He needed something to do, something that would capture his interest. Something that would take him out of the country, where he wouldn’t dwell on the things they’d done together, remember making love to her. Ache to make love to her again.
He tried not to think of the last time he’d seen her, the terrible sadness in her face as she’d said goodbye to King, a man who meant so much to her.
The thought of her with Clay Reynolds made his stomach burn. Reynolds didn’t deserve her. She belonged to Gage. In his heart, she always would.
The intercom sounded, signaling a visitor in the entry downstairs. “It’s me, bro,” Edge said. “Buzz me in.”
His brother didn’t drop by that often. Gage was glad he had come. Edge pounded up the stairs, crossed to the front door, and Gage pulled it open.
“It’s been a while,” he said, stepping back to invite his brother in. “It’s good to see you. How about a beer or something?”
“Beer sounds good.”
They walked into the kitchen, and Gage pulled two bottles of ice-cold Corona out of the fridge. “Sorry, no lime.” Popping off the caps, he set a bottle on the kitchen table in front of Edge, sat down across from him, and took a drink of his beer. “So what’s going on?”
“That’s what I came to ask you.” His brother’s gaze sharpened on his face. “You look like crap, bro. You haven’t shaved in days, and I swear you’re losing weight.” Edge glanced around the kitchen. “Jesus, man. You haven’t even put the dishes in the dishwasher.”
Gage sprawled back in his chair. “So what? I’m taking a break. Even after the government sucks up half the money, I’ll still have millions in the bank.”
Edge gave him a knowing stare. “It’s Abby, isn’t it? She was with some guy at the funeral, and it’s been biting your ass ever since.”
Gage grunted. “Clay frigging Reynolds. There’s something off about that guy. I could feel it the first time I met him.”
“The something off is he’s set his sights on Abby. Why don’t you just admit you’re in love with her and go over there and get her?”
Gage tipped back his beer and took a long swallow. “All right, I love her. So what? It doesn’t make any difference. I’m not cut out for married life. I’m out of the country half the time.”
“So take her with you.”
Gage just shook his head.
“Why not?”
“You’ve got a short memory, little brother. I almost got her killed in Mexico. What if she had died? I’ve already killed one woman. If something happened to Abby—” He broke off and shook his head.
“That’s bullshit,” Edge said. “And deep down, you know it. Abby’s different. She lives and breathes adventure, just like you. She’s made for you, bro, a perfect fit. Finding a woman like that . . . it’s a gift, man. God doesn’t give you that kind of gift every day.”
Gage said nothing. There was nothing he could say.
Even his brother didn’t know the truth.
And Gage wasn’t about to tell him.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
ABBY LOOKED AT THE UNOPENED BOXES STILL SITTING IN HER living room. She needed to finish unpacking. She needed to make the apartment a little less Tammy’s and a little more her own.
A knock sounded at her door, and her spirits lifted. A visitor, a chance to put off the inevitable a little longer.
She walked over and looked through the peephole, saw Edge Logan standing in the corridor. She unlocked the door and pulled it open.
“Edge! What a nice surprise.” Leaning over, she gave him a hug, then stepped back out of the way. “Come on in.”
Edge walked into her messy living room. She hadn’t considered how bad it must look to guests with all the unopened boxes. Of course, she hadn’t really had many guests. It occurred to her she’d better do something before the dinner she was fixing for Clay.
“You want a Coke or a beer or something?”
“I’ll take a Coke,” Edge said. He looked incredibly good. In a darker, leaner, harder way, every bit as handsome as Gage.
Abby went into the kitchen and took a Coke out of the fridge, took a Diet Coke out for herself. At least she’d unpacked in here.
Filling two glasses with ice, she poured the drinks and set them on the kitchen table, and both of them sat down.
“Has something happened?” she asked at the serious look on his face. Her heart skipped. “Is it something bad? Is Gage all right?”
Edge took a long swallow of his drink. “No, my brother is not all right. I just came from his place. Gage is in love with you, and he’s miserable.”
Abby’s eyes stung. She glanced away. “He doesn’t think it could ever work.”
“I know you love him. It’s in your face every time you look at him. Is that what you think too?”
She straightened in her chair. “I think your brother is an idiot. I think we’re perfect for each other.” Tears welled, and one slipped down her cheek. Abby brushed it away. “That’s what I think.”
Edge smiled and started nodding. “All right, then. I think he’s an idiot too. Now all we have to do is convince him.”
Abby shook her head. “First, there is no way in hell I am chasing after a man who doesn’t want me. Second, you know your brother. His mind is made up, and there is nothing anyone can do to change it.”
“Have you talked to him at all?”
“No. If he changes his mind, he knows where to find me.”
“He won’t change his mind unless you tell him how you feel. Explain things.”
“Explain things,” she repeated, her irritation growing.
“That’s right. He’s got this idea in his head. You know what happened to Cassandra, right? I figure someone’s told you by now.”
“I know they were involved. I know she died on one of Gage’s expeditions, if that’s what you mean.”
“Talk to him about it. Maybe you can make him see it’s no good to keep living in the past.”
“No.”
“Come on, Abby. You said you loved him.”
She just shook her head.
“If you won’t do it for you, do it for Gage. He needs you, Abby.”
She started to say no—she wouldn’t humiliate herself that way. She felt Edge’s hand cover hers where it rested on the table.
“You’re a risk-taker, Abby,” he said. “You both are. Talk to him. Take the risk. Tell him what you think.”
Abby wiped away another unwanted tear. “I’ll give it some thought.” It was the best she could do.
Edge downed his soda and set the glass back on the table. Abby walked him to the door.
Edge glanced around. “Your place looks as dismal as Gage’s. With any luck, my hard-headed brother will figure things out before it’s too late.”
For hours after Edge left, Abby mulled over his words. Edge was right about one thing. She was a risk-taker, and so was Gage. It was one more thing they had in common.
By six o’clock, she had made a decision. Abby went in and showered, brushed out her hair, put on a pretty yellow dress and a pair of open-toed high heels. Khaki cargo pants and a T-shirt might have made her point better, but she was only willing to go so far.