Page 111 of Omega's Refuge

“Do you always paint in oils, or do you also do acrylic?” Jack asked, moving into the room.

“I do both. I do watercolor too, if that’s something you handle.” I leaned against the wall, willing my heart to slow down. I was wracked with nerves as he slowly walked around the room, gazing at my art.

“You’re very talented, Tanner. These are even better than the ones Rex sent me photos of.” Jack gave me a little smile. “You have a good eye for composition and color. Your style is unique, but still commercial.”

I blew out a shaky breath. “That’s kind of you to say.”

He shrugged. “I’m not being kind. I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true. I’ll be honest, when Rex asked me to try and sell your paintings, I was worried. Until I saw them that is. Everyone whopaintsthinksthey have talent, and I didn’t want to have to tell Rex no. But I would have, if you weren’t talented. I don’t do charity.”

I grimaced. “Good. I don’t want charity.”

He nodded, his gaze keen. “Rex said you’ve been freelancing and doing commercial art, rather than selling your own art?”

“Yes. I needed to pay the bills and I couldn’t get any traction on my own stuff. Getting noticed wasn’t easy since I didn’t have enough money to promote myself, and I had no connections. The galleries in my area only wanted established names.”

“That’s generally how it goes,” Jack mused. “Either you already have a name, or you can drop a name.”

“Exactly, and I had neither.” I tried not to sound defensive.

Jack twisted his lips, studying me with his arms crossed. “Lucky for you, you met my brother.”

I stiffened. “While I am lucky to get this meeting because of Rex, I don’t want anything I don’t earn.”

Jack laughed and looked at Rex. “You weren’t kidding. He is prideful.”

My cheeks warmed. “It’s not pride.”

“Sure it is.” Jack shrugged. “But that’s okay. I respect that you want to earn a spot in my gallery. You should want that. I don’t want to work withsomeone who doesn’t think they deserve it. This is a hard business, and if I represent you, you have to be hungry and willing to work your ass off.”

“I don’t have a problem working hard.”

“Good, because there’s no free ride. I won’t try and sell art that I think is shit. That would hurt my business, and there’s nothing I love more than my business.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Rex said sardonically.

Jack lifted one shoulder. “My brother disapproves, but that’s okay. He can live his life how he wants, and I’ll do the same.”

“I just want you to remember there’s more to life than money.” Rex leaned against the wall near me. “Sometimes I suspect you forget that.”

“That’s because money is the only thing I can count on, besides you, dear brother. Money never grumbles, or wants more of my time. It just sits in my safe and waits for me to come see it when I’m ready.”

Rex chuckled. “What a jaded view.”

Jack gave a sheepish smile. “Well, I may or may not have just had a messy breakup with a clingy omega. That messy ordeal has made me ten times more certain I don’t want to settle down.”

“Did you break off your situationship with Tad?” Rex asked, frowning.

“Tad?” Jack guffawed. “Oh, you need to keep up, brother. Tad was six omegas ago.”

“Six?” Rex let out a low whistle. “You’re going to run through all the single omegas in Dallas at this rate.”

Smirking, Jack said, “Then I guess I’ll have to cross state lines to get laid.”

Rex chuckled.

Jack moved to one of my newest pieces. It was a painting of a father and infant, and I’d painted it the day after I’d almost lost the baby. I’d been feeling particularly emotional that day, and that had come through the brush onto the canvas.

“This one is exquisite,” Jack said softly. “Is this something you could make into a series?”

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