Read The Darkness of God: Book Three of the Shadow Warrior Trilogy for Free Online Page B

“It looks just like Nakamura’s. Why this one instead of the other?”
    “Because this one looks a bit — closer to the bone, shall we say? Observe the bar, and the half-dozen young women who gave both of us the scan when we walked through. Expensive companions for the evening — or the hour. Or consider the gamblers.”
    “I don’t see anything unusual.”
    “See how many have friends standing behind them. Friends who just happen to have bulges in their hip pockets or under their arms. Friends with blank faces and eyes that never stop moving.”
    “Oh. You mean you wanted a crooked place to gamble?”
    “Sssh, my love. Don’t disparage the jam pot. And we might be able to find an honest game here. Or turn it into one.”
    “Now I don’t understand what you’re thinking any more than Max does,” Kristin said.
    “You don’t have to.” Wolfe took a wad of credits from his pocket. “Here. Go spend these. Come back when you need more.”
    “I really don’t understand gambling games,” she protested, “although of course I’ve studied probability theory.”
    “Good. Think popsy. Lose in a spectacular manner.”
    • • •
    Wolfe noted a heavy, short man strolling through the gaming room, his eyes comfortably assessing the night. His expensive clothes wrapped him like a toad in a turban. Three blank-faced men flanked him; a fourth walked unobtrusively in front.
    “That is — ?” Wolfe asked the croupier, indicating with his chin.
    “Mister Igraine. The owner.”
    “Ah. Is he a plunger?”
    “I assume you mean does he play? Frequently. And well,” the croupier said. “If you’d be interested in one of his private games, it might be arranged.”
    Wolfe looked back at the dice layout, then saw Kristin hurrying toward him.
    “Look!” Kristin said excitedly. She was holding up a thick sheaf of bills.
    Wolfe spun a chip to the croupier and picked up his dwindled stake. “I’ll go sit and sulk for a while,” he said. “Try to remember where my luck went. And I’ll think about what you said about Mister Igraine.”
    He led Kristin to a quiet corner. “Obviously you’re doing better than I am,” he noted.
    “These people don’t know anything about the odds,” she said. “I’ve never gambled before, but it seems pretty simple. I know you told me to lose, but am I supposed to look like a complete fool?”
    Wolfe laughed.
    “Once a Chitet … Very good, Kristin. You’ll start a new legend as the bimbo who never loses.”
    “So do I gamble some more?”
    Wolfe considered. “I don’t think so. I’ve set the scene, and dropped maybe fifteen thousand. That ought to be enough. Tomorrow night we’ll reap what I hope we sowed.”
    • • •
    A chill wind blew across the city, clouds swirling past overhead, but the penthouse’s balcony had three braziers, with what looked like real wood burning in them.
    Kristin looked across the city’s lights at the hills in the distance.
    “Maybe she’s over there …”
    “Maybe.”
    She moved closer to him. “It’s late,” she said.
    “It is,” he agreed. “But gamblers and raiders work best by moonlight.”
    “Among others,” Kristin said, her voice low.
    Wolfe looked surprised.
    “Yes,” he said, almost in a whisper, “among others.”
    He stepped closer, until his hip touched her buttocks, waited for her to step away. Kristin didn’t move. He slid his arms around her waist, nuzzled her hair.
    Joshua felt her breathing come more quickly.
    He slowly turned her to him. Kristin lifted her cat face, eyes closed, lips parted.
    He kissed her, felt her tongue come to meet his. He slid the straps of her dress off her shoulders, and her bare breasts were firm against him.
    The kiss went on, and her lips moved under his, tongue darting.
    He picked her up in his arms, carried her through the suite’s living room into a bedroom, started to lay her on the bed.
    “No,” she said. “My shoes …”
    “Don’t worry about it. We have