AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This lasts for the better part of an hour. The two men even step out twice to discuss in private, and when they return for the second time, even though Jonathan seems more reserved, they declare their satisfaction. Much to the pleasure of my partners, Madds doing a very bad job at hiding his restlessness.
I can’t blame him, especially since the conversation was strained. Finn couldn’t take his eyes off Erika, and Ingrid and I appeared to be looking anywhere but at each other. It didn’t ease the tension, though, constantly being drawn to the woman before me.
“Well, gentlemen, it was a pleasure doing business with you.” Erika firmly shakes our hands after the money transfer is confirmed, lingering a moment longer on Finn. Ingrid, steps back, nodding her goodbye. She’s either eager to leave this room or is avoiding touching us. Or me.
At this point, I’m eager to get the fuck out of here too, my body so tightly wound, my back damp from the strangeness of this interaction. I haven’t touched a cigarette since I was in school, but I’ll be damned if I wouldn’t smoke a whole pack of them right now.
Nah, I need to hit the gym. Maybe jump into the ring with Madds. Either way, I need to blow off some steam as soon as possible. Beat the image of Ingrid out of my damn mind and erase her brief touch from my body.
It’s not like I’m ever going to see her again anyway.
Then why is that thought making me even more antsy?
CHAPTER 3
RONAN
“So did it check out?”
My brother enters the office of our latest business venture. A legal one this time—Midnight, our speakeasy. Carter and I were looking through some new membership applications who have gone through our vetting, since the clientèle has to be very carefully chosen. It was his idea to open something like this. A place inspired by the roaring twenties, private, comfortable, an interesting space for all sorts of people to meet, whether for business or pleasure.
It’s also the safest place for the painting until we wash our hands of it and make a small fortune too.
“It did,” I say, my brows furrowing. “Why exactly do you look disappointed?”
“What? No, I’m glad. I’m happy… so happy,” he trails off.
“For fuck’s sake, man. Don’t tell me; you wanted to see Erika again.”
His eyes widen for a moment—I fucking caught the bastard.
“You know you could just ask her out, right? You don’t need an excuse like a fake painting to see her again.”
“Nah, man, you’re so off. I’m not interested.”
If only I hadn’t known him since he was born. I roll my eyes and turn to one of the documents Carter pushes my way.
“So, it’s all good, we can move forward with this deal?” he continues.
“Yeah, we can. There was a little bit of doubt with one of the colors, apparently. Back in those days, they used plants and natural sources or substances to obtain them. One of the shades of blue posed some uncertainty, but not enough to warrant it being fake. The margin of error is way beyond that,” Carter explains.
“Right, right…” Finn drifts off again before he finally walks out, a bit deflated.
He’s going to drive me mad until he meets this woman again. I’ve never seen him like this. It’s been over a week, and every time we’re outside, or in a bar, or restaurant, or goddamn anywhere, for that matter, he’s on edge. Constantly looking around, just in case he sees her again.
But… fuck, I’ve been looking right along with him.
Maybe because of the masked sinfulness in Ingrid’s gaze, or the softness of her. Of the way she looks, like she belongs in those times when this painting was done, draped in fine silks, with a crown of flowers on her head.
“Do you guys need me tonight?”
Madds all but bursts through the office door.
“Christ, man, one of these days we’ll fucking shoot you by accident if you keep barging in like you’re about to kill us all.”
He scrunches his eyebrows like he has no clue what I’m referring to.
“So, do you?” he asks again.
