Chapter 33
As the car came to a stop, Fionn studied the building where the first art gallery on Hunter’s list was located.
The reality of what he was about to do took hold, immobilizing him with self-doubt.
It would be the first time anyone saw his drawings except for his mother, teacher, and mate, and he’d discounted whatever they’d said about them for one reason or another.
“Pet, are you coming?” Hunter asked, holding the car door open.
Snapping out of his reverie, Fionn’s eyes met his mate’s as he reached up to take Hunter’s hand before sliding out of the car. Biting his lower lip in an effort to hide his nerves he said, “Mate, maybe we should look around first before asking them about my drawings.”
“Good idea,” Hunter replied, tucking Fionn’s arm under his. “C’mon, I’m going to enjoy this.”
“You are?” Surprised at his mate’s words, Fionn couldn’t figure out why.
“Yup,” Hunter replied. “I know very little so I’m going to go with my gut as to whether I like something or not.”
“That’s not a bad way of doing it,” Fionn replied, smiling. “It’s what I do. Sometimes, a piece of artwork will reach out and grab my soul…and there’s nothing I can do about it…except lose myself in the world the artist created.”
“I’m not sure that’ll happen to me since I don’t have a creative bone in my body,” grinned Hunter as he pulled open the door, guiding Fionn inside. Looking around at the large open space, he said, “Why don’t we start in this corner and work our way around?”
Nodding, Fionn approached the first painting with Hunter.
Looking at it, he noticed the use of colors blending into each other, reminding him of the work of Mark Rothko.
Saying nothing, he moved on to the next one and then the next.
When they were half way around the gallery he came upon a watercolor that stole his breath away, filling his soul with joy.
“Oh, wow!” Hunter murmured, standing behind his mate, gazing at the same painting. Mesmerized by it, he didn’t realize someone had joined them until she spoke.
“This is one of our new artists,” the woman said.
“It’s amazing,” Hunter said.
“I quite agree,” said the woman. “We consider ourselves lucky to have his work. There are several more of his paintings on the far wall.”
“Has he been painting long?” asked Hunter.
“Yes, although I haven’t seen his early works. According to his bio, he just moved to the Bay area a short time ago.”
“Do you specialize only in watercolors and oils?” asked Hunter.
“Oh, goodness, no. When I opened this gallery, I wanted to find artists who were just beginning their careers and help them get known, regardless of their medium.”
“How would an artist go about…”
“Getting me to carry his work?” The woman smiled. “I’m assuming you know someone who’s a new artist?”
“Yes…my husband, Fionn,” Hunter said, tugging his mate close to him.
“Do you have any examples of your work with you I can look at?” the woman asked Fionn. “Or would you prefer to make an appointment for another time?”
Holding out his mate’s sketchbook, Hunter replied, “This is his most recent work and now would be perfect since we’re only in town for a day.”
Taking it, she said, “Why don’t we go to my office?”
“Certainly,” Hunter agreed, clasping his mate’s hand.
Dazed at the rapidity of events, Fionn let his mate lead him to the rear of the gallery and into an office.
Sitting down next to Hunter, he watched the woman slowly turn the pages of his sketchbook, occasionally pausing, before continuing.
The tension in his body was painful. As Fionn studied the woman’s face, butterflies fluttered throughout his stomach every time he thought he saw her mouth open, then close without saying a word.
This was a mistake…I’m not ready…oh gods what will I do if she rejects me?
Better not to give her a chance. Make an excuse and leave.
Unable to take it anymore, he opened his mouth, about to tell her he’d changed his mind.
“I love your work,” the woman said, looking at Fionn. “You are truly talented.”
What? That can’t be.
The woman continued, “I think it would make a great addition to the gallery and will give my buyers a different option. Many of them are collectors, always looking for the next great artist, and your sketches will give them an alternative to the watercolors and oils I presently display.”
Glancing at his mate and finding him speechless, Hunter said, “That’s a good point. Excuse me, Ms…”
“Oh, sorry, I’m Emilia Miralles.”
“Ms. Miralles, I’m Hunter Evans. We’re both new at this so what’s the next step?”
“I want to see more of Fionn’s work, either here or at your studio…”
“I don’t have a studio,” replied Fionn, finally finding his voice.
“Then here Fit will be. We can schedule a time that’s convenient for you,” Emilia said. Her gaze went back to one of Fionn’s drawings, absentmindedly tapping her finger on her desk before continuing, “I’ll email our Representation Agreement for you to look over.”
“That sounds good, right Fionn?” asked Hunter.
“Uh-huh. When do you want to meet?”
Emilia opened her diary and flipped through a few pages. “Does next Monday work for you? I have the entire afternoon free so that’ll give us enough time to go through your sketches and pick some for framing.”
“How about one o’clock?” asked Hunter.
“Perfect,” Emilia said, jotting down the time in her diary.
Hunter handed her his business card. “If something changes, you can reach me here. It also has my email address on it, so you can send the Representative Agreement to us there.”
“Perfect,” Emilia replied. Standing, she held out her hand.
Rising, Hunter shook it. “I look forward to Monday.”
Amazed at how effortlessly his mate managed the meeting, Fionn slowly got up, trying, but not succeeding to hide his happiness. “Thank you, Ms. Miralles,” he said.
“No, thank you, Fionn. I can’t wait to view more of your work and I already know several buyers who are going to snap up your pieces as soon as they see them.”
Taking Fionn’s sketchpad, Hunter ushered his mate out of the office and found Dylon and Cody leaning against a wall, waiting for them.
“From the goofy grin on Fionn’s face, I’d say it went well,” Dylon said.
“It did, she wants to carry his drawings,” Hunter said,
“Hey, well done, Fionn,” Cody said. “This calls for a celebration.”
“Can we leave before she changes her mind?” Fionn whispered to Hunter.
“Pet, trust me, she isn’t going to change her mind, but let’s go, we still have the rest of the galleries on my list to see.” Leading his mate out to the car, Hunter waited till everyone piled in before telling the driver to head for the next gallery on his list.
“Why are we going to another one? She’s going to handle my work.”
“Yes, but we haven’t seen her Representative Agreement yet…and there is always the possibility it won’t be fair to you, so since we’re here, let’s check out the rest because it won’t hurt to have a backup.”
“Thanks, mate, for watching out for me,” Fionn murmured, snuggling against Hunter’s side. He’d never have thought of that and he thanked the Fates for giving him someone who knew about business.
~/~/~/~/~
“Hey babe,” Steel said, entering Jackson’s study. “Got a minute?” Bending down, he gave his mate a kiss before pulling up a chair next to him at his desk.
“Yeah,” Jackson said, turning away from his computer and looking at his mate. “What’s up?”
“Carson asked my dad and brother if he could transfer to a different position within Dire Enterprises.”
“Why? I thought he loved what he was doing.”
“I thought so too, but at their meeting, Carson said he wanted to find a job overseas some place but wouldn’t tell my dad and Slate the reason why. Do you know anything about it?”
“No, he never said a word about it to me, at least not yet.”
“Dad asked him if you knew and your brother said he was going to tell you, but not until his plans were firm.”
“Hmm, I bet Cody knows but I’ll have to wait until he gets back. Or, maybe Colton does…but I don’t want to bother him because he’s looking after Mom. Does Dire Enterprises have a position for my brother?”
“Slate said he’s putting together a list of openings we have for Dad to look at.”
“Okay.” Frowning, Jackson knew something had to be wrong if Carson wanted to leave the pack, wondering if their mother’s survival triggered his request. His brother was the quintessential Alpha and he and Carson had butted heads ever since the massacre.
Just as Dakota was closest to their mother, Carson had bonded with their father.
Mulling over the possibility his brother couldn’t deal with his feelings that the wrong parent had survived, he thought it might be the reason his brother wanted to leave.
Sighing, Jackson kicked himself for not figuring it out sooner. Shit…of course… not that it matters because I can’t change what is. “When will your father make a decision?” he asked Steel.
“Don’t know, but I’m sure he’ll speak to you first before offering anything.”
“Thanks. Cody will be home tomorrow, so I’ll see if he knows why Carson wants to leave. In the meantime, how fast can you build a place for David to use for his duties?”
“That’s one of the reasons I met with my father and Slate.
They agreed it only made sense for me to move our construction division here, at least temporarily, so we can speed up building the different structures we need…
and that includes one for David. Since it won’t be very big, I put that at the top of the list.”
“Also,” Jackson added, “Adam needs an office, hopefully close to Zane’s computer room since that is where David always is.”
“No problemo,” Steel said smirking.
“Oh no, not you, too.”
Shrugging, Steel replied, “What can I say? Kieran grows on you after a while.”
“Oh shit, that reminds me, Logan wants to know which room he and Kieran can have for their pup’s nursery.”
“I’ll meet with them and find out what their plans are about moving to a suite.”
“Thanks. By the way, be sure your meeting takes place in Logan’s studio.”
Raising his eyebrows, Steel asked, “Why?”
“You’ll see,” Jackson said, standing. “Meanwhile, Ian is waiting for me, so if that’s all…”
Tugging his mate down onto his lap, Steel nibbled Jackson’s lips before devouring them in a hungry kiss.
Finally, he pulled back, crooning in Jackson’s ear, “That’s all…
for now, but later I have plans for you and me.
Remember that, mo chroí.” Then setting his mate on his feet, Steel gave Jackson’s butt a swat, before letting go of him.
Grinning, Jackson walked away, making sure to wiggle his ass, laughing when he heard his mate groan.
~/~/~/~/~
Fionn was floating when they arrived back at their hotel. Of the six galleries they visited, three of them offered to sign him as one of the artists they represented. He couldn’t wait to tell Ki, Theo, and Norm.
Stepping out of the elevator along with Dylon and Cody, Hunter kept Fionn close to him as he surveyed the hallway, making sure there was no one there.
Checking in again with his wolf, Hunter found him pacing around the white dragon, issuing occasional low growls.
Something was wrong, but he didn’t know what since his wolf hadn’t warned him that Fionn was in danger.
Stopping at their suite’s door, Hunter unlocked it and, glancing at Dylon and Cody said, “Dinner at eight?”
“Yeah,” Dylon answered. “I made reservations for us at a place Jackson recommended. Pick you up at seven thirty?”
“Pet, what do you think? Enough time for you to come down from the high you’re on?” Hunter asked, smiling.
“No! I don’t think I ever will,” Fionn exclaimed.
Chuckling, Hunter replied to Dylon, “That’ll be fine. See you then.”
Waiting until Hunter and Fionn were inside their suite, Cody whispered, “Did you see how Hunter reacted when we got out of the elevator?”
“C’mon,” Dylon said, not wanting to discuss anything while they were in the hallway.
Once inside their suite, Dylon said, “Yeah, I did. I don’t know if his wolf warned him or whether it’s just being out all afternoon with his mate, but there was definitely something bothering him.
” Removing his jacket, Dylon grabbed some equipment from his bag.
“I’m going to take a look around, babe. Make yourself invisible till I get back, just in case. ”
Hugging the wall in the hallway, Dylon crept towards the door leading to the stairs.
Reaching it, he opened it a crack, sniffing, but after detecting no strange scents, he opened it wide enough to slip through.
Letting the door close silently, Dylon remain still, listening for sounds that would reveal someone in the stairwell.
Hearing nothing, he looked down over the railing to make sure no one was lurking below.
Then he started up the stairs, intent on checking the roof, just two flights up.
Reaching the door to the roof, he turned the knob; it was locked.
Pulling a set of lock picks and a tension wench from his pocket, he went to work.
When the lock yielded, Dylon slowly opened the door and sniffed—only to catch the scent of night air in the city.
He walked out onto the roof, searching for signs that someone had been there recently, but found nothing until he reached the center of the rooftop.
There, lying at his feet, was a canister of Trackno, a scent eliminator, long banned by the High Council.
Unfolding his handkerchief, he carefully placed it over the canister and depressed the trigger.
Empty. I hope this sucker wasn’t smart enough to wear gloves.
After slipping a clear plastic bag from his pocket, Dylon dropped the canister into it and zipped it shut.
Tucking his prize into his pocket, Dylon made a note to call his father in the morning about it.
Whoever was using it was up to no good; only criminals disguised their scent and hopefully Zane could find out who was selling this stuff since it was only available on the dark web.
Even if there were no prints on the can, finding sellers might lead to who bought it.
Now satisfied there was no imminent threat to the white dragon, Dylon descended the stairs to rejoin Cody.