Page 22 of The Prize

“How could you even pull this off?”

“I own a three-dimensional printer.”

“Of course you do.” Vaguely, I remembered this technology could create a solid object from a digital file.

Insanity.

“Don’t worry about the materials.” Tobias studied me carefully. “Its authenticity can be duplicated.”

“You’re not listening to me.”

“I’m too blinded by your beauty.” He flashed a smile.

I wanted to throw this cube at him.

“Zara, if I’m going to attempt to get your paintings back we have to play by different rules.”

Blood rushed from my face that he was considering this as a viable option.

“I have a friend here who can help us obtain a couple of items we’ll need. Theo’s a professor at NYU. We have an appointment with him later this morning.”

“You’re out of your mind.”

“My mind’s firing on all cylinders.”

“This is wrong.”

“I’m arranging a private sale. Only Burell will see her and of course his own expert. Afterward, I will personally destroy her. You can witness it.”

“I’m not unleashing a fake into the world.”

“She’ll be for Elliot Burell’s eyes only.”

“What if his expert talks? Shares with the world what he’s seen?”

“Not if he’s working for a man like Burell. If he values his life, that is.”

“My father dedicated his life—”

“Burell has your father’s paintings. We know this.”

I caressed my forehead to ward off a headache.

“Zara, once he snatches up ourMona Lisashe’ll be transported to join the rest of your collection. The GPS tracker placed on her will lead us to your paintings.”

“I won’t do it.”

“Fine.”

“Fine?”

“Yes, relax here. Make yourself at home.”

“I won’t let you do it.”

“While inside Burell’s computer I discovered disturbing intel.”

“What?”