Gage thought of the break-in, didn’t want to imagine what might have happened if Abby had been home. “You’ll be safe here.” Top-of-the-line security wasn’t cheap, but it was worth it. “You don’t have to worry about that.”

He led her into an expansive living room with gleaming hardwood floors, Persian carpets, and comfortable overstuffed furniture splashed with exotic, patterned, bright-colored pillows. Around them, his own personal treasures, souvenirs from his travels, sat on bookcases, tables, and chests, or hung on the walls.

“Your apartment is wonderful,” Abby said, admiring the partially broken head of an ancient Greek statue, moving on to a big African pot with red and black designs that sat in the middle of his dining table. “It’s like taking a trip around the world.”

“Each item tells its own story. Most of them I like remembering.”

Abby looked up at him. “We’re going to make a new story, Gage, starting when we get to Arizona.”

He thought of everything that had happened since he’d met her. “I think our story has already begun.” A look passed between them, and desire swept through him. He wanted to make a story with Abigail Holland. He wanted to remember her naked in his bed, her golden-red hair spread out on his pillow.

He turned away, started walking down the hall. Abby followed, her laptop slung over her shoulder as he led her into the guest room.

“India,” she said, her gaze running over the intricately carved wooden headboard above the queen-sized bed and a tall chest inlaid with mother of pearl. An ornately carved elephant with a padded seat served as an ottoman in front of an overstuffed chair upholstered in the same dark red woven fabric that covered the bed.

“The Maharaja’s crown—the Golden Hawk,” he said, remembering his time there. “We were commissioned to return the crown to the Delhi Museum after there was a massive fire and it disappeared. We tracked it down, but the effort only paid enough to cover our expenses. Interesting trip, though.”

“I’ll bet.” Abby set her laptop on the carved writing desk in the corner. “The room is beautiful, Gage.”

Her approval pleased him. He usually didn’t care what other people thought about the place he chose to live. “There’s a bathroom over there.” He pointed to an open door. “I’ll bring up your luggage so you can get settled in.”

“I’ll help you,” she offered.

“I’d rather you get started on that list. I’d like to get some idea who’s behind these attacks before we take off for Arizona.”

* * *