Page 52 of Bind Me
Bea missed her cue to answer. Her attention had locked on the painting. It was well wrapped, technically, in clear plastic that left nothing to the imagination.
Rafael stood with a hand on the back of her chair, the other in his pocket, expression stately. She was seated with terrifying elegance in an ornate chair, wearing a burgundy velvet gown she didn’t own.
They hadnotcommissioned this. Which felt relevant. Possibly in court. She spotted an envelope tucked neatly behind the frame and pulled it free.
Congratulations on your wedding.
St. Ives Alumni Society.
She took in the painting once more and briefly considered arson.
“That’s Griffin’s ‘I own this city’ expression,” Laurent observed.
“It’s a very good likeness,” Lillian added.
“You look like a mafia wife,” Claire said at the same time.
“We look like we’re recruiting for the UR,” Bea muttered, laughing despite herself.
Cassian crouched, tested the bottom edge with one hand. Nothing happened. He tried again, bracing with his foot. The portrait did not acknowledge the attempt.
Claire folded her arms, delighted. “I love that it’s also immovable. Very on-brand.”
Martin cleared his throat. “We can’t leave it here.”
Bea pinched the bridge of her nose. Right. Yes. Of course. She was blocking a public walkway with her future.
“Okay,” she said, summoning competence. “New plan. Everyone who is tall and emotionally stable, please form a wall.”
Channing and Jack stepped forward instantly. Laurent gave his men a nod and they fell in line. Cassian’s team moved last. Despite every man being over six feet tall, Rafael still appeared to be supervising them. Jack shifted left. The green eyes followed him.
“The only place this monstrosity will fit is your beach house,” Laurent said.
“How would I get it there?” Bea asked, biting her lip.
Cassian was already speaking in quiet, clipped tones into his phone. He ended the call and put it away. “A truck will be here in twenty.”
“That’s faster than Uber Eats,” Claire said, impressed.
“I’ll go back inside, Bea,” Martin said.
“Yes, thank you,” Bea said gratefully. “Please forget you saw this.”
“I can’t.” He grinned. “It’s burned into my retinas.”
A couple of cars rushed past as they waited. Cassian shifted, reaching out with light fingers for Lillian’s elbow. “You’re too close to the curb.”
Lillian startled. “I—sorry.”
She moved closer to Bea.
“I didn’t mean it as a reprimand.”
“Okay.” Lillian didn’t look at him.
Bea pulled her phone out.
BEA: Hello, are you at the house?
