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"Damn. It's like a sting operation or something. But why you? Why not call in the English equivalent of the Feds? Whatever they're called."
Gabriel's expression was comical but all he offered was, "I've experience in this sort of thing."
"Okay, I get it. None of my business."
He reached for her hand and held it in his strong, warm one. "It isn't that. I don't want to see you get hurt."
"Too late for that," she said but when she saw the guilt, she wished she could rip her own tongue out.
"I'm sorry, Gabriel, I didn't mean that the way it came out," she tried to rectify.
"Knowing that you could have died because of Derek, because I put you in his path, makes me feel very protective of you."
Quinn was about to say she could take care of herself but, honestly, having this man looking out for her made her feel very warm and fuzzy and so instead she said with sincerity, "Thank you."
He kept her hand and started down the street again. "Let's eat. I'm starved."
At the restaurant, he watched her. He could have spent eternity just watching her. He loved the way her eyes sparked silver when her emotions were up, how her skin flushed a lovely rose when embarrassed, how she used all of her senses when she was experiencing new things. She was an active participant in life and was able to find joy in even the smallest of situations. He liked being with her. In truth, he craved her company above all others. And he couldn't explain why. He placed his glass down before he asked, "Tell me about yourself, Quinn."
He watched as her delicate fingers drew a pattern on the tablecloth before she turned her attention to him.
"There really isn't much to tell. You know my background, you hired me," she offered with a smile.
"What's your interest in the Scarcliff family?" he asked.
She thought about seeing the castle sitting abandoned so many years ago but she supposed, in this reality, that was never the case so instead she said, "They've made wonderful contributions to England and the world and as an anthropologist, I'm intrigued."
Gabriel reached across the table and took her hand into his. "I think there's more to it but I won't push. Yet."
Quinn was taken back a bit at that. Had he figured it out, that her imagination wasn't all that great and that the magical tale she shared with him was really nonfiction? She hadn't gone into detail with names when she shared her story but all the same, had he figured out that her interest in the family was because she had lived with them and loved them in their time? Would he believe her or would he call for the men with the straight jacket?
Gabriel released her hand before he said, "I've scared you. Sorry."
"No, not scared, but I will say you are a very astute and intense person."
He reached for his glass, avoiding her gaze, and though his voice was casual somehow Quinn knew her answer to his next question was very important.
"You aren't fond of intense people are you?"
"Actually, quite the contrary, I find I'm wildly attracted to one specifically intense person," she said and stared at him hard.
His eyes locked onto hers as desire turned them darker and when he spoke she wasn't sure if his words were meant as a promise or a threat. "Be careful because once you let me in, there's no going back."
Gabriel sat back in his leather chair and looked into the fire. He didn't understand what was happening to him and how it was happening but just being with Quinn, being able to touch her again, made him feel profoundly grateful.
As for Derek, he'd always thought of him as a pompous jackass, but now he knew he was far worse than that. Hidesight was 20/20 and for Gabriel to know what he knew now and to know that he had willingly put Quinn in Derek's sphere, dumbfounded and enraged him.
He'd been watching Derek, particularly his obsessed interest in the Scarcliff's. Gabriel was surprised that he hadn't noticed before, how often Derek's path crossed with the Scarcliffs. Once or twice due to the nature of his work was acceptable, but dozens of times was bordering on stalking which was probably what stirred Nicholas' concern.
Derek couldn't be trusted, he wanted something that belonged to the Scarcliffs, and Gabriel was certain that Quinn was linked to whatever it was that Derek was seeking.
What was it that the Scarcliffs had that held such interest for Derek? Gabriel hadn't been able to figure out that part of the puzzle yet and he felt he was running out of time.
Chapter Twelve
Quinn arrived at the Scarcliff Foundation just after it opened and Gabriel suggested a tour.
She had already seen the main rooms so Gabriel was taking her behind the scenes where they were studying the artifacts found during recent digs -- including some of Derek's digs. The first room they entered was the cleaning room where the artifacts were delicately cleaned before they were catalogued. As they walked past the tables, Quinn noticed pieces of pottery, old nails, horseshoes, a porcelain doll.
