Page 122 of Marked By Moonlight

At Jensen’s signal, his men loaded the crate into a dark van and drove off. I watched them go, but he didn’t. He just started packing away his laptop.

Bene and Henrik carried the cash to our van. Then Bene slipped away to help Marius. That gave me just enough headspace to press on with my crusade.

“Loaning a work comes with many benefits,” I tried.

“Such as?” Jensen paused on the way to his limo.

I followed, sensing an opening. “Well, I’m sure any gallery would be extremely grateful to secure a loan. For example, the Tobler Arts Foundation. InSwitzerland.”

I named the country with such emphasis, I practically trampled it.

Jensen looked at me sharply. “A random example?”

Not at all, because my research had turned up a number of interesting tidbits about Nils Øren Jensen and his rapidly expanding tech empire. Rapidly expanding, that was, except in one key location.

“Just one possibility,” I bluffed. “Many foundations there are very well-connected, and they would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to exhibit such a painting. I imagine many influential people in the country would be grateful too.”

I didn’t add,Like the ones currently blocking your efforts to expand into their tightly controlled market,but I didn’t have to.

Ice-blue eyes narrowed on me, and I felt a hell of a lot like the antelope stalked by the lions in that documentary.

“Interesting,” he murmured. “Very interesting.”

Celeste tugged on his sleeve. “Didn’t you mention another appointment?”

He frowned, and the svelte assistant piped up, checking her tablet. “Yes, sir. That call from Buenos Aires.”

Briefly, I wondered what a billionaire followed up an eighty-seven million dollar art deal with. Did he partner with an oil company to drill in Antarctica? Buy off the head of a major South American country — or plot to overthrow one?

He considered, then motioned toward his limo. “I’d like to hear more. Why don’t you join me? It’s only a short ride, and my captain can bring you to any location you wish afterward.”

Captain? As in a boat?

Another sea gull cawed, reminding me of our proximity to the river.

Roux shook his head curtly. “Maybe another time.”

I shook my head back at him. Any moment now, Jensen would be distracted by a phone call or a new idea for world domination. This was my chance — my only chance — to make the painting available to the public, just as my father would have wanted.

My mind warred with a dozen contradictory commitments. Marius. Getting this deal over with. My own safety.

But Bene had gone to assist Marius, and there was little I could contribute to a confrontation between a vampire, a dragon, and a lion. And when it came to my own safety…

Henrik stepped forward. “I’ll accompany her.”

I gulped, then nodded.

Celeste huffed as if to say,Lucky you. Always a man around to protect you.

It’s called friendship,I wanted to say.And friends help each other.

But she did have a point there. And, yes — my friendship with Henrik had been more than a bit strained lately, but he was finally coming through for me.

Roux looked at the van unhappily. The plan called for all of us sticking together to bring the cash to Anastasia.

His phone pinged with a message, and he brightened upon reading it.

“Bene and Marius are on their way back.”