The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [99]
“That’s not amusing,” Tarik said. “You obviously not only intend to beggar me but to deprive me of my property.”
“Well, we probably couldn’t lure him here anyway,” Vaden said. “We’ll have to rely on attack.”
“We can lure him. We have something he wants,” Kadar said. “But we’ll have to choose a better place than the villa.”
Vaden’s eyes narrowed. “What do you have that Nasim wants?”
“It’s none of your concern,” Layla said.
“Everything that affects my life and that of my men is my concern.” He paused. “Is it the golden coffer?”
Layla stiffened. “How did you know of—”
“Rumors.” His gaze shifted to Tarik. “There were many interesting stories swirling about you when I sold you this villa. I was almost tempted to reach out and take the coffer myself.”
“It was fortunate you didn’t try.”
“I wouldn’t judge Nasim to be a man who’d be interested in a small treasure. What’s in the coffer?”
“You know enough,” Layla said.
“No, he’s right,” Selene said. “He risks his life. There’s only a grail in the coffer.”
He gave a low whistle. “A grail? I’ve heard tales of the Holy Grail.”
“I assure you, there’s nothing holy about this grail,” Tarik said.
“Then why does Nasim want it?” Vaden shook his head. “Never mind, I don’t want to know. It’s probably some mystical nonsense I’d be better off not filling my head with.” He finished his wine and set the goblet on the balustrade. “Since our business is concluded, I’ll return to the city and send word to my men to gather. It will take two days.” He started for the door. “Kadar, if you don’t have a reasonable plan in that time, you’ll have to step aside and leave it to me.”
“I’ll have a plan,” Kadar said. “But you haven’t told Tarik your price. Is it kind to leave him in suspense?”
Vaden glanced over his shoulder at Tarik. “I’d prefer to give you my price after Nasim is defeated. I promise not to take quite everything you own.”
“A most unusual arrangement,” Tarik said dryly. “What if I decide not to pay you?”
“You’ll pay me.” Vaden’s smile was tiger bright. “Everyone pays me.”
“WELL, ARE YOU CONTENT?” Kadar asked as he escorted Selene back to her chamber a short time later.
“Yes.” She grimaced. “Though I don’t know why. He’s a most unsettling man. I don’t know what he’s thinking.”
“You don’t need to know. All we have to worry about is Vaden’s power in battle and his loyalty.”
“I’d judge Vaden to be a man who hates to be held in check. How far will loyalty stretch?”
“There’s no use discussing it. It’s done. We’ll just watch him.”
She suddenly frowned. “He seemed uncomfortable talking about the grail.”
“Ware told me Vaden was always a man who believed only what he could hold in his hands.” He smiled. “Yet he traveled all the way to Scotland to deliver your sister’s banner to her. I’d wager he was even more uncomfortable performing that task.”
“But he did it.” Her jaw firmed. “And he’ll do this for us.” She stopped in front of her door. “Will you have a plan in two days?”
“Yes, I’ll have a plan.” He paused. “But we have other things to do in those two days. I told Tarik that we’d need a priest for tomorrow evening.”
“A priest? Why should—” She understood. Vows. “You still wish this?”
“We have an agreement. I persuaded Tarik to let us use the grail. Now I’m ready to help you trap Nasim. Why would you think I’d changed my mind about my reward?”
Because he had not shown her that other, darker side of him in the past days. He had been the old Kadar, and it was that other Kadar who had made the demand.
She moistened her lips. “It would be wiser to wait.”
He smiled. “I’m not like Vaden. I believe in taking the bulk of my reward in advance. You can never tell what will happen to prevent you from enjoying the fruits of your labor.”
“Nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t let it.”
“I bask in your assurances.” He met