Page 1 of Break Me Not

Prologue

Liz

“We’ll take everything for one hundred.”

My gloved fingers brushed the hard panes of the frame. I couldn't keep my smile to myself.

Before me was something I had held onto for almost the entirety of my career. A beautiful, emotional, mind-altering painting from a once-unknown, now-turned-breakout artist.

If it weren’t for my dire situation, I would never bring myself to sell it.

I turned around, looking at the two women in front of me.

The tall one who’d just spoken, with honey-colored hair falling to about her shoulders and wearing a well-fitted suit. A businesswoman through and through who had an air about her that told anyone in her vicinity that she was the boss.

At her side was her complete opposite. Dyed silver hair, piercings and tattoos everywhere, and a smirk on her lips. Her outfit was more casual—a silky black button-up that was mostly open with loose dress pants.

Neither was wearing a mask, and for this private sale, I wasn’t either.

Normally, when you were invited to Club Pétale, you needed to use an alias and were required to wear a mask at all times. I was when we entered, but as soon as we reached the private office, I decided to take it off.

“Ax, you and I have been doing this for far too long,” I said, and then looked at her counterpart. “And I think Lillian would be very disappointed if she couldn't place one of her favorite works here in the club.”

Sloan’s smile broke for just a second. We both knew her wife had many favorites. I couldn’t fault her. I was the same. Every single one wormed its way into my heart, making it almost impossible to let them go.

“Two hundred.”

I turned back to my favorite piece. An abstract oil painting with dark figures, sensually wrapped around each other. The colors were muted, except for soft reds and pinks. I felt emotion rise in my chest just looking at it.

This artist had a keen eye for love. Even as the characters in the painting faded, as their souls turned gray and twisted, there was always a spark that brought the tiniest bit of humanity back into them.

That was why I loved it so much.

If they weren't my favorite—and most profitable—clients, I would never even consider selling it. And I needed more than just their paycheck. I refused to let my mind go further, trying to focus on getting this deal through as best as I could.

“This one alone would sell for two hundred at an auction,” I said before motioning to the smaller pieces off to the side. They were all on their own stands, all from different artists I had collected over the years.

This was a specialty showing I had reserved just for them. After so many years of their patronage and a dash of my own desperation, I decided it was finally time to introduce them to the art I’d been hoarding for myself.

“Lil will be so mad if I don’t get this for her,” Sloan whispered to Ax, who gave her a narrowed look.

“Then you shouldn’t have made promises you couldn't keep.”

I had to look away to stop myself from letting out a small laugh.

“Come on, it’s not like we don’t have money.”

I turned to the side, letting them whisper amongst themselves, even though I could easily hear what they were saying.

“But we do have a budget,” Ax snapped under her breath.

Then Sloan dropped her voice so low I had to look at them. She was whispering in Ax's ear, and a light passed through the older woman's eyes.

“Perfect then,” she said. “Okay, you name your price, and we’ll pay it. In return, I think there is something you can do for the club.”

I raised a brow at her. “Something I can do for the club? Isn't selling art enough?”

It was mostly a joke, but I always got a little anxious when the client started switching up on me.