running his hands through his hair. Aria had

bing her bag, he frowned

o w

incredulous. "You're

ot leaving you. I'm leaving so I

he look in his eyes sai

of tracks, the press of strangers, the stale smell of metal and dust

tation of art going up for the weekend crowd. Cassandra was on the phon

d the call with a quick, "We'll

would come in toda

get out of

ched a brow. "You w

righ

aze lingered. "Well, if you need a

le, then slipped into the

buzzed. Unk

it go to

ell your brother two o'c

phone into her pocket, picking up the tablet and begin

ust the faint metallic clang of someone moving display frames in the back. Aria was in the offi

she's here

an appeared in the doorway, her lipstick as sharp a

m bu

one carried a hint of amusement, the kind she us

the tablet down, a

ds in his pockets, eyes scanning the walls like he was ca

t, unblinking eyes, t

uit was charcoal. And

said, as if he'd

're b

I

er voice even. "I don'

handshake, just let the name hang

di

s," she said, "what

cheaper than the one he'd been asking about yesterday. "I was h

like making people justify t

sure my money is

k for a discount li

believe in

one's about restraint. Minimal palette, subtle texture work. It's a piece that whisper

d of the art. "And wha

idn't reach her eyes. "I guess you'll

time, he smiled

still haven't tol

steps unhurried. "I wanted to see what you're like when yo

lip Lansing was

h." He glanced over his shoulder at her. "And I thin

t off guard by the choic

ways look harmless fi

like pr

but it didn't quite r

e room, pausing in front of it. "Your brot

nd, but her voice stayed li

shed invisible lint from his sleeve. "People. Their pat

between them. "Are you here to buy something, Mr

He let the pause ha

ght smile. "Mr. Cr

watching her in that way that felt

a few seconds longer, but he wasn't looking

andra

he back hallway. "Her

, deliberate steps, like he own

ut behind him, and that was it. No lingeri

ed and wa