She answered on the third ring. “Brody, it’s so good to hear from you.”

“Cut the shit.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said, cut the shit. You are going to do three things for me. First, you’re canceling the auction and pulling all photos of that painting off any websites you have control of. Second, you’re crating up every painting of mine in your possession and sending them back to me. And third, you’re fucking fired.”

There was silence for a brief moment before Lara began to speak. “You’re overreacting. I know your art is personal to you, but you needed a piece that would make a splash. And those landscapes weren’t going to cut it. I’ve already had numerous inquiries about it. I think it will go for at least upper six figures, possibly seven.”

“I don’t give a fuck about the money,” I roared. “You stole from me. And unless you do as I just instructed, I’m going to press charges. Then I’ll sue. I’ll take all of that precious money of yours, and I’ll ruin you in the art world.”

I couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out of my mouth because the only thing I could see in my mind was Shay’s face when she got that letter from her brother. How she would lose it when I told her that her face was out in the world, and it was tied to me. She’d given me her trust, told me things she hadn’t shared with anyone else. And without meaning to, I’d betrayed her.

“Brody,” Lara whispered, her voice full of hurt, “we’ve been friends for over a decade. A team. I built your career. We—we—you wouldn’t.”

“I am. You have two choices. Do as I say, and I won’t blackball you in this community. Or you can push, and I’ll destroy every shred of reputation you have. Do you think any artist will work with you once they know the truth? How you really operate?”

She sucked in a sharp breath. “You’re being a monster.”

“Maybe I am.” But I would be as much of a monster as needed if it meant keeping Shay safe. “Get to work.” I hit end before Lara had a chance to reply. I didn’t want to hear her bullshit excuses anyway. I had to go tell Shay that I’d exposed her to the world. And beg for her forgiveness.

16

Shay