Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) (14 page)

They walked hand in hand on the sidewalk of the tree-lined, quaint little street that boasted a diversified bunch of small, attractive shops. It was exactly as advertised when Eve found the area online. A small gallery would fit in perfectly here.

Bella babbled contentedly in her BabyBjorn strapped to Adam’s chest. She seemed to like it here, or perhaps she was just glad she wasn’t on the plane anymore. Whatever the reason, Eve savored the smiles Bella gave her. To everyone on the street that passed them, they looked to be a happy little family without a care in the world. Eve was determined to feel that way while she was here. She even cut back on texting Lainey for information. A little.

“Are you hungry, baby?” Eve glanced up at Adam, seeing him take in his surroundings with an architect’s eye.

“Hmm?” He had been distracted with the beauty of the architecture, thinking of how he would design Eve’s gallery to flow with the construction here.

Eve stopped in front of a diner with pretty iron chairs and tables out front. “Let’s grab something to eat here before we look at the property. I’m hungry, and I’m sure Bella could eat.”

“Sounds good.”

Eve was finding the people to be just as nice as the surroundings, which made her decision to buy here even easier. The owner of the diner, Ellie, had all of the charm of a small town girl, and their waitress, Ellie’s daughter, followed in her mom’s footsteps—no small feat for being a teenager.

After lunch, they continued their stroll, checking everything out at a leisurely pace. Eve paused in front of a seemingly unassuming flower shop. “Do you mind?”

Adam was enjoying the afternoon with Eve and Bella so much, that if she had asked him to shoe shop with her, he’d probably say yes. Okay, maybe he wouldn’t go that far, but a flower shop isn’t so bad. He tipped his chin, and opened the door.

Before Eve could step inside, a raven haired young girl stepped out, locking eyes with Eve.

“Excuse me. I am sorry.” The girl’s voice held a bewitching English accent, but it was her eyes that intrigued Eve the most. They were almost translucent, and Eve wished then that she had thought to bring her Nikon with her. She smiled at the girl, letting her pass, and letting her photographic memory take in the features so she could at least paint her later.

“I wish I had brought my camera,” she heard herself mumble to Adam.

Adam’s response was preempted by yet another accented voice.

“It was her eyes, wasn’t it?” the woman asked Eve. “I deal with beauty every day, and I’ve never seen anything like them.” She smiled sheepishly at Eve. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I’m Blaise Knight. I own this shop.”

Eve cocked a brow, and shook Blaise’s outstretched hand. And, for the second time wished she’d had her camera. With such beautiful people around, the artist in her was working overtime.

“What an interesting name,” Eve replied with a grin. “Eve Riley. This is my husband Adam, and our daughter Bella.”

Adam nodded his greeting, while Blaise gushed over Bella.

“Oh, she is precious!” In an abrupt movement, Blaise turned on her heel, motioning for them to follow her. “What can I help you with?”

Eve’s brows drew together. “I’m trying to detect your accent. Australian?”

“Kiwi,” Blaise smiled. “I’m from New Zealand.”

“Blaise?” A man walked up that almost gave Adam a run for his money in the looks department. Not quite, in Eve’s mind, but very close.

“I’m busy, Mr. Steele.” Eve noted that Blaise’s attitude cooled a good amount. “I have customers.”

“Fine. I’ll be back.” The man nodded in Eve and Adam’s direction and took off.

“Sorry about that.”

Eve chuckled. It was certainly interesting around here. “Not a problem. I’m actually looking into buying the establishment next door, so I thought I’d stop in and get to know the neighbors.”

“Oh? That’s fantastic! Unless you’re planning on opening a flower shop.”

That extracted another laugh from Eve, as well as Adam.

“No, though I do deal with beauty, as well. It will be an art gallery.”

“Now, that
is
fantastic news. I love art.”

Eve took a moment to look around the shop. The flowers were exquisite, and unlike anything she’d seen before. “Your flowers are quite beautiful. I would love for you to do the arrangements when we open.”

“Really? I would be honored! Let me get some information from you, and give you my card. We’ll get everything set for when you need us.”

Eve followed Blaise to the counter, glancing back at Adam who was pointing out pretty flowers to Bella.

“What will the name of the gallery be?”

“Sumptor Gallery, LA.”

“Oh my god, you’re Eve Sumptor? I thought you looked vaguely familiar. I’ve been to some of your galleries. They’re absolutely amazing!”

“Thank you.”

They exchanged information, and a few more pleasantries before Eve and Adam left.

“Friendly people.”

Eve smiled up at Adam. “Yes. Almost makes you want to think about moving here and forgetting all of the shit happening at home.”

“Could you do that?” Adam was more than a little surprised by that.

Eve hesitated for only a moment. “No. I’d miss New York too much.” And Lainey, Eve added silently. “But, it’s nice to know we have options.”

The rest of the day was spent scoping out the property, and talking about all of the possibilities. After discussing it with Adam, Eve made an offer on the place. Since her offer was so generous, it was instantly accepted, much to Eve’s delight. She was actually looking forward to working closely with Adam on the design. Of course, the fact that she found Adam to be extremely sexy when he was in work mode was an added bonus.

Eve spent a little time getting in touch with her contacts to let them know she would be opening a new gallery. They were happy, obviously, knowing the business Sumptor Galleries bring in.

Adam was also on the phone a lot, putting out fires or making last minute changes. He was ready to make the break from the firm. There was just too much mirco-managing for him, and he’d be much happier not having to deal with the politics anymore. As it were, he had no other choice but to get back to New York immediately. Something he was actually dreading since Eve seemed to be more at peace here, away from all that was going on.

Dragging his heels, he left the office of the suite they had booked, to look for Eve. She was feeding Bella a snack when he found her.

“Hey beautiful.”

“Hey gorgeous.” Eve glanced up at him with a smile, that faded when she saw his expression. Instantly alert, and scared something may have happened to Lainey, Eve’s pulse started racing. “What’s wrong?”

Adam noticed the fear in Eve’s eyes. “No, nothing’s wrong. Nothing like what you’re thinking,” he said quickly. “I just have to get back sooner than we intended.”

Eve drew in a deep breath. This shit was really getting to her and she hated it. If Charlie and the others didn’t come up with solutions soon, she was going to go crazy. “Oh. That’s fine. I knew coming out here it was going to be a short trip.”

Eve said she was fine with it, but, in reality, she was torn. It had been easy for her to forget, even just a little, about the threats against her and her family. Going back meant having to face it all. Did she have the strength to do that? If it meant saving Adam and Bella, Eve would find the strength, no matter what she had to do.

Lainey found Eve standing in her studio, her hands on her hips, just taking everything in. She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, her feet bare, and her hair up in a ponytail. So young, Lainey thought sadly. She’s been through so much in her life, it isn’t fair she has to go through more.

“Eve, honey?”

“Did you cover it?” Eve asked without turning around.

“I’m sorry?”

“The word on the wall. Did you cover it?”

Damn. Lainey had hoped that Eve hadn’t seen that awful word. She had been so focused, and rightfully so, on Adam’s portrait and the threat it insinuated. Lainey should have known that Eve’s sharp eyes would see everything.

“I didn’t think you should have to deal with it. I cleaned up as much as I could after the crime scene guys left.”

“
Thank you
.”

The words were whispered, and Lainey could feel the emotion in them so deep, it rocked her.

“I took inventory. I don’t know how you keep track of what you have here in your personal studio.” Lainey handed Eve the folder she brought with her. “But, I thought it would be easier for you to see if something was missing if I wrote it all down.”

Eve looked down at the folder with puzzlement.

“You took inventory?”

“Yes. I just …”

Eve surprised Lainey by taking her in her arms and holding tight.

“
I don’t know how else to express my gratitude to you,
” Eve whispered close to Lainey’s ear. She pressed her lips to Lainey’s cheek, letting them linger. Backing away slowly, she laid her forehead on Lainey’s. She wanted to kiss Lainey, and she didn’t want to want it. Her life never could be uncomplicated, could it?

“
Eve.
” God, she wanted Eve to kiss her. But, with the way things were, she didn’t know if Eve would do it because she needed it, too, or if she just felt grateful enough to do it.

“Just give me a second, Lainey. Please?”

Lainey’s eyes fluttered shut when she felt Eve wrap a strand of hair around her finger. With a sigh, Eve finally backed away. Lainey took the silent moment Eve gave her when she opened the folder to study the list, and caught her breath, steadying herself.

“You catalogued everything?” Eve flipped through several pages in awe.

“Well, not quite everything. I didn’t do the stuff in your back room.”

Eve’s most personal creations were in that back room, and it stayed locked unless she absolutely needed to get in there.

“I did check to see if anything in there had been disturbed,” Lainey continued, nervously. “But, I had to unlock it, and it looked like everything was in its place. I’m sorry I went in there …”

“Lainey, stop. I gave you a key. You’re more than welcome to go in there. I’m glad nothing else was ruined …” Eve’s voice trailed off as she remembered the knife sticking out of Adam. No, his painting, Eve corrected her thoughts. You will not let anything happen to him. Damn, she wished she could believe the optimistic voice in her head.

“I was surprised to see Adam’s portrait out here. I thought you usually keep that inside the back room. That’s why I checked it.”

Eve looked up, and held Lainey’s eyes. “I was going to frame it.” She lifted a shoulder in a small shrug. “I wanted to hang it up out here.”

“I see.”

“I’m going to frame yours, too, Lainey.”

“You’re not going to hang it up out here!”

“No, of course not.” Eve let out a small laugh when Lainey breathed a sigh of relief.

“Does Adam know about it?”

“No. I did manage to keep a few secrets.” Eve’s eyes lowered, almost shamefully, but Lainey didn’t catch the expression, or read it wrong for she said nothing.

They were comfortably silent for a while as Eve read through Lainey’s list. She didn’t readily notice anything missing, which, to her, meant this was very personal. Eve rarely sold her own work, so when she did, they were worth quite a bit. If whomever broke in here knew that, something would certainly have been taken. So, this had definitely been a threat. But, why? And, who? Eve was busy contemplating this when she noticed Lainey shifting nervously.