After several seconds, during which Gabriel attempted to decide between giving Sophie Madrigal the spanking she deserved or trying to make peace between Sophie and her aunt, he said, “So, tell me, ladies: Why are y’all headed to Tucson? Do you plan to tell some fortunes there?”

It seemed an innocent-enough question to Gabriel, but from the look of terror Juniper shot at her niece, he guessed it wasn’t. He repressed a heavy sigh. “I’ve got business there myself,” he said, hoping to clear the air of whatever seethed in it.

Oddly enough, it was Sophie who spoke next. She sounded almost polite, too. Maybe she was feeling penitent because of her miserable behavior. Gabriel hoped so, because she should.

“We have business in Tucson, as well, Mr. Caine.”

“Yes, yes,” Juniper said quickly. “Yes indeedy, we do. Dmitri will see to it that we have plenty of business, in fact. He’s good at that, you know.”

“Is he now?” Interesting. So Dmitri was going to have to drum up business for them, was he? In other words, they hadn’t already been booked to perform at any of the venues in Tucson. Most interesting. Gabriel caught himself wondering why and frowned. What the hell did he care what these women planned to do in Tucson?

“What is your business in Tucson, Mr. Caine?”

He looked up to find Sophie watching him. She had an ironic expression on her lovely face, as if she expected him to admit he was traveling to Tucson in order to commit a felony. He decided to tell a portion of the truth because it might shock her.

“I’m after a man, Miss Sophie. A criminal. I’m going to bring him to justice.”

He had the satisfaction of watching her sit up straight and open her eyes wide, giving her an almost innocent appearance. He didn’t buy it for a second, but he appreciated it. When she sat up that way, she displayed her considerable bosom in a manner of which Gabriel approved. Heartily. She was quite something, Miss Sophie Madrigal. Quite something indeed.