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Hatred for the doctor surged through her as she watched Gabriel lift his hand to touch his ear again. He dropped it abruptly and straightened in the chair. “You will let me know as soon as you complete your research.”
It was not a question but a command.
“Of course.” Well, Mikel would tell him, because her boss should be back in the office by then. “I’m sorry to put you through this.”
He studied her, his face an impassive mask. “It’s not necessary to apologize. Criminals cannot be allowed to escape punishment when they threaten the crown. I am always at your disposal to assist in capturing them.” Suddenly, he smiled, a shocking flash of humor after the tension of a few seconds ago. She felt its power in the marrow of her bones. “Not to mention that the tapas are excellent.”
“Have some more, please.” She shoved the tray toward him in relief.
“We’ll share. I recommend the chorizo.” He used the tongs Emilia had set on the platter to put a couple of the glistening disks of sausage on her plate and laid a slice of pale cheese across them. “With the manchego. Try a drizzle of honey as well. The sweet makes the salt and fat sparkle.”
Her stomach grumbled as the aroma of the cheese wafted into her nose. She winced as he laughed again. “Eat!”
She picked up a bite of chorizo and cheese but dropped it when he stood, his height accentuated by his dark blue shirt and black jeans. “I think wine would be a good idea,” he said, starting toward the credenza where the drinks were arrayed. He picked up a corkscrew and a bottle of Rioja before she could jump to her feet. He gestured her back to her seat with another of his flashing smiles. “Opening a good bottle of wine is a pleasure. And Mikel always has good wine.”
She knew nothing about wine except that she didn’t drink it during work hours. However, she was pretty sure now was a legitimate exception.
The cork came out with a low pop. Gabriel scooped up two deep-bowled glasses and carried them and the bottle to the table. “Too bad we didn’t have time to let it breathe,” he said as he poured generous servings, deftly turning the bottle so not a drop was spilled.
He sat and lifted his glass. “A toast!”
She copied his gesture. “To?”
“Justice.” A shadow darkened his eyes. “Or is it vengeance?”
Chapter 6
Suddenly, Gabriel didn’t want to be there any longer, surrounded by murals of glorious moments in Calevan history. He didn’t want to be a duke or part of a grand heritage or a traumatized crime victim. He also didn’t want to be alone with the memories the images had stirred up.
He looked at the woman watching him warily over the rim of her wineglass. “It’s lunchtime. Let’s go out and eat.”
She lowered her glass, and panic flitted across her face. “You want me to go with you?”
“Surely Mikel allows you a lunch break. You can consider this a working meal and bill me for it.”
“It’s not that,” she said, twisting the stem of her wineglass between her fingers. “I’m just not… I mean, I don’t…” Her fingers stilled, and she lifted her chin. “Let me get my bag and tell Emilia I’m leaving.”
Relief flashed through him, and he smiled at her. She slammed shut her laptop and scuttled out of the room. He drummed his fingers on the tabletop a few times and then poured another glass of wine, savoring the silky smooth, full-bodied taste.
He frowned at the mural beside the now-blank screen, focusing on it to avoid the darker images pushing at his mind. The painting showed the discovery of the Valle de los Lirios in the early days of Caleva’s history. Of course, it would take several centuries before scientists discovered how valuable the lilies were, and the money would pour into the crown’s coffers. But even then, the sailors who landed on Caleva had considered the fragrant red lilies precious. They’d carried bulbs back home and planted them in their wives’ and mothers’ gardens, but outside of Caleva, the transplanted lilies had bloomed pink as well as less fragrant.
It turned out that their medicinal properties faded as well.
Quinn hustled back into the conference room, a leather jacket in her arms and a black leather satchel slung over her shoulder. Her cheeks held a flush of pink that heightened the tug of attraction he felt.
He liked feeling desire for her. It spoke of life and light and pleasure.
“I’m ready,” she said bluntly.
So American. Always rushing. But he liked that, too, today.
He stood, noticing again how tall she made him feel.
“My car is parked out front,” he said, gesturing for her to go ahead of him. He watched the fluid sway of her hips with appreciation, letting the sensual movement stoke his hunger.
When she glanced back over her shoulder, he smiled again, which made her walk faster.
He sighed inwardly. He’d hoped because she was an American, she wouldn’t be affected by his title. His smile turned wry as he remembered he was a client. That alone could explain her unease. The smile faded as he considered that she also knew the details of his abduction. Some people found that unsettling.
