High-Risk Reunion. Gail Barrett

He was supposed to deliver some top-secret intelligence at the summit about a traitor in the king’s inner group.

      “I figured the information would be on a flash drive,” she added. “That’s what I was looking for in the room. I didn’t know about the ring. And the ring might just be a coincidence—a goodwill gesture like the police chief said. But if there’s any chance it’s connected to my father’s murder, I have to find out. I can’t let his killer go free.”

      Rafe’s frown deepened, her revelation complicating an already unholy mess. If Ortiz wanted that ring, and if that ring was connected to her case …

      His gaze sharpened on hers. “You’re saying Ortiz is the traitor?”

      “I don’t know.”

      “But you think he is.”

      “I don’t have any proof.”

      Hell. Suddenly feeling haunted, Rafe plowed his hand through his hair. This job was supposed to be straightforward—grab the ring, turn it over to the police chief and fulfill his end of the deal.

      He wasn’t supposed to be framed for murder. He wasn’t supposed to be chased by the royal guards. And he sure as hell wasn’t supposed to be embroiled in an espionage case involving his former lover—a woman he couldn’t trust.

      He eyed Gabi’s thick, tousled hair, the tempting bow of her lips and everything inside him rebelled. He didn’t need her hanging around him. He wanted to forget he’d ever seen her and get her permanently out of his life.

      But he couldn’t escape the facts. Ortiz had framed him for the diplomat’s murder. This case was far more complicated than he’d believed. And like it or not, whatever Gabi was searching for impacted him—which meant he had to keep her around.

      But he also had to be careful. He had too much at stake to let down his guard around her now. “I want to see that message you intercepted.”

      She blinked. “You still don’t believe me?”

      “After everything you’ve done to me?”

      Her amber eyes turned wounded, but he crushed down an answering spurt of guilt. She was acting again, trying to play on his sympathies, and he refused to take the bait.

      He glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly dawn. We can head out now.”

      Not bothering to answer, she rose and headed toward the door. But he quickly stepped around her and blocked her path. “I’ll only say this once,” he said when she lifted her gaze to his. “I’m in charge here. From here on out, you do what I say.”

      Her eyes filled with outrage, just as he’d known they would. “I don’t take orders from you.”

      “You do now. I’m warning you, Gabi. You try to sneak off, you try to stab me in the back or steal that ring, and you’ll be sorry you tried.”

      Her mouth tightened. Annoyance flashed in her golden eyes. Then she pushed past him and stalked outside the hut.

      He watched her go, unwilling to feel any guilt. No matter how vulnerable she appeared, no matter how expertly she plied her charms, he couldn’t trust her again.

      She’d devastated him before, crushing any illusions he had.

      And he’d be damned if he’d let her make a fool of him twice.