“I’m not your babe, Slander.” Her voice grated into the mouthpiece as she turned toward the passenger door in a vain attempt to keep the conversation private.
“The Thunderbolt of the North?” Bradley continued. “That’s big even for us.”
She flicked her hair back from her sweaty forehead. “There
“Oh, there’s an us, Sydney,” said Bradley. “We’re inextricably connected, both cosmically and financially.”
“Get over yourself.”
“Where are you?”
She glanced back at Cole. He was watching her intently, his hand poised on the stick shift.
“None of your business,” she said.
“Gwen’s bush league, Sydney,” said Bradley.
“Gwen is brilliant.”
“What’s she found for you so far?”
Sydney clamped her jaw. She wasn’t giving Bradley a thing. Not a damn thing.
“Thought so,” said Bradley with a self-satisfied chuckle. “Team up with me. I know everybody who’s anybody from here to Istanbul.”
“Do the words ‘cold day in hell’ mean anything to you?”
His voice dropped to that reptilian level. “Together, babe, you and I can-”
She straightened, no longer caring if Cole or anyone else was listening. “Get this through your thick skull, Bradley. I will
“Sure you will,” he purred.
“No.”
“You know it’s just a matter of time.”
“Not now. Not ever-”
Cole snagged the phone from between her fingers.
“I think you heard the lady,” he said to Bradley.
Her jaw went slack in amazement.
“Really?” asked Cole mildly, his gaze drifting to Sydney. “Well, I doubt very much you know who you’re messing with, either.”
Then he took the phone from his ear and snapped it shut.
He plopped it back into her palm. “Who
“Bradley Slander,” she answered, staring at the compact phone, trying to decide whether he was being gentlemanly or controlling. In the end, she decided he was just being Cole. Which was…nice.
She had to admit, she’d experienced a momentary thrill when she pictured Bradley’s expression. But now she was thinking about the possible ramifications. Bradley was unpredictable, and they’d just waved a red flag in his face.
“Old boyfriend?” asked Cole, still watching her closely.
She shuddered at the very thought. “Antiquity snake. Now
“But you’re not willing to work with him?”
“I’d rather be dragged naked through an anthill.”
Cole quirked a half smile. “Thanks for the visual.”
She fought a grin, the tension finally dissipating. She was letting herself get paranoid here. Nothing terrible was going to happen. Bradley was far way, and he didn’t have a clue about Grandma’s secret.
“So what did he want?” asked Cole.
“He’s after the Thunderbolt.”
Cole’s hand tightened on the shift. “Why? It’s mine.”
“Possession is nine-tenths of the law.”
“That would make him a thief.”
“I know.” Sydney closed her eyes for a brief second. If Irene Cowan had sold it or given it away, especially if it was overseas, the ownership issue was going to get complicated.
“We need to find it before he does,” she said. “Keeps our life simple.”
Cole’s stare raked over her for a silent moment. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
She tried not to flinch. She couldn’t let him see her fear. “There are plenty of things I’m not telling you,” she said, going on the offensive. “But I
“How big of a threat?”
“He’s after it. But we’ve got Gwen. And Gwen is good.”
Cole’s expression turned speculative. “What about you, Sydney?”
“What about me?”
“Are you good?”
“At finding antiquities? I’m very good.”
He nodded toward the antique store they’d just left. “So why does this feel like amateur hour?”
She struggled to keep from squirming under his gaze. “Because we haven’t gotten started yet.”
“Then let’s get started.”
Sydney nodded. “Right.” She’d get the real search under way the very minute she ditched Cole.
He put the car into first gear and checked his side mirror. “Let’s start with what Bradley is to you.”
“A thorn in my ass.”
Cole grinned, and another layer of tension dissipated.
“Ever slept with him?” asked Cole conversationally as he pulled into traffic.
“No!” She folded her arms across her chest. “And, by the way, that’s none of your business.”
“Sure it’s my business.”
“Why? Because we-” She stopped herself short.
“Because I want to know how deep this guy’s vendetta goes.”
Sydney puzzled over that one. “Would it be better if I’d slept with him, or worse?”
“A scorned lover makes a powerful enemy.” He stopped at a red light.
She hesitated, then asked softly, “Are you my enemy, Cole?”
He turned his head. “Have I been scorned?”
She immediately realized her mistake. Reminding him of their lovemaking was a stupid idea. She cringed. “Sorry.”
“For what?”
“Bringing it up.”
The light changed and he pulled ahead. “What? You thought I’d forget?”
“This conversation is a bad idea.”
He flipped on his signal and took a right turn. They accelerated past a sandy beach lined with palm trees and colorful umbrellas.
“Sydney,” he said, keeping his attention fixed on the straight road. “Since you were there.” He shifted to third. “And I was there.” He pulled it into fourth. “And since we both have pretty damn good memories.” He climbed on the brake pedal and swerved around a minivan exiting a parking stall. “I don’t think it matters much whether we have this conversation or not.”
She gripped the door handle. He made a good point. She remembered everything in vivid detail. Everything.
“We had sex,” he said bluntly. “And that’s that.”
She pictured him mentally brushing his hands together. He was done with the subject and done with her.
Her stupid chest contracted. “Okay.”
He was silent for a split second. “No hard feelings?”
“No hard feelings.” None at all.
