He took in the glint in my eye and smiled mischievously. “In that case, I think this could be the start of a beautiful arrangement. I’ll talk to my father and see who he knows.”

“My father would lose his shit if he found out I was working with Russians.”

“Sof, you’ve kept your secrets your whole life. There’s no reason he should ever have to know. My father’s people won’t have any idea who my source is. This will be our little secret.” He winked, then tossed the poster back onto the table. “Now let’s eat. I’m starved.”

It was my turn to throw back my head and laugh, feeling more alive than I could ever recall feeling. The completed painting had been sitting in my studio for weeks. I hadn’t had a concrete plan what to do with it. Like I’d told Michael, initially, I had painted it purely as a personal challenge. Once it was complete and I realized how perfectly I’d duplicated the original, I started to imagine the possibilities.

Dangerous, thrilling possibilities.

That was as far as I’d entertained the idea, unsure if I was willing or able to take it any further. When Michael made his comment at the museum, it felt like fate—like all the crazy events of my life were actually the carefully placed steppingstones leading me to that specific place in time. My brother’s death opening my eyes to my family’s secrets and leading me to Nico. Nico’s departure bringing Michael into my life. At the time, the two greatest sorrows of my life seemed insurmountable. But each had been instrumental in getting me to where I was—strong and confident.

A woman who knew what she wanted.

A woman with a taste for the darker side of life.

Over the next four years, Michael acted as my broker in our lucrative partnership. Of course, it hadn’t been about the money. My parents had set up trust funds for all of us girls. I appreciated knowing I’d made my own money, but the business was more than that.

It was my passion.

I loved creating unique art of my own, but there was nothing like the thrill of duplicating a world-renown masterpiece. I adored my work and had no intention of quitting. Even if my family had no problem with my activities, they would be furious with my choice of partners. Fortunately, they thought I was the perfect little angel Sofia, and I was happy to support that misconception as long as possible.

Michael and I remained as close as ever, although we didn’t see each other all that often while I was at school. We tried to have lunch on occasion, but we were both busy. He’d taken on a more active role with his father’s business, acquiring the eight-pointed stars of the bratva when he’d taken his oath. One by one, he’d obtained dozens of tattoos that blended into an intricate human work of art.