Heart of a Thief

Heart of a Thief
Gail Barrett

She'd loved him–and he'd betrayed her Or so Sofia Mikhelson believed.So why was security specialist Luke Moreno back, entrusted with protecting a priceless necklace–and glowering at her as if she'd betrayed him? Then shots rang out–and suddenly Sofia and Luke had to rely on each other.With bodies around them, the necklace missing and all suspicion pointed their way, Sofia had to face facts. Five years ago, she hadn't believed in Luke's innocence. Now he was the only one she could trust. What had she done?

His effect on her had been instant, shocking.

Even now, just one glance from those electric eyes brought back that rush of delirious wanting, those shivers of primal desire. But Sofia couldn’t ignore the proof. Even that blinding haze of love, that frantic need to believe Luke, hadn’t been enough to erase the facts. He’d used her to steal those gems.

But as she stood before him now, feeling his resentment, his rage, doubt slithered through her, and a sick, queasy sensation wormed into her gut. Why the outrage? If he’d been guilty, then why was he so angry at her, especially after all these years?

Could she have been wrong?

Dear Reader,

I’ve always wanted to set a book in Spain, a land steeped in contrasts—poetry and passion, flamenco music and bagpipes, Roman bridges and Celtic ruins. And when I discovered Luke Moreno prowling through a medieval palace, I knew I’d found the perfect hero for my book. Luke’s as complex as the land he lives in, an honorable man with a shady past, a man who has spent his life fighting stereotypes and injustice—only to find himself framed for a theft.

Luke’s emotions burn hot, and so do the sparks between him and his ex-lover Sofia Mikhelson, the woman he believes is setting him up. I had a great time following their breakneck trek through Spain as they hunted down the missing necklace and uncovered a tangled web of danger far more sinister than they’d dreamed.

I hope you enjoy Luke’s journey, book one of THE CRUSADERS miniseries.

Happy reading!

Gail Barrett

Heart of a Thief

Gail Barrett

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

GAIL BARRETT

always dreamed of becoming a writer. After living everywhere from Spain to the Bahamas, raising two children, and teaching high school Spanish for years, she finally fulfilled that lifelong goal. Her writing has won numerous awards, including Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart. Gail currently lives in western Maryland with her two sons, a quirky Chinook dog and her own former Montana rancher/retired Coast Guard officer hero. Write to her at P.O. Box 65, Funkstown, Maryland 21734-0065, or visit her Web site, www.gailbarrett.com.

To my husband, John, for listening.

Contents

Acknowledgment

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

I’d like to thank the following people for their help: my critique partner, Judith Sandbrook, for her wonderful insights; my sister, Mary Jo Archer, for reading and critiquing my work; Marjorie Thelen for brainstorming and commiserating with me, especially during the low times; S.A. Stone for his safecracking tips; and Rosa and Yoshi Takebe for answering my endless questions and driving me around Galicia. Miles de gracias. Thank you!

When the full moon bleeds and the lonely dog cries

And the stars trail dust in the night

A leader will rise from the scattered hordes

And the People will regain their might.

—Indian poem, circa 1000 A.D.

Chapter 1

The blonde sauntered into view on the security monitor, looking like every erotic dream he’d ever had—sultry, seductive, sin-on-heels sensuous. Luke Moreno’s pulse hitched, and a wild laugh rose in his throat. Oh, yeah. This woman was his fantasy, all right. His Delilah. His Mata Hari. His Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Too bad she was just as corrupt.

He watched, riveted, as she approached the glass display case cordoned off with velvet ropes. She played the elegant guest role to perfection, bending close to admire the primeval amber, the meticulously hammered gold. As if she’d never seen the ancient necklace before. As if she hadn’t come here to steal it. As if she weren’t setting him up to take the blame—again.

Damn her conniving soul.