by Maya Blake
Finally he drew to a stop at another set of traffic lights. Stabbing a hand through his hair, he exhaled. ‘Cute is the last term I’d use to describe the story behind the paintings.’
‘I was being facetious. Trust me, there’s nothing cute about watching someone you care about lose everything. And there’s certainly nothing cute about being made a fool of. So unless you want to talk about that, I suggest we drop the subject, shall we?’
Stony-faced, Damion shrugged. The rest of the journey was made in silence.
Their escort to the vault in Central London was conducted with reverent haste once the patrons recognised Damion. He stood close as the Femme en Mer was removed from the vault and its protective sheets unwrapped.
The painting was of a woman in a barely-there bikini, crashing through frothy waves. Her windswept hair gleamed dark and glossy, the chocolate tresses begging to be touched. Her laughing face, set in profile, was stunning, and drew the eye to her exquisitely detailed features. Around her neck was fastened a thin white scarf that billowed over one shoulder, lending a whisper of innocence to the painting.
But it was her mouth—a sensual mouth so like Damion’s that Reiko had to steel herself not to glance at it—that set the woman’s beauty apart from the ordinary. The painting was alive. The oils, even after over a half-century, were vibrant and passionate. It was a true masterpiece.
‘She was truly stunning, your grandmother,’ Reiko murmured, unable to take her eyes off Gabrielle Fortier’s image.
‘Oui, she was.’ His tone was firm, but where she’d expected fondness or a little warmth, she heard nothing.
A glance at his face showed the same stony demeanour he’d worn since they stepped out of the car into the quiet London side street.
Curiosity made her continue. ‘My grandfather told me she had the whole of the Sorbonne at her feet the two semesters she was there.’
His smile did nothing to alleviate his icy, harsh features. ‘I’ve no doubt that is what happened, because at her feet was exactly where Grandmère preferred her men.’
Her shocked gasp made him raise an eyebrow.
‘I’ve surprised you?’
‘I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but I wasn’t expecting … Wow—just … wow.’
‘It’s the truth. You expect me to mouth platitudes where there are none?’
‘Platitudes? Probably not, seeing as you don’t do sentiment. But isn’t it a harsh thing to say about your own grandmother?’
‘You know nothing about my life.’
Pain struck sharp. ‘Of course I don’t. Damion Fortier is a stranger to me. I spent six weeks with a man I knew as Daniel Fortman. But I do know about social etiquette and the art of polite conversation. I wouldn’t denounce a member of my family the way you do without even blinking. Especially when your family goes to great lengths to project a pristine image.’
‘Even angels fall, mademoiselle. And I hid my identity simply to avoid this very situation.’
‘What situation?’ she demanded.
He waved his hand at her. ‘This false affront. This pretence that what I did caused any lasting damage. We both know you got over me very quickly, don’t we?’ he flamed at her.
Heat crept up her neck and engulfed her face. His condemning gaze raked her face but she refused to look away. ‘You have no right to look down your nose at me when you lied to me consistently for six weeks. And I don’t really care about your reasons for lying. I trusted you enough to give you my body. You didn’t return the favour; instead you sent a cheque for a million dollars to salve your conscience. And now you’re disappointed I took it? If the money was some sort of test I was expected to pass to be deemed worthy in your eyes, then screw you, Damion. I’m glad I failed—’ Reiko bit her lip to stem the flow of words.
The last thing she wanted him to know was how devastated she’d been when she’d received the money after her grandfather’s death in place of an explanation. Yes, she could have taken the high road and ripped the cheque to shreds. Instead she’d taken delight in giving away every last cent to her favourite charity.
‘… sorry.’
The low, deep word drifted over her, pulling her back from dark recollections. When she glanced at him, he looked slightly shaken—taken aback, even.
‘What did you say?’
His features remained taut. ‘Perhaps the situation could’ve been handled differently.’
‘No kidding, Sherlock.’
‘And for that I’m sorry.’
She heard the words but the condemnation in his eyes didn’t dissipate. Slowly it dawned on her what was really bothering Damion. ‘It’s not about the money, is it?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Even though you’ve apologised, you’re still staring at me like I’m pond scum. But it’s got nothing to do with the money, has it? It’s because you think I sl—’
‘I prefer not have this conversation here, Reiko, or indeed at all.’ He nodded to the vault attendant who’d been listening raptly to their conversation. The young man hurried forward with the crate.
‘That’s fine by me.’ Reminiscing … sentiment … led to nothing but pain. She needed to be as clinical as Damion, see this job through, and make sure the next time she disappeared she stayed hidden for good.
Jaw set in concrete, Damion packed the Femme en Mer himself, his gentle but efficient handling of the painting a testament to his years of experience in art-dealing.
The St Valoire auction house dated back to the turn of the nineteenth century, when it had been opened by one of Damion’s illustrious forebears, but Damion himself had been the one to open the now world-famous Gallerie Fortier.
In its very short history it had grown to rival Sotheby’s and Christie’s, specialising in holding prestigious exhibitions exclusively for royalty and heads of state. Only two months ago the Paris headquarters of Gallerie Fortier had held the first ever exhibit of twelve stunning diamond-and-emerald-encrusted Matryoshka nesting dolls, rumoured to have belonged to the wife of a long-dead tsar. The art world had been abuzz with the news for weeks, especially as no one had claimed the bounty.
Wrestling to bring things back to neutral ground, she asked, ‘Did you ever find out who owned those Matryoshka nesting dolls?’
Cold eyes looked up from his wrapping of the painting. ‘The rightful owner was tracked down eventually, yes.’
She passed him tape to secure the thick paper around the painting. Again their fingers touched. Again the surge of heat made her insides clench. ‘Want to share with me who it is?’
‘No, I don’t. What’s your interest anyway? I thought you were retired?’
She shrugged. ‘Semi-retired from art retrieval. I broker from time to time, and I may have a buyer who’s interested in acquiring the whole collection.’
‘An anonymous one who prefers to hide in the shadows, no doubt?’
‘Naturally,’ she responded drolly.
‘Use the right channels, and my people will happily supply you with the owner’s details.’ He picked up the crate and headed towards the exit.
Reiko hurried to catch up. She reached the car just as Damion stowed the crate in the boot, next to her suitcase.
Slamming the boot, he turned to her. ‘Have you ever given any thought to going straight? Giving up the sordid underworld in favour of using your talents legitimately?’
‘Straight is boring. I like what I do.’
‘Serial killers like what they do, too, but they eventually get caught.’
Unexpected laughter bubbled up from her chest and spilled out into the mid-morning sunshine. ‘You did not just compare me to a serial killer! I thought you French were supposed to be charming?’
The barest hint of a mocking smile lightened his face and his gaze dropped to her feet. ‘If the Ferragamos fit …’
Confronted with the less haughty features she’d once been captivated by, Reiko stared. Just then a light wind whipped between them. She felt it tug her
fringe away from her face, threatening to expose her scar. Hurriedly she smoothed her hair down and tucked it behind her ear.
But not before she caught Damion’s frown. A dart of anxiety stabbed her. What would he think if he saw her scars? Would he be disgusted and pitying? Or would he strive for false indifference as some did when she inadvertently exposed them, as she almost had last night?
The thought made a silent scream rip through her. His lips parted and she knew he was going to ask what she was hiding. The urge to curtail the question made her reach out. With her free hand she gripped his biceps. His gaze stayed on her hair for several seconds, then dropped to her hand on his arm.
Despite the sensation crawling over her skin, Reiko kept the smile on her face. ‘We have a plane to catch, I believe?’
Grey eyes snapped back to hers. Their gleam told her he knew what she was doing. Thankfully, he didn’t push.
The worst of the rush-hour traffic was clearing by the time they rejoined the motorway. Damion handled the sleek sports car with the ease and efficiency of an expert. Slowly Reiko became less tense as the miles flew by.
The signs for Biggin Hill’s private airport flashed past before she decided to break the silence.
‘So, is it true your exhibition is centred around the Ingénue collection?’
‘Yes. What else did you hear?’
She shrugged. ‘That you’re holding the exhibition on February fourteenth.’
‘Oui, c’est vrais.’
‘Is that like you flipping two fingers at St Valentine?’
He frowned. ‘Why would you think that?’
Her choked laughter scraped her throat. ‘What else could it be? Surely you don’t expect me to think the day holds special meaning for you?’
‘Why not?’
‘Because you’re “about as loveable as an arsenic-coated spike”.’ When he shot her a furious look, she held up her hand. ‘Don’t glare at me. I’m just quoting one of your loved-up girlfriends. Or should I say loved-out? She wasn’t too happy with being an ex-girlfriend, if I recall the article correctly.’
‘Don’t believe everything you read in your gutter press.’
‘Touché. But seriously? Valentine’s Day?
His shrug drew her attention to his powerful physique. ‘It was the most convenient date and suited all parties. If it adds a little je ne sais quoi to the occasion, all the better.’
‘Ah … ever the ruthless entrepreneur.’ Deep bitterness spiked her heart.
He swung into a hangar marked ‘Private’ and brought the powerful sports car to a stop at the steps of a large white, gold-trimmed aircraft.
Two men approached, one going directly to unpack the boot. The pilot stood at the bottom of the short flight of stairs, ready to usher them in.
Damion swung his door open, but before he stepped out, he turned to her. ‘Don’t get me wrong, Reiko. I believe in everything February the fourteenth stands for. I just haven’t found a woman who shares the same belief with no strings attached.’ His gaze dropped to her lips briefly before rising to pin her. ‘If and when I do, I will pursue her with the same relentless determination I pursue every other pleasure in my life. And I will let nothing stand in my way until she’s mine.’
CHAPTER FOUR
REIKO TRIED TO DISMISS Damion’s words. In some ways she could see how the words could be construed as hot. She could certainly understand how any other woman would find it difficult to think straight after being the object of that delivery—especially with that low, gravelly accent thrown in for good measure. After all, hadn’t she fallen for the whole package of effortless charisma and sheer animal magnetism?
She desperately tried to stem the incredibly fiery sensation that rose in her belly whenever she remembered his gaze on her lips.
Damion’s words would never apply to her. He’d made that glaringly obvious when he’d walked away without a backward glance five years ago.
No, when Damion Fortier chose his mate, he would cast his net in the exclusive pool of privilege and prestige equal to his own, not in the damaged remnants of a brief, meaningless affair.
The aircraft landed and rolled into another hangar at Orly Airport. She jumped from her seat. Damion, who’d been on the phone for the whole flight, hung up and glanced at her. Again the look tugged on her senses, and she hissed in irritation at herself.
She had calls to make, people to contact if she was to establish a solid lead as to the whereabouts of the Femme sur Plage. Four years in this shaky economic climate was a long time for a painting to remain in one place for long—especially one as exclusively priceless as the Sylvain Fortier piece. If Damion, with his unlimited funds and excellent contacts, had been unable to locate it, then she’d have her work cut out.
Whom Damion would eventually choose as his Baroness was the last thing she should be thinking of.
Fishing a pen out of her handbag, she quickly scribbled down her address. ‘This is where I’ll be staying, should you need to contact me. Otherwise I’ll see you at the exhibit on Friday evening.’
He glanced at the piece of paper but made no move to take it. ‘This is where you stay when you’re in Paris?’ The slur in his tone was unmistakable.
‘Don’t tell me. You wouldn’t be caught dead in that neighbourhood?’
‘Oui, that is right. And neither will you.’
‘I always stay there. I like the area’s bohemian feel. You should try it some time. Maybe you’ll like it.’
‘Believe it or not, I’ve tried it and liked it. I lived there during my university days.’ He caught her slack-jawed look and smiled. ‘Before it became a drugs and gang hotspot. When was the last time you were there?’ he asked.
Recalling the last time she’d visited Paris, she felt a swell of pain rise through her. ‘Three years ago.’
A hooded look came over his eyes. ‘Were you alone?’
‘No.’ She’d been with her father. They’d had an amazing time. Going back to where she’d stayed with him would be painful. Of that she had no doubt.
Face the demons …
Damion rose to tower over her. ‘Well, you won’t be staying there. I won’t let you compromise our agreement simply because you want to feel bohemian.’
‘It’s a good thing you’re not the boss of me, then, isn’t it?’ she snapped.
‘Look out of the window, Reiko,’ he replied simply.
‘Why?’ Her head whipped to the closest window, her heart hammering. Expecting to find the plane surrounded by police, all she saw was another gleaming sports car and an immigration official ready to inspect their travel documents. Relief made her slightly dizzy. ‘Wh … what exactly am I supposed to be looking at?’
‘You’re not a French citizen, which means you need a special licence or a certificate of origin to bring any form of art into the country. I haven’t yet taken ownership of the Femme en Mer, so unless I vouch for you, or claim ownership of the painting, the authorities will have to be involved. Now, personally I don’t have a problem—’
‘Fine! We’ll do it your way.’ His smug smile made her teeth grind. ‘Did I mention that I think you’re a cold bastard?’
‘Your tone implied it exquisitely.’
‘Good, I’m so glad.’ Despite her snarky tone, panic began to claw at her insides. She had no doubt Damion meant to keep her close. Which meant he would be within hearing distance should she experience another of her nightmares, or worse. Carefully, she cleared her throat. ‘Do you intend to hold me prisoner the whole time I’m here?’
Their pilot came out and lowered the steps to the plane. Damion ushered her out. ‘Not at all. You’re a free agent. As long as you stay at my apartment, stay within the confines of the law and make every attempt to locate the painting.’
When he placed a hand in the small of her back to propel her forward, Reiko jumped out of reach. Beneath her clothes, her skin tingled. She averted her gaze from Damion’s frowning look.
‘Let’s not keep the nice of
ficer waiting,’ she said hurriedly.
His frown remained in place. ‘It also goes without saying that I want you on your best behaviour. And, before you use another Scout salute, be warned that I saw your two-finger salute last night instead of the correct three.’
He stood so close she could see the faint shadow of his stubble, smell the heady scent of him. Hurriedly she went down the stairs. ‘How would you know? I find it impossible to picture you as a Scout.’
‘I wasn’t, but I had a crush on a Guide once upon a time.’
Stunned, she glanced at him as he shook hands with the official. The sheer magnificence of him made something kick in her chest, catching her breath for a second before releasing it. When Damion’s gaze caught hers, she struggled to maintain a neutral expression.
She couldn’t lower her guard around him. Even if what had happened five years ago hadn’t been enough of a lesson, she only had to think of his affair with Isadora Baptiste to remember she detested everything about his heartless attitude towards relationships.
Like an ice-cold shower, the thought obliterated everything else.
The foundations of her control solidified, she slid into the car beside Damion.
She felt his quizzical gaze on her, but kept hers forward. When he turned the ignition and gripped the gearstick, she deliberately drifted her fingers over the back of his hand. His light intake of breath didn’t pierce her re-imposed self-control. Even the tingle in her fingers lingered for a split second before it set her free. For that, Reiko was eternally grateful.
‘You don’t need to worry. I’ll be on my best behaviour.’
‘I’m curious as to the sudden change of heart.’
Had his voice grown a little raspier?
‘Let’s just say I don’t want to prolong our association any longer than I have to.’
Damion pondered the change in Reiko as he negotiated the last few streets towards his Parisian apartment in the third arrondissement. Something had happened between their disembarking the plane and leaving the airstrip. Something he couldn’t put his finger on.
Her body was so still, her expression so remote, Damion wondered if she was in some sort of trance. Only the frequent flickering of her eyelids and furtive glances out of her window indicated she wasn’t in a meditative state.
