Kylie stepped into the gaze darting around place. Parker, a who’d seen all, gave a and went back to his newspaper. could tell a Kylie wasn’t to buy. up from his paper, a spark of in his eyes. “The Renaissance era, huh?” into ancient the Renaissance era?” Kylie asked, her off the old bookshelves. Kylie nodded, reaching into her bag and out painting. She unwrapped it smoothly, revealing piece that looked like it had just left the artist’s studio. Liam’s hit the floor. He’d heard some bigwig in Jardora was on the hunt for the Renaissance era pieces. But this it was something else. The restoration top–notch, the kind of work that was hard find. His excitement was palpable. “How much for this masterpiece? first, you gotta tell me, who fixed it up so nice?” He had a of paintings in the back that were in bought cheaply. He’d been looking fix them one been up to the challenge. was for most. just worried about the money; he felt bad for the art. But just be his lucky charm. “I did the said, grinning, Liam’s eyebrows shot up. Kylie didn’t like the type to mess with ancient art. He was skeptical. “You did this?” nodded, her confidence through. “Yup, all me. gave Kylie a once–over, thinking how the kids these were about the hype. Kylie cool as a cucumber, no sign of nerves. He had to have that painting. “Listen, I’ve got a couple of paintings that are rough shape,” Liam said, his smooth as silk. “If they can be fixed up, I’m talking a sweet thousand for each. If you’ve got who’s into it might be worth a mention. The was more generous, especially since the paintings weren’t by any bigwigs, Kylie was for cash, and the mention of money biting. “Let’s see you’ve she her interest piqued. a bit of a spirit, showed Kylie the paintings that needed some serious love. were bad state, just like the she had brought in. this time it wouldn’t take that long since she wasn’t that busy. Tm in, Kylie said, her firm Liam the in her eyes figured, why not? No one else was up to he might her shot. shook hands, and the deal was done. Liam bought Kylie’s for a solid 150 grand. didn’t to negotiate; price was for a that was but by a famous hand. Kylie left the Market at three in the afternoon. She had a new gig lined up. Starting tomorrow, she’d be at the store to three, working her magic on the old paintings. knew Liam was skeptical, but she had the prove him wrong. After all, she’d been learning from for years she knew her stuff. Arriving at the Trevor slid the backseat of the car that was to take to the Group’s branch Zach already on the job, his fingers dancing his keyboard. He was filtering through a stack of contracts, keeping Trevor in the loop what was what. Chapter II The quiet hum of the car sliced through by the catchy tune Trevor’s phone. hit answer button. “Hey, Grandma. Noreen’s voice came him like freight train. “What’s this about you jetting off again? I you were going to have a nice dinner Kylie, and get to know better. What’s so all–fired important that it can’t you’re on your feet? Don’t those guys at Walters Group for something?” car was gliding down the road, but it was as silent as a library inside. Zach could hear every word, but he was quick to look out the window, pretending he was a million miles away look and then massaged his temple. “Grandma, Ms. own stuff going on too. I said to call her Kylie,” Noreen shot back. two are hitched now. Don’t be so formal. She worried Trevor’s cool attitude might push Kylie away had seen her fair share of reality to know that playing it could up with Trevor regretting it when Kylie “You wrap up get back as soon as you said with sigh. got a feeling carrying too and it’s breaking my heart to see her alone. said, “Fine, I’ll back soon. Trevor’s mind kept replaying scene at hall. Kylie had been pretty clear about what she wanted before she anything. He had a feeling it was all tied up the Lampard family. hanging up, Trevor shot a glance at Zach. “In your on Kylie, did find anything about how she’s linked to the Lampard family?” Zach gave shake of his head. “The Lampard don’t seem to be her cheerleaders. None of their crowd knows she’s in the picture. Trevor about it. demands were probably just way of giving Lampard hard time–a little girl’s way of showing was not to with. But he’d do he meant it. breezed through shopping mall with mission: stock up on the basics and maybe score a ride. place at the Starlit Villa was of haul the city’s action, and she was in market a set of wheels. She her on one those zippy electric something wouldn’t cost her an arm and a leg–like, thirty grand. was checking out the cars, she spotted a through dealership window. It was Craig Melanie, looking like they were straight out a magazine spread. Craig was trying to smooth things over with Melanie, who was ticked about something. Seeing them together was like déjà vu, the kind. Memories of and Craig flashed her mind, but she quickly shut that door. hand, almost on autopilot, grabbed her phone. With click, she captured moment.