Luke saw her features harden. Crossing her arms, she said, “You know damn well we ran into some problems. You bought a consignment of antiques that you knew were stolen.”
He blanched. “How . . .”
“You’re the one who got us all into trouble.”
Peterbalm shook his head. “Don’t try to change the subject. You left the office with a carved wooden box that belongs to me.”
“Did we?” she asked.
“I want my property back,” he said as he pulled a gun from under his jacket.
She gaped at him.
“Carl, calm down,” she managed to say. “I don’t have it.”
The man’s gaze swung to Luke. “Yeah, he’s got it.”
“You can’t have it,” Luke said. “It’s stolen property, and it doesn’t belong to you.”
“Or you either. But I went through hell because of that thing—and I want it back.”
oOo
Olivia could barely believe her eyes. In all the time she’d worked for Carl Peterbalm, she’d never seen him act like this. He might be mean and petty. He might have sexually harassed her, but he had never seriously threatened anyone with violence.
Luke’s voice was calm and even. “I’m returning it to its rightful owners.”
Carl snorted. “You expect me to believe that? You’re going to sell it to the highest bidder.”
“You might. I’m going to take it back where it belongs.”
It seemed that Carl wasn’t capable of listening, and his eyes had taken on a maddened look that told her he had tipped over the edge. “Hand it over—before you get hurt.”
Still, she had absorbed Zabastian’s values in the time they’d been together. No way were they going to hand over the Moon Priests’ property to Carl Peterbalm.
Raising her chin, she answered, “No.”
“You’re making a mistake.” Carl’s voice rose an octave. “I’m in the right here. You’ve taken my property. Those men almost killed me because of that damn box, so I know it’s valuable. And I’m through talking to you. Hand it over.”
“Carl, listen to me.” As she spoke, she took a step forward.
“Stay away from me before you get hurt.” When he swung the gun toward her, she froze.
But Luke took advantage of the opening and leaped forward.
As he charged, Carl fired the gun. At point-blank range, it would have been hard to miss a man right in front of him.