by Meghan March
The next thing on my to-do list as soon as this mess Ransom got us all into is taken care of? Figure out how to get my life back so I never have to let her walk into a situation like this alone again.
I have no fucking clue how I’m going to do it, but I will.
I have no choice.
32
Temperance
“You look beautiful,” Kane tells me as he stands in the living room and I step out of the bedroom in my brand-new oh my God, I’m having my own art showing dress.
“You think so? It isn’t too much? Too little? Too underwhelming?”
He reaches out and grasps my hand. “Perfect. You look fucking perfect.”
It’s times like this when I wish I had a full-length mirror in my tiny apartment, but when I look at Kane, I realize I don’t need one. I can see everything I need to know reflected in his icy blue eyes.
The only thing I don’t see . . . is his suit.
“I thought you brought clothes to change into?” I ask.
He nods. “I did.” He glances down at the jeans he’s wearing. “You see them.”
That’s when it hits me.
“You’re not going with me?” A stab of hurt pierces my chest.
“I don’t want people asking questions about me when tonight is all about you.”
Even though I’m devastated to hear his answer, something about it warms me. No one has ever had my best interest in mind as much as Kane does.
But this time, he’s wrong.
“I need you with me, Kane. I want you with me. Tonight wouldn’t be happening without you, and it won’t be the same if you’re not there.”
He opens his mouth to respond, and I hold up a hand.
“I don’t want to hear your arguments. I’m not taking no for an answer. You have an alias you use in public. You’re using it tonight.”
He snags my hand and lifts it to his mouth, pressing a kiss to my palm. “It’s the most important night of your life—”
“Which is why you need to be there. I’m not walking into my first showing alone.”
His features soften. “You sure you want me beside you? Even as Ken Sax?”
Sometimes, I swear the man is dense, but I’ll lay it out for him in words he can’t misunderstand.
“It doesn’t matter what your name is. I always want you beside me. I love you.”
“All right, princess. You got me.”
When I walk into Noble Art, even with Kane beside me and no one in the gallery but Valentina, Trinity, a few other employees, and the serving staff, my stomach twists and flips.
What if everyone hates my work? It’s one thing to watch it go for the highest bid when no one knows it’s yours. And yet another thing completely when it’s sold without me having to witness any of the negotiations or discussion.
This is a totally different ball game. In half an hour, this gallery will—God willing—be full of art patrons, and my job is to circulate among them and talk about my work in a way that makes me sound classy and confident.
I’m not sure I’m capable of that.
Kane’s hand squeezes mine in a tight grip. “Hey. Look at me.”
I turn to find his gaze on me.
“You can do this. You were born to do this, Temperance. I know it.”
I shake my head because all my old insecurities are pushing to the forefront. “I feel like a fraud. Like someone is going to laugh and ask why they filled the room with scrap metal when there’s supposed to be a sophisticated art showing taking place.”
“That’s not going to happen, so put it out of your mind.”
He can’t know that, though.
“What if no one buys anything, and Valentina is out all this time and effort and money?”
As if summoned by me saying her name, Valentina appears beside us. She presses a glass of champagne into my hand.
“Take this and drink it. You look like you need it.”
“With the state of my stomach, I’m not sure champagne is the best idea right now.”
Valentina gives me a sympathetic smile before she spins around to grab a bottle of water off the table behind her and trades me. “Trust me, I’ve been in your shoes. You’re going to do great, even without liquid courage. Put your game face on. Go out there and act like the artist you are, and let people see your passion for your work. Tell them what you told me as we unloaded each one of them. The exhaust pipe that came off the Chevy Nova. The rearview mirror from the Land Rover. The sheet metal from a body panel of an old Willys jeep. How you saw those pieces and had a vision of giving them a second life instead of letting them get scrapped. You have a gift, Temperance. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe that.”
She throws my words and explanations from earlier this week back at me, and one by one, the knots in my stomach loosen.
“You really think people want to hear those stories?” I take a drink of water.
“Yes. Absolutely. That’s what makes these pieces so special. You take everyday objects and turn them into magic. Showings are incredible for patrons because it’s the only time they truly get to experience an artist’s passion as they explain their work. That’s why I have no doubt we’re both going to be pleasantly surprised tonight.”
“But—”
“But nothing. I wouldn’t have gotten so many RSVPs if no one wanted to buy a damn thing. I don’t even know how we’re going to fit everyone in this building. My fire inspector better not be working tonight, that’s all I can say. Now, introduce me to your man. I don’t think we’ve met.”
Before I can say anything, Rix joins us.
“You better not be planning on bribing a public official, babe. It ain’t a good idea.”
Valentina laughs. “If I do, you’re going to pretend you didn’t hear a damn thing.” Her gaze slides to Kane. “I’m Valentina Hendrix, and this is my gallery.”
“Ken Sax.” He shakes her hand, handling all this better than I do.
Valentina, Rix, Kane, and I make small talk until the first guest arrives and wants to speak to the artist.
Lord help me.
I’m the artist.
33
Kane
As the room fills, Temperance shines. I’m proud as hell as I watch her work the crowd, speaking to one art lover after another.
She hasn’t yet noticed the two sold tags on the pieces I couldn’t let be sold to attendees. I know she and I made a deal, but I’d rather beg her forgiveness for this transgression than ask her permission.
One is the couple in the throes of ecstasy that there was no way anyone else was taking home, and the other is the sugar skull she and I spent the afternoon finding the perfect piece to finish it. Do I care that I dropped six figures here tonight? Hell no. It was the best money I’ve spent since the auction where I got the fleur de lis without knowing it was hers.
Over the next hour, I watch as Valentina discreetly places sold tags on four other sculptures.
I hope, finally, Temperance understands that her work is valued by everyone in this room tonight, and not just me.
Valentina Hendrix’s cop husband watches me closely as the night wears on, but I don’t show any sign of concern. Mostly because I’m not concerned. There’s no way he can connect me to anything I’ve ever done. I’m a ghost when it comes to my job. The only place I step into the light is when Temperance is involved, and my alias is rock solid.
In fact, everything is going perfectly tonight . . . until I spot a familiar face in the crowd.
Fuck. What the hell is he doing here?
Giles weaves his way through the sculptures, but is blocked from Temperance by a small group of guests.
I move in his direction and feel the cop’s stare boring holes into my back. There’s a good possibility he could recognize Giles too. Years in the state government have kept his picture in the media.
“Damn, we even got politicians here tonight.” Rix’s voice comes from beside me, catching me off guard. Fucker moves f
ast. “Your girl should be proud of the crowd she’s drawn.”
“Whether she is or not, I’m proud enough for ten people.”
He laughs. “I know the feeling. Valentina didn’t think her stuff was good enough for her own damn gallery. It ate at me. Killed me that she couldn’t see how incredible her talent was. I hated that for her. Had to change her mind the hard way.”
“How’d you do that?”
“Put one of them up on the wall without her knowing, and wouldn’t you know, it sold the next day.”
“That’s one way to go about it.”
“It was what she needed. I saw it. She didn’t. So I took care of it.”
I’m reading between the lines to figure out if the cop is trying to deliver a silent message, and I don’t have to guess for long.
“I don’t like you, Sax. Don’t trust you. I think you’re hiding something, and Valentina has taken Temperance under her wing, which means she’s got a tether to you. I need to know what the fuck I’m dealing with by my wife bringing your woman into her world, and you’re gonna tell me.”
I keep my features schooled and show no reaction. “I don’t know what you’re worried about, but I’m guessing it’s those overactive cop instincts sending you false alarms.”
The cop shoots me a sharp look. “I recognize someone who’s seen way too much. I see that look in the mirror every fucking day, so it’s not something I can miss.”
I turn to face him, taking my attention off Giles. “What are you after, man?”
“Assurances that if you’ve got shit swirling around you, it won’t touch my woman or this gallery ever again.” He glances at the new glass window. “I don’t take kindly to shit blowing back on my family, and there’s nothing I won’t do to protect them.”
I lift my chin, actually respecting him even more for laying it out like that. “I appreciate the sentiment. More than you know. But that window didn’t have shit to do with me, and it wasn’t blowback.”
“Then why the fuck didn’t you show at the station when she came in? You don’t strike me as the type to let your woman walk into something like that alone.”
When did cops get so fucking perceptive?
“I had other business.”
“Or you didn’t want to be seen in a cop shop.”
“Look, man, whatever you’re looking for, you won’t find it. I’m here for Temperance, and that’s it.”
Rix appraises me. “Maybe. But why are you so fucking interested in Giles?”
34
Temperance
“Finally, a chance to speak to the beautiful artist herself. What an incredible opportunity.”
The voice, a semi-familiar one, sends the hairs on my arms rising. I turn to see Giles smiling at me, and I want to shoot the smug grin off his face. If this man is a human trafficker, he deserves much worse.
Then I remember—he’s seen me without a mask at the club. Maybe he won’t recognize me. It’s the only thing I can possibly hope. It might be dumb, but what other choice do I have?
I hold out a hand. “I’m Temperance Ransom.” I try to add another pleasantry, like it’s a pleasure to meet him, but I can’t make my lips form the words. Instead, I go quiet.
He takes my hand, and immediately I want to bathe in sanitizer.
“Ransom, you say? That’s a unique last name.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
He knows my brother. How could I forget? Because Magnolia hooked him up with Giles in the trafficking.
I swallow the lump in my throat and pretend I don’t know shit about anything. It’s the only way I’m going to make it through this without doing something stupid.
“Are you interested in a piece? Can I tell you more about my art?” I redirect the conversation to safer territory.
“I’d like to hear more about you, my dear. After all, artists are truly my favorite kind of people.”
There’s a double meaning to everything that comes out of this man’s mouth. I know it.
“I’m not that interesting. Just a girl who’s good with a hammer, saw, and welder.” I inject a bit of warning in my tone.
“Fascinating. And where did you pick up these talents? Working at Seven Sinners?”
My hackles rise. He’s been looking into me. But why?
“Excuse me?”
“That’s where you used to be employed, is it not? The distillery here in town. The one where there was a silent auction, and a friend of mine was outbid on one of your pieces. Although, at that time, I believe it was under someone else’s name. Who was that again?”
I don’t like this man and have no idea what he’s digging at, but it can’t be good.
Kane is beside me before I can scan the crowd to find him. Sweet Lord, please don’t let Giles recognize him.
“Senator Giles, it’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Glad to see politicians can be art fans as well.”
“Of course. Actually . . .” Giles pauses, and my plea goes unanswered. “I’ve seen you before, haven’t I? What was your name again?”
Kane holds out a hand. “I don’t believe we’ve ever had the pleasure of being introduced.” I have no idea how Kane acts so well, but he’s a master. “I’m Ken Sax.”
“Interesting.” Giles’s gaze travels from Kane to me and back again. “Such a striking couple. If you’re ever interested in a little more fun, I believe you do know where to find me.”
I choke on the water I’m sipping to keep myself from speaking, but Kane doesn’t react.
“Now, what can you tell me about this piece?” Giles points to the large sculpture of the couple I made similar to Harriet’s, and immediately I wish I hadn’t. “I absolutely love the carnal nature of it. Reminds me of you two. I have a wonderful place to display it where it could be admired and appreciated.”
He’s talking about the club. I know it.
Kane comes to the rescue again. “I believe that one is sold, sir. Someone else clearly had the same good taste you do.” There’s a hard edge to his voice, but I’m more shocked by his words.
“Sold? I sold a piece?” I look at the tag tucked by the base, and sure enough, it says Sold right on it.
“Over half of them are already taken, actually.”
My mouth drops open as I stare up at him. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely.”
“I suppose that means I need to go look at what’s still available if I want a chance to snap one up,” Giles says before slinking away, giving us both one last glance.
But not even Giles can detract from the euphoria of that moment.
I sold art! At a showing! I’m not a failure.
That damn burn behind my eyes is back again, but I refuse to shed a single tear tonight. Even a happy one.
“I did it,” I whisper.
“Congratulations, princess.”
As Kane slides his arm around me, a thought strikes.
“Please tell me you didn’t buy them all.”
He shakes his head. “Only two. The other four went to people I’ve never met. But you better be damned sure I’ll be adding their names to my list in case they ever go to sell. I get first dibs.”
A happy sigh works its way free of my chest. “You know, you do live with the artist. She’ll make you whatever you want, whenever.”
He looks down at me, and even I can’t miss the pride in his eyes. “I know. But it’s a hell of a lot more fun to plot how I’m going to get them from the other people who wanted them just as badly as I do.”
“What about—”
Kane shakes his head, cutting me off. “You’re not allowed to worry about him tonight. Tonight is about you. Enjoy it. He won’t bother you again.”
Kane’s right. I’m not going to let Giles taint this experience for me. Tonight is mine.
35
Kane
It takes everything I have to let Temperance step away from my side, knowing that Giles is in the room. For the next hour, I keep my attention split between them, and
Rix watches me as he sips on a drink.
He might as well be wearing a sign that says I’m not going to let you out of my sight until I figure out what the fuck you’re doing.
He can watch all he wants, but he’s not going to get a damn bit of information from me. At least, not yet. If Giles and some of his other politician friends are scum-of-the-earth human traffickers, maybe a better punishment than one of my bullets is turning them over to the cops to let the system expose their crimes and render judgment.
Even though unlikely, it’s something to think about.
Thankfully, Giles doesn’t make a purchase, and the rest of the night passes with nothing but smiles from Temperance, because he stays the fuck away from her.
I’m not doing anything to fuck up tonight for her, and neither is anyone else.
Putting those thoughts aside, I turn as the door chime jingles and Temperance’s former boss, Keira Mount, and Yve Titan walk in the door together, without their infamous husbands.
There go the rest of the sculptures, I think with a smile.
36
Temperance
“So you’ll still come to Frisky Whiskey Night at the Pretty Kitty?” Yve asks, and I look at Keira.
“Do you mind?”
My boss’s head jerks back. “Please tell me you didn’t really ask that question. You’re welcome everywhere, Temperance. I’d take you back in a heartbeat if you ever changed your mind.”
Since I officially quit, I haven’t been sure how to act around Keira, but apparently, I’m the only one with the hang-up.
“Then that’s a yes,” Yve says. “Now you can’t back out. My work here is done. I got a sculpture, finally got to see you looking incredible and light years different than you did the last time I saw you, and—”