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“What makes you say that?” Kruz walked closer, an amused expression on his face.

“My gut. The fucking Moroccans already had every opportunity to take it and obviously had intel on our warehouses because of Antonio’s deception.”

“You’re thinking slave trading is more important?”

“Not necessarily.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

I grinned. “Something far more precious than gold.”

Kruz narrowed his eyes, glancing off in the distance. “Diamonds.”

“Exactly.” The illegal harvest of diamonds had been on the rise, those working mines often slaughtered for silence. Various international organizations were all over the world removing precious gems. The sale to foreign countries had become big business.

“Whew. If you’re right, they could also lead the coast guard right to us.”

“I have a feeling they truly believe they can have their cake and eat it too.”

“Such an American expression.”

I grinned. “I learned a few things from my lovely bride.”

“I’ll just bet you did. What are your plans if we locate a ship?”

“What do you think?” I asked as I stood. “We take every last jewel.”

“I do like your way of thinking.”

I glanced at my watch, swiveling the bezel before tossing another look toward the door.

“Waiting for someone?” he asked.

He was still managing to laugh even though the day had turned to shit. I grumbled in response.

“If you’re looking for your queen, she’s not in the house.”

I stopped short, jerking around to face him. “What does that mean?”

“That means she’s determined to go with us. She’s even shown the men a thing or two about the use of conscientious explosives, as she calls them.”

“What the fuck?”

“She’s tough.”

“She’s not going.”

“You tell her that. Whether or not you wanted a true equal, that’s what you got in the deal. Plus, I have a feeling she’ll kick you in the nuts if you refuse to take her along.”

“Let her try.” Just the thought of how hard she’d fight me turned me on. However, she wasn’t a cat with nine lives. She was far too important to me to lose.

Kruz was still grinning.

“What?” I barked.

“Have you stopped lying to yourself yet?”

“What in the fuck are you getting at?”