Page 88 of Dare To Live

“I read that he was committed to a psychiatric facility.” Ivan refills his glass.

“He appeals every couple of years.” I pause when the server returns with my drink. “Thanks. Could you bring a bottle over?” I take a large swallow. “At his last appeal, they agreed to move him to another prison. According to his psychiatrist, he no longer needs to be under their watch.”

“You don’t agree?”

“Fuck, no. He killed two of my friends. Miles is lucky he isn’t dead. He almost made me—” I snap my mouth closed as Arabella takes her seat.

“You should come to L.A. I’d really like to showcase some of your lesser known art.” Ivan’s change of subject is smooth.

“You mean all the art I keep hidden from prying eyes?” My voice is dry. “I don’t think Ari would appreciate that.”

“Why not?”

I slide a glance at the woman in question. “Because she has the starring role in most of them.”

The appetizers arrive then, forestalling any further talk of my art, but I can’t miss the glances Arabella keeps sending in my direction. The chatter turns to more lighthearted subjects—music, books, the latest movies Miles has dragged Ari to see—and it’s not until we’re lingering over dessert and coffee that Ivan returns the conversation to a possible showing in Los Angeles.

“We could combine your artwork with a showing of Arabella’s stained glass.”

“No.” Arabella’s voice is flat.

“But Bella—”

She shakes her head. “I said no, Ivan. My art is for me, no one else.”

Chapter 49

Arabella

How much artwork does Eli have with me in it?

He said I’m his muse, but surely, I can’t be the only one. What kind of poses does he have me in? Heat flushes through me as my head fills with erotic images.

Oh my god, he wouldn’t, would he?

The drawing in Ivan’s gallery had been an image of my face post orgasm.

Has he drawn more of me like that?

I take a sip of my drink, the alcohol buzzing through my veins. I’m not even sure at this point how many glasses I’ve had.

“I have to agree with Ivan. You should let him show it for you,” Eli takes the bottle from me before I fill my glass.

I cock my head. “Why?”

“Because I can see your passion in the photographs. I can only imagine how breathtaking the actual pieces look up close.”

“Miles doesn’t like them.”

“Probably because they evoke certain emotions from him. That’s what art does, Ari. It makes us feel things.”

“Even if they are painful?”

His eyes darken, flicking down to my mouth. “That’s the mark of a great artist. And yes, that’s part of the fascination. People are drawn to different things.”

“If you can change her mind about a shared exhibit, you’ll get the chance to see her work up close,” Ivan coaxes.

“What do you say, Ari?” Eli smiles. “Want to share an exhibition with Sin?”

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