governments, you name it.”
“Why would she avoid you?”
“I don’t know.” That’s the question Angelique had been asking herself ever since she arrived in Italy and started tracking her sister. She and Izzy hadn’t always gotten along. Okay, who was she kidding? That was an understatement. Isabelle knew that Angelique didn’t approve of her treasure hunting. But they’d always been in contact. In fact, Angelique typically couldn’t make a move without finding Isabelle underfoot and in her business. In business, they were competitors. That meant where Angelique was, Izzy usually showed up. And Angelique always kept an eye on her sister’s digs to make sure she didn’t get in trouble.
Because where Izzy went, trouble usually followed; something typically went wrong. And Angelique sometimes had to come to the rescue. Izzy counted on Angelique to be there for her. So she always let Angelique know where she was.
So why the disappearing act now? Something wasn’t right about that.
“Is it unusual for you to be unable to contact her?” Ryder asked.
“Yes.” She could at least be honest about that much. “Isabelle is always within reach. We tend to work in the same areas. She’s always in my business. More often than I want her to be, usually. That’s what I don’t understand. She wasn’t in Australia, and I can’t make contact with her.”
When she looked up, Ryder was staring at her, his dark eyes showing that warmth she had grown accustomed to seeing.
“You’re worried about her.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any reason to suspect something’s happened to her?”
Angelique fought back tears, refusing to speculate on the worst possible scenario. “No. I’d feel it if something had happened to her.”
“The twin connection?”
She nodded. “Discounted by professionals, but it’s true. When we were kids and one of us was hurt, the other would always know it. And we could sense each other’s moods and anxieties.” It annoyed them both when they got older, having that close a tie to each other. They had both wanted separation and individuality, but the tie had still been there.
“But you don’t sense that your sister is. .”
Even though Ryder had trailed off, Angelique knew what he’d avoided saying, so she finished it for him. “No. She’s not dead. She’s probably into something she shouldn’t be and she doesn’t want me to know about it. That has to be the reason for the lack of contact, and she’s pissing me off because she’s avoiding me.”
Angry was better than worried. Anger kept her going. If she thought about the alternative, she’d drown in a sea of despair. She couldn’t lose her sister. Isabelle was all the family she had left.
Ryder leaned forward. “Don’t worry. The Realm of Light has hunters spread throughout the country looking for her, too. It’s only a matter of time before she’s found.”
Angelique didn’t know whether that was a good or bad thing. She wanted to find Isabelle, wanted to assess her condition, both physical and mental. Angelique had questions, concerns. Major concerns, after what she’d seen and learned in Australia.
If the Realm of Light found Isabelle first, what then?
Once again, the situation was out of her hands, and she didn’t like it one bit.
CHAPTER THREE
Isabelle Deveraux needed a boat. Like right now.
Unfortunately, funds were short and she didn’t think she could rent one on her looks alone, though if the situation became desperate, she wasn’t above putting on a short skirt, doing her hair, slapping on some lipstick, and vamping it up for one of the many wealthy yacht owners in the harbor.
Provided she didn’t end up shot, stabbed, or strangled by some rich guy’s wife or-even worse-mistress. No, there had to be another way.
How would Angelique handle a situation like this?
The right way, of course.
Her sweet sister. Even now, she could feel her, that sense of goodness, like the beacon in a lighthouse, showing her the way. Thinking of Angelique was always like feeling a warm blanket pulled over her, protecting her, sheltering her from everything bad.
Everything dark.
She shook it off.
Angelique couldn’t help her.
Not in this, and not anymore. She was on her own.
What she needed was to be out in the water, and by God she was going to get there one way or the other. There was treasure out there just waiting for her. Her entire body tingled in anticipation. If she could, she’d walk off the sandy beach nearby and straight into the sea in order to get to it. It was out there-the find of the century. And it was hers for the taking, if only she could get to it.
Walking into the ocean wasn’t very practical, though.
She turned and faced the little village, scrunching her nose as she tried to think. It was early, the sun barely
