Page 78 of Beautiful Exile

“You know what I think would be interesting,” a low voice said behind me. It was a voice I recognized, but it was completely devoid of emotion.

Quentin’s gaze flicked up to Linc’s. “What’s that, Mr. Pierce?”

He’d obviously done his homework on Linc—and likely me. That made me uneasy. More than that. It freaked me the hell out.

Linc moved so he stood beside me, his arm pressing against mine, telling me he was there without suggesting I needed his protection. “I think it would be interesting to find out just how quickly I could snap your arm in two. Perhaps break a finger or three.”

Quentin chuckled, but there was no humor in the sound. “You know, Mr. Pierce, I heard that someone’s trying to dismantle your empire. I don’t think you need another enemy.”

I stiffened.What the hell did that mean?

But before I could say anything, three tiny figures stomped into our circle. Benny was first, crossing his arms and glaring up at Quentin and Denver. Izzy was next, her little fists balled as she scowled at them. And finally, Gracie. She was nervous but didn’t let it stop her, and I admired that most of all. Brutus followed behind, baring his teeth at Quentin.

“You make Miss Arden mad. Leave,” Benny demanded.

Linc chuckled next to me, and Benny turned slightly at the sound. Linc held out a fist. “My man.”

Benny gave him a knuckle bump.

“This camp has a no-meanies-allowed rule, and you’re meanies,” Isabella informed them.

It was my turn to start coughing as I tried not to laugh.

A hardness settled into Quentin’s eyes, one I didn’t like one bit. “Clearly, your parents have neglected to teach you manners.”

“You mean yours didn’t,” Benny shot back. The kid had a point.

Quentin’s gaze flicked to me. “I’m going inside to make a bidding strategy. I can’t wait to have your pieces in my home, Arden.”

Nausea swelled. Him owning my art felt like him owning a piece of me. And that was almost more than I could take.

Quentin turned and strode inside. Denver turned to me, and I saw the anger stewing below his normally placid expression. “We’ll talk about this later.”

Fire surged, and I knew my eyes blazed as I glared at him. “You’d better believe we will.”

Then Denver went hurrying after his meal ticket. My nausea intensified. Because as much as it sucked that Quentin was here and being creepy, it sucked more that Denver was throwing me to the wolves.

A hand curved around my elbow, a gentle reminder that I wasn’t alone. “You okay?”

I sighed and looked up at Linc. “I don’t want that creep to have my art in his house.”

A muscle in his jaw fluttered. “Understandable.”

“And I think I’m going to have to fire my friend.”

Linc’s expression softened. “Is he really your friend if he’d put you in that sort of situation?”

That was a good question.

Tiny arms went around my waist, and I looked down to find Gracie hugging me. “I’m sorry, Miss Arden. But it’s good you have Mr. Linc to protect you. He’s real big.”

One corner of my mouth kicked up. “I am lucky, aren’t I?”

Benny sighed. “I guess he’s okay.”

Linc grinned at the little boy. “Does that mean we’re besties now?”

“Too far,” Benny grumbled, stalking away.

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