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