by Kris Calvert
Quietly, she hissed, “Wow.”
Taking the square cut diamond from the box where it had sat since Kostas’ death, her face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Can I have this diamond?” she asked.
I looked at what had to be twenty-five carats of perfection. I grabbed her face, pulling her in for a kiss. “Cher, you can have it all. It’s all ours.”
34
LEO
…Six months later
The crowd for the opening party in downtown New Orleans was immense. A black tie event, the who’s who from across the world had showed up to see the lost pieces of the French national treasure—Lafitte’s booty.
Polly’s best friends Samantha and Mac Callahan were in from Alabama along with Mitch and Ron. Even Colt Daniels and his father Nick were in attendance. Colt still kept close tabs on us—much to my chagrin—but it was nice knowing they were looking out for us and feeding me information on Tommaso Falconi and his crew obtained by the Feds.
Oscar had been getting out and about more and more. When he received his invitation for tonight his response was, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
I had even invited our old security team, whom I’d hired for fulltime work, it wasn’t exactly public knowledge we were multibillionaires thanks to the riches we found buried under Kostas’ crypt, but we didn’t take chances anymore. It had been a long and exciting six months filled with change, plenty of talk shows and questions.
Polly came to my side. “You are so handsome in your tuxedo.”
I adjusted Kostas’ cufflinks and ran my hands over his shirt studs. I felt like he was with us tonight—if only in spirit. “You,” I said, kissing her neck. “Are the most beautiful woman in the world. Where’ve you been?”
“Chatting with Colt. I finally found out what your nickname is with the boys at the Bureau.”
I wrinkled my nose. “What? My only nickname is Z. Always has been—always will be.”
Polly’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “That’s not what I heard.”
I cleared my throat, wondering what Colt had told her. “You know, cher. Colt’s with the Marshals’ office so whatever he’s telling you is secondhand information.”
With a crisp nod, she said one word with profound skepticism. “Okay.”
I smiled and pulled her to me. Her skin erupted in chills at the touch of my lips to her neck. Taking her hand, I led us both to the front of the massive group. “C’mon you. We have people waiting for us.”
The governor of Louisiana spoke about the treasure find, our family and how lucky we were as a community to have the chance to see history. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the treasure hunters and owners of the collection, Leo and Polly Xanthus.”
Applause rang out through the room and Polly’s grip on my hand tightened. I stepped to the lectern and adjusted the microphone. “Polly and I would like to welcome everyone tonight.”
I stared into the faces of plenty of folks I didn’t know, but in the first row holding their champagne glasses high, were Mac and Samantha. Mitch and Ron stood right behind them. They were all beaming and it only made me happier we’d asked them to join us.
“Let’s be honest here,” I said, turning to Polly. “If you know anything about this journey of ours—if you’ve read about it—you know none of it would be possible without my wife, Polly. She is definitely the brains of the operation—well, actually—she is the operation.”
The crowd laughed and I gazed at my beautiful wife, full of pride.
“The Xanthus Collection of Lafitte’s Treasure will always have a home here in New Orleans, but it will be traveling around the globe for others to enjoy. For tonight,” I paused, giving Polly a wink. “Everyone eat and drink up. I think it’s what Lafitte would’ve wanted. I know it’s what my grandfather Kostas would want.”
The crowd erupted in applause and I took Polly’s arm to lead her off the small stage. “How was that?” I asked, brushing a kiss across her flushed cheek.
“It was like you, Sonny—perfect.”
I tilted my head. “Sonny? What are you talking about, cher?”
Polly tapped her finger in the middle of my chest. “Exactly.”
I shook my head at her and laughed. “Okay. You got me.”
We glad-handed through the crowd, trying to make our way to Mac, Sam, Ron and Mitch. Almost there, a man dressed in a black tux, shirt and tie stepped in front of us, blocking our path.
“Good evening, Dr. Xanthus.”
“I’m sorry, have we met?”
“Only once and only briefly. I won’t keep you,” he said, slicking back his dark hair with his open palm. Reaching inside his coat pocket, Tree was by Polly’s side in an instant. The man pulled, not a gun, but a small black bag from his jacket. “I was asked to return this to you.”
I held out my open palm. He bypassed me, waiting for Polly to take the bag.
“For me?” she asked.
“Have a good night.”
He walked away and I watched Polly open the bag, The Soul’s Eye dropping into her palm. “Oh Leo,” she gasped.
I had not spoken to Tommaso since the day he killed the Balivinos. He’d kept his word. He was leaving me alone. I would do the same. “Falconi’s men must have found it when they did their clean up,” I said, taking it from her for careful inspection. “What do you want to do with it?”
Polly gazed down at the twenty-five carat diamond she now wore as her engagement ring.
“There’s no reason you can’t wear them both, cher. Who says you can’t have one on each hand?”
She handed the ring to me. I watched as she switched the big diamond from her left ring finger to her right. She held out her left, waiting for me to place The Soul’s Eye back where it belonged.
With a smile, I began to slide it down her slender and delicate finger. “You have taken more than my soul—you are the one thought of my life.”
She smiled, tears in her eyes. So emotional these days, just about anything could set her off—and this was something. I brushed my lips across hers, placing my hand on her stomach. We had six months to go, but soon we’d be adding another Xanthus to the world. A boy, Polly had already personalized the nursery with his name. Kostas.
COMING 2018
SEX, LIES & CHAMPAGNE
SEX, LIES & LEATHER
Kris Calvert is a former copywriter and PR mercenary who after some coaxing, began writing novels. She loves alliteration, pearls and post-it notes. She’s married to the man of her dreams and lives in Lexington, Kentucky. She’s Momma to two grown children and is also responsible for one very needy dog. When she’s not writing, she’s baking cupcakes.
