauce, yes, it was his weakness, but he managed it. It wasn’t until he met your mother that things fell apart. That was before you,
Chocolat
. Before me as well.”

“My mother? She was a junkie?”

“Later. She betrayed him, broke him, got strung out. That story isn’t mine to tell. I can tell you this—he was never lucky in love. That was a bigger weakness than his thirst. And then men we dealt with knew of that weakness. So when he learned of you, he also learned of Sasha, from the woman he rebounded with. You were five, Sasha was a baby; he wanted to protect you. So he gave up his power.”

“Why? We were stealing and living the life. Why give up?”

“But you didn’t belong to that game.” Lee leaned forward. “The Order isn’t for lovers, family men, little girls with daddy issues…do you understand?”

“No,” she admitted sadly. She looked down at the gems. “What does this have to do with the Raspberries?”

“Nothing,” Lee said. Immediately, she knew it was a lie.

“Then why show them to me?”

“I need to know who owns them. It is either Escobar or Rawhead.”

“Why?”

“They’re part of the collection your father was supposed to lift for me. Before he died. I just need to know who has them under lock and key.”

Michelle removed the article attached to the glossy photo, scanning for the details Lee was omitting. She found it soon, as a footnote.

The Pink Diamond is considered the rarest stone from the Argyle mines. It is from these mines that many believe the Raspberry Diamonds were unearthed. In 1886, a discovery of six, flawless, twenty-carat stones stunned the world. Jewels the color of raspberries which are not rubies have been the motivation for continual mining expeditions. To this day no other rare gems like the Raspberry Diamonds have been found. Traded between nations, the precious jewels were sold to an undocumented private collector in 1984
.

“I thought you said Pops stole these?”

“First lesson, Michelle; you must see what others don’t. Read the article again. There is no proven explanation for the emergence of these diamonds. There is no accurate account of where they are now. The Order believes the Raspberry Diamonds were lifted from the Golden Chalice itself.”

“So it’s about the Chalice?”

“It’s about the truth. Someone in our inner circle cut a deal with your father that led to his death. Those diamonds are the key. Those diamonds were only seen by one man since 1984. That was your father. I need you to sniff around the women here. Find out anything you can.”

“Pops betrayed you over these diamonds? How did he betray you, Lee? What happened between you two?”

Lee picked up his fork and began to eat. Michelle lowered the clipping to her lap. He’d given her a lot in ten minutes. He told her the story of her life. Her mother was dead. Pops never spoke of her. Sasha’s mother was never really named by Pops, either. All she remembered was being five with a baby to take care of and a father who couldn’t stop drinking. And Lee said Pops did it for their own good? That truth burned through her. Nothing about what Pops did was ever for the betterment of her and Sasha.

“Anything else, Lee?”

“Tonight at the poker table, care to win me some money?” he asked, and swallowed.

“Poker. Right. Of course.”

Chapter Sixteen

Abahti collected Lee while she was in the shower and his absence was a welcomed event. She took the time to process. Michelle compared the article to the one delivered to her door by messenger. Everything pointed to the Chalice. It’s what all of these men wanted. Everyone but Lee—he wanted revenge. She could see it in his eyes. Is that how she fit into his plan? He wanted her to take back what Pops robbed him of? Was she just another way to avenge his ego, his pride, through Pops? Though it should shock her, part of her felt rejection surface like an old war wound and was calmed by it. At least there would be no pretense or delusions this time, and she could be clear that this thing between them was not love.

Michelle descended the steps. The sheer peach sarong tied at her hip felt as if it were slipping with the natural sway of her backside. The golden thong sandals and large gold bangles with matching earrings complimented the peach halter. With her sunglasses in her hair, she scanned the lower level of the estate, smoothing her glossed lips together as she considered where to venture next. Aside from a few of the staff, she didn’t see anyone.

Clearing the last step, she decided on the beach. It was a wise choice. The south end of Escobar’s home led to an outdoor veranda that faced the sea. Guests and their entourage gathered on the outer terrace, where the male and female staff in white attire served.

The first person to capture her attention was “Eddie the Butcher” Cumminskey. Equal to Lee in handsomeness, he was also just as ruthless. The tall athletic type, he had coal-dark hair combed from his face and thick brooding brows. He wore a loose-fitting white shirt and khaki cargo pants.

Cumminskey gave her a nod. Michelle rewarded him with a sexy wink. His sly smile indicated he appreciated her gesture.

Michelle eventually shifted her gaze and soon met Lee’s calculating stare. He was to the left of the pool near the bar, watching her as Monk Eastman chatted in his ear. His disapproving expression almost gave way to blatant jealousy. But Lee wouldn’t dare be jealous now, would he? Michelle nodded to him that she understood his wishes.

She found her target.

Consuela, in a black, two-piece swimsuit, lounged under the cover of a matching black Chanel hat. Her golden-brown hair with blonde streaks was teased into loose curls and spread across the sofa pillow. A server approached. Consuela lifted her hat and accepted her flute of champagne. Her large oval sunglasses concealed half her face, but Michelle knew her eyes were now focused on her.

She looked pampered and spoiled, the latter evident by the size of the diamonds sparkling from her ears and fingertips. Michelle smirked.
How am I supposed to get anything from this shallow bitch?

The blonde sitting on Consuela’s left waved Michelle over. The other women seated at the patio tables drinking their umbrella drinks turned their heads in her direction.

Michelle felt like she had in high school, trying to avoid the popular clique. Grinding her teeth, she put on a smile and sashayed over to them. Of course, it meant she had to circle the pool.

“
Chocolat
….”

She paused. Despite his ghastly appearance, Rawhead spoke with a soft, even meek voice. He stepped in closer than socially acceptable, and her gaze immediately darted across the pool waters to find Lee watching. Rawhead looked like an oddity in the tropical sunshine. He was dressed in black leather pants adorned with chains hanging from the belt loops. His tattooed arms and wrists had the same black-studded cuffs that decorated his black leather vest. Dark liner was heavily applied on his upper and lower eyelids, as well as on his painted black lips. When he smiled, she realized the fangs he had surgically added to his eyeteeth were diamond-tipped. Michelle considered the sight of a vampire standing under the sun.

Pops had told her this man was one of the best in the business. Everyone clamored to work with him and his clan. Could he be the man Pops cut a side deal with to get a hold of the Raspberry Diamonds?

“Hi, it’s been a while.” Michelle extended her hand.

He took it and gave her knuckles a soft kiss. “I never got to extend my condolences for Pops; I had a lot of respect for your father.” He clicked his pierced tongue at her when he exaggerated his words.

“Thank you. Please excuse me.”

Testing Lee’s patience with Cumminskey was one thing. She wasn’t about to do it with this freak. But Rawhead wouldn’t be dismissed. He moved when she did, running his tongue across his teeth.

“Still sexy as ever, aren’t you, baby?” He gave a coy smile. “I have to say I’m a bit surprised.”

“About?” She accepted a glass of champagne from a passing tray riding atop the hand of a server. Rawhead looked across the pool to Lee.

Michelle followed his line of vision. She shrugged. “Lee and I have been friends for some time, that’s not a secret.”

“So all is forgiven? You rolling with the enemy now?”

“There was nothing to forgive, unless you know something I don’t?” Michelle frowned. She shifted her gaze to Escobar, now next to Lee. The men seemed deep in conversation. “Visit my room, I’ll show you a good time, and tell you a bedtime story.” He stalked off.

Games. Lies. Secrets. How would this all end?

She looked back at Lee. That familiar knot of distrust coiled around her heart. He gave her a curious smile and she moved on. One thing at a time. The first thing was the tacky Latina princess, then Lee, and whatever secrets he may be keeping.

“Hi!” the blonde she noticed earlier exclaimed.

Consuela lowered her shades. She peered over the rims at Michelle. Her light brown eyes showed a hint of amusement. She pushed the sunglasses back up her nose and ordered one of her staff over in Spanish, counting off her latest demands.

“Hello, ladies.”

The other women gathered either raised their glasses or offered an upward toss of their chins. Each was obviously paired in some way with a man from The Order.

“I’m Nancy,” the friendly blonde announced, extending her hand.

“
Chocolat
” she said, ignoring the offer for a shake.

“
Chocolat
? Wow, is that a stage name?” Nancy gushed.

From the corner of her eye, Michelle could see Consuela’s head turn and a nasty sneer cross her lips.

“No. Just a nickname.”

“Oh, cool… well, I’m a dancer, and my stage name is Blossom…original, huh? At least my tits are,” she added, heaving them. Michelle liked her instantly. She chose a deck chair to relax in, which happened to be next to Consuela and that mutt she toted everywhere in its diamond-studded collar. The dog lifted his little head and barked at Michelle, but then lowered it as if she were no threat. Consuela stroked the curled fur of her pet, refusing to chastise the pest.

Michelle considered the women and who would be more willing to spill. The obvious choice became clear.

Nancy squeaked, leaping to her feet in her white string bikini. She chased after a champagne flute on a servant’s tray in her four-inch hooker pumps. She returned grinning, her golden locks pushed behind her ears. On her lower back, just above her derrière was a Chinese symbol.

“You must be with Yacazza?” Michelle asked. Yacazza, the head of the New York Japanese syndicate, sat at the same table with Don Gio Lucheese.