The Diamond Secret by Ruth Wind Read Free Book Online

return it to Romania, I will make it worth your while."
    "If I do that, my career is over, Luca."
    "Not if it appears that I kidnapped you."
    I shook my head. "No."
    He lowered his eyes, then looked at me. "And what if I kidnap you now?"
    "You would have done it already if that was what you intended." I paused with my hand on the door to the hotel. "Would have been much easier for you all around, wouldn't it? Grab me in San Francisco, make sure Paul knew so he didn't kill you and then get the jewel back to Romania."
    "Yes."
    I met his eyes. "But you didn't. You're a thief, but not violent."
    A slight shrug. He started to speak, then paused. Looked toward the parking lot. "If—"
    I waited, but he didn't finish. "'If…?'" I prompted.
    "If I return the jewel to Romania, I can perhaps regain the good opinion of my family. It would mean a great deal to me."
    Something about his plea moved me. The diamond felt almost as if it started to hum against my flesh. "I'm so tired," I said. Touched cold fingers to the middle of my eyebrows. "Do you suppose we could talk about all of this in the morning?"
    "Very well," he said. "Let's get my bag."
    We went into the hotel, and the girl nodded to me. I went up the stairs, not wishing to wait for the tiny, narrow elevator. My room was on the third floor. Luca didn't say a word. His keys jingled in his hand as he followed behind me. It occurred to me that I should be afraid of him—but I wasn't. My instincts, honed in dozens of cities throughout my childhood spent following my father around the circuit, told me that Luca meant me no harm.
    I thought of his mouth, that luscious kiss, and considered the possibility of letting him sleep in my bed tonight. And what kind of an idiot I'd be if I let him.
    But you know, it had been a long bad year. My divorce anniversary was in two days. Sometimes what you want is a little affirmation that you're attractive, that you've still got it. Or maybe I just wanted the warmth of another person's skin next to mine.
    On the landing, I paused. "I'm really not going to give you the jewel."
    "I will not ask it." His eyes were luminous and direct. "Take it to the police, let it be stolen again, let another fool be murdered."
    "Or perhaps I'll take it to Paul," I said, dangerously.
    "That, too, is an option. But a criminal who wants it for greed will surely be swept away by the curse, will he not?"
    "Why would I care?"
    He smiled. "Why, indeed?"
    I turned my back and climbed the rest of the stairs. My door was the third one down. I paused for a second outside, and turned toward Luca. The door fell open beneath my hand, and startled, I turned back.
    Holding my breath, I silently began to push it open. It was nearly impossible to keep my hand away from the priceless weight nestled beneath my left breast. The door moved heavily on well-oiled hinges, an inch at a time. There was a light on within. I couldn't remember if I'd left one on or not.
    My cell phone rang.
    Three things happened at once—I scrambled to pull it out of my pocket; Luca leapt forward to push the door the rest of the way open, just as someone inside the room came hurtling out. I ducked, instinctively rolling toward one side.
    I shouted, "Look out!" but Luca was already down, a red gash opening over his brow. I only had a hazy impression of a burly man in a sweatshirt before I saw the gun he carried in a white, freckled hand. I dove for the floor, my cell phone ringing again. Luca was on his feet, rushing for the intruder, but the man headed straight down the hall and disappeared into another hallway, presumably stairs for the staff. Luca went after him, but returned in a moment, shaking his head. "He's gone."
    The cell phone rang again, loud against my thigh. I reached for it, thinking to flip it open, but just as I got it into my hand, doors started opening along the corridor. Luca grabbed me and shoved me toward the elevator, jamming his fingers against the buttons.
    I managed a muffled,