My eagerness was twofold. I was excited to see him because I wanted to pick his brain about the medallion and places of power. But also . . . well, while hanging around today, I’d had a lot of time to think about Seth and what had happened between us. The memory of his body still made mine burn, and I grew breathless recalling that amazing connection and sense of rightness between us.

And yet . . . whatever rightness had been between us, it had still been wrong. He was with Maddie—my friend. I’d been upset when she and Seth had first slept together. I was no different. In fact, I’d knowingly done it, which made it worse. Now there was Dante to consider. Dante, who despite that dark, scowling nature really did love me and wanted to win my regard as more than just someone I had sex with. This was where my future lay, not with Seth.

I kissed Dante on the lips, lingering several seconds. “I missed you.”

His smile turned wry. “Don’t look at me like that, or I’m going to have a hard time remembering that you’re injured and that I should keep my hands off you.”

Those words triggered a pang of guilt. My injuries certainly hadn’t been enough to keep Seth off me. I could have told Dante that I was better, that it didn’t matter, yet for whatever reason . . . I didn’t.

We broke apart, and I found the medallion picture for him. He stared incredulously as I showed him the phantom notes and explained my story.

“What, you have no idea how they got there or who did it?”

“Nope, but at this point, I’m not going to question it.”

He shook his head, face still shocked. “Well. I wish I’d known this before I left. Would have been a lot easier to just wait and have invisible helpers come leave clues.”

I recalled how he’d gone out to see what he could find about the medallion. “What’d you turn up?”

He gestured at the picture. “Same thing.”

I rested my hand over his. “Sorry. I really appreciate your help. And if your research found the same thing, it means I can probably trust this.”

“Maybe,” he said, still not sounding happy about the wasted time. “What are you going to do? Something crazy?”

“Look for saltwater beaches, I guess.”

Dante let out a low whistle. “There are a lot of those around here. Not to mention you have no way of identifying this vessel anyway.”

“I know. But I’ve got to start somewhere. Can you help me make a list?”