“Good to see you, brother,” Hawk replied.
Maverick’s team entered the gallery and Maverick excused himself to speak with them.
“We open in fifteen,” Z said. “Walk around. Introduce yourself to my employee.”
“You hired someone?” Brit asked.
“I’ll be here on the weekends, but we’ll be open Wednesdays through Fridays.”
Hawk took a few steps backward, coaxing them with his index finger. “Let’s check it out.”
Addison gripped Brit’s hand.
“I see my favorite painting of yours,” Addison said.
Brit’s painting of sunsets, sunrises, and nature themes were grouped together. Addison’s nudes and semi-nudes were also grouped together.
Brit also loved painting families because the ones she imagined were always happy. Grouped together were a series she’d done while living in Denver. Her imaginary family of six—a mom, a dad, and four children—were painted in a variety of locations. At the park, at the beach, having a picnic, relaxing at home, playing together in the backyard, the backdrop of mountains a formidable sight. A life she never had, would never have, but loved to dream about.
My happy family.
“These are so beautiful,” Addison said. “This one is my favorite. The family on Christmas morning. I’m going to buy that one.”
“Buy it? I would have gifted it to you.”
Maverick’s team, men and women in sharp black suits, meandered through the gallery. One by one, they broke from the group, spreading out across the spacious room and the two smaller salons.
One salon featured Brit’s work, the other Addison’s.
“I didn’t think to bring my weapon,” Brit whispered. “Do you have yours?”
“Ankle holster,” Addison whispered.
Hawk pulled open his jacket revealing his Glock in its shoulder holster.
I’m an ALPHA Op. Should I have my weapon with me all the time?
At five past seven, a handful of people entered the gallery.
Brit’s cheeks warmed.
“Do I have to talk to them?” she whispered to Addison.
“We can,” her sister replied. “They might want to meet the artist.” Then she smiled. “It’s gonna be fine. No big deal.”
Other than talking with Addison about whatever they were painting, she never talked about her work with anyone. Her palms grew clammy.
A steady stream of guests started arriving. Brit broke away from Addison and Hawk to walk around.
If I blend into the crowd, no one will recognize me.
The chime on the front door kept ringing as more and more guests arrived. From what she could tell, most everyone in ALPHA was there. She searched the crowded room for Addison who was talking to Emerson and Stryker, then Prescott and Jacqueline joined them. They were all clustered around one of Addison’s semi-nudes.
Her series included several paintings of a couple relaxing in bed. Though their faces were abstract, Addison had painted them with Hawk in mind, long before they’d fallen in love.Addison had done a phenomenal job capturing her future husband, down to the cigarette dangling from his mouth. Though he’d quit smoking, there was no question who Addison thought about in her free time.
Brit approached the group.
Hawk said something, Addison laughed, then he draped his arm over her shoulder while the conversation resumed. Brit wanted that kind of love. Eternal and pure. There was nothing and no one that would ever come between them. They had found their person and they were very, very happy together.
