“So I guess your treasure hunt was a bust. Plenty of excitement though, as Gage tells it. I’m glad you didn’t get hurt.”

“The trip was tough, but the truth is, I loved it. At least most of it. The desert was amazingly beautiful, just in a different way from the mountains here.”

Foxx started nodding. “I spent some time in the Ennedi in Africa. The desert’s definitely got its own special appeal.”

“It does. As for the treasure . . . I wouldn’t call it a bust. We just completed the first phase, is all. I’m heading to the bank as soon as it opens. My grandfather left the information I need to continue.”

Foxx frowned, his sleek black brows pulling together. “Gage mentioned something about Mexico, but he said the search was over. You aren’t still planning to go down there?”

“It’s no secret. I told Gage from the start I was going after the treasure. That hasn’t changed.”

She didn’t have to turn to know he stood behind her. She could feel his powerful presence across a room full of people.

“We need to talk,” Gage said.

Jack Foxx flashed her a grin. “Good luck,” he said.

Abby turned to Gage, who tipped his head toward his office. Shoulders straight, she walked past him into the room, and Gage closed the door.

“I can’t believe you’re thinking of going to Mexico,” he said, cutting straight to the point. “After what happened in the Superstitions, I thought you’d come to your senses. Dammit, you almost got killed!”

“We knew the risk before we started.”

“You need to face the truth. Your grandfather wants you to keep searching for the Devil’s Gold because he couldn’t find it. That’s the way it is with people like us. Once we sink our teeth into a treasure, nothing can stop us until we’ve either found it or we know for sure it isn’t there.”

“The gold is there—the ingot we brought home proves it exists. At least come with me to the bank. We’ll see what’s in the box. If there’s nothing there to convince you, I’ll . . . I’ll stop searching.”

Gage fell silent.

“One more thing,” she said, working up her courage, forcing back the emotion hovering far too near the surface.

She managed to spit out the words. “I realize . . . after last night, things are . . . umm . . . different between us. I knew from the start you’d get bored with me and be ready to move on. It doesn’t mean we can’t work together like we did before.”

Gage’s blue eyes widened. He looked truly astonished, a hard feat to accomplish. “What are you talking about? Why in the world would you think I’m bored with you?”

“You don’t want to sleep with me anymore. I thought that meant—”