Challoner Bride by Unknown Page B

comfort and security
    she had discovered during the night had faded into nothingness.
    Flynn opened the door between the two rooms just as Angie was closing her suitcase. She glanced at
    him over her shoulder and then went back to finishing her small task.
    „Feel better?“ he asked quietly.
    „Much. I’m starving, though. Can we have our big conversation over breakfast?“ She was proud of the
    cool way that came out.
    „If that’s what you want.“
    „What I’d really like to know is when you intend to steal the dagger.“
    A shattering silence descended on the room. Angie had a few seconds in which to realize that her single
    question might have been exceedingly ill-timed. Then Flynn’s hand clamped down on her shoulder, and he
    was spinning her around to face him. She found herself staring up into flint-hard eyes that seemed to burn
    through her. Several generations of arrogant pride crystalized in that fierce masculine gaze, and for a
    paralyzing instant Angie felt as if she’d stepped through a time warp and was confronting the reckless,
    arrogant Challoner who had married Maria Isabel. She went very still beneath the hand that was locked on
    her shoulder.
    „If I had wanted to steal that dagger,“ Flynn bit out, each word a thrust of the blade, „I could have done
    it a dozen times since you bought it from Alexander Cardinal. I could have taken it from you and flown out
    of Mexico with it, and you would have been absolutely helpless to stop me. For that matter I could have
    taken it last night after you’d fallen asleep so trustingly in my arms. I could have disappeared with it this
    morning while you were in the shower. I am not a thief, Angie Morgan. My claim on that dagger is more
    valid than your own or your uncle’s, but I will not steal it from you. Before we go a step further, you will
    apologize to me for your accusation.“
    Angie found her breath and somehow managed to keep her words under control. She would not
    surrender to the urge to scream at him. He might have his pride but she had her own, and it was every bit
    as fierce as his. At any other time that realization would have startled her. But there was no time to
    consider it now.
    „Apologize? To a man who has been deliberately misleading, if not actually lying to me for several days
    now? Apologize to a man who doesn’t even bother to give me his right name before taking me to bed?“
    The fingers on her shoulder clenched. „The apology is for the man who saved the dagger and perhaps
    your life in the process. For the man who didn’t steal it although he had plenty of opportunity. The apology,
    Angie, is for the man you gave yourself to last night. I expect anger from you, and I expect you to feel hurt
    this morning. You’re a woman, and you’ve got a common ancestry with Maria Isabel. We both know about
    her temper. I am prepared to put up with a certain amount of temper from you, but I will not allow you to
    stand there and insult me by calling me a thief. Apologize, damn it!“
    Angie didn’t need to have it spelled out: she was walking very close to the line. Her accusation had
    obviously deeply offended Flynn. The logic of the situation was also suddenly inescapable. Flynn hadn’t
    stolen the dagger. Not yet. And she couldn’t deny he’d had plenty of opportunity. She drew herself up
    under his hand.
    „My apologies, Mr. Challoner. You have not yet proven yourself a thief. Other things, perhaps, but not a
    thief.“
    His eyes narrowed, and she knew he wanted more than that from her. But he must have realized he
    wouldn’t get it. Flynn released her shoulder. „Let’s go downstairs and get some coffee.“
    „And the dagger?“ she challenged.
    „You can take it with you.“ He stalked to the door and flung it open, waiting for her.
    After a second’s pause Angie picked up the dagger’s case and followed him out into the hall. All during
    the long ride down in the elevator she lectured herself on maintaining her