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The living version did not disappoint. Still, as stimulating and attractive as he was, no one compared to Ari for her. If Kane and his pet were bound by art, Claire and Ari were bound by secrets and captivity. They were bound by the things they'd done to each other both dark and painful, and beautiful.
Ari parked around the back of Kane's property and helped her out of the car. He led her through a large, well-lit elaborate garden, through pathways of entangled rose bushes and sculpture art, all in classical styles. There was not a single modern harsh geometric metal art installation to be found. Ari had obviously been here many times before to know his way so well.
The garden opened out at a large building with columns and climbing vines.
They were greeted by a very good-looking bald guy at the door. He looked like a bodyguard or a bouncer.
“Marcus,” Ari said, nodding.
Claire tried to hide the reaction she was sure must have flitted across her face at the revelation of the man's identity.
Marcus gave her an assessing look. “I see you got rid of Holly,” he said, his eyes not leaving Claire.
“Actually, she left. She got a modeling contract overseas,” Ari said. “This is Claire.”
“Is she a brat like the last one?” Marcus asked.
Apparently Holly had a reputation with these people.
“No,” Ari said simply, “she isn't.”
“Good. You deserve to be with someone who can appreciate you.”
She felt Ari tense beside her at that statement. She grabbed and squeezed his hand, and the tension seemed to deflate out of him.
“You're a little late,” Marcus said. “Some of the art has already sold. If you want something, I'd grab it fast. The alcohol and money are flowing. And Saskia's work has only gotten better since you last saw it.”
Ari nodded. “Thanks for the tip.”
They were about to go in, when Marcus put a hand up, blocking their way. “Wait. I almost forgot.” He turned and picked up some papers from a table behind him. He handed one to Claire and one to Ari. Each bundle was 3 sheets of paper stapled together. He gave each of them a pen.
“You can't go in unless you sign. We know we can trust you but it's protocol, you know that.”
Ari sighed. “Kane and his NDAs.” He skimmed it, initialed a few things, and then signed the last page, printing his name underneath on the indicated line. “Claire, sign,” he said. There was no room for argument.
She initialed on her pages in the same places Ari had initialed, and then signed the last page, likewise printing her name on the bottom.
Marcus took the papers from the two of them and put them in a second pile on the table behind him.
“And cell phones,” he said, indicating a basket behind them filled with phones.
Ari took his phone out of his pocket and put it in the basket. “Claire doesn't have a phone,” Ari said.
Marcus looked her up and down and smiled. “Where would she possibly put it?” He looked back to Ari. “Okay, you can go in. Have fun, kids.”
The fact that they'd had to sign non-disclosure agreements to get in the door, even though they were invited guests, made Claire suddenly nervous again. Nobody had to sign an NDA to go to an art show or buy art. So what else was about to happen in this building? Ari squeezed her hand and guided her inside.
When they stepped into the outer lobby, she whispered, “Is everyone here...”
“Kinky?” he supplied.
Claire nodded.
“Probably seventy-five percent of them. The rest are tourists, but Kane knows and trusts them to have invited them.”
“Tourists?” Claire asked.
“People who like to brush up against the darkness but for whatever reason can't bring themselves to really go there. It gives them a little thrill but they don'tneedit.”
