Page 4 of Unresolved

It was opening time.

Chapter Three

Gemma

Shadows were beginningto creep into the gallery when the last of the visitors exited the building.I’d been kept busy with the many pieces that had sold for a very good profit.

The buyers had been beyond enthusiastic.

I only wished I could afford one of the pieces myself.I’d fallen in love with many of them when I’d had the chance to take a look at them as I’d written down the names of each piece and their corresponding code so that each one would be shipped off to their respective new owners.

That I hadn’t seen Gregory all day was beyond odd.He’d seemingly hidden in his office, away from the eager art crowd.So unlike him.I’d been expecting him to preen over our up-and-coming artist’s works, his face beaming as he welcomed in all the prospective buyers.

I shut and locked the doors, then sagged a little, just as I heard the heavy, familiar tread of Gregory from behind me.I turned, a smile on my face.“Well, I’d say that was a rousing—”

I didn’t finish my sentence.I blinked at Gregory’s sullen glare, his rigid spine offset by his slumped shoulders.“What’s wrong?”

“You didn’t think to tell me that you knew the artist personally?”

I frowned.“What?I don’t know him.I only know his name and the contact email I was given from an associate of his.”

“Is that right?”Gregory gritted out, “because he sure as shit seems to know you.”

My frown deepened, along with barely stifled irritation.“What do you mean?What is this all about?”

He pushed a hand over his face.“Allow me to show you something.”

I nodded, then followed him past the portraits, whose lifelike eyes seemed to follow us as we went.I repressed a little chill even before we stopped in front of the extra-large portrait with a red,Not for Salesticker emblazoned across the bottom corner of the gold frame.

I blinked, then blinked again, my breath stalling in my lungs while my mouth went bone dry.The portrait was like peering into a mirror.It showcased my face, my bared shoulders and breasts, though my nipples were barely noticeable thanks to the shadow that shrouded me from behind.

A shadow that was clearly a man.

Though his features were blurry and indistinct I knew exactly who he was.

Evander.

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