Page 11 of Kissing the Villain

“You’re incredible, Drea.” Luca stole me away from Aiden. “They would be stupid not to admire your work.”

“Please tell me you had nothing to do with this.”

Luca’s eyes bore into mine, and then he slipped from my grasp.

“Luca,” I groaned. “Please tell me you didn’t.”

He kissed my cheek. “It was all you, beautiful.”

With his mother’s legacy and connection to the art world, it would not have been hard for the Salvatores to make my dreams a reality. He could take it away as quickly as he’d given it to me.

Arlo pointed to my left. “That canvas reminds me of one Eva painted for me. She called itMaster of Mystery.”

I nodded. “I’m calling itDevil in Disguise. It’s not as good as the original, but I plan to donate any money I make to her charity.”

Arlo shot a look at Luca, then fixed his gaze back on me. “How would you like to help with the Franco Foundation?”

“I would love that. But in what capacity?”

He steered me away from his sons and Aiden. “I want to recreate my wife’s favorite pieces every year on the anniversary of her death. I’d like you to take the lead on the project at the Franco Foundation.”

My jaw dropped. “It would be my honor. But are you sure? I don’t want to step on any toes.”

Arlo gave me a closed-mouth grin. “To do so, you must stay in Devil’s Creek beyond this summer.”

“Oh,” I muttered.

If I lived in Devil’s Creek, I would be closer to New York, which would help further my art career. It would also mean spending more time with Luca.

“Think it over.” He tapped me on the shoulder. “My assistant will be in touch.”

Luca replaced him a few seconds later. The soft fabric of the sexy prince’s suit jacket brushed against my arm. “Did my dad talk to you about the project?”

I cleared my throat. “Yes.”

We stared at the wall of my paintings.

“So you’ll do it?”

“Of course. I’m your mother’s biggest fan. How could I pass up this opportunity?”

That was the thing with the Salvatores. They would give you everything you ever wanted. Then, they would strip it all away one dream at a time until there was nothing left but nightmares.

6

ALEX

After my artshow sold out, I received a phone call from Arlo’s assistant. Aiden and I decided to move out of Wellington Manor. Our grandparents’ mansion was cold and unwelcoming. We wanted a place we could make our own.

Arlo had insisted I live close by so we could get started on the Franco Foundation project. He had convinced the homeowner to rent to Aiden and me for next to nothing as long as we promised not to have wild parties and water the plants.

The Carpenters lived abroad most of the year and were not expected to return until the following year. By then, we figured we would know if we wanted to stay on a more permanent basis.

With the top down on my convertible, wind blew through my hair as I drove up the steep incline and pulled into our new driveway.

Aiden climbed out of the car and raced to the trunk to grab our bags. “Home sweet home.”

My brother leaned over the open window to grab the key from the cup holder, and then we made our way to the front door.

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