I started back up the stairs. “Yes, someone brought us here, and from what the girl says, it’s not for tea and crumpets, but it’s not to hurt us, either.”

“Yes, I believe that’s exactly what she said. Whatever you find here will hurt—”

“Me. Just me. Which means it’s my choice, right?”

“And my opinion on the matter carries no weight.”

With every word, his voice chilled ten degrees.

“You know it does,” I said as I continued climbing. “Hell, sometimes yours carries more than my own. But when it comes to matters of personal safety, you can be . . .”

I trailed off, and we made it all the way to the top terrace before he said, as if through clenched teeth, “Overprotective?”

“We’ve both been through a lot,” I said carefully as I turned to face him. “I think that might lead us to overestimate the threat level—”

“Really?” His shades were off, ice-cold eyes boring into mine. “After all this, you think it’s possible to overestimate the threat level?”

You’re pushing him away. Don’t do this.

I took a deep breath. “I can’t leave not knowing what I was supposed to find.”

“Yes, you can. You can return to the car and wait there while I search the house.”

“And what in God’s name has ever led you to believe that I’d go hide in the car while you do this for me? I am not some—”

I cut myself short and turned away, my arms crossing as I fought to regain my temper. I didn’t want to fight about this. I really didn’t.

So what do I want?

To have him agree I should search and accompany me into that house.

Isn’t that as unreasonable as what he wants?

There was no middle ground here. I wanted what I wanted, and damn him if he didn’t give it to me.

I exhaled, let my arms fall to my sides, and turned. “I’m sorry. I—”

Gabriel wasn’t there.

I looked about, expecting to see the scenery changed, the house new again, some sign of a vision . . .

Then I spotted his back, as he walked into the house.

“Damn you, Gabriel,” I muttered, and took off after him.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

I knew what every structure on the Villa’s grounds had been, no matter what its condition. Inside the house? Inside I found only endless empty rooms, with the occasional rotting chair or moldering carpet.