Black Karma Read Online Free PDF

question. “Is that duck you’re roasting?”
    â€œYes. It’s a shame you won’t be here.” The tone of Elizabeth’s voice carried a hint of reprimand. “Someone from Sun Yee On called to say the car would be a few minutes late in arriving.”
    â€œThanks,” Bai replied meekly.
    â€œAre you having dinner with Jason?”
    â€œIt’s business.”
    â€œI believe you mentioned that.”
    Bai checked to see if Elizabeth’s breath frosted in the suddenly chill atmosphere. She thought it best to change the subject. “Lee wants to have a movie night with the girls.”
    â€œHow convenient.”
    Bai knew that nothing she might say would mitigate Elizabeth’s fears. Elizabeth had married a triad soldier and been widowed at an early age. They both knew of the danger associated with being anywhere near Jason. A lot of people wanted him dead.
    Bai took a deep breath and plunged in. “I’ll be careful.”
    â€œIf you’re going to be with Jason, take protection.”
    â€œYou don’t have to worry about that. I’m not sleeping with him.”
    â€œI was referring to your gun.”
    Bai couldn’t think of anything to say. She nodded while trying to make herself very small.
    Elizabeth spoke softly as she turned back to the stove. “Do you want to know what I fear the most?”
    Bai hesitated to answer. Their conversation had turned into a minefield, and Bai felt as though she had tennis rackets strapped to her feet.
    When she didn’t reply, Elizabeth told her anyway. “My greatest fear is that you and Jason will die together, victims of some gang-related vendetta. No mother wants to outlive her children. No parent wants to feel that kind of torment.”
    As a mother, Bai understood. She walked over and wrapped her arms around Elizabeth from behind. “I get it,” she said, holding her tightly. “I won’t do anything stupid. I won’t take any unnecessary risks. But life is uncertain, and I can’t let fear dictate how I live. I’m pretty good at taking care of myself, if you haven’t noticed.”
    Elizabeth sniffed and disentangled herself. “You mean, like the way you took care of yourself in Vancouver? I heard all about your escapade with Jason and how he almost got you killed. I thought you’d learned your lesson.”
    She accepted the rebuke. She’d barely managed to avoid an unpleasant death at the hands of a sadist. She just felt grateful Elizabeth wasn’t aware of the assassin who’d try to kill her at the airport. One deadly encounter on her scorecard seemed sufficient.
    â€œI’ll admit circumstances got a little out of hand in Vancouver. And, I’ll admit Jason was partially to blame for the situation. But if I hadn’t gone to Vancouver, Jia would have died. I have regrets, but saving that child isn’t one of them. If I had to do it all over again, I’d risk my life a hundred times over.”
    Elizabeth didn’t look happy but nodded her head in understanding. “I can’t fault you for saving a child’s life. I just want my family safe.”
    â€œThat’s what I want, too.”
    â€œGood. Then there’s someone I want you to meet. You have a date at the Grand Hotel tomorrow at seven for drinks under the name of Kwan. Don’t be late.”
    â€œNot again,” Bai lamented.
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with meeting someone new. Howard Kwan is a third son, but you can’t be choosy. The family is in textiles and quite wealthy. They have factories in China and wholesale outlets here in the States.”
    Arranged dates remained the bane of all thirty-plus Chinese. If you hadn’t found a mate by the age of thirty, relatives got involved to find one for you, even if they had to troll for one. This wasn’t Bai’s first blind date, and it probably wouldn’t be her last. There were only