ChapterOne
KadeAlvarezpeeredinthewindowoftheupscaleManhattangalleryandsnorted Notexactlyhiskindofplace Herubbedhis handoverhisjaw.Thetwo-day-oldstubble,blackjeans,T-shirt,andleatherjacketlikelydidn’tmeetthedresscode.Itwould havetodo Hispreywasinside
For the firsttime since he’dshiftedintohis wolfformatfifteen andhis life was blowntohell he hesitated.As a lone wolf, he was judge, jury, and executioner for the wolfpacks. His job was to huntdownand execute anyrogue wolves that mightexposetheir existencetothehumanpopulation Thealphas tookcareofdisciplinewithinapack,buttherewerethose who believed theyexisted outside the laws. This wasn’t a normal hunt. It wasn’t a rogue he was trackingbut a woman. A humanwoman
What am I doing here? Heblamedthewhitewolf.After almostacenturyofhavingnocontact,DevlinMoore thewhite wolf hadreachedouttohim Butextremetimescalledforextrememeasures Thelonewolveswerebeinghunted,notonlyby oneoftheirownkind.Thatwouldbetooeasy.
No, a damnmage was involved. Not the New Ager bunchwho called themselves wiccans or pagans, but a real, magicwielding,bend-the-laws-of-physicsmage Thegoalwastocaptureone,orallthelonewolves,andstealtheirimmortality,and theywouldstopatnothingtoattainit.
“No good deed goes unpunished,” he muttered The line ofcommunicationbetweenhimand Devlinwas tenuous, but the other lone wolfhad warned thatthe trap involved a humanwoman. One who, accordingto the white wolf, would share his distinctivecoloring
WhichwaswhyhewashereinsteadofatabarinRiodeJaneiroknockingbacktequilaandenjoyingthecompanyofsomeof thelocallovelies.Theinnervoicethathadguidedhimforthepasteighty-fiveyearshadbroughthimtoNew York.Orhadit beeninfluenced?Ifamagewasinvolved,therewasnowaytobesure
Hiswolfgrumbledinsidehim,eagertohunt.Ignoringthebeast,helethisgazeroamovertheglitteringcrowd.Themenwere splitintotwogroups thosethatworesuitsandthoseincasualdesignerjeans,whichhadlikelycostmorethaneverythinghe hadoncombined.Thewomenworedresses predominantlyblack andhighheels,their hair coifed,makeupunderstated.It screamedmoney.
“Getitdone.” He yanked the door openwithmore force thannecessary. Whatever force had broughthimhere, whatever challengewaited,he’ddealwithitashealwaysdid quicklyanddecisively.Severalheadsturnedhiswaywhenhestepped inside Ignoringthestares,heprowledthroughtheairyspace Itwaslargerthanitappearedfromtheoutside,takingupmultiple levels.
“WelcometoChelsea’s”Strikinginagoldfittedsheathandtoweringheels,shecommandedattention Herblondhairwas pulledbackinasleekbun.Finelinesradiatedfromthecornersofhereyes hintingshewasolderthansheappearedatfirst glance.Herlipswerepaintedadeepred.
Shit!He didn’thave the time or inclinationto playnice, his wolftoo onedge. Smotheringhis impatience, he pasted ona smile and reached for her proffered hand. “Thankyou. And would yoube Chelsea?” He broughther fingers to his lips and pressedakisstothembeforereleasingher
Herpupilsdilated,andhecaughtahintofarousaloverthecloyingscentofherperfume.Attimeslikethis,hispreternatural senseswereapainintheass Herlipscurvedupward “Iam ChelseaClifton Thisismygallery” Knowinghisjob,heglancedatthewalls,mostofwhichwerefilledwithpaintingsthatlookedtohavebeendonebyagroup ofthree-year-oldshoppeduponsugar,andbarelyrefrainedfromsnorting.“It’simpressive.” Shehookedherarmthroughhis “Ipridemyselfonit Let’sgetadrinkandyoucantellmewhatbroughtyouhere I’venever seenyoubefore.”Apaintednailglidedoverhischest.“AndIwouldhaveremembered.” “Iwaspassingbyanddecidedtocrashtheparty”Hedidn’tbothertolie Nopoint Her handsqueezedhisbicepthroughhiscoat.“You’remorethanwelcometoenjoytheopening.Maybeyou’ll stayuntil it endsateleven Icangiveyouaprivateviewing”Stoppingapassingserver,sheretrievedaglassofchampagnefromthetray andhandedittohim.
Kadetookitandwaiteduntilshehadonebeforeraisingtheglass.“Toasuccessfulnight.”Hebroughttheglasstohislips andsipped Anexcellentvintage Nocheapstuffforthiscrowd
“Chelsea.” Annoyance crossed her brow as a younger man hurried up to them, his eyes tracking Kade fromhead to toe beforeturningtohiscompanion.“TheRalstonswishtospeakwithyou.They’reconsideringseveralpaintings.”
“Dutycalls”Shepattedhis arm Damnwomanwas doingher besttomarkhim Hewasn’tsurehe’dever gether cloying scentoffhisjacket.“Enjoytheshowing.I’llbebackassoonasIcan,”sheallbutpurred.Shestartedtowalkawaybutturned back “Whatdidyousayyournamewas?”
“Ididn’t.”Withacockygrin,heheadedtothebackoftheroom.Hedumpedtheglassonthefirstservingstaffhesaw.The artworkherewasmorerealisticandtookactualskill,buthewasn’theretolookorbuy
Itwascrowded,butatmorethansix-and-a-halffeet,hecouldseeovereveryone.Noone pinged hisradar.Acirculariron staircaserosetothesecondfloor.Takingthestairstwoatatime,hewenttothenextlevel.Hepausedbytherailingandlooked down Chelseacaughthisgazeandgaveafingerwave
Turningaway,hecontinuedhissearch.Thereweren’tasmanypeopleuphere.Thisfloorwasdividedintofourzoneswitha differentartistineach Hegrowledunderhisbreath Thiswasturningintoacolossalwasteoftime Foronce,hisintuitionwas wrong.Histargetwasn’there.
Hewas abouttoheadbacktothestairs whenapaintingcaughthis eye Everythinginsidehimstilled Evenhis wolfwent quiet.Itwashungonthebackwall,asfarfromthepatronsasitcouldgetandstillbeinthegallery.Thecanvaswasfourfeet tall and three feet wide. Drawn by an invisible force, he stepped closer, stopping right in front of it. Mist rose around a mountaintop Itwasnight,thefullmoonhanginglowinthesky Atthepeakstoodapuregraywolf,headtippedbackinmidhowl.Butwhathecouldn’ttearhisgazeawayfromwasthemarkonthewolf’schest.Itwasablacksickleshape.
Itwas the markofthe lone wolf, the one thatbrandedhimas animmortal warrior, the one thathad appearedonhis chest whenhe’dmadehisfirstshift.Hishair andeyecolor hadchangedatthesametime,bothturningafoggygray.That’show it alwayshappened.
Heraisedhis handuntil ithoveredintheair infrontofthecanvas.Itwas aperfectrenderingofwhathelookedlikeas a wolf.Hismouthwentdry,andhetriedtoswallow pastthelumpthatthreatenedtochokehim.Solitary,thebeastwaskingof thenight,apowerful,apexpredator,afraidofnooneornothing Yetlonelinessoozedfromhim What the fuck is going on?
Hedroppedhishandbackbyhissideandcurledhisfingersintohispalmtokeepfromrippingthepaintingfromthewall He feltexposedandvulnerable,asiftheartisthadseenintohissoul.
Therewasasignatureonthebottomrightsideofthecanvas.Luna.Thatwasit.Nolastname.Probablywasn’tevenherreal name, assumingitwas a woman. This had to be whyhe’d beendrawnhere. Chelsea would know the artist. As muchas it painedhim,itwastimetocultivateafriendshipwiththeowner.Beforethenightwasover,he’dhavetheartist’snameandown thepainting Whetherhe’dkeepitordestroyitwasstillupfordebate
Theair stirredbehindhim.Goosebumps roseonhis skin.Kade’s headsnappedaround,searchingfor whathaddisturbed him Thewomanwasalmostsixfeettall,evenwearingflats Thedresssheworewasapalegraythatmatchedhereyes Itwas loosebutgavetheimpressionofgenerouscurvesbeneath.Curlybrownhairtumbledaroundhershoulders.Streaksofgrayran throughthefrontpartsothestrandsframedherface.Andwhatafaceitwas.Herlipswerefull,herchinslightlyrounded.High cheekbonesbroughthisgazebacktohereyes,whichwidenedbeneaththick,darklashes
Partofhimhadn’tbelievedthewhitewolf,or hadn’twantedto,buttherewas nodenyingthevisionbeforehim.Thegray streaksinherhairmatchedthecolorofhishair,andhereyeswereamirrorimageofhis Theireyesmet,andshecametoan abruptstop.Everymuscleinhisbodytensed,poisedtogivechaseifsheran.Hecouldn’ttakehiseyesoffher.Itwasasifa switchhadbeenflippedinsidehim
Lust warred with surge of possessiveness and the unexpected urge to protect. When she licked her lips, his jeans grew tighter.Heclampeddownonhisemotions,exertingironcontroloverhiswaywardbody.Lastthingheneededwasahard-onin themiddleofanartopening
She squaredher shoulders andmade her waytowardhim.His wolfwhined,wantingtorubagainsther,markher withhis scent Ignoringthe creature, he focused onthe woman There mightbe graystrands inher hair, buther skinwas smoothand unlined.Herlipsglistened,notwithlipstickbutwithwhatseemedtobesomekindofgloss.Hesniffed.Cherry,ifhewasn’t mistaken
Hehadasuddencravingforthesweetfruit.
“What do you think of the painting?” Her soft, lyrical voice skated over his skin like a caress. He barely kept from shuddering Hewasactinglikeateenager withhisfirstwoman,notahundred-year-oldimmortal werewolf He’dseenmore beautiful women. Hell, he’d bedded them. But right here and now, he could bringnone of their faces to mind, all of them eclipsedbythelovelinessoftheonebeforehim
Magic, he reminded himself. His emotions were being manipulated. Devlin had warned that the attraction would be immediate,thathe’dfeelasthoughshebelongedtohimonaninstinctivelevel.Notthatitwouldbelikeapunchtothegut. Herheadtiltedtooneside,andherbrowfurrowed.“Areyouallright?” “I’mfine.”Whathadsheaskedhim?Right,thepainting.“It’swellexecuted.”
Athislackofenthusiasm,herbeautiful eyesshutteredandherlipstightened.“Ifthestyleorsubjectmatterdoesn’tappeal, wehavevariousothersyoumightenjoy.”
“Iwanttobuyit”
“Really?”Hereyeslitup.Whenshesmiled,itwasasthoughtheheavenssmiled.Christ,hewasgettingdownrightpoetic.
“Yes”Hisvoicewasgrufferthanheintended,buthewasfightingoffthisunwantedattractionandtryingtoyankhisattention backtothereasonhewashere.“ButIwanttomeettheartistornodeal.”
Shenibbledonherbottomlipandthenstuckoutahand “I’mLunaWest Theartistinquestion” … Itwasrude,butLunacouldn’tstopstaringattheman Rougharoundtheedgeswithhisscruffyjawandleatherjacket,heshould havelookedcompletelyoutofplace.Instead,everyonearoundhimfadedintothebackground,palingincomparison.
Toweringoverher,sheestimatedhestoodatleastsix-and-a-halffeet,maybeslightlymore.Hishairwasapale,foggygray thatfell inthickstrandstohisbroadshoulders.Itwasanunusual shade,better suitedtoanolder man,buttherewasnothing elderlyabouthim.Thiswasamaninhisprime.Therewerenosignsofdarkroots,either.Maybeitwasnatural,likethetwo thicklocks she had oneither side ofher face She pegged himto be inhis thirties, mostlybecause ofthe air ofconfidence surroundinghim.
Herhandhoveredintheair Feelingsilly,shebegantoloweritwhenhissnappedoutandcaughtit Strong,tannedfingers closedaroundhers,surroundingtheminwarmth.
“KadeAlvarez.”Hisdeepvoicesentashiverdownherspineandtinglestomoreintimatespotsthathadn’ttingledinavery longtime.“Youpaintedthis?”
“Yes.”Longsecondspassed.Hecontinuedtoholdherhandwhileshestaredathim,unabletolookaway.God, I’m being an idiot, mooning over a potential client IfChelseacaughther,she’dbeinbigtrouble
Tuggingherhandback,shesurreptitiouslyrubbeditagainstherdress.Itwasimpossibletothinkwithhimtouchingher.She focused onthe one paintingher boss had allowed her to hang, and thatwas because one ofthe featured artists had come up short.Itwasn’tsomethingthegallerywouldnormallydisplay somethingelseChelseahadrepeatedlyinformedher butLuna wasproudofherwork.
“Whythe graywolf?” The wayhe worded his questionhad her glancingsharplyhis way.His profile was strong, his jaw firm.Herfingersitchedtocapturehisprofileonpaper.Hegavetheimpressionofamanholdinghimselfundertightcontrol.
“I’ve always had a fascinationwithwolves” Mostchildrenhad stuffed teddybears or dolls She’d gravitated to a plush wolfoneofherparents’friendshadgivenher,draggingiteverywhere.Asshe’dgrown,sohadherinterestuntilithadbecome anobsession Whenshe’dbeguntodraw,they’dbeenherfavoritesubject
Heangledhisbigbodysohewasfacingher,blockingherviewoftheroomandcreatinganintimateoasis.Theintensityin hiseyes,theflexofamuscleinhisjawhadherbackingupastep.
“Ah,Ishouldgetmyboss Iworkforthegallery”Sheclampedherlipstogether,awareshewasbabbling Itwasunlikeher Shewasknownforherpoise,theeasewithwhichshedealtwithclients.Itwaswhatmadehergoodatherjob.
Physical attraction aside, something about Kade triggered all her warning bells She’d grown up surrounded by manipulative,self-centered,narcissisticpeople.Hadlearnedhow tosortthemintotwocategories harmlessanddangerous. Whileshehadnoideaabouthisoverallpersonality,hedefinitelyfellintothesecondone
Thiswasamanusedtogettingwhathewanted.Foramandressedinjeansandaleatherjacket,hehadtheconfidenceofa manwithmoneyorpowerorboth.Whenshewenttogoaroundhim,hesteppedinfrontofher,blockingherescape.“Answer myquestion Whythis particulargraywolf?”
Herchinwentup,andsheglared.Notthatitdidanygood.Hisexpressionwasimplacable,hisdeterminationlikesteel.“If youmustknow,Idreamabouthim”
Itsounded stupid to admitsomethinglike thatoutloud, butshe’d beendreamingaboutthe graywolfmostofher life. The animal hadbeenacomfortandfriendwhenshewasyounger Lately,somethinghadchangedbetweenthemwhensheentered therealmofsleep.He’daslikelyrunawayfromherastoher.Theconflictingvibeshadleftherbewilderedandmelancholic. Ratherthangototherapy she’dhadenoughofthatasachild shedidwhatshealwayshadwhenlifegottobetoomuch.She painted
Until recently, she’d onlysketched her childhood imaginaryfriend. Their relationship was too personal to share, but his defectionhadcausedher tostartpaintinghim Someunknownimpulse oneshewas currentlyregretting haddrivenher to bringthisparticularcanvasfortheshowingtonight.
“Youdreamabouthim,”herepeatedherwordsbacktoher.
“Yes.”Crossingherarmsoverherchest,sheallbutdaredhimtomakesomethingofit.“It’sunconventionalbutnotunusual foracreativepersontohavevividdreams.”Thedamntherapistherparentshadhiredhadassuredherofthatmorethanonce. Shewasn’tcrazy Shehadanactiveimagination Oneshe’dputtogooduse “Howmuch?”
“What?”
Thecordsofhisthicknecktightenedashecantedhisheadtowardthepainting.“Howmuch?”
Anicychillsurroundedher SheglancedatthepaintingandbackatKade,uncertainshewantedtopartwithit Theimageof thewolfcamefromherheart,herverysoul.Sellingitwouldbelikesellingapieceofherself.“Twentythousand.”Shenamed theoutrageoussumtentimestheactualaskingprice “Sold.”
Herarmsdroppedbackbyhersides “What?”
Reachingout,heslidonefingerdownthesideofherface,theunexpectedwarmthseepingintoherskin.Goosebumpsrose onherarms.“I’lltakeit.”
“Wedon’tacceptchecks”Theydid,butfromestablishedclients,whichhewasn’t She’dloseherjobifChelseaheardher talkingtoacustomerthisway.Well,toughshit.Sheworkedherebecauseshelovedartandpeople,notbecausesheneededthe money Therewasnodenyingthecommissionshe’dmakefromthesalewouldpadherbankaccountnicely,butmorethanthat, itwouldtakehercareerasanartisttothenextlevel.
Hecasuallyreachedintothebackpocketofhis jeans,pulledouthis wallet,andremovedasleekblackcreditcard “Will thisdo?”
Afinetremblestartedathertoesandroseuntilherentirebodywasshaking.She’dseenacardlikethisoncebeforewhena SaudiArabianbusinessmanhadstoppedintothegallerytobuyagiftforhiswife Aneliteportionofsocietyhadthem They hadnolimit.
“Whydoyouwantit?”Theoneareaofherlifewhereshehadconfidencewasherart Sheknewshewasgood Damngood Butshewasanunknownartist,thesubjectmatterwasunlikeanythingelseintheplace,andtheaskingpricewasbeyondsteep. “Becauseitbelongstome.”Hereachedupandcarefullystrokedhisfingersoverthepainting,pausingonthemarkingonthe wolf’schest.
Imagesofthatsamestronghandcaressinghernakedskinmadeherbreathcatchinherthroat.Hernipplestightenedbeneath herclothes Heatspiraleddown,poolingbetweenherlegs Shemusthavemadeasmall soundbecausehisheadjerkedback towardher.Hisnostrilsflared.Hisgrayeyesnarrowed.Thenhesmiled.Therewasnothingpleasantaboutit.Itwasthesmile ofapredatorthat’dscentedprey AnimagepoppedintoherheadofthebigbadwolfandRedRidingHood Stop it!Herimaginationwasoutofcontrol.Hewasapowerfulmanwithmoney,usedtogettinghisway. You’ve handled his kind before Ignoring her wayward body, she took a breath to center herself. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll deal with your purchase.”
“I’ll take care ofour guest.” Chelsea stepped into view. She was smiling, but there was a tightness around her eyes and mouththatsaidshewasanythingbutpleased Lunahadn’theardor seenher bossapproachingbuthadnever beenhappier to seeher,inspiteofhermood.
“Ofcourse,”shemurmured Itwastheonlyacceptableanswerifshewantedtokeepherjob Lunamightrakeinsales,but shewasn’ttheowner.“ThisisChelsea,ownerandmanagerofthegallery.”
Shegavealowlaugh.“Nointroductionnecessary.We’realreadyacquainted.”
SomethingdarkanddeadlystirredinsideLunaatherboss’spossessivetone HergazenarrowedonwhereChelsea’shand grippedKade’sarm.How well acquaintedwerethey?Notherbusiness.Hewasnothingtoher.Whatdidshecarewhatthey didtogether?
Exceptshedid.
“WemetbrieflywhenIwalkedinearlierthisevening”HistonewassocoldanddismissiveLunahalfexpectedicecrystals toformintheairaroundhim.“IwasspeakingtoLunaaboutherpaintingthatIwishtopurchase.”
EitherChelseawasdenseorrefusedtobelieveshecouldn’tcharmKade likelythelatter becauseshelaughedagainand rubbed her shoulder against his “Are you sure you want this painting? There are more sophisticated ones downstairs by establishedartists.”
The digto her workmade her wince, but she quicklyevened out her expression, not wantingto show how muchit hurt Feelinglikeathirdwheel,shesteppedaway.
“Tonyneedshelpdownstairs”Itwasn’tasuggestionbutanorder Swallowingher anger,shebackedaway.“I’ll seetoit.Bytheway,thepurchasepriceis twentythousand.”Gainingsome satisfactionattheshockonherboss’sface,sheheadedtothestairs.
Withoutlookingback,shefeltKade’seyesonherasshewalkedaway
ChapterTwo
Thepainterhadclaws
Bothheandhiswolfapproved.Hewantedtochaseherdownanddragheroffsomewheretheycouldbealonebutrefrained. Shewaswaryenoughasitwas Shewasattractedtohimanddidn’twanttobe Hecouldrelate Afaintwhiffoflavender,likelyfromsoap,mixedwiththespiciernoteofherarousalandthesweetcherryofherlipgloss clungtotheairaroundhim.Hiswolfwantedtorollaroundinthescentuntilitcoveredhim.
Itfadedrapidly,overpoweredbyChelsea’sperfume Hewantedtogrowlandsnapattheolderwomanfortheinterruption, eventhoughitwasfor thebest.Hisprimal naturewasridingperilouslyclosetothesurface.SomethingaboutLunacalledto that part of him She was tall enoughthat their bodies would fit together perfectlywhentheymade love Her dress wasn’t fitted,buttherewasnohidingtheroundedcurveofherhipsandgenerousswellofherbreasts.Hisdickstirred,causinghimto swallowagroan Hisfingersitchedtospearthroughherwildanduntamedhairandgripitashefuckedheruntilshescreamed inecstasy.
Thentherewasheruniquecoloring thegraystreaksinherhairandhergrayeyes.Itwasmorethancoincidence.Thefirst stirring of anger ignited inside him He had no intention of falling victimto his baser instincts, of allowing himself to be controlledbyanother.He’dsurvivedthislongbybeingsmart.
Get your head on straight This is a job
Hehadn’tworkedthishardtocontrolhimselfsincehe’dmadehisfirstshift.WhoeverLunaWestwas,shewasadangerto him How muchofwhathe was experiencingwas natural attractionandhow muchmightbe a resultofsome mage-conjured spell?Thewhitewolfhadcautionedthatawomanwouldbethelurecastoutbyhisenemies.Asmuchashewantedtodiscount the warning, he wasn’t stupid. There were mystical elements at play. It was his job to get to the bottomof the conspiracy againstthelonewolvesandeliminateit
“Twentythousand.”Chelseagaveasharplaugh.“You’llhavetoforgiveLuna’sinflatedviewofhertalentandoddsenseof humor Honestly,Ifeltsorryforherandallowedhertohangapieceofherwork It’smygenerousnature,youunderstand The priceistwothousand.”
Shrugging her hand off his arm, he held out his credit card. “The price is twenty thousand and worth every penny.” He watchedherlipsflattenintoafrownassheweighedhisobviousbrush-offagainstthelureofhismoney.Nosurprise,thecash andpossibilityoffuturesaleswon.
The difference betweenthe two womenwas glaring Chelsea was hard, witha calculating, mercenaryside That wasn’t necessarilya bad thing. He appreciated her cunningand willingness to do whatever it tookto get what she wanted, but he sensedacrueledgetohertemperandfearedLunawouldtakethebruntofitfortonight’sfiasco Generousnature?Yeah,that wasalaugh.Thiswomandidnothingwithouttherebeingsomebenefitforher.
Luna,ontheotherhand,hadraisedthepriceonherwork,notoutofgreed,butbecausehegotthedistinctimpressionshe’d decided she was either having regrets about selling or didn’t want himto have it. She was protective of the wolf in the painting.
Thewolfonthecanvaswashim,downtothefinestdetail Whatwoulditbeliketohaveawomanlikeherbeasprotective of him? His skin rippled under his jacket, and he wrenched the creature back under control before it broke free. Merely becauseshe’dpaintedhim,claimedtodreamabouthim,didn’tmeantheyhadaconnection Hiswolfmightbereadytothrow cautionto the wind buthe wasn’t. Sniffingoutlies was one ofhis abilities as a lone wolf, and there hadn’tbeena whiffof anythingbuthonestyfromLuna.
Logicallyspeaking, it was more likelythe workof magic He supposed he could be under surveillance, but he couldn’t figureouthow.Hemovedconstantly,neverstayinginoneplace,drivenbythecompulsioninsidehimtohuntroguewolves.He despised the sense ofbeingmanipulated bya force outside himself Thathad alreadyhappened once inhis life whenhe’d become the lone wolf. He hadn’t asked for that and hadn’t asked for this, either, but fate or life didn’t give a shit what he wanted
“Ifyou’llcomedownstairs,wecanseetotheparticulars.Iassumeyou’llwantthecanvasshipped.”Heelsclickingagainst thehardwoodflooring,shestrodetothestairs.
“Yes”Hewascurrentlystayinginahotel He’dhaveitdeliveredthereandarrangeshippinghimself Itwouldbepickedup
byathirdpartyandputinastoragelockerwhereitwouldremainuntilhecouldpersonallycollectit.Hetrustednoonewith hishomeaddress.
AshefollowedChelsea,hetrackedLuna Shewaschattingwithanoldercouplewhoseemedenthusiasticaboutaparticular painting.Asifsensinghisgaze,sheturnedherhead,andtheireyesmet.Allothersoundaroundhimmuteduntiltheonlything hecouldhearwashersharpintakeofbreathandtherapidbeatofherheart
“This way.”Chelseabrokehis concentration.Noseintheair,sheledhimtoacounter atthecenter ofthegallery.“Where wouldyoulikethepaintingsent?”
“Myhotel.”Hegavetheaddress.
Sheglancedatthecreditcardbeforesheranit.“Thisisacorporatecard.You’reintownonbusiness?”
“Yes” KAIncorporated was anumbrella companyfor all his other interests He had other credit cards, but none of the namesonthemwereactuallyhis.Multipleidentitieswereaprecaution.Itwasn’talwayseasytotell friendfromfoe.Andin thesemoderntimes,itwaseasytotrackpeople’spurchasesandmovements
Hefinishedthetransaction,notingtheparticularsonthedeliveryform,andheldouthishandforthecard.Sheoffereditbut held onrather thanreleasingit “Ifyou’d like companywhile you’re intown ” She lether suggestionhangthere between them.
He normally had no problemwith an assertive woman, one who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go for it. Tonight,hefounditannoying “I’llbebusywithmeetings”Bettertobevaguethanrebuffheroutrightincaseheneededfurther information.Thistimewhenhetugged,sheletgo.
“Ifthatchanges ”Sheproducedanivorycardembossedwithgoldscript Ithadthenameofthegalleryandthenumberon thefront.Heflippeditover,notsurprisedtoseeanothernumberwrittenininkontheback.“Myprivateline,”shesaidwitha smile.
Hetuckeditintohiswalletwithhiscreditcard.“It’sbeenafascinatingevening.”Noliethere. Hersmilewidened,andshelickedherbottomlip.“Itcouldbeevenbetter.” “I’msureitcould”Butnotwithher Thelaughterandconversationaroundhimgratedonhisnerves Hiswolfwaspacing inside him. The air was stifling, even with the air conditioning. Too many people. Too many smells. Too many emotions batteringathim Heheadedstraightforthedoor WhenLunaglancedhisway,ittookeverythinginhimnottograbherandmakearunforit.
Not yet Thereweretoomanyunansweredquestions.
Whenhe hitthe sidewalk, he tooka deep breath. He glanced athis watch, surprised to find a little over a halfhour had passed.Suchashorttime,butmeetingLunahadsethistrajectoryonadifferentpath.Lifewaslikethat.Youneverknewwhen ahugeshiftwasgoingtooccur
He hadn’t connected with Devlin since he’d arrived fromBrazil. He’d turned his phone off during the flight and hadn’t turneditbackon,distractedbytherestlessnessofhiswolf Hehadnoideaiftheinnervoicethatsometimeswhisperedtohim belongedtothegraywolfitselforifitwasfromsomeoutsidesource,butithadbeentheresincehe’dmadehisfirsttransition. Thevoiceguidedhimtohisprey.Intheearlydays,he’dfoughttheurgetohuntuntilthecompulsionalmostdrovehimoutofhis mind Itwaseitherfollowitorgomad Sinceheenjoyedhissanity,hehunted
Hecrossedatthelightsandduckedintoacoffeeshop.Thegalleryopeningdidn’tendforanotherhour,andheintendedto followLunahome Hedidn’tviewitasstalking Ifshewassomehowinvolvedinthemesswiththelonewolves andevery indicatorpointedinthatdirection thenitwashisjobtoprotecther.Atleastuntilhediscoveredifshewasaninnocentparty oramajorplayerintheconspiracytoharmhimandtheothertwo Ifitwasthelatter
HisstomachclenchedatthethoughtofhavingtoputLunadownlikearoguewolf.Therewasareasonherarelylookedat himselfinthemirror.Toomuchdeathandbloodonhishands.Ittookatoll.Thereweredayshewonderedwhyhebothered, whyheclungsotenaciouslytolife,buthe’dneverbeenaquitter Life,despitethehardships,wasprecious
Aftergrabbingacoffee,hetookanemptyseatbythewindow,givinghimaperfectvantagepoint.Hewincedwhenheturned onhisphone He’dmissedthreecallsfromDevlin Consideringthey’dnevertalkeduntilafewdaysago,somethingbigmust haveoccurred.
Heplacedthecall,glaringatamanwhowasabouttositnearhim Theguyturnedonhisheelandfoundaseatatthebackof thecafe.
“Aboutfuckingtime,”Devlingrowledinlieuofagreeting.
“I’vebeenbusy Whathappened?”
“CharlesArmstrongandSolangeDupree.Eitherofthosenamesringabell?”
Heplayedthemoverinhismindandcameupempty “No,shouldthey?”
“He’sthewolfbehindthisproject.She’sthemagehelpinghim.”
He tightenedhis jaw tokeepfromswearing,wishinghe’dwaiteduntil he was inhis hotel roomtomake contact.“You’re sure?”Deadsilence.Kadewassurprisedthewhitewolfhadn’thunguponhim.Ifhewasn’t100percentcertain,hewouldn’t havementionedthem.“Right,sowhatdoyouknow?”
“Bothareobsessedwithbecomingimmortal.Betweenthem,theyhaveunlimitedresourcesandmanpower.”Hehuffedouta breath.“They’realsoresponsibleforthethreeofusbeinghereatthesametime.”
“Sonofabitch”He’dfaceddeadlyfoesbefore,butthistookittoawholeotherlevel Itwouldhavetakenincrediblyheavydutymagic to manipulate the essence ofthe lone wolfto ensure thatthree ofthem a white, a gray, and a blackwolf had comeintoexistenceontheverysamenight Intheory,thepowershouldhavebeendiminished,splitamongthem Inactuality, theywereallaspowerfulasanylonewolfinhistory.
“That’s impressive and scary as hell” It would be stupid to underestimate his opponents He looked out at the street, wondering if someone was tracking his movements, even now. It should be impossible, but he wasn’t arrogant enough to believe it couldn’t happen. Havinga mage of that caliber involved changed everything. “Have youcontacted Dagen?” The blackwolfwasanevenmoresolitarybastardthanDevlin
“Yes.Noword.”
It didn’t surprise him Kade had also left a multitude of messages All had gone unanswered He couldn’t evenhunt him downtotrytotalkwithhiminperson.Theblackwolfhadanadvantageinthatnoonequiteknewwhathelookedlikebeyonda general description His blackhair and eyes made iteasier for himto blend withthe general population unlike himselfor Devlin.Thetattoosethimapart,butashirteasilyhidthemarkingunlesshewasinwolfform.
“Duringourencounter,Charlessustainedlife-threateninginjuries.Youlikelyhaveadayortwobeforetheshithitsthefan.”
“Goodtoknow”Whateverhadgonedownbetweentheirenemiesandthewhitewolfhadtohavebeenonehellofabattle, butthewarwasfarfromover.
He haddozens ofquestions,butthere was one thatcouldn’twait “Is Zoe aninnocentpawn?” Zoe was the womanwho’d come into Devlin’s life. She shared the same eye color as the white wolf and had streaks of the same hair color. She was essentiallyhisLuna.
“Yes.”
The knot in his gut remained. While he wanted Luna to be exactly who she seemed to be a human artist he couldn’t assumeanything Therewastoomuchatstake “Weneedtomeet,”Devlinsaid.
Okay,thiswassurelyasignoftheendoftheworld Heneverthoughthe’dlivelongenoughtohearthewhitewolfsayhe wantedtomeet.Ascuriousashewas,itwouldhavetowait.“Can’t,atleastnotyet.I’malreadyonthehunt.Crossedpaths withawomanwithuniqueeyesandstreaksofgrayinherhair.Soundfamiliar?” “Itdoes.Listen,therearethingsyouneedtoknow,”Devlinbegan.
Thedoortothegalleryopened.Luna’sshoulderswerehunchedassheheadeddownthestreet.Whatthehell?Thepartyat thegallerywasn’tover “Gottago”Heendedthecall,jumpedup,andhitthedoorrunning
Chelseawasnothappy
EventheextracommissionfromthesaleofLuna’spaintinghadn’tsoothedheranger.Okay,sogivinganoverinflatedprice onapiecewasnotcompanypolicy She’dcoptothat Butitwasn’therfaultKadehadn’ttakenherbossuponherafter-hours offer.Notthatshe’dcomeoutandsaidas much.No,she’dhintedthatLuna’s conductmighthavecostthegalleryapotential customer,arichone
“Potentialcustomer,myass.Sexpartnerismorelikeit.”Itwascommonknowledgeamongthestaffthatsheoftensleptwith attractivemaleclientsandartists singleandmarried.Itwasn’tsomethingtheytalkedabout,notiftheywantedtokeeptheir jobs
The factthatLuna had personallysold over thirtythousand dollars inarttonightfor the gallery includingthe sale ofher ownpainting seemedirrelevanttoherboss Thatwasalotofmoney,consideringChelseahandledtherepeatclientsandbig spenders.
Fortunately, she got to duck out early since she was working in the morning By the time Chelsea showed up around lunchtimetomorrow,hopefullyhermoodwouldbebetter.Otherwise,she’dmakeLuna’slifehell.
Asshewaitedatthecorner for thelighttochange,sheallowedthejoyfizzingaroundinsideher tosurface.Despitebeing conflictedaboutlettinggoofthepaintingofherwolf,she’dhadherfirstmajorsale Twentythousandfreakingdollarswasn’t chump change. She’d sold sketches and smaller pieces atartfairs and markets, butnothingofthis magnitude. Notevenher boss’sbadmoodcouldbringherdown Thiswaswhatshe’dworkedandsacrificedfor,andithadfinallyhappened
Onthathappynote,shecrossedthestreet,eagertogethomeandtreatherselftoaglassofwinetocelebrate.Herentirebody hummed.Notallherexcitementwasduetothesaleofherwork.Someofitwasdirectlyduetothemanwho’dpurchasedit. Therewasnodenyingtheimmediatesexualattraction.Whenshe’dseenhimstandinginfrontofherpainting,itwasasthougha switchhadbeenflickedinsideher.Everycellinherbodyhadcomealive.
Itwasafirstforherandhadcaughtheroffguard Hersexlifewasboring,atbest,andhadbeennonexistentformorethana year.All herpastboyfriendshadcomplainedshe’dspenttoomuchtimeobsessedwithherwork.Theyweren’twrong,butit
wasmorethattherelationshiphadn’tbeenimportantenoughforhertogiveuphervaluablestudiotime.
God, she sounded like her parents, somethingshe’d fought against her entire life. Theywere bothartistic her mother a famous actress, her father a respected and sought-after director and devoted to their careers They’d had no time for or interestinthechildthey’dmadetogether.
“Stopit”Whenamangaveherawideberthonthesidewalk,sherealizedshe’dalmostshoutedthewords Pushingherlips together,shebroughtherthoughtsbacktoamorepleasanttopic.
Kade Alvarez Itwas a strongname and suited him She absentlyreached up and touched her cheekwhere his finger had stroked.Itwassillytobelieveshecouldstillfeeltheheatfromhisskin.Droppingherhand,shetuggedherlightsweatermore firmlyaroundher.ItmightbeJunebuttheeveninghadadistinctchill.
Themanleftanimpression Hismassivesizenotwithstanding,therewassomethingabouthimthatdrewhereye andthatof everyotherwomanintheplace.Charisma.Hehaditinspades.Heoozedinnatestrengthandcontrol.Addwealthontopofit anditautomaticallymadeherdistrusthim Itwasjustaswellherbosshadsteppedintotakeover Otherwise,Lunamighthave renegedonthesale.Thatwouldhavesurelygottenherfired,nottomentionitwascountertohercareergoals.Shedidn’thave toliketheclients whoboughther work GoodthingbecauseKadeconfusedher,sendingher emotions spinningonewayand thentheother.Hedidn’twalk.Heprowled.There’dbeenabriefsecondwhereshe’dfelt…hunted.Forabigman,hemoved withafluidgracethatwasalmostanimalistic.Likealeopardorpanther.
Orawolf
Sheranherhandsupanddownherarmsandpickedupherpace.Shewaslettingherimaginationrunaway…again.Itwas nothingmorethancoincidencethathishairwasthesameshadeasthefurofherwolf,thattheireyeswereexactlyalike Herstepsfaltered.“Itdoesn’tmeananything.”Nowshewasdippingintotherealmoftheridiculous.Shivering,shehurried therestoftheway.Onceinsideherbuildingandsafelylockedinherapartment,shekickedoffhershoesandwiggledhertoes before headingstraightfor the kitchen. “And you’re notlikelyto see himagain.” Chelsea had mentioned he was intownon business.Whenawaveofsadnesswashedoverher,sheignoredit.Themanwasastranger,butonewithwhomshe’dshareda pivotallifemoment She’dneverforgethim
There was an open bottle of white wine in the refrigerator, but this demanded something special. Chelsea had received severalbottlesofMoetchampagnelastChristmasfromclients LunaandTonyhadbeenre-giftedoneeachinlieuoftheirboss actuallyspendingherownmoneyonthem.Ifeveranoccasioncalledforchampagne,thiswasit.
Shelaughedwhenthecork popped,andshepouredsomeoftheliquidgoldintoaglass.Liftingit,shetoastedherself.“You didit.”Shetookasip.“Mmm.Delicious.”Glass inhand,shewanderedtothewindow andstaredoutatthecitylights.She loved it here the activity, the culture, the opportunities to mix and mingle with a variety of people from all different backgroundsandethnicities Ithaditall Bestofall,itwasthepolaroppositeofwhereshe’dgrownup
Thankstoherbusinessacumenandahealthytrustfund,sheownedhertwo-bedroomcondo.Shewasindependent,notstupid. Ifallherparentshadtogiveherwasmoney,she’dtakeitandputittogoodusecreatingapermanenthome,onethatreflected hereclectictastesandnotwhateverdesigneroftheseasonthatappealedtohermother.
Herparentshadignoredherformostofherlife,butshe’dhadthebestnanniesandbeenhomeschooledbythefinesttutors moneycould buy She’d takenfull advantage of her opportunities, worked hard, and graduated highschool early Readyto leavetheglitzandglamorofCaliforniabehind,she’dmovedtoNew York.Noonehadquestionedherage.All they’dcared was thatshe’dpaidcashfor the place Usedtohandlingher personal business,she’dsettledinquicklyandenrolledinboth paintingandbusinesscourses.Herworkatthegallerywasanothersortofeducation,asweretheonlinemarketingclassesshe fitintoherbusyschedule
Attwenty-four,shewaswellonherwaytofulfillingherdreams.Ifshewaslonelyattimes,shedismissedit.Nothingwasas importantashercareer.Peoplecameandwentandcouldn’tbedependedon alessonhardlearned butherpassion,herlove forherartneverwavered
Onstocking-cladfeet,she paddeddownthe shorthallwaytothe larger bedroom,whichcontainedher studio.Canvases some filled withfantastical scenes, some prepped and waiting leaned against the wall She walked over to the largest, a companiontotheonethathadsoldtonight.Takingasipofchampagne,shestudiedit. The wolfstood alone onthe mistymountain He wasn’thowlinginthis one No, he was staringstraightather Crouching down,shetouchedherfingerstohisfur,halfexpectingtofeelsoftnessandheat,buttherewasonlycoolpaint. “It’snothingmorethanacoincidence.”Maybeifshesaiditenough,she’dbelieveit. Ifher wolfwas tomorphintoaman,he’dlookexactlylikeKade Achill wentdownher spine Straightening,shebacked awayand turned toward her easel. Settingher almost-full glass onthe table nextto it, she picked up a pencil and beganto sketch
ChapterThree
Kadestoodonthesidewalkandstaredupatthebuilding Whenamancameout,hetookadvantageandcaughtthedoorbefore itclosed.Itwaseasyenoughtofollowherscenttotheelevator.Hebypasseditandheadedtowardthestairs.Thereweresix floors Hecheckedthemoneatatime
Hiswolfwhinedhappilywhenhefinallytrackedhertothetopfloor.Kadestaredatthedoorway,suspicionrising,darkand ugly.Therewerenootherhumanscentsaroundherapartment,indicatingLunalivedalone.Rentwasn’tcheapinthispartofthe city,andlivingonthetopflooruppedtheprice Whatevershemadeatthegallerywouldn’tcoverthecost
Wherewasthemoneycomingfrom?Wasitfamilywealth,arichpatron,orpossiblyaboyfriendhelpingtofootthebill?His wolf emitted a low growl at the idea of another male being around her Maybe she was subletting from someone or had inheritedtheproperty.Therewereotherpossibilitiesthanbeingfinancedbyhisenemiesforherinvolvementinaplotagainst the lone wolves He dabbledinreal estate himself All the lone wolves did Propertyappreciatedinvalue over time When onewasstaringimmortalityintheface,itmadesensetoplanahead.
Heplacedhispalmagainstthedoorandinhaled.Lavenderandahintofcherrymingledwithherintoxicatinglynaturalmusk. Hisdicksprangtolife,makinghisjeansuncomfortablytight Wrenchinghimselffree,hewalkedaway Hiswolfgrowled,not happytobeleavingLuna.Hetuggedthecreatureundercontrol.Theyhadworktodo.
Timetogethisheadbackinthegame The attraction isn’t real Or ifitwas,itwas accordingtothewhitewolf being ampedupbymagic.Frustratedoneverylevel,helopeddownthestairs,needingtogetawaytothink.Backonthestreet,he gulpedinfreshair,tryingtoridhimselfofherscent Poisedintheshadow ofthebuilding,hestudiedthearea Therewasno senseofanyonewatching.Nosignofanythingoutofplace.Butlookscouldbedeceiving.Hecouldn’taffordtounderestimate hisenemies.
Whenhewassatisfiedhewasn’tbeingshadowed,helopeddownthesidewalk Itwouldbefastertocatchacabbacktohis hotel,butheneededtowalkandthink.Twentyminuteslater,thesingleconclusionhe’dcometowasthatheneededtoseeLuna again Whateverwasgoingon victimoruptoherneckinconspiracy shewasatthecenterofit
ThedoormanondutyjumpedtoopenthedoorwhenhesawKadecoming.Aftergivingthemananod,hecontinuedon.The lobbywas almostempty,buthe scanneditall the same. He tookthe stairs tothe eighthfloor,unwillingto be trapped inthe confinesoftheelevatorforevenashortperiodoftime.
Once inside his room, he tossed his jacketona chair and stripped offhis clothes withoutbotheringto turnona light. He didn’tneedittobeabletosee Theambientlightingfromoutsidewasmorethanenough,evenifhedidn’thavepreternatural vision.
Thecoolairfromtheair-conditioningunitbrushedhisoverheatedbody,thetouchfeatherlight Liftinghishand,hestaredat hisfingers,theonesthathadtouchedLuna.Herskinhadbeensoftandsmooth.Herubbedtwoofthemtogetherandthenswore. Fistinghishand,hedraggedtheotherthroughhishair.
“Get your head screwed onstraight or youmight end up headless.” Not somethinghe found appealing. And if Luna was innocentintheplotsswirlingaroundhim,shecouldbehurt,evendieifhescrewedup.
Hiswolfsnappedtoattentioninsidehim,thesenseofrestlessnessdogginghimreplacedbydeadlypurpose After digging outapairofloosetrackpantsandpullingthemon,hetookhislaptoptothetableinthesittingarea.Whenitpoweredup,he typed “Luna West” into the search engine The usual social media site links popped up He checked each one To say the informationwassparsewasanunderstatement.Therewasabsolutelynothingofapersonal natureonanyofthem.Other than herart,itwasasthoughshedidn’texistonline.
Noteveryone puttheir life storyoutthere for public viewing He sure as hell didn’t He had several accounts under fake namessohecouldmonitorthewolfpacks.Butitdidsendupagiantredflag.Awomaninhermid-twentiesshouldhavesome socialfootprint picturesoffriends,amentionofasocialeventorholiday,something
“Damnit.”Herubbedthebackofhisneck,butitdidn’talleviatethetension.Asicksensationspreadthroughhisstomach. Hecouldn’taffordtoignoretheobvious Shewashidingsomething
Thetruthwasgoingtotaketimetodigout,somethinghewasshorton.Grabbingaburnerphoneoutofhisbag purchased underoneofhismanyaliases hepunchedinanumberheknewbyheart.Itwasansweredonthefirstring.“HowmayIbeof assistance?”
“Ineedacompletebackgroundonaperson,andIneedityesterday.” “Name?” The voice on the other end of the line sounded neither old nor young and had no identifying accent. It wasn’t distortedbecauseitwasdistinctlymale Thepersonhewasspeakingwithwasabroker,ofsorts,paidalotofmoneyforhis efficiencyanddiscretion.
“LunaWest”Herattledofftheemailaccounttheinformationshouldbesentto,followedbyherhomeandworkaddress,and thenhungup.Atextpinged withanaccountnumberandamount.Confirmationcamesecondsafterpaymentwastransferred. Heendedthecallandclosedthecoverofhislaptopbeforestandingandrollinghistightshoulders Allhecoulddonowwas wait.Thebrokerprovidedservicestoaselectclientele thosewithmoney.Hisnetworkofoperativeswasextensive.Needa hacker,contactthebroker.Needabodydisposedof,callthebroker.Needadoctortoremoveabullet,callthebroker.Need someonekilled,callthebroker Thelistwasendless
Whoever he was, he did have scruples, of a sort. Fromwhat Kade had managed to uncover over the years whichwas preciouslittleandhe’ddughard humantraffickersneednotcall Onecartelhadn’tlikedbeingtoldnoandhadtriedtohunt thebrokerdown.Thatcartelnolongerexisted.Whoeverhewas,thebrokerdidnotfuckaround.
Partofhimhatedgivingmoneytoapersonwhoworkedwithcriminals,butbeggarscouldn’tbechoosers Notlikehecould reachouttothepacksforhelp.Timeslikethis,beingalonewolfsucked.
He should contactDevlinand setup a time and place to meetthe white wolfinperson. They’d either become friends or they’dkilleachother Theywerebrothersofasort,withoutthebloodrelationship Although,sincetheywerebothapartofthe lonewolf,maybetheydidshareabloodbondofsorts.
Groaning,hetossedthephoneontothebedsidetable,droppedontothebed,rolledontohisback,andstaredupatthedark ceiling.His stomachgrowled.Heignoredit.Dragginghimselfouttogetfoodor callingroomserviceseemedliketoomuch trouble.Ashowermighthelphimrelax.Hebroughthishanduptohisnoseandsniffed.Thetouchhadbeenbrief.Itshouldbe impossibletosmellLuna.Yetsomehowitwasthere,delicateandlight.
Hisdickpunchedatthefrontofhistrackpants.Groaning,hethrewhisarmoverhisfaceandtookadeepbreath.Itwasgoing tobeahellofalongnight Withoneeartunedtohisphone he’dgetatextwhentheinformationcamethrough heclosedhis eyes.Besttocatchsomesleepwhilehecould.
Lunawaveredonherfeet.Sheblinkedseveraltimes,asifcomingoutofatrance.Itwaslikethatsometimeswhenshegotinto thezonewithherwork,herhandmovingunderitsownvolition,withoutherbeingfullyincontrol
Shesetherpencilcarefullyonthetableandstared.Afullysketcheddesigncoveredtheentirecanvas.Nothingunusualabout that No,itwasthesubjectmatterthatcaptivatedher
Itwasn’tawolforamagicallandscape,herusualchoices.ItwasKade.Wearingapairoffadedjeansthathuggedhisthick thighsanddippedslightlyatthewaist,hestoodonamountaintop,handsonhips,andstaredoutatthenight.Themusclesinhis barechestrippledwithbarelyleashedpower Hisflexedbicepswereenormous Whiletherewasnoignoringthesheerbrawn oftheman,whatdrewhereyeswasthetattooetchedrightoverhisheart.
“It’sthesame”Theblack,sickle-shapedbladematchedtheonevisibleonthegraywolfinherpaintings She flopped down on the comfy blue sofa she’d put in here for times when she wanted a break but didn’t want to quit working Closingher eyes,shetiltedher headbackandtookseveral calmingbreaths Whenshelookedback,theimagewas unchanged.
“Heis not thegraywolf.”Hewasaman.Unlesshewasawerewolf.Givingamoan,shedroppedherheadintoherhands. “I’movertiredandhadtoomuchexcitement”Bothlogicalreasonsforhermomentarylapseintotheimpossible He’dboughtherpainting.Thecolorofhishairandeyesmatchedherwolf. It also matches yours, atinyvoiceinthebackof herheadreminded “Coincidence,”shewhispered Itmadeperfectsenseforhersubconscioustolinkthetwo She’devenhad thethoughtearlierthatifherwolfwastocometolifehe’dlooklikeKade.
“Timetogotobed”Thethoughtdriftedaway,andsheremainedwhereshewas Shehadnoideawhattimeitwas,butit waslate.Innotnearlyenoughhours,shehadtodragherselftowork.Shewasanearlyriser,andthisroomgotthemorningsun. Noneedtobothersettinganalarm.
Stretchingout,shepulledthelightcottonthrowfromthebackofthesofaandcoveredherlegs Shewasstillwearingmakeup andwasfullydressed,butitseemedliketoomuchtroubletodoanythingaboutit.Thesoftcushionsmoldedaroundherbody. Sheclosedhereyesandpulledthecoveringupsoitblockedtheoverheadlight This is ridiculous Therewasaperfectlygood bedafewfeetaway.Andashower.Thatwasthelastthoughtshehadasshedriftedoff…
Thechillofthenightairsentgoosebumpsracingdownherarms,butnothingcoulddeterherfromreachingthesummitofthe hill. She was shoeless, the bottoms of her stockings shredded bythe roughground. Twigs snagged her dress as she fought throughthedenseforestundergrowth.
Lungsheaving,musclesinherlegsburningfromexertion,shebrokethroughthetreelineandontotheplateau Themoonrode low inthesky.Itwassocloseitfeltasthoughshecouldreachoutandtouchit.Starsshimmeredlikediamondsontheblack
silkofthesky.Anowlhootedofftoherleft.Aslightbreezeruffledtheleaves.
Thelandscapewasbreathtaking,butwhathadherheartracingandjoyburstingwithinherwasthewolfsittingontheedgeof the rockydrop-off “You’re here” Hand extended, she tooka step forward “You’ve beenavoidingme” Whenhe remained seated,sheriskedanotherstep.
Thewolftiltedhisheadtooneside He’dbeenfullygrownthefirsttimehe’denteredherdreamworld She’dchanged,but he’dremainedthesame…untillately.
“Ithoughtwewerefriends”Notwillingtochancehimbolting,shesanktotheground,ignoringthechillthatseepedthrough hersummerdress.Itwascolderthishighup. Hedippedhishead.
“Thenwhyhaveyoubeenavoidingme?”Eventhoughapartofherrealizedshewasdreamingandthatthecreaturehadnever spokentoher,shewaitedforananswer.Whenthewolfcontinuedtostare,shelickedherdrylips.“Imetsomeonetonight.He remindedmeofyou”
Whenhisearstwitched,shecontinued.“Ifyouwerehuman,he’dlooklikeyou.Sameeyes.Hairthecolorofyourfur.”She absentlyrubbed her hand over her heart “He boughtthe paintingofyou” Droppingher gaze, she ranthe tips ofher fingers over the ragged edge ofa rock. “I’mnotsure how Ifeel aboutthat. Itwas excitingto make myfirstbigsale. Icharged him twenty thousand dollars.” It was second nature to confide in her furry friend. “It was supposed to be two thousand, but I panicked Iwasn’tsureIwantedhimtohaveit”
Thewindstilled.The creatures ofthe forestwentsilent.Aheaviness filledthe air.Luna raisedher headandmetthe gray eyesofthewolf Therewasasenseofintelligencebehindthemthatwentfarbeyondthatofanormalanimal Her scalp prickled, and an icy shiver skated down her spine. She had been visiting withher wolf for two decades, but tonight he was a stranger, not the friend and guardian with whom she’d spent countless hours sharing dream adventures. Pressingherhandstotheground,shepushedtoherfeet.
“I’llleave.Iwon’ttrytofindyouagain.”Thewrenchinherheartwaspainful,thewoundtohersouldevastating.Herwolf wastheonlyoneshe’deverbeenabletodependon,andnowshewaslosinghim “Idon’tunderstand,” she cried,unwillingtolethimgowithouta fight.“Whathappened? WhatdidIdowrong?” Itwas a questionshe’daskedthroughhertearstoomanytimesasachild Oneshe’dsworeshe’dneveraskagain Whydidsheassume shewasatfault,thattherewassomethingwrongwithher?
Because everyone leaves parents, nannies, tutors, lovers Thepainfulremindermadeherchesttighten.“Youknowwhat? Forgetit.Whateverbugisupyourfurrybuttisyourproblem.Iconjuredonewolfinmydreams.Icanfindanother.Ormaybea bear.Abig,cuddlybear.”
The air around the wolf shimmered His shape began to change Almost faster than her eyes could comprehend, limbs reformed,theshapeofhisfacechanged,andfurgavewaytotannedflesh.Verynaked,verymuscular,verymaleflesh.
Ablack,sickle-shapedtattoowasvisibleonhischest,exactlywhereshe’dpencileditinonthecanvas,exactlywhereitwas onher wolf.“That’s notpossible.”Reachingout,shetentativelytouchedthemark,jerkingher handbackwhenitmetheated skin.“Thisiswrong.Youcan’tbemywolf.”
“Whynot?” Kade tilted his head to the side, the movementone her wolfhad made hundreds oftimes Curiosityfilled his familiareyes.
Swallowinghard, she kepther gaze above his waist The glimpse she’d gottenwas more thana little intimidating, notto mentionarousing.Themanwasbuilt,ineverysenseoftheword.Butthatwasirrelevant.Right?
Wherewasshe?“Because”Notexactlyastellaranswer,butwhocared?“Werewolvesaren’treal Thisismydream,andI wantmyfriendback.”Thatshouldbeclearenoughforevenhimtounderstand. “No.”Crossinghisarmsoverhismassivechest,heglaredather. Thatwasit?Thatwashisanswer?No
Angerbubbledupinsideher “Listen,buddy,it’sbadenoughyouownapaintingof mywolf,butyoudon’tgettoinvademydreams.”Theywerespecial,somethingshecherished.
“Yourdream?”Hisscowldeepened “You’reinmydream” “That’s impossible.” It had to be, right? Unless whatever strange connection she’d felt when they’d met had somehow createdsomesortofpsychiclink No,thatwastoooutthere,evenfor her Thiswasobviouslyher psyche’swayofworking thingsout.Shedidn’tneedtheaggravation.“I’mdone.I’mleaving.”Despiteherbestefforts,herfeetremainedgluedinplace. Thiswasn’tright.Thehairsonherarmrose,andfearcreptupherspine.
Afterseveraltenseseconds,heuncrossedhisarmsanddraggedonehandthroughhishair “I’mnotsurewhatisgoingon,but ifyou’retellingthetruth ” “Iam,”sheinterrupted
Havinga hot, naked guyappear ina dreamwasn’tsucha bad thing. Ifhe wasn’tbeingso unpleasantand accusatory, she mightactuallyenjoyit.Butsincethisonewasdoingnothingbutaggravatingher,therewasonlyonethingtodo. Grabbingtheskinonherforearm,shetwisted.“Ouch.”
“Whatareyoudoing?”Hepushedherhandaway,liftedherarm,andrubbedtheredpatch.Thetouchwasimpersonal,but
herinnermusclesclenched,asifhe’dstrokedherintimately.Heruninhibitedresponsewasbothembarrassingandinfuriating.
“I’mtryingtowakeup.”Aluciddreamersincechildhood,itwassomethingshe’dtaughtherself.Itwasusuallynoproblem unlessshewasinareallydeepsleep
“Youdon’twantto do that.” His voice seemed to drop anoctave, becomingimpossiblydeep and gruffand raisinggoose bumpsonherarms
“Idon’t?”Heatrolledoffhisbigbody,chasingawaythechill.Hewassocloseshecouldn’thelpbutnoticethewayhisgray eyesdarkened Shewasbreathless,herheartgoingninetymilesanhour “Whynot?”
“Becausethenyou’dmissthis.”Heloweredhisheadandbrushedhismouthoverhers.Theworldaroundherwentstilland silentwhenhe made contact. Her eyes flutteringshut, she willinglysankinto the kiss. Just this once, she told herself. The caresswassoftandbrief,hisbreathwarmonherface Whenshelickedherlips,hegrowledandtookhermouthagain There wasnothingtentativethistime.
The ground beneathher feettrembled, or maybe itwas onlyher shakingbeneaththe onslaughtofdesire She clungto him whenherkneeswentweak,diggingherfingersintohishardbiceps.She’dhadseveralloversinherlife,hadbrieflylivedwith aguyforfourmonthsinherlateteens,butnoneofthemhadeverkissedlikethis
Theintensityandfocuswasall-consuming.Heclaimedhermouth,thrustinghistongueinside,tanglingitwithhersinadance ofbackandforth.Goinguponhertoes,shegaveintotheheatedmadnesswithaferocitythatwouldhavescaredherinreal life
Butthiswasadream.
Thehotpulseofhiscockagainstherstomachhadhercorethrobbingtoaprimalbeat She’dbeenchilledearlier Nowshe wassweating.Herclothesweretooheavyandconfining.Shewantedtotouchhimskintoskin.
Heranhishandsdownherback,caughtthefabric,andyankeditupuntilhishandswerecuppingherass.Shesquirmedand brokethekiss.“Undermyunderwear,”shedemanded.
Rip! The thinsilkand lace ofher panties were torn. Okaythatwas reallyhot,the kind ofthingthathappenedinbooks or movies ordreams Realitydescendedwithaheavythud,andshestiffened Hishandstightenedonherbehind.“What’swrong?” “Whatare we doing?” Aroguishgrincrossed his face, makinghimlooksexier thanever Her nipples tightened, rubbing againstthecupsofher bra.“Imean,Iknow whatwe’redoing,butwhatifthisissomehow real?”Heatclimbedupher neck andfaceatthepossibility,nomatterhow improbable.“Imean,it’sadream,butyousaidIwasinyourdream,butthisismy dream.”Itwasallsoconfusing.Italmostkilledher,butsheshovedathischestandtookastepback. She could feel the imprint of his hands on her bottom. Taste himon her swollen lips. It was all too real, even for her. Whateverwashappeningbetweenthemwasmorelikearunawaytrainbarrelingdownthetrack Ifitdidn’tstop,itwouldend inafierycrash.Itwastoooutofcontrol,tooscary.Kadewasnothergraywolf.Hewasamanofwealthandpower,oneshe didn’tknowandcouldn’ttrust,noteveninherdreams “Whoareyou,KadeAlvarez?” “YouknowwhoIam?”
Sheshookherhead,refusingtobelieveit.“No.”
Heturnedhisheadslightly Thelightcaughthiseyes,reflectinglikeitdidwithananimal “I’mthegraywolf” Thedreamworldbegantofade…
“No!”Shelungedandsatuprightsofastsherolledoffthecouchandontothefloor,barelycatchingherselfbeforeherhead hitthehardwood.Her bodyachedwithlonging.Raisingher handtoher mouth,shetouchedher lips.Theywereslightlywet andswollen Stunned,Lunasatonthefloorofherstudioinahaloofsunlight Sunlight.
“Oh, God. I’mgoingto be late for work.” Not somethingshe could afford after lastnight’s fiasco. Usingthe edge ofthe couch,shepulledherselftoherfeet Herdresswasshovedupalmosttoherwaist Shefrozewhencoolairhitbareskin She reached downand found tornpanties, ragged edges of fabric clingingto the waistband. “It was nothingmore thana dream Ididthisinmysleep”Therewasnootherexplanationshewaswillingtoconsider “Nomorechampagnelateatnight foryou.”
Hergazefell ontheoutlineofthemanonthecanvas Hissomberexpressionalmostseemedtomockher “Youarenotthe graywolf.”Itwastooabsurdtoconsiderforevenasecond.Shegrabbeditofftheeaselandshoveditinthecloset,slamming thedoorshut.
“I’mdonewithyou”Therelentlessthrobbingofherbodymadealiaroutofher Ignoringthedesirespulsingthroughher,she dashedtoherbedroom.Aquickglanceattheclocktoldherifshehurried,shemightactuallymakeitintime.
ChapterFour
Kadesworeashesnatcheduphisbeepingphone Itwastheinformationhe’dbeenwaitingon Fastwork,butheexpectedno lessfromthebroker.
Hiscockwasrigid,hisballsonebigache,andhewasnaked Atsomepointwhilehe’dslept,he’dkickedoffhistrackpants Hehadn’thadaneroticdreamthisreal…ever.TheexquisitetasteofLuna’smouth,thewayherfingernailshadscoredhisskin asshe’dclungtohim,thesweetscentofherarousal,allhadhimprimedandreadytoblow.
Hehuffedoutabreathandfroze Herscentwasn’tinhismemory Itwashereinthisroom “That’snotpossible”Lunahad saidthesamethinginthedream.Shakentohiscore,hesatontheedgeofthebedandinhaled.Itwasfaint,butitwasthere. “Maybeit’saholdoverfromlastnightinthegallery”
He heldhis hands outinfrontofhim,studyingthem.Ifitwas nothingmore thana nighttime fantasy,how didhe know the shapeandtextureofherass?“Wishfulthinking”
Thathad to be the logical answer. The other alternative was thatthere was some psychic or mystical connectionbetween them, possiblyone created bymagic. Ifthatwas the case, they’d somehow metonthe dreamplane, and whathad occurred therewasreal
“Fuck.”Scrubbinghishandsoverhisface,hecenteredhimself.“Dealwiththefacts.”
There was nowayhe’dbe able toconcentrate witha raginghard-onandLuna’s scentclingingtohim He detouredtothe bathroomandsteppedintotheshower.Hecrankedthetapsandstoodbeneaththeicyspray,welcomingthechill.Itshookoff theremnantsofsleepbutdidlittletocoolhisardor Swearing,hegrabbedthetinybarofsoapprovidedbythehotel,worked upathicklather,andrubbeditoverhisarmsandchest.Hiserectionlaughedatthefrigidwater.
Tossingthe soap backonto the shelf, he gripped his shaft. His slickhand moved up and down, squeezinghard witheach stroke Eyesclosedandheadtippedback,herememberedthedream thefeelofherlipsonhis,thestrokeofherhandsover hischestandarms,thedemandthathetouchherbeneathherunderwear.
The pressure builtinhis balls until itexploded upward Ona yell, he came, his release spurtingover his hand and torso Pantingheavily,herestedhishandsagainstthetiledwall,loweredhishead,andletthespraypummelhisshouldersandback. Fuck, evenafter coming, he was nowhere near spent. At least the pressure had beenrelieved enoughto allow himto think withoutbeingdistracted. Shovingupright, he cleaned up and shutoffthe water before towelingoffto the light plink of the drippingfaucet.
Asawolf,hehadahighsexdrive,andithadbeenalongtimesincehe’dbeenwithawoman One-nightstandsgotoldafter a decade or two. All the faces and names lost in the revolving door of time. Human women couldn’t know what he was. Werewolffemales were bothattracted and repelled byhim Theymightwelcome himto their bed for a nightor two butno more.Theywouldn’trisktheirplaceintheirpack,notforhim.Norcouldhetrustthemnottoturnonhimandeithergiveuphis locationortrytokillhim.Bothhadhappened,especiallyintheearlyyears.
Naked,hestrodebackintothebedroom.Afterdraggingoncleanclothes,hetookthetimetobrew coffeeinthesingle-cup machinethehotelprovided.Thescenthelpedperkhimup.Themorningsunwaswarmonhisbackashesatatthetablebythe window and opened his laptop Firstthinghe did was to download the attachmentand runanantivirus and trackingscan It wasn’tthathedidn’ttrustthebroker.Hedidn’ttrustanyone.
Satisfied itwas safe, he deleted the temporaryemail accountand opened the attachment “Well, shit” He’d anticipated a shortdossier.WhathegotwasaZIPfilefilledwithdozensoffiles,someofwhichcontainedinformationandnewsclipsthat wentbacktwenty-fiveyears.
Elbowsrestingonthetable,hebegantoread BirthnameDianaLunaRedmond Itwasanotherodditythatshewentbyher middle name and nother first. Itdidn’tescape himthatbothher names meantmoon. Sortofoverkill, inhis opinion. She’d legallychangedhernameateighteentoLunaWest,takingthelastnameofhermaternalgrandmother “Whythechange?”
Intrigued,hecontinued.“OnlychildofAriannaandOtisRedmond.”Heletoutalow whistleasthenamesregistered.Her parentswerefamous Thatlikelyexplainedtheupscaleapartment Hell,he’dwatchedmanyofhermother’smovies,aswellas thosedirectedbyherfather.“WhatareyoudoinginNewYork,farfromtheglitzofHollywood?”Andmaybetheanswerwas inthequestion.Itwasfarawayfromthelifeherparentshadchosentolead.Shewouldn’tbethefirstchildtorebelagainsther upbringing
Ashesippedhiscoffeeanddelveddeeperintothereport,aclearerpicturebegantoemerge.Onethatmadehiswolfsnarly. Heclickedoneacharticlelinkwhenprompted.Therewerelotsofearlypicturesofherasababyandtoddler,asherparents showedherofftothemedia Eventhen,she’dbeenuniquewiththickbrownhairwithstrandsofgray Oldeyeshadstaredback atthecamera.Therewasrarelyasmile.
Those images became sparser as she’d grownuntil bythe age ofthree itwas as ifshe’d disappeared offthe face ofthe planetbutfortheoccasionalmention.Finally,eventhatstopped.Therewereplentyofpicturesofherparents.Theycontinued toeatupthespotlight
Togglingover toasearchengine,hetypedin“AriannaRedmond.”Themostrecentarticleabouther was aweekold.She was onlocationinScotland shootinga historical miniseries for a streamingservice. Whenhe typed in“Otis Redmond,” he discoveredthemanwasdirectinghiswife
He typed in“Diana Redmond.” The last notationwas eight years old. Areporter had asked Arianna about her daughter. She’dwavedoffthequestion,informingthereporterthatDianapreferredtoremainoutofthespotlight
WhothehellhadraisedLuna nowaycouldhethinkofherasDiana whileherparentshadbeengallivantingalloverthe world?Goingbacktothereportthebrokerhadsent,hefoundhisanswers Nannieshadraisedheratasecludedestate She’d hadtutorsandhadneverattendedaregularschool.Notevenaprivateone.Aftergraduatingearly,she’dmovedtoNewYork. She’dbeenshyofhereighteenthbirthday.Afterthat,allmentionofDianaRedmondceasedandLunaWestwasborn. She’dtakenclassesandworkedwhilesettlingintoalifehere Abriefmentionofacoupleofboyfriendsmadehimgrowl, butthey’dbeenshort-lived.Fromallaccounts,shelivedquietlyandhadnevertradedonhernameorparents’fame.
Shovingup fromthe table, he beganto pace Inside him, his wolf prowled Her past shouldn’t matter He had to remain objective.Empathywasanemotionhecouldn’taffordtoindulge.Notifhewantedtostayalive.Itwasn’tasthoughshe’dbeen physicallyabusedor done without.She’dhada roofover her head,food,medical care,andthe besteducationmoneycould buy.She’dalsobeenalone.Beingabandonedandemotionallyneglectedbythosewhoweresupposedtoloveandcareforyou leftscars.Hecouldrelate.Atfifteen,he’dlosthisfamilyandpackwhenhe’dmadehisfirstshiftandbecomethegraywolf.
Settinghisjaw,heforcedhimselftosticktothedata Therewerelivesontheline,includinghers,whether sheknew itor not.Ifnotforherobsessionwithwolvesandthefactthatshe’dpaintedhisexactlikenessinthatform,therewasnothinginher pasttosuggestanyassociationwithwerewolvesormages
Butshe had paintedhim.Andhe had dreamedabouther,possiblysharedthesameone.Asmuchashemightwanthertobe innocent, he couldn’t afford to be blind to the facts. The neglect of her childhood might have left her wide open to being manipulatedbyamage.Forallheknew,shemightbeawillingparticipant.Hecouldn’tallowtheexplosiveattractionbetween themtoleadhimastray.Butonethingwasabundantlyclear.Togettothebottomofthings,he’dhavetospendtimewithher. Hiswolfperkedupandmadeanoiseofagreement Theyweren’texactlyseeingeye-to-eyeonLuna,thebeastreadytotake her atface value. He’d always depended onhis wolf. Itwas disconcertingto doubtthe creature’s loyalty, butthatwouldn’t stophimfromdoingwhatneededtobedone
Decision made, he went back to the laptop and finished. When he was done, he wiped the hard drive. He’d dump the computer and pick up another one. The broker had a sterling reputation, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Tossing everythinghemightneedforthedayintoaknapsack,heslippeditoverhisshoulderandheadedout TimetotrackdownLuna …
Everythingwasconspiringtomakeherlate.She’dstubbedhertoewhilegettingintheshower,gottenshampooinhereyes whichhadstunglikethedevil andbangedherhiponthevanity whichhadalreadyproducedabruise.Herhairhadchosen thismorningtobedifficult,forcinghertotamethecurlymassbywrestlingitintoaclipathernape She’dmanagedtogether mascaraonwithoutpokingouthereye.Goher!Decidingnottopushherluck,she’dslickedonherfavoritecherrylipbalmand calleditdone
Tryingto hurryhad turned her into a menace to herself. She’d ruined two pairs of stockings before givingup and going without, choosingto wear a loose summer dress invibrant shades ofblue and greenthat swirled around her ankles She’d paired it withwhite flats and her favorite paper-thinwhite sweater. It was prettyand artsyyet professional enoughfor the gallery.
Withnotimeforbreakfast ortothinkabouttherealisticdreamthathadleftherhotandbothered sheshoulderedherbag andleftherapartment.Ignoringtheprotestsofheremptystomach,shetookthestairsratherthanwaitfortheelevator.Itcould benotoriouslyslow,especiallywhenshewasinahurry
Thoughts ofKade triedtopushtheir waytothe forefront.She shovedthemaside.Nothingthathappenedinher sleepwas real. End of discussion. If she believed for one second that it was, she might as well check herself into a hospital for evaluation. People didn’t share dreams. It was nothing more than her overactive imagination working overtime. Like her imagininghewasthegraywolf.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it
Itwasquarter tonine,andthesidewalkswerecrowdedwithpeoplelikeher tryingtogettoworkontime.Pickingupher
pace,shemanagedtocatchtwogreenlights,makingittothegalleryatexactlynineo’clock.God,shehatedbeinglate.Andto her,ontimewaslate.Shepreferredfifteenortwentyminutesofquiettimetoenjoyacoffeeandsettleinbeforetheworkday began TonyHasan, Chelsea’s personal assistant, was alreadyinside withthe door unlocked and the lights turned on. Inhis late twenties,Tonywastallandslenderwithsmooth,lightbrownskinanddarkeyes Hisgoodlooksandinnatecharmmadehima hitwiththefemaleclientele.HealsosharedChelsea’sbedonoccasion.
“You’re running late” He sounded almost gleeful as he finished hanging a painting Luna expected he couldn’t wait to mentionittotheirboss.Forsomeunknownreason,he’dtakenanalmostinstantdisliketoherfromthefirstdayshe’dcometo workhere.
Notwillingtoengageinpettiness,shehurriedtothebackroom “I’musuallyearly”Whichwasmorethanhecouldsay Half thetime,hewaslateforhisshifts.Shemadeapointofglancingatherwatch.“Rightontime.”Aftertuckingherbaginasecure cupboard, she joined him “How did the rest of the openinggo?” If there was one thingguaranteed to change the topic of conversation,itwasaparty.Helivedforthem.
“Itwasamazing ChelseasoldtheGardnerpaintingandtwoCarmens”
Thatwasimpressive.Herquestionablepersonalchoicesaside,therewasnodenyingthewomanhadaknackforsellingart. Lunahadlearnedalotfromheraboutrunningasuccessfulgallery.Ithadgivenhertheopportunitytoview transactionsfrom bothsidesaspainterandseller Theeducationwasinvaluable,evenifattimesshehadtodealwithbeingdenigratedandput downbyhercolleagues.
She listened withhalf anear as he droned onand onabout the event It’s not forever That was her mantra She wanted anothersixmonthsunderherbeltbeforeshestartedlookingforanotherposition.Itwasimportantsheleftongoodterms.The industrywas a small one,andwordgotaround.IfChelsea badmouthedher,she’dbe hard-pressedtogetanother job.As he talked,theycontinuedtoremovethesoldpiecesfromthewallsandreplacethemwitholderstockandsomenewerpiecesfrom upstairs.
Thedoor chimedas itopened,announcinga potential client Sheturnedwitha smile ofgreeting Itfroze onher face The manshe’ddone her besttoputoutofher mindwas walkingtowardher.Like lastnight,he wore jeans thatfittoperfection. He’dpaireditwitha short-sleeve T-shirtina graythatmatchedhis eyes andhair The seams stretchedatthe shoulders and huggedhisbiceps,remindingherhowshe’dclungtotheminherdream.
Don’t panic He’s here to see Chelsea The reassurance didlittle toquell the jitters dancinginher stomach.She’dkissed him.Notinreality,butshecouldn’tstopstaringathislips,wonderingifthey’dtasteasgoodastheyhadinherfantasy.There wasnoreasonhe’dwanttospeaktoher,notafterthewayshe’djackedthepriceonthepainting.Notunlesshe’dchangedhis mindanddecidedhewantedarefund Herbreathinggrewshallow,andherheartbegantorace Shemightbelookingforanew jobbytheendoftheday.
“Goodmorning Welcome toChelsea’s” Tonysteppedbetweenthemandshother a glare over his shoulder Thatwas her cuetowalkaway.Theywerepaidabasesalarybutmadeapercentagefromeachpaintingtheysold.Shedidn’tbegrudgehim. He did have seniority. Plus, ifshe made a fuss, he’d tattle to their boss. ThenLuna would be forced to endure yet another lectureonthevalueofteamwork Funnyhowtheissueonlyseemedtoarisewhenitbenefitedthemandnother Kade ignored the greeting and walked around Tony, stopping in front of her. “Good morning.” The timber of his voice vibratedinherbones Shewantedtopressherfaceagainsthischestandlistentotheheavybeatofhisheart Scratchthat,she wantedtoyankuphisshirttoseeifhedidindeedhavethesametattooasherwolf.
His presence was almostoverwhelming, the dreamfrontand center inher awareness They’d kissed and touched It’s not real. Theremindergaveherajolt.Shewasstaringathimlikeanidiot. Get a grip! Hewaslikelyusedtowomenmakingfools of themselves over him. Having no intention of joining the masses, she schooled her features and gave him a practiced, professional smile “Welcome backto the gallery Whatbrings youhere this morning?” No waywould she lethimknow he was gettingtoher.There were times inher life pride was the onlythingthathadgottenher through.She donneditnow like armor
Tonynudgedher aside.“I’mafraidLunaisbusy.”Hissmilewasmoreasmirk.“Thepaintingssoldatlastnight’sopening needtobewrappedandshippingarranged”
“Ofcourse.Excuseme.”Itwaspointlesstoobject,andshehonestlydidn’tmindthereprieve.Itwasn’tmeantthatway,but Tonywasactuallydoingherafavor.ShewasinnoframeofmindtofaceKade.Ignoringtheknotinherstomach,shehurriedto thebackroomwherethesoldinventorywaitedtobeprocessed Itwasherjobtohandlethepackagingandlogistics,keeping herbusyandoutofthewaywhilehercoworkersconcentratedonsales.
Normally,shedidn’tmind Beingaroundartwas ajoy,evenifitwasn’tparticularlytoher styleor taste Especiallythen, becauseitgavehertheopportunitytolearn,toexpandherknowledge.“It’sprobablyforthebest,”shemuttered. “Whatis?”
Startled, she spunaround and almostsmacked into Kade. He was standingwaytoo close for comfort. For a large manhe movedlikesmoke,or maybeshe’dbeentoolostinher thoughts tohear him.“Youcan’tbeinhere.”Sureenough,Tonywas
standinginthedoorwaywatching.“You’llgetmefired,”shewhispered.
Hemighthaveboughtherpainting,butthatdidn’tgivehimtherighttoputherjobinjeopardy.Forallheknew,shedepended onittomakealiving Hehadnowayofknowingshecouldsupportherselfwithoutit Just like a man with money,shesilently fumed. Doing what he wants without thought to how it affects others. Herfatherandallhisso-calledfriendswerethesame. Sheignoredthebittertasteinhermouth
Frowning, he pointed to her wolfpainting, whichwas propped againstthe far wall. “Ichanged mymind. Idon’twantmy purchaseshipped IwantitwrappedsoIcantakeitwithme”HeturnedtowardTony “That’swhatshedoes,isn’tit?”The authorityinhisvoicehadhercoworkertakingastepback.
“Ofcourse.”Heturnedahardeyeonher.“Makeitfast.”
Assoonashevanished,sherubbedthebackofherneck “Shit Shit Shit”Sheslammedhermouthshut Shehadn’tmeantto saythataloud,andcertainlynotinfrontofaclient.
Asmileteasedthecornersofhismouth “Thatbad?”
Shehuffedoutabreath.“Youhavenoidea.”Enoughchitchat.Itdidn’tmatterthathelookedgoodenoughtoeat,andshewas hungryformorethanbreakfast Asattractedtohimasshewas,theyweretwoshipspassinginthenight Lastnight’ssensual fantasymeantnothing.Thesimilaritytoherwolfwascoincidental.
Whatwererealwereherjobandherplansforthefuture.Shewasn’tabouttoletsomesexystrangermesswitheither.Ifshe wasn’tcareful,he’dblowuphercarefullyconstructedexistenceanddisappear,leavingherwithnothingbutbrokenpiecesto reassemble.
Heremainedsilent,notfeelingtheneedtomakeidleconversation Good Thefasterthiswasdone,thequickerhe’dbeon his way. Ignoring the sick sensation in her stomach which was due to nothing more than lack of sleep and food and had absolutelynothingtodowiththethoughtofneverseeinghimagain sheheftedthewolfcanvasandcarriedittothelargetable whereallthesupplieswerekept.
“I’llhelp ”
“I’vegotit,”shesnapped Thelastthingsheneededwashimhovering Thesoaphe’dusedtoshower hadalightwoodsy scent.Itmingledwithhisnaturalone,evokingimagesofthetwoofthemwrappedaroundeachother.
Don’t think about it Don’t think about it
He leaned againsta wall and crossed his arms over his chest. He’d done the same thinglastnight the crossinghis arms overhischest buthe’dbeennakedthen,musclesflexingandglistening.
“Ouch.”Sheshookherhandwhensherappeditagainstthesideofthecounter.Atthisrate,she’dbeblackandbluebythe timeshewenttobedtonight.Assoonasshe’dhadthethought,sherealizeditwasahugemistake.Imagesflittedinherbrain, thetwoofthemsprawledonherqueen-sizemattress,naked,theirslickbodiesentwinedastheymadelove
Hernipplesbeadedagainstthebuilt-inbrainthedress.Herpantiesdampened.Sweatbeadedonherforehead.Sheswiped thebackofherhandoverit Whatwaswrongwithher?She’dneverhadsuchavisceralreactiontoanyman Shebuttonedher sweater,gladshewaswearingit.Theembarrassmentwouldbetoomuchifhenoticedherarousal.
Grabbingontohercomposurewithbothhands,shemanagedtowrapthecanvaswithoutfurtherfumbling.Herheartbrokea littlewhenshecoveredherwolf She’dneverseethisparticularpaintingagain Therewasusuallyjoyineachsmallsaleshe made,butthisonewastingedwithsadness.Itwasherfirstmajorpaintingtoleaveher.
Itwasagoodthing,sheconsoledherself Shewantedtoshareherwork,tobeabletomakealivingfromherart Thathad beenhergoalsincechildhood,andshewasfinallytakingastepintherightdirection.“Hereyougo.”Proudofhowsteadyher voicewas,sheliftedthelarge,brownpaper–wrappedcanvasandhelditout Anotherfewminutesandhe’dbeoutofherlife forgood,andeverythingcouldgobacktonormal.Thatstatusquomightbelonely,butitwassafe.
Hepushedawayfromthewallandwalkedtowardherbutmadenomovetotakethepackage.Themusclesinherarmsbegan toquiver,soshesetitdownandleaneditagainstthecounter “Isthereaproblem?”Whywasn’thetakingitandleaving?That waswhyhe’dcome.Wasn’tit?
Whenshefinallygatheredhercomposureandlookedup,hewasstaringather,hisgrayeyespulsingwithanger,hisjawtight Amuscleflexedinhisneck.Heinhaledsharply;hisnostrilsflaredandhislipsthinned.
Hereachedout,strokedhisfingersdownhercheek,andthenshatteredherreality “Tellmeaboutyourdreams”
ChapterFive
Everyounceofcolorleachedfromherface
Hefearedhe’dgonetoofar,pushedtoofast,buthavingherignorehimandtreathimlikeastrangerwastoomuch.Heshould followherlead,takethepackage,andleave Hecouldwatchherfromadistancewhilehetriedtofigureouthowshefitinto theconspiracyagainsthimandtheotherlonewolves.Thatwouldbethesmartthingtodo.Yethemadenomovetogo.
Thedreamhaddrivenhimherethismorningasmuchaswhathadhappenedatthegalleryshowinglastnight.He’dhadtosee her, to gauge for himself if the affect she’d had on himhad waned, if he’d imagined the potency of it If anything, it had increased.
This can’t be natural “What?Whatdoyoumean?”Hereyeswerewild.Shelookedreadytoboltifhesomuchassaid boo.Distrustmingledwith fear Whyshouldn’tit?Hewasastranger Yethewasn’t Likeitornot,therewasaconnectionbetweenthem One created, or at least helped along, by magic,heremindedhimself.Hedraggedhisthumbalongtheedgeofherjaw. Herpupilsdilated.Arosycolorrushedoverhercheeks.Thescentofherskinmadehimwanttoburyhisfaceinthecurveof hershoulderandinhale Sweetandspicy,itwasthesamescentthathadhauntedhisdream Shewasarousedandtryingtohide it.Goodthinghereyeswereonhisface.Hewashardasarock,hisdickonethrobbingache.
Control came as natural to himas breathing Itwas a traithe’d worked longand hard to cultivate and one he prized He shouldbefuriousabouthislackofitaroundher. If I can’t fight it, I’ll use it. He’dhavetobecarefulitdidn’tturnaroundand bitehimintheass
Huntingwasall aboutpatienceandstrategy.Shewasasskittishasadeerfacingthebig,badwolf.Spookingherwouldn’t helphiscause.Timetotakeanothertrack.“Yourdreamsasanartist.”
“Anartist?”Herbrowfurrowed,andshepulledhercomposurearoundherlikeshehadhersweater abarrierbetweenher andtheworld.
“Yes”Ifhe’dlearnedanythinginhislife,itwasthataperson’spassionswereawaytogetthemtoopenup Hedidn’tseeit asdishonest,ashewasgenuinelyinterested.“Youhavetalentandauniqueperspective.”
Shelickedherlips,drawinghisattentiontoherplumplowerlip,practicallybegginghimtotasteit.“Ah,thankyou.”
Sensingthesofteninginherstance,hepushedalittleharder.“Doyouhavemoreorwasthisaloneone?”Heindicatedthe package.
“There’s another Acompanionpiece” Her voice was soft and breathy, the wayit had beenafter he’d kissed her inthe dream.
Evenashecautionedhimselfitwastoosoon,thatheriskedundoingthegoodhe’ddone,heslowlyloweredhishead Her breathcaughtinherthroat,butshedidn’tbackaway.Theirlipsmetinafeatherlighttouch.Theimpactnearlysenthimtohis knees.Asincredibleasthefantasyhadbeen,itwasnothingcomparedtotherealthing.
Anoisebrokethesensualspell.Hiswolfgrowled.Herpushycoworkerwastryingtospyonthem.Cursingtheman’stiming andhimselfforstartingsomethinghecouldn’tfinish.KadeswiveledaroundandglaredatTony.“Didyouwantsomething?”
Theyoungermanpulledhistemperincheckandforcedasmile “Justcheckingontheprogress” Heliftedthepainting.“Almostdone.”Henarrowedhisgazeandsentoutapulseofpower.LunagaspedwhileTonyturned sheetwhitebeforeturningtailandbeatingfeetbacktothemaingallery Itwassmallofhim,buthecouldn’tsuppressthesense ofsatisfactionthatflaredinsidehim.Ifwolvescouldsnicker,hiswasdoingso.Neitherofthemlikedtheguy.
“Now where were we before we were interrupted? Joinme atmyhotel tonight. For dinner inthe restaurant,” he quickly addedbeforeshecouldtearastripofhim Hekepthisvoicelowsoitwouldn’tcarry “Youcouldbringthepaintingandyour portfolio.Wecoulddiscussbusiness.”Hesethistrapcarefully.
“You’reseriousaboutbuyingtheotherpainting?”Thecombinationofmistrustandcuriositymingledinhereyes Hefought theurgetohugherandreassureherthateverythingwouldbeokay.Itwouldbealie,andwhilehemightnottellhereverything notthatshe’dbelievehim,notatthispoint hecouldn’tbringhimselftoactuallylie Itwouldfeellikeabetrayal
“If I like it, I’ll pay the same price as the original. If I buy directly fromyou, there’s no gallery commission. You also mentioned youhave dreams aboutthe graywolf. I’minterested inhearingaboutthem.” He needed to understand the strange connectionbetweenthem Informationwaspower Withit,hehadabetterchanceofavoidingpitfalls Hehadnoplanstofall
victimtoanymage’strap.
Herpupilsdilatedandhernostrilsflared,theinvoluntaryreactionstheonlyoutwardsignshe’dhitanerve.“They’reflights offancy”Thedesperateedgetohervoicehadhimwonderingwhoshewastryingtoconvince himorherself Shecrossed her arms over her chest.Themovementpushedher breasts upslightly.His mouthbegantowater as heimaginedpeelingher sweater offand her dress downto expose her bare skin Her nipples would be juicynubs, beggingto be tasted They’d be sweeterthanthewildraspberriesthatgrewinthemountains hisabsolutefavorite.
Hecursedhiswaywardthoughts Thiswasn’taboutsex Itwasaboutgettingherawayfromthegallerysohecouldquestion her.“Ihadadreamlastnight.Youwereinit.”
“Anightmare, Iimagine, after all the moneyyouspent.” Her laughsounded forced. He had to give her creditfor tryingto passitoff Sheglancedtowardthedoorwayandnibbledonherbottomlip “WhileIappreciateyoubuyingmypainting,it’snot wiseforustomeetoutsidethegallery.Icouldbringtheotheronehere.”
Damnit,he’dpushedtoohard,andnowshewasbackingoff Heneededtopracticepatience,somethingthatwasn’tusuallya problem.“Idon’thavetimetoreturntothegallery.Whatdoyousay?Dinnerandbusiness.Nothingmore.”Andhewantedto avoidChelsea,ifpossible “Doessevenworkforyou?”Whenshehesitated,hementallycrossedhisfingers “Iguessitwouldbefine.”Thetrapslammedshut.Hehadhernow.Shejustdidn’tknowit.
“I’llsendacar.”Therewasnowayshecoulddragherportfoliothatdistance.
“I’lltakecareofit You’reastranger,Mr Alvarez I’mnotgivingawaymyhomeaddress I,ontheotherhand,knowwhere tofindyou.I’llbeinthelobbyatseven.”
“Givemeyourphone”
“Why?”
“Iwantyoutohavemyprivatenumberincasesomethingcomesup.”Hewaitedwhileshegotherphonefromherpurseand offeredittohim.Afterheaddedhimselftohercontacts,hehandeditback.
Sheclutchedthedeviceinherhand.“I’llseeyouthisevening.”
“Ilookforward to it” Time to leave before he said or did somethingto make her change her mind Package inhand, he forced himselfto walkaway. Itwas harder thanitshould have been. Tonywas witha customer. Kade waited until the man madeeyecontact Whenheglancedaway,hiswolfgaveasatisfiedgrumble He had time to kill butplentyto keep himoccupied. The firstorder ofbusiness was takingthe paintingbackto the hotel. Thenheneededanew laptop.Hetookonelastlookatthegallery.Feltatuginthecenter ofhischest.No,nothischest,his tattoo.Stopping,herestedthepackageonthegroundandrubbedthespot.Thatwasafirst.Whatthehelldiditmean?
Hewantedtokeepawatchover her,buthehadworktodo.Therewasalargethreathangingover himandtheother lone wolves And,byassociation,thatmadeLunaeitheratargetorapotentialenemy Therewasnowaytheirmeeting,thepainting ofthewolf,andwhateverhadhappenedlastnightwhenhe’dsleptweremerechance.Thereminderwassobering.He’dnever hadtroubleconcentratingonajobuntilnow Andthiswasthemostimportantoneofhislife
Onapositivenote,hehadn’tscentedanyotherwolvesaroundthegallery.Norhadhesensedthepresenceofmagic.Thatin itselfdidn’tmeananything.Themagemightbeadeptatcloakingit.Hisknowledgeofmagicwaslimited.Mostmagesdealtin whitemagicandstudiedandlivedwithoutharminganyone Buttherewerethefewwhodelvedintodarkmagic,rumoredtouse bloodspellsandhumansacrificetoextendtheirlivesandincreasetheirpower.
SolangeDupree,themageworkingwiththewolfCharlesArmstrong,wasoneofthelatter
The white wolfbelieved they’d have some time before all hell broke loose. Deep inhis gut, Kade knew he was wrong. Whateverwasgoingtohappen,itwasgoingtobesoon WheredidLunafitinallthis?Wassheworkingforhisenemies?
Working for his enemies. Thewordsvibratedinhishead,adirewarning.Crap,didChelseaCliftonreallyownthegallery? Andjustwhowas she?“I’manidiot,”hemuttered.He’dbeensocaughtupwithhis attractiontoLuna,thepainting,andthe dream,he’dfallenrightintothe trapthey’dsetandmissedthe obvious Itcouldn’thappenagain There was a mage andher werewolfpartnerwhowantedtocagehimandstealhisimmortality.Notgoingtohappen.Lunawasstillthekey.Hehadhours untiltheyweretomeet
Timeenoughtogettoworkonfindinganswersandcreatingaplanofattack. …
Lunascrubbedherhandsoverherfaceandreachedforhercomposure.She’dkissedamanatwork.Or,rather,he’dkissedher. Either way,itwas unprofessional Andnotanyman KadeAlvarez Unlikelastnight’s dreamkiss,this onebarelyqualified Their lips had hardlytouched. Yet, ifshe’d beenwearingsocks, theywould have beenblownoff. As itwas, her toes were curledinhershoes.
Nowthathewasgone,theroomseemedemptier.Colder,too.Sherubbedherhandsupanddownherarms,wonderingifshe shouldchecktheairconditioner.Maybeitwassettoohigh.
Tonyhadtobewithacustomerorhe’dbebackhereinterrogatingher Gratefultowhoeverwaskeepinghimoccupied,she grabbedaninvoice andmatchedittoa painting.Once she’dtriple-checked,she begantowrapitfor transport.The familiar
tasksoothedherjaggednerves.
SheshouldbefuriousatKade’shighhandedness.Howdarehecomeintoherplaceofbusiness,invadeherpersonalspaceas if he had everyright to do so, and leave her unsettled They’d onlymet last evening The dreamdidn’t count, wasn’t real Realitywasworkandherart,notsomehandsomestrangerwho’dboughtoneofherpaintings.She’dsethimstraightwhenshe methimthisevening
OhGod, she was meetinghimfor dinner. It’s not a date, she reminded herself. Itwas business, the potential for another majorsale Itwastheonlyreasonshe’dagreedtomeetwithhim Liar,thelittlevoiceinthebackofherheadtaunted Itwasn’t smarttogetinvolvedwithamanlikeKade.Hewasn’t her wolf,buthewasawolfofadifferentkind powerful,rich,and usedtogettinghisway.
Lookather Eventhoughsheknewitwasn’twise,thatChelseawouldbefuriousifshefoundout,Lunawasgoingtomeetthe manfordinner.“It’saprofessionalrelationship,”sheremindedherselfassheplacedthefinished,labeledpackageasideand startedonanother That’sallitcouldbe Hedidn’tliveinNewYork Beyondthat,shedidn’tdoone-nightstandsoraffairs thatwasChelsea’sthing.
Ifshewassmartandkeptthingsimpersonal,thepotentialwastheretosellanotherpainting Maybemakefuturecontacts A manwho dropped twentygrand ona whimhad to know other people, some ofwhommightbe drawnto her work. Itwas a win/winsituation.Why,then,wastheideaofkeepingthingsimpersonalsodepressing?
Itwas thedamndream’s fault Itgeneratedemotions thathadnobasis inreality Okay,sothebriefkiss they’dsharedwas real,butwhenshethoughtaboutitrationally,itwasn’tabigdeal.Lotsofclients,especiallyEuropeanones,greetedherinsuch afashion Usually,itwasapeckonthecheek,butthedifferencedidn’tsignify ShewasstilltryingtorationalizethesituationwhenTonystrodein.“Well?”
“Well,what?”Shemeasuredoutpackingmaterial for thenextpainting,hopingifshekeptonworkingitwoulddiscourage him. He strode across the space, grabbed her, and yanked her around. “Hey!” She pulled her armfromhis grasp. “What’s wrongwithyou?”He’dbeenemotionallyabusive,buthe’dneverphysicallytouchedherbefore. “Don’tplaygames Whatwastheclientdoinghere?”
Sheresistedtheurgetorubtheabusedarea.Itwouldbeanother bruisetoaddtothecollectionshewas rackinguptoday. “Hewantedthepaintingheboughtlastnight Iwasn’tinclinedtotellhimhecouldn’thaveit,”shesnapped Hisgazenarrowedandthelinesinhisbrowdeepened.“That’sallthereistoit?”
“Whatbusinessisitofyours?”Itwaspasttimeshestoppedallowinghimtobullyherandstooduptohim.“Touchmeagain andyou’ll regretit.”Shewasn’tanadvocateofviolence,butshewasn’tabouttoallow himtoabuseher.She’deitherfilea policereportor kickhis balls intohis throat.Thesecondhadmoreappeal,butthefirstoptionwouldhurtworseinthelong run Asitwas,she’dbesuretotakepicturestodocumenttheinjury
Staringatherasifhe’dneverseenherbefore,heshookhishead.“Chelseawillbeinterested.”
“Sorunandtellherlikeyoudowitheverythingelse Aclientcameinandwantedhispurchase ShouldIhavetoldhimno? I’msurethatwouldhavethrilledher.”Decidingsheneededabreakbeforeeitherofthemsaidordidsomethingtherewasno takingback,sheretrievedherpurseandheadedtowardthefrontofthegallery.
“Wheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?”Tonywashotonherheels
“Outtograbacoffeeandsomethingtoeat.Imissedbreakfast.”Beforeshemadeittothedoor,itopened,andChelseasailed in,interruptingtheirheateddiscussion
“Goodmorning,darlings.”Brightandcheerfulinacherry-reddressandhigh-heeledsandals,shehadawhiteclutchtucked under her arm Multicolored Bakelite bangles covered one wrist Achunkynecklace ofthe same material adorned her neck Shewasn’talone,whichwastheonlyreasonTonyheldhistongue.He’dspilleverythingtoherlater,Lunahadnodoubt. AllthefinehairsonLuna’sbodyroseinwarning.Thenewcomerwasgorgeous.Itwasalmostimpossibletopindownher age Could be anywhere fromthirty to fifty Her gold-toned skin was flawless, not a wrinkle or blemish to be seen Her flaming-redhairwasupsweptinaclassicchignon.SheworeavibrantbluesuitthatclungtohercurvesandmatchingManolo Blahnik’swithbejeweledbuckles AgoldPatekPhilippewatchcircledonewrist Diamondearrings atleasttwocaratseach adornedherears.Wrappedaroundherneckwasanexquisiterubypendant.Theprimalurgetorunwasstrong. Theattentionofmostpeoplewhoenteredthegallerywasdrawntotheartwork ThewomanignoreditandstaredatLunafor severalseconds.Thenshesmiled.Theexpressionwasoneasharkwouldgiveaminnowbeforeitdevouredit.
Stomachinknots,shedrewonherabilitytocompartmentalizeheremotions.Slammingthedoorshutonhernerves,shesent thembothapolitenod “Goodmorning”
ThesmiledeepenedasifLunahadpassedsomesortoftest.“Isthisher?”
ThebanglesonChelsea’swristclatteredassheliftedherhandandwavedinLuna’sdirection “ThisisLunaWest” The woman was here to meet her? An inner warning bell clanged long and loud. Whoever this woman was, she was a predator.Forwhateverreason,she’dsethersightsonLuna.Ifshe’dlearnedanythinginherobsessionwithwolves,itwasthat youneverranfromapredator.Thatmadeyouprey.
Whenthewomandidn’tspeak,herbossclearedherthroat.“This,mydear,isSolangeDupree.She’sanimportantpatronof
thearts.She’sinterestedinyourlittlewolfpainting.Isn’tthatamusing?”Herlaughwasstrained.
Chelseawasoneofthetoughestwomenshe’devermet,andSolangemadehernervous.Itwasn’tbecauseofherwealth.Her bossroutinelydealtwithinfluentialmenandwomenfromboththebusinessandpoliticalworlds
Luna tiltedher headtoone side,givingthe womana secondlook,tryingtosee beyondthe expensive exterior.“I’msorry. Youhavemeatadisadvantage Havewemetbefore?”Surprisedtofindherpalmsdryinsteadofdamp,shereachedouttotake theextendedhand.
“No, my dear” Long, slender fingers with manicured nails done in a shade to match her outfit closed around hers The secondtheirskintouched,ashockjoltedher.
“Ouch.”Drawingbackherhand,sheshookit.“Staticelectricity.”
“Quiteallright Ithappens”TherewassomethingalmostsmugabouthersmilethatputLunaonedge “Doesit?”
“Luna,”Chelseasnapped “SolangewasquitetakenwhenIsharedtheanecdoteaboutyoursaletothegentlemanlastnight Personally,Idon’tunderstandallthefussaboutapaintingofawolf,butheinsistedonbuyingit.”
Itangeredher tohavesuchanimportantmomentinher lifereducedtoidlegossip Silencewas aweapon Shewieldedit now,lettingitlengthen.Iftheyexpectedhertogushorfawn,theyweremistaken.
“Aretheremore?”Itwasposedasaquestionbutwasnothinglessthanademand.
LunamadethedecisiononthespotthatwhoeverSolangewas,howevermuchmoneyshehad,she’dnevergetherhandson one ofher paintings. Over my dead body. Anicyshiver skated downher spine. Her blood rancold, as if she’d somehow temptedfatewithhervow
“I’msorry. Itwas a single piece.” She kepther gaze onthe other womanand her tone level. She’d learned the artofthe social lie before she’d turned eight. Pretendingitdidn’tmatter ifher parents didn’tcome home for holidays or her birthday wasbetterthanreceivingfalsesympathyor,worse,pity.Ifthestaffhadwhisperedbehindherbackaboutherbeingunnatural andcold,she’dignoredit.Eventually,theliehadbecomereality.
Itwasthefirsttimeshe’dbeengratefulforthelesson Solange’seyesnarrowed.“Isee.”Lipspursed,sheshrugged.“SeemsIwastedmytime.”
“Wait”Herbossglaredather “Youcouldpaintanother,right?”Thethreatwasclear Ifshewantedtokeepherjob,she’d betteragree.
Thebellchimedasthegallerydooropenedtoadmitanothercustomer.Lunadidn’ttakehereyesoffSolange.Theywereina staringcontest.Itmightbejuveniletoonlookers,butsomegutinstinctwarnednottobackdownfromthistestofwills.Both weretryingtoassertdominance.
I’m alpha female here, bitch
Asifshe’dreadLuna’sthoughts,Solangesmirkedandbrokeeyecontact.
“Luna,”Chelseasnapped
“Ican’tguaranteeatimeline.”Somewherebetweenneverandeternitywasmorelikeit.She’dnevertakenaninstantdislike toapersonbeforetoday.“Ipaintwhenthemusemovesme.”Thatwaspurebullshit,butifever asituationcalledfor it,this onequalified
“Hmmm.I’llcheckbackagainsoon.Itwasadelightmeetingyou.”
Lunastaredattheprofferedhand It would be binding Like making a deal with the devil Thewordsrangtrue Shetooka stepback,notwantinganymorephysicalcontactofanykindwiththewoman.
Solange’s laughwas deep and sensual She ranher fingers alongthe edge ofthe gold chainaround her neck, stoppingto strokethependant.“Soskittish.Somanyartistictypesare.”Withoutsomuchasagoodbye,sheturnedonherheelandstrode towardtheentrance.
Luna tracked her path, like one would anypoisonous snake slitheringaway Tonywas standingbythe door For once, he hadn’ttriedtoinserthimselfintheconversation.Thatmadenosense,consideringSolangewastwoofhisfavoritethings rich andgorgeous Withoutprompting,hegrabbedthehandleandyankedtheportalopen Solangesailedthroughandintoawaiting blackMercedes.Assoonasthedriverpulledaway,Chelseagrabbedherarmandspunheraround.
“Whatthehellwasthat?”shewhisperedinalow,tautvoice,presumablysothecustomerstrollingtothebackofthegallery wouldn’toverhear. All pretenses ofcomposure and sophisticationgone, she dugher fingers into Luna’s skin. Her face was pale,herforeheadbeadedwithperspiration.
Ratherthantakeastepback,shetookoneforward “Letgoofme I’mtiredofbeingmanhandledtoday FirstTony,nowyou Asforwhatthehellwasthat,thatshouldbemyquestion.Whoisshe,Chelsea?” “What’s gottenintoyou?”Her boss releasedher andbegantopace “SolangeDupreeis apowerful woman Notsomeone youwantasanenemy.”
Tonywasn’tevenbotheringtopretendhewasn’tavidlytakingnoteofeverydetail.Themanwasabottomfeeder.Herboss noticed and waved Luna toward the backroom. “We’ll finishthis inprivate. Take care of the client.” She jerked her head towardthewomanperusingapainting.“Notonewordaboutthistoanyone,notifyouwanttokeepyourjob.”Aftertossingout
herorder,shestalkedoff.
Ahandpressedtoherjitterystomach,Lunafollowed.Bettertogetthisconfrontationoveranddone.
Chelsea tossed her purse downonthe worktable and puther hands onher hips “I’ve beentryingto attractthatwoman’s interestinthegalleryforyears.She’sreclusive.Keepsoutofthepubliceye.Butshe’sgotmoremoneythanGod.”
Thatmadenosense “Howdidmynamecomeup?”
Stopping,sheclosedher eyes andpressedher thumbandforefinger totheinner corners.“Hell ifIknow.Sheaskedabout lastnight’sevent NextthingIknew,Iwastellinghertheridiculousstoryaboutyourpainting”
She bit her tongue to keep fromjumpingonher boss. Informationwas more important thanwounded pride, because she wasn’t wrong. Solange was dangerous. This was about more thanher painting. There’d beensomethingelse underlyingthe entireconversation
“Sheinsistedoncuttingourmeetingshortandcomingbackheretomeetyou.Youhavetodoherapainting.”
No,she didn’t Andhadnoplans to,butshe’dkeepthatbitofinformationtoherself Whatwere the odds oftwowealthy peoplebecomingobsessedwiththepaintingsatthesametime?Shewasn’tabigbelieverincoincidence.Therewassomething elsegoingon,andsheneededtogettothebottomofit ButcouldshetrustKade?Didshehaveachoice?Ofthetwoofthem, she’drathertakeherchanceswithhimthanwithSolangeDupree.Thewomangaveherthecreeps.
ThedinnerwithKadetonightsuddenlybecameimperative.Heseemedtohaveunlimitedfunds.Ifanyonecouldprotectthe secondpaintingfromSolange,itwashim
What am I thinking? Whydidshehavethisbone-deepneedtoprotectit?Itwascanvasandpaint. And dreams. Sheshivered andrubbedherhandsoverherarms Everythingwentbacktoherdreams “I’mgoinghome”
Ratherthanberateher,Chelseanodded.“Good.Good.Ifyouneedafewdaysoff,takethem,withpay,butgetthatpainting done.Wait.”Shehurriedtothewrappedpaintings andbegantogothroughthem.“Whydidn’tIthinkofthis earlier?Wecan giveherKade’spainting.Youcantellhimitgotdamaged.Wecanrefundhismoneyoryoucandoanotherforhim.”
“It’snotthere.”ShegaveasilentprayerforKade’simpatience somethingshe’dneverinathousandyearsthoughtpossible. “Hecameinfirstthingthismorningandpickeditupinperson”
“Damnit.MaybeIcangotohishotel.Trytobuyitback.”
“That’sprobablynotwise”Underneathhisroughexterior,hewaseveryinchapredator,asmuchormorethanSolange But, unlikeher,hedidn’tmakeherskincrawl.
“Ihavetotry.”Grabbingherpurseup,shestalkedtowardheroffice.
Wastingnotime,Lunaturnedandranfromthegallery,diggingoutherphoneasshewent.Shepulleduphercontactslist,took adeepbreath,andpressed.
