“They want me to meet them in Mérida. The letter says they’ll take me to him.”
Gage thumped the sheet of paper. “This could have come from anyone, Abby. There’s no way your grandfather is alive after all this time. He would have sent word.”
She swallowed and looked up at him. “According to the letter, he’s been sick for months.” She felt a tear on her cheek, reached up, and wiped away the wetness. “I have to go to him, Gage. I don’t have any choice.”
Gage tossed the letter back on the bed. Gripping her shoulders, he hauled her to her feet. “You remember what happened in Mexico City? I have no idea how they found us here, but I know these people are ruthless. They want the gold at any price. They’ll say and do whatever it takes to get it.”
Another tear rolled down her cheek. “What if it’s true? What if King’s alive?”
His hold on her shoulders tightened, and then he pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I know how you must feel. I just don’t want you getting hurt.”
Abby eased away. “I have to go, Gage. You know I do.”
He glanced out the window into the darkness. A muscle worked in his jaw. He sighed. “You’re right. You have to go.” He turned away from her and started for the door. “I’ll be right back. I need to find out how this envelope got into the room.”
Gage stormed outside, heading for the office. The manager lived in quarters behind it.
Abby read the letter two more times. The paper was a crisp linen texture and looked expensive, and the handwriting was elegant, yet strong.
Gage walked back into the room. “The manager put the letter in the room. I’m sure he was paid well to do it. The man who delivered it said it was urgent.”
“If it’s true, itisurgent.”
“If it’s true.”
“I have to go, Gage. I couldn’t live with myself if King were still alive and I did nothing to help him.”
Gage scrubbed a hand over his face. Seconds passed before he nodded. “All right, we comply with the letter, go to the address in Mérida—but we do it prepared. We set things up our way, go in and find out what’s going on, but we’re armed. And we’re ready to get out of there if we need to.”
Abby started nodding. “Okay, that sounds good.”
“And we take backup. Edge, Trace, and Skye. They’re good at what they do, and we need their help.” Gage reached out and tipped up her chin, bent his head, and gently kissed her.
“You scared the hell out of me when you fell in that hole today,” he said. “Now it looks like things could get worse. I never should have brought you down here.”
“I would have come without you.”
He made no reply.
“I’m glad it’s you,” she said. “I’m glad you’re with me.” She managed to smile. “We’ll do this together, just like everything else.”
Something moved across his features, something warm and oddly tender. Then it was gone. “You can’t get your hopes up, Abby.”
“I won’t,” she said.
But it was a lie, and both of them knew it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
THERE WAS A NUMBER ON THE LETTER.GAGE MADE THE CALL ONhis satellite phone instead of his cell. The people on the other end already knew their location, but there was no way to know how many others were out there tracking them.
The line picked up, but there was only silence.
“This is Gage Logan. I assume you’ve been expecting our call.”
“Señor Logan,” a male voice said. “I look forward to meeting you. However, the message was left for Abigail. Please put her on the phone.” The words were spoken in English, the Spanish accent mild. The voice sounded educated, cultured, but rang with authority.
Gage clenched his jaw and handed the phone to Abby. Her fingers brushed his as they wrapped around the receiver, and a knot of worry tightened in his stomach. More trouble. More danger for Abby.
