“Because you were pissed off that I wasn’t doing what you wanted. I forgot something.” She slipped her hand in her jacket pocket. “This.” She pulled the object out of her pocket and handed it to him. “I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to find it, but he’d dropped it on the floor.”

“The dog tags.” Tanner looked down at the metal in his palm. “You went back for this?”

“You told him you wanted them. They belong to you. There are probably memories. You should have them.” She moistened her lips. “There’s no blood on them. Walker must have wiped them clean.”

“Yeah.” He seemed to be having trouble looking away from the dog tags. “Only memories…” His gaze lifted to her face. His eyes were glittering, though his lips were taut. “I think you’ve done it now,” he said hoarsely. “I was doing pretty well. I was holding on, but you’ve blown it.”

She shook her head. “I did the right thing. They belong to you.”

“And I told you I could be very possessive about things that belong to me. That’s why I’m careful about that obsessive streak I mentioned. I never give up.”

She frowned. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying more than I should.” He suddenly smiled recklessly. “I’m telling you all bets are off, and you take care of yourself because I’m done with it. From now on you’re on your own.”

“I always have been.”

“And a remark like that would have immediately sent me reeling but not now. I won’t let it.” He looked away from her. “We’ll do what we both came here for, and we’ll come out of it on top. You’ll get what you want. I’ll definitely get what I want because I make a habit of winning.” She was driving through the gates. He looked over at her, smiling again. “But I’ll make sure you win, too, Lara. You won’t be sorry.”

“I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about, and I don’t know if I like it.” She parked in front of the house and looked down at the dog tags in his palm. “And all of this was because I ran back and got your damn dog tags?”

“Small actions can trigger earthquakes.” His smile had deepened. “I felt the need to give you fair warning.” He opened his passenger door. “I feel more relieved than I have since you first woke up on the Gulfstream. Now let’s go inside and check out the last note I took from that Albanian and see if it’s going to help us.”

* * *

“You’ve got the midnight oil burning bright,” Rennell said as he walked into the library that night. “And all to welcome me back from the wars?”

“Among other things,” Tanner said dryly. “And was it a war?”

“I exaggerated a bit. It was more a piece of cake after I got them out of the apartment. But they’re all safely ensconced in a neighborhood not too far from the Strip in appropriate murderous positions that would put their Albanian bosses in a rage against his inept goons. I’ll place a call to the police in an hour or so and let them know that a gang war has obviously erupted in their completely sin-free city.”