Played Read Free

generations.
    Since the entire collection had arrived only a few hours earlier, Christina had not had an opportunity to study the diamond under her gem scope. Tomorrow she planned to conduct an in-depth appraisal. An associate in Barclay’s European office had done an initial review at the Benedettis’ home in Florence, Italy, but Christina wanted to study the diamond herself before it was auctioned off. It was rare to find a diamond of this size without any substantial history behind it, which made her very curious. Their European appraiser had assured her that the family had the proper papers of provenance, and they were not in danger of selling off stolen property. She certainly hoped that was true. She couldn’t afford another scandal in her life.
    Slipping away from the women, she was careful not to let anyone monopolize her for too long. Most people were respectful of the diamond and kept their distance, which was why she was more than a little surprised when a man’s hand came down hard on her arm. She whirled around, her muscles tensing as she looked into a pair of irritated brown eyes. The man in front of her was big, muscular, filled with barely suppressed energy. His light brown hair was short and spiked. His skin was tan, as if he spent more time outdoors than in, and his athletic stance seemed out of place in a room full of sophisticated art collectors.
    “Why the hell haven’t you called me back?” he demanded.
    She started at the harsh tone. “Excuse me? Who are you?”
    “J. T. McIntyre. I’ve called you a dozen times over the past three days. I’m with the FBI. Does that ring a bell?”
    She swallowed hard, remembering all those pink slips with his name on them. “I told my assistant to forward your calls to our security department.”
    “I spoke to them, but I want to talk to you.”
    Her stomach began to churn as memories of the past flashed through her head, the men in suits knocking on their front door, her father talking to them in a hushed voice, and later that night she and her father suddenly departing from yet another house, another city, another state. The FBI had wanted to talk to her then, too, but her father had protected her—as she would protect him. “I really don’t have anything to do with security,” she said.
    “Since you’re wearing that diamond, you should know that someone intends to steal it.”
    Her heart skipped a beat. “Are you talking about someone specific?” She held her breath as she waited for his answer.
    “Yes. His name is Evan Chadwick, and I’m convinced you’re his next target.”
    Her mind raced to follow his words. He was talking about someone she didn’t know, thank God. Evan Chadwick. She’d never heard of him. “Why?” she asked finally. “Why would I be his target?”
    “Other than the fact that you’re wearing the diamond?”
    “I doubt he could steal it in this roomful of people, security at every door.”
    “You’d be surprised what Evan can do. You’re one of the few people with complete access to the diamond. That means you’re on his list of people to use. He’s here somewhere, waiting for his opportunity. You need to know what he looks like, how he operates, everything about him.”
    “Security already ran down a list of known jewel thieves with me. I’ve memorized names and faces, but I don’t recall an Evan Chadwick.”
    “Because he’s not a known jewel thief. But he is a career criminal, a con man, a sociopath—in other words, a very dangerous man. I’ve been following him for five years, and I’m convinced he intends to steal that diamond you’re wearing around your neck.”
    “That doesn’t mean he’ll succeed.” She lowered her voice, realizing their conversation was drawing the wrong kind of attention. “I can’t talk to you right now. I have to show off the diamond. And this is a party. I don’t want our guests to think there is anything wrong.”
    He stayed close to her side as she took another