Page 3 of Entwined With You

“So what gems are we protecting?” The hair on the back of Brax’s neck was standing up, and all he could do was pray that his Spidey-sense was wrong.

“The Sisters,” Ryan said, clicking the remote again. The screen changed, this time showing two smaller, but equally blue diamonds in intricate settings. One as a ring, the other a necklace.

Brax swallowed, his stomach going sour. This couldn’t be happening.

“Sisters?” Mason asked.

“Believe it or not, the stone the Hope Diamond was cut from was significantly bigger. I think it was Louis XIV who had it cut down, and for centuries, people wondered what happened to the parts that were trimmed off. Experts believed that nothing happened—that there’d been no way to salvage the removed pieces. They sited various reasons having to do with the cut and the available tools, none of which is relevant to us.”

“But apparently those experts were wrong,” Brax said.

Ryan nodded. “Apparently. A few gemologists had put forth a process of cutting the Hope Diamond down that would be difficult but feasible. But since no one had ever seen these possible cut stones, everyone assumed that theoretical possibility was never put into practice.”

“And then the Sisters showed up,” Brax said.

“Exactly. About fifteen years ago, the previous owner went public about the Sisters, saying that had been in his family for centuries. He had the provenance, too. Specifically, centuries-old notes showing when and how the Sisters were cut from the Hope Diamond.”

“Must have caused a flutter among gem enthusiasts,” Mason said even as Brax tried to fight a rising wave of nausea.

“Oh, yes. And of course, the entire world wanted to see them. A tour was scheduled, with the first stop being the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. But there was an attempted theft before the exhibit even opened, and one of the potential thieves was killed.”

“One of?” Mason asked. “The rest were captured? How big was the team?”

“Five,” Ryan said. “One died in an explosion during the attempted heist. One has never been found. Three were caught and incarcerated. All three were paroled but only two are still living.”

“And that’s where we come in,” Brax said, forcing the words out past the rising bile, hoping his forehead wasn’t sweating.

“Exactly,” Ryan said.

Mason frowned. “And there’ve been no other attempts since the one fifteen years ago?”

“No. The original owner canceled the tour and never displayed them again. He held onto them a few years, but apparently he went a little mad believing they were cursed.”

“So he sold them to Wolfe,” Mason said.

Ryan nodded. “This is the first time the Sisters will be seen outside the vault in Wolfe’s home. Naturally, he wants to be careful. Brax?”

Brax blinked, realizing he was clutching his stomach and standing. “Sorry. Queasy.” He turned and ran out of the conference room, barely noticing the way the other agents and staff in the bullpen gaped as he moved like a rocket to the men’s room. He threw himself into a stall, bent over, and vomited up last night’s liquid dinner and bile.

Fucking September second.

He stood carefully, then leaned his cheek against the metal wall, his eyes closed and his throat burning. He waited, listening, but no one else had come in. He said a silent thanks to his co-workers. Nice to work with people who knew when to give you space.

Feeling shaky, he left the stall and went to a sink to splash water on his face. He drew a breath, then clutched the marble counter as he stared at the mirror and into his own eyes. The eyes of man who back then had called himself Brent Travers. A man who’d been lost and stupid and in love with a girl named Sabrina.

She’d died for those goddamn stones.

And now he was going to have to protect them.

Fifteen years ago

“Second thoughts?” Brent looked at her from the van’s passenger seat. Her posture was relaxed, but her hands were gripped tight enough that her knuckles were white.

Sabrina gave him an eye roll as she turned to face him. “You know me better than that. I’m fine. Just some pre-op jitters.”

“You?” He almost laughed. She was right; he did know her well. And on a job, she was as cold as ice and utterly fearless. If she was nervous now…

He reached for her, relieved when she immediately took one hand off the steering wheel and entwined her fingers with his. “Why jitters?”