Chapter 16 #2
With a click of her tongue, she toggled into the app to read it. Since it seems you need help facilitating information on the Bancrofts, I took the opportunity to see that you were invited to Hamptons Art Charity Luncheon this afternoon. You’re welcome.
Ava slid her eyes closed as she summoned the strength to deal with Raven after everything else that had happened.
She slid into the cool comfort of the house, setting Gizmo on the floor before she typed a response.
Gee, thanks. I was doing my homework on the Bancrofts.
And I planned to speak to them at the 4th of July event.
The phone rang a moment later, a restricted number appearing on her screen. She heaved a sigh and swiped to answer it. “A phone call instead of a kidnapping?”
“July fourth is far too late. You need to be enacting plans by then, not coming up with them. Meet Vivienne today. Get invited into her inner circle. Don’t fail.”
Ava scoffed, pulling the phone away from her ear as it clicked. “Jerk,” she murmured as she shuffled through the house, reading the gala information on her phone.
Given how late she’d slept, she needed to get ready for it now. After a shower, she picked out a new designer dress and heels. After slicking on lipstick, she left the house behind, sliding behind the wheel of her SUV and heading for the art gallery where the gala was being held.
She pulled up to the valet, handing her keys off before she eyed the gallery, then pushed through front doors. She slid off her oversized sunglasses, grabbed a glass of champagne and scanned the eventgoers for Vivienne.
The gallery buzzed with the murmurs and laughs of the elite and the subtle scent of expensive perfume mingling with the sharp tang of oil paint–a sensory reminder of the world she was maneuvering through.
“Hello,” a warm voice said from behind her.
Ava twisted to find Vivienne Bancroft with an enigmatic smile standing behind her. Ava plastered a smile onto her face. “Hello.”
“I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Vivienne Bancroft.” The woman eyed her up and down, sizing her up–or deciding whether or not she belonged at this event.
Ava shifted the champagne flute to her left hand as she extended her right. “Ava Collins. And we haven’t met before.”
The smile never left Vivienne’s face as she delicately shook Ava’s hand, her eyes prodding for more information.
“You may know my husband, Alex Stone.”
“Ah,” Vivienne answered, her eyebrows shooting up. “Yes, I do know of the mysterious Mr. Stone, though I can’t say I’ve seen him out and about much.”
“No, Alex is very private,” Ava answered.
“He must be. I hadn’t even realized he’d married. I dare say you scooped up quite the eligible bachelor with his fortune.”
Ava forced her features to remain neutral at the subtle dig. She swept a lock of hair away from her face as she chuckled. “Actually, Alex and I married long before StoneCorp.”
“Oh,” Vivienne said, cocking her head, “and yet you’ve just appeared in the Hamptons.”
“Our marriage is…unconventional, but regardless, I’m here now and looking to make an impact in the community.”
“Well, it’s always important to leave our community better than we found it.”
Ava narrowed her eyes at the woman. If this woman and her husband were a part of The Board, she doubted they were leaving anything better than they found it. “Yes, it is, which is why I was so pleased to attend your event today. A society without art is like a body without a soul.”
“What an interesting analogy.” Vivienne grinned as she flicked her gaze to the painting in front of her. “Well, I do hope you’ll find something you like. Your financial support would be so appreciated. Enjoy the event.”
Ava offered Vivienne a fleeting smile as she strode away, waving to someone else before she planted a kiss on her cheek.
She returned her eyes to the painting in front of her as she processed Vivienne’s words. Her meaning was clear.
If Ava wanted to be taken seriously in Vivienne’s circle, she was going to have to pay for that right.
She sucked in a breath, taking another sip of her champagne before she strode around the gallery, stopping at a nautical painting showing two ships sailing together through a stormy sea.
With narrowed eyes, she eyed the painter’s name, noting the last name was Bancroft.
“Perfect,” she whispered to herself before she raised a finger to call one of the gallery attendants.
“Found something you like?” the woman asked.
“Yes. I’ll take this one. Here’s the address for delivery,” she said as she finished writing the check for the overpriced item.
The woman’s eyes went wide as she stared at the amount. “Oh, you’ve accidentally added an extra ten thousand to the price, Ms. Collins.”
“Well, it is a charity event, isn’t it? Consider it an extra donation. Please give Vivienne my regards.” With a confident smile, Ava strolled from the gallery.
As she aimed her car for their beachside home, she dialed Raven’s number. The line clicked, and she glanced at the phone in her cupholder. “It’s done. I should hear from her soon.”
“You sound confident,” Raven answered, his voice mechanically enhanced.
“I am. And as a backup, I have another angle to work. I have this covered.”
“Good work, beautiful spy. And now for your other task…”
“I’ll work on that as soon as Alex returns.” She jabbed at the end call button, cutting off any further conversation as she pulled into the driveway.
As she entered the foyer, she kicked her shoes off and picked up Gizmo who scrambled in to greet her.
“Hey, buddy,” she said with a kiss on his head as the doorbell chimed.
Her head fell back between her shoulder blades as she sighed. “Now what?”
Ava whipped around and tugged the door open, her shoulders slumping as she spotted Chris. “Again?”
“I told you I’d be back. And I gave you more than just the night to sleep on my offer.”
Ava crinkled her nose. “Your offer? Do you mean that weak attempt to get me back? I didn’t need to sleep on it.”
She started to swing the door closed, but he stopped her.
“That’s exactly what I meant. And I’d give this some more serious thought if I were you.”
“Would you?” she asked, unimpressed and exhausted from her day already. “Okay, hold on…mmm, no. I’m with Alex.”
“That’s cute, Ava. Really, it is, but I’m being serious.”
“So am I,” she answered. “What part of I’m with Alex don’t you understand.”
Chris heaved a sigh as he shook his head. “You shouldn’t be. And I believe in that so strongly that I’m going to make certain you don’t make a huge mistake.”
“I already did that when I dated you.”
He offered a sharp chuckle. “Wow, you just can’t stop, can you? This is going to be more entertaining than I expected.”
“What is?” she asked.
“Making you come back to me.”
Ava shifted her weight with a shake of her head. “That’s not happening. I already told you that. And I’m kind of tired, so please, get out.”
“I’d love to, as long as you’re coming with me.”
Her shoulders slumped.
“Before you say no, hear me out. See, here’s the thing, Ava, either you come back to me…or I ruin Alex Stone.”
The smarmy smile on his face made her heart thump against her ribs. What was it that Chris thought he had that would rip her and Alex apart?