WITH MATEO SCOUTING AHEAD, GAGE SET OFF UP THE TRAIL, FOLLOWED by Abby, then Kyle leading the mule. For a while, the trail smoothed out and became less hazardous. Gage stopped several times so Abby could shoot photos and video of the journey, panning over various chollas, prickly pears, and tall yellow stalks of yucca.

Following the game trail marked on King’s map, Gage kept a close eye on their surroundings, on constant guard for anyone up in the hills above them. More often than he liked, his mind drifted to Abby and what had happened at the pool.

Jesus, he had never been more aroused in his life. The moment he’d spotted Abby watching him from the shadows, he’d felt like a stallion scenting its mate. He had never experienced such a strong attraction to a woman, and he wasn’t sure he liked it. He’d wanted her again even before he’d climbed out of the water.

But taking her the first time had been a mistake. It was his job to keep Abby and the others safe. To do that, he needed to keep his wits about him and his mind sharply focused.

If he hadn’t believed Abby wanted him as badly as he wanted her, he might not have weakened. Abby probably hadn’t realized it yet, but Gage believed her desires ran as deep and hot as his own. It was going to be nearly impossible to stay away from her until they got back to Denver.

Glancing ahead, he climbed to a flat spot in the trail and looked back to be sure Abby, Kyle, and Mort came up safely behind him. The courageous long-eared mule had earned a place in his affections. Gage was determined to get the animal safely back home.

As Abby and Kyle caught up with him, Gage surveyed the peaks and ravines around them, looking for any sign of a threat. He never forgot the constant danger these mountains posed—or that there were men out there stalking them.

Even after the death of one of their own, Gage didn’t believe they’d given up, not after coming this far. Not with two hundred million in gold at stake.

So far there’d been no direct assault. At this point, that could only mean one thing. Their adversaries no longer wanted the map.

They wanted the gold.

As Gage’s small band neared their destination, the threat became even greater.

It was late afternoon when Gage spotted Mateo coming back down the trail. He was smiling broadly, his steps lighter than they’d been since the journey began.

“That saddle near the top of the mountain?” The flat spot on King’s map. “It is just over the ridge.” Mateo was clearly eager to get there, and so was Gage.

“All right, let’s go.”