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“Seriously?” I shook my head. “You confessed to having a thing for each other. But you won’t tell me about a stupid scar.”
“It’s a long story,” Damian said. “We don’t have time tonight.”
“It’s almost midnight.” Bastian pointed at the clock on his bedside table. “Time for bed, Cherry.”
I stretched my fingers out, so I could slip them between Damian’s on the mattress. He actually let me hold his hand. Who would have thought a simple gesture would mean so much?
Bastian turned me so my back was facing him. His arm snaked around me, and he kissed my cheek. “Sweet dreams, Cherry.”
“Night,” I muttered to my guys, and within minutes, I was dead to the world.
On the night of my first art exhibition, I wore a sleek black camisole dress with a slit up my left thigh. I paired it with black Valentino pumps that brought me to Luca’s shoulder. He was an entire foot taller than me, towering over me at six foot three inches.
Luca slid his arm behind my back, clutching my hip as we moved through the Blackwell Gallery. Marcello walked with us on his right, Bastian and Damian on my left. I wondered if people noticed we were together. Or did they assume Luca was my boyfriend, and the others were our bodyguards.
Armed with guns and smiles, it wouldn’t have been hard to confuse them for hired gunmen. Bastian wore a navy blue suit and a smile that could damage the hearts of women across the city. Of course, Damian dressed in all black, including his dress shirt and tie. He rarely added color to his wardrobe.
As Luca led me around the gallery, I wiped my sweaty palms down the front of my dress to still my nerves. Everyone stared at us. Some offered polite smiles, some tipped their heads, while others just watched us. I was one of the youngest artists to have a solo showcase at the Blackwell Gallery. Evangeline Franco was the first.
I was the talk of the town, thanks to an article about my pieces inThe New Yorker. Luca had arranged the interview. He was making my dreams a reality, and I knew there were strings attached. But now that we were finally coming together, acting like a couple, I was reconsidering his proposal. Slowly, Luca was becoming not only the man I wanted him to be, but the man I needed in my life.
“You deserve this, Drea.” Luca’s fingers trailed down my trembling arm, his soft touch helping to soothe my nerves. “I predict you’ll sell out the entire gallery.”
I swallowed hard to clear my throat. “I hope so.”
“The staff had to turn people away at the door,” Bastian added in a deep tone that crawled down my spine. “Everyone wants a piece of you, Cherry.”
“What if everyone hates my paintings and I don’t sell a single one?”
He swept his arm out at the massive crowd. “Look around you. How many artists garner a fanbase like this on their first showing?”
My stomach churned from the stress. I hadn’t had an opportunity like this one since art school. This was the big leagues, a legit show in SoHo that could make my career.
“I have to give my speech soon.” My throat tightened in anticipation of standing in front of so many strangers. “How bad would it be if I vomited on my guests?”
Bastian laughed. “You won’t.”
“Stop worrying about everything that can go wrong,” Luca ordered with fire behind his words. “Focus on what will go right. Tonight is already a success.”
I bit my bottom lip and stared into the expanse of the crowded room. “I’m afraid to read the reviews tomorrow. What if the art critics hate my pieces?”
Luca tugged on one of my curls and pulled my mouth closer to his. “Stop overthinking everything, Queen D. The Many Faces of the Devil series is a hit.”
Marcello yanked me out of his brother’s arms, his palm on my back as he pressed my chest into his. His fingers wove through my curls. “This is a moment you will never want to forget. Calm down, princess. Just relax and take it all in. We’ll be right by your side.”
I expelled a deep breath, clearing my lungs. “I’m nervous.” I waved my hand in front of my face, which was growing redder by the second. “I don’t want to screw this up in front of so many people.”
“I’m right here.” Marcello cradled me in his arms. “Shh, princess. Let your heart rate slow down. Breathe, baby.”
In his arms, I always felt safe, comforted. Marcello was the most loving, the one who could instantly calm me down when I was on the verge of a panic attack.
Then it was Bastian’s turn to steal me away, wrapping me in his strong embrace. “We got you, girl. As long as we’re here, nothing bad will happen. Everything will be okay.” His hand lifted to point at the room. “Look at these people who came here to see you.”
“That’s not entirely true.” I drew a breath from between my teeth. “Luca had a lot to do with this.”
“I only showed the owner your portfolio,” Luca clarified, though I wasn’t so sure I believed him. “He’s the one who asked where I found you and if you would be interested in a showing.”
I slipped out of Bastian’s grip and moved between my men, who circled around me. “I’m glad all of you are here with me.”
