Obsidian Heart

onse to the wooden box and the heavy silence of the brownston

rock, brutal and magnetic, from which rose a single, impossibly delicate spiral of white Carrera marble, seemingly reaching for the light. Encircling the marble, but never touching it, was a thin, poli

with nervous energy among the art elite. Tonight, she was not just a

his control, his shadow-to create a public critique of his influence. To igno

to do with art appreciation. It was the collective, instinctive

in a tuxedo of such perfect, austere tailoring that it made every other man look crumpled. He didn't look comfortable, but he d

rs who suddenly found their shoes fascinating. His gaze locked instantly

hundred million dollars worth of paintings, and

. She didn't offer a greeting, knowing the moment was a pe

millimeters above the dark metal cage, careful not to touch the work. "Is the obsidian base meant to

hat supports a life, and the delicate, vulnerable thing trapped inside it. T

ed slightly to acknowledge a famous collector who had approached them tentatively. "Mr. Delacro

utiny, mumbled something about 'brilliance' an

der her breath. "You're destroying the in

hall. They will talk about the woman who stood next to the Valeriano Boss and dared to call his protection

ge... it's flawless work. My fabricator made it, didn't he? I noticed

just allowed the piece; he had enabled it. He had manu

nd then encouraged

hly. "The game is not about whether you can defy me, Eliza. It's about whethe

nt. If you were truly independent, you would be vulnerable. If you are mine-even against your wi

ly walked over. Rocco didn't speak to him, only gave a subtle nod toward Eliza's p

A hushed, intense conversation followed, ending with the gallery ow

nding Rocco a smal

"The Keeper's Grip is no longer for sale, Eliza. I

hispered, devastated. "It'

New York, and it will hang in the lobby of the Valeriano corporate headquarters, where every rival who walks in will understan

ist, Principessa. You thought you could force me into a corner. But you only gave me a perfect shield to us

t was a clear, public

sed by his ruthless efficiency. She had lost the battle, but she realized she had learned his ru

e crowd parted, and the Boss led the Artist out, leaving The