Then I step back into the crowd.
“Lily! Come here! It’s photo time!” Claude calls.
I force a smile and join him. His arm wraps around my waist, and my body jolts before I relax. I don’t like people outside of my circle touching me. I don’t let my guard down now.
Cameras flash. Too many.
“That’s enough of us. We’re here for the art.” I joke.
As I turn, I see a man leaning against a pillar. Square jaw. Dark eyes. Tailored suit. Tattoos creeping from his collar.
He doesn’t belong here, and I need him to stop staring at me and making me more on edge.
My heels click as I approach. He doesn’t flinch.
“Hey, I’m Lily.” I offer my hand.
He takes it, gaze cold. “Alek.”
The Russian accent makes me yank my hand back. My brain always assumes there’s a Russian guy after my dad. Although it might not be the case, it probably isn’t an illogical jump. But it’s a fear drilled into me from being a kid.
“You’re here to buy art?” I ask, stepping back.
“Yes. That’s usually what a rich man comes to a gallery for, Lily.” He says coolly, sliding his hand into his pocket.
His eyes graze down my body as he bites his lip, making me cross my arms over my stomach. Then his gaze settles on my necklace.
“Is that for sale?” He asks, nodding at it.
My hand grabs the necklace around my throat. “No. It’s not.” I say firmly.
He smiles, showing his gold tooth. “I thought only one of these was in existence, yet here you are with the second. Name your price.”
All the blood drains from my face at the way he says it, the harshness to his tone.
“There is no price. It is not for sale.” I try to keep my voice light and even smile.
He scares me. And he needs to leave.
“What’s your last name, Lily?” He asks.
I step back, creating more distance.
“Smith,” I lie.
He scoffs, his dark eyes burning into mine.
“All good here?” Conan’s Irish voice hits from behind me.
Relief floods my chest.
“All good. Just an investor,” Alek says.
Conan could break him in half. And Alek knows it.
“I’ll take that one.” Alek points behind me.
“That’s two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,” I tell him bluntly, without even looking at the piece he’s pointing at.
