Painted Sins

vers and rich elites. I adjusted the strap of my emerald green dress, feeling exposed even though I was dresse

ear, his deep voice trying to calm me

seeing him in a perfectly fitted tuxedo still made my heart race. "

onto mine. "We're in this to

tion, and identify anyone suspicious who might be tied to the money launder

about brush strokes and color palettes, using all the knowledge I'd gathered over the years

red and black, a chill ran down my spine. The painting seemed to pu

it?" a smooth voice

art collectors, standing there. I suspected she was

forced smile. "I didn't exp

t miss this for the world. Especially not when I

We hadn't expected my prese

eep my voice steady. "I'm just here t

articularly interested in a piece that's not up for auction tonight. That

the center of the money laundering operati

ce isn't for sale. But perhaps we could interest

o Lorenzo, her expression

ring his hand. "A humble admire

s eyes. She knew exactly who Lorenzo

d. "What a surprise. I didn't know you

a way to change the topic, but before I cou

. The FBI is conducting an investigatio

Lorenzo, seeing my fear mirrored in h

isn't this exciting? It seems the ev

ting the art. My mind raced. Had they found out about the connection betwe

d, guiding me gently. "I believe I

pped us. "Oh, but you mustn't leave yet. I have a

us. "Excuse me, folks. I'm going

where I kept my fake ID. Lorenzo pulled out h

ering on mine. "Ms. Collins, would you m

th me. This was it-everything

really necessary, agent? Surely,

yes. "Sir, step back. Th

g on a dangerous tone. "Ms. Collins is under my pro

aced off. Valentina watched with a twisted

flickered and went out, plunging the room into

hand. "Now," he w

with unerring precision. I could hear the FBI agent sho

grabbed my arm. I turned, ready to figh

she hissed, using my real nam

lled me away, and we burst through

renzo said, pulling me t

sirens filled the air. Lorenzo yanked open the car door

out of the parking lot just as FBI agen

re?" I gasped, my heart still

s tight. "I don't know. But we have big

a knew who I really was. And if

g?" I asked, fear

arview mirror. "Somewhere safe. B

he

gh me. "To see my brother. It

e were heading straight into a trap. But with my past catching up to me and enemies cl

ahead. The road was blocked by a line of black SUVs, their headlight

s screaming as we skidded to a stop. I

what's h

something under his seat. "I'm sorry, Ar

lass, shouting voices. The last thing I saw was Lorenzo's face,