“We don’t have to stay long. I just need to check a few things.” Once I take a look at my mom’s paintings, I can start to make an inventory of the items Doris and her family stole. Then I’ll decide on the best way to pursue the matter. Sinceit’s separate from my trust, I’ll ask Ares for advice. He seems unhappy that I continue to turn to Ethan for legal help, probably perceiving it as some sort of snub. I only asked Ethan because he’s my lawyer, and it was easier. Plus, I didn’t want to bother Ares when he was so busy at work.
“Let’s finish getting you dressed for the evening,” he says.
“Um… Am I missing something?”
He picks up a box with the Sebastian Jewelry logo on it from a coffee table near us, flips the lid and shows me the contents.
Inside is a set of stunning sapphire chandelier earrings, necklace and bracelet. Their shade is the most beautiful blue. The stones are huge without looking gaudy, and the diamonds embedded in between add to the brilliance of the set.
Touched by the extravagance and thoughtfulness of the gift, I look at his unreadable face. Suddenly, I’m tired of the awkwardness that’s been brewing between us, and I want it to disappear. Why did I cling to doubts and angst over what I couldn’t change? I always knew this was a temporary marriage and that I’d never fit the ideal woman he has in mind. Who cares that I might be the substitute for the woman he really wants? He’s kind to me now. We could have a great time until he gets his promotion and I get my money. I should let it go so we can both enjoy the time we have together.
Suddenly the questions and uncertainties swirling in my head disappear, and I feel sweet warmth all over, like the time in Vegas when he caught me on the balcony, then later helped me escape my aunt. “Put them on me.”
He gently rubs my earlobe, the touch sending sensual frissons down my torso to pool between my legs. He replaces one earring, then does the same with the other. I squirm to ease the ache starting in my flesh. Why am I feeling the heat when we had wild sex last night, where I orgasmed four timesbefore I quit counting? Am I an undiagnosed nymphomaniac? Is nymphomania even a medical condition?
His warm fingers brush the back of my neck. I bite my lip to hide my reaction, but from the low, satisfied growl in his throat, he noticed the goosebumps on my arms. The sapphires are cold, creating a shockingly erotic contrast to the heat of his skin.
“I can do the bracelet,” I murmur shakily, lowering my lashes to hide my eyes. My emotions are too vulnerable and exposed.
He places his index finger under my chin and tilts my face up until he can peer into my eyes. “You can, but why should you?” He loops the bracelet on my wrist, somehow managing to stroke my beating pulse point at the same time. “Perfect.”
“So are you.”
* * *
The exhibition is held in the grand ballroom of the Aylster Hotel. There are more people than I expected. Some collectors, some dealers, representatives for big art galleries and connoisseurs who prefer to remain anonymous, and a few reporters covering the art scene. The crowd is similar to some of the private showings Mom took me to when I was little.
Ares and I hold hands as we casually browse what’s available. Most are postmodern pieces with vivid colors, some with interesting brush technique. I move closer and squint at a delicate dappling of red, which somehow looks rough, like churning waves, if you stand a few feet back.
Ares leans in. “Like it?”
“I find it fascinating. But I’m not sure if I want to buy it.”
“We can get it.”
“Not right now.” I do some math. Ethan messaged me after our disastrous coffee appointment that if I want to buy something, I can probably arrange for financing after the fact, although he said it isn’t always ideal. The banks in Nesovia won’tunderwrite a deal in the millions for art because they’re scared of not getting their money back. The U.S. banks won’t want to bother with collateral made up of overseas assets because they’re harder to assess.
The easiest way to get the money is through your husband,he advised me.He has two billion. Everyone knows it, and it’ll be fast and easy, whether he pays for what you want outright or finances it.
At the time, I was hesitant. But now…
Maybe I’ll ask, promising him to pay it back when my trust isn’t tied up anymore. I remember him mentioning interest when he punched Rupert the second time. Yeah, I’ll definitely offer him interest as well.
We make a turn. I stop abruptly at the sight of familiar impressionistic paintings. Although they appear to be abstract blends of color, if you look closely you can see a chubby, golden-haired toddler playing in a field of wild flowers, from different angles and in various lights. Her rosebud mouth is pursed in single-minded concentration in some, smiling in others.
My eyes sting, and I blink rapidly to ease the pressure. Although I knew there was a good chance Doris stole my mother’s paintings, I didn’t realize the impact of seeing her crime in person. I only considered how I’d use my money to get them back and punish Doris and her family. But seeing the works with my own eyes feels like a gross violation of my soul and the love I’ve kept in my heart for my mother.
“Shh, love, what’s wrong?” Ares says.
“I just…” I sniffle. He carefully brushes his thumbs over my cheeks, and I realize I’m crying. “I haven’t seen them for so long.”And they shouldn’tbehere! Fucking Doris. I’m going to make her pay.
“Why the tears?”
“I just miss my mother.” I smile to let him know I’m okay, even though my heart aches and grievances rake their talons across my chest. “These are Mom’s works.”
“All of them?” He sounds impressed, then takes another sweeping look at the paintings. Mom did impressionistic art, but unlike Monet or Renoir, many of her pieces are abstract. Not only that, there are hidden pictures underneath the surface. It takes a while to figure out how many pictures each canvas holds, and no one can ever be sure that they’ve discovered them all. Art critics called her the puzzle master. I call her a genius.
“Yes. Although most of them shouldn’t be here,” I murmur through the thick lump in my throat.
