Time of the Avenger
he cluttered table where brushes, paint tubes, and half-finished canvases fought for space. She sat cross-legged on her couch, sip
third time, her arms waving like a crazy person. "And no
ir behind her ear. "Keep your voice down, Clara. My n
at work, like normal people. Anyway, spill. What's
ough her mind. "He's different. Not what I expected. He was p
you do realize you're playing with fire, right? This is Ethan Hayes we're talki
is is the only way. If I can get close enough to him, I can figure
t, Soph. I do. But just be careful, o
ory of Ethan's piercing blue eyes and how his voic
ner of her cluttered desk, dinged with a notification. She glanced over but didn't move, her brush poised midair as she st
hes. She sighed, setting the brush down and wiping her han
Commissio
n Hayes, the billionaire CEO of Hayes Enterprises-he was a myth in the art world, not because he himself was an artist but because
phie opened
Ms. C
my collection and feel that your talent is in line with what I am looking for. If you're interested, I'd like to discuss a potential commiss
reg
an
had been only last month that she could finally get a small exhibit at Ashford Ga
her fingers already fl
ead into the studio, holding
onaire art collector I tol
d the one who bought that ridiculous Monet for, like, a gazil
ission a painting." Sophie hit send and leaned back in
thoughtfully. "So he's rich an
timing. This could be huge for me-if he's s
't he be?"
t usually come looking for artists like me. He
shrug. "Maybe he wants something real. And, honestly? Y
simmered beneath the surface. "We'
e the clouds. She clutched a portfolio of her artwork, her palms damp with sweat. Clara had insisted she use this o
s and an enormous abstract sculpture right in the middle. Sophie moved toward the recepti
Mr. Hayes," Sophie said in a fir
hout looking at her screen.
actly, but he asked to se
d respond, a familiar voice
it emphasizing his broad shoulders. He looked just as composed as he ha
ophie said, fo
voice warm. "But I'm glad you're here." He turned to th
widening slightly. "
ey stepped into a private elevator. As the door
in haste. "It's just that you seemed quite interes
ge of his mouth. "There's no need to explain. I appreciate initiative.
, reminding herself that th
view of the city. Sleekly decorated in shades of gray and white, the room had a huge desk near the window, but on the walls,
ion," Sophie said, lingering on
. "Art has always been a passion of mine. It's one of the
ghtening around her portfolio
rea near the windows. "Why don't
efully on the glass coffee table. The collection included landscapes, portrai
are incredible," he said finally, his voice low. "You have this ra
ompliment, as much as the intensity of
eyes sharp. "Tell me, Sophie. Wha
ad prepared answers to literally dozens of different kinds of
the world," she said finally. "Life is messy, complicate
rs. "I respect that. Too many people ar
etween them charged. Then Ethan leaned back, breaking
inked. "Y
ing on his lips. "Something personal.
you looking for?" Sophie
Ethan said, his
ection-was remarkable. It's rare for a painting t
ks flush. "Thank you
mething that explores duality-conflict and harmony, light and dark. I'm not an
with ideas. "I can work with that. Do you ha
id. "I want it to be yours.
expression was earnest. Still, she couldn't shake the feelin
ophie said. "Possibly a mo
cardholder. He slid a business card across the table. "If you have any questions
his in the transaction. It was nothing, r
aid and tucked the
piration. If she was going to pull this off, the painting had to be perfect-not
h excitement. "Tell me everything. Did he love your wo
, and no, he is not a robot. Clara, there's just
tarts. First, you think he's not so bad, and
" Sophie said firmly. "I'm h
vas, Sophie couldn't shake the memory of Ethan's eyes and ho
danger she was