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“Considerably.”
“How gratifying.”
I stare at him.
He looks genuinely pleased, but not particularly interested.
Meanwhile, I’m holding enough money to pay off my debts, replace my car, and possibly purchase an island. A small island. But still.
I put the bar back before I accidentally drop it on my foot.
“Okay. First things first. We need to figure out what all this is worth. But it’s got to be millions. And that’s just the gold. Then we need to find a reputable dealer who will give us actual money for the gold.”
“Why? Gold is money. You just said it was worth millions.”
“Yes, but we can’t exactly hand a plumber a gold bar.”
He looks taken aback. “Why not?”
“Because this isn’t Pirates of the Caribbean.”
“I should hope not. Pirates are extremely dangerous.”
I laugh. “You are adorable.”
“I am a full-grown man, April. I should think handsome a more appropriate compliment.”
I ignore him, instead I glance around the hidden compartment again. “You said this was only a portion of what you had?”
“Of course. The majority of my money is in a trust.”
“Seriously, how much money did you have?”
“A considerable amount.”
“That’s not a number.”
“I never cared for discussing specific sums.”
I turn slowly toward him. “You? The man who apparently bought half the countryside?”
“An exaggeration.”
“Who built a mansion in the woods?”
“A very fine mansion.”
“Who has a Monet hanging in his secret vault?”
“I still don’t understand why you’re so impressed by that painting.”
I point at him. “We are coming back to the Monet.”
He sighs.
Twenty minutes later, we’re sitting on the library sofa with my laptop open between us.
I should probably order Gabriel some actual clothes. Ones that fit. And ones that preferably aren’t associated with my cheating ex-boyfriend.