Task Force Three and the Irish Jewel [The Men of Five-O #3] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) by Dixie Lynn Dwyer Read Free Book Online Page A

evening gown that accentuated her large breasts. Despite the mask, he could tell that the woman was gorgeous.
    “So she would be how old now?” Sean asked, looking over Willy’s shoulder.
    “Hey, she looks kind of familiar,” Sean stated as he stared at the picture. Willy gave his younger brother a light smack to the back of his head.
    “Yeah, sure, you know her.”
    “Hey, I didn’t say that I know her. I said she looks familiar.”
    “There’s no way you ever met her. She lives in Ireland, right, Mick?” Willy asked.
    “No one knows where she disappeared to. Maybe we’ll get another surprise envelope with her new address here in the US. Wouldn’t that be something else?” Mick stated sarcastically as he pulled the picture from Sean’s hand.
    “Let’s get moving on this. A quick trip to Ireland may be in order,” Willy replied as he walked out of the kitchen.
     
    * * * *
     
    Ava looked around the gala at all the impressive artwork. She felt jittery and intimidated by all the professional artists. She was an amateur and self-taught. In the months after her escape from Ireland, she had submerged herself initially in emotional turmoil and unrest of her predicament. Then she got angry, and revenge became her focus. While pursuing her computer-hacking skills, she took an art class with the local college and found therapy in painting. She had painted all the time at home in Ireland, but it had reminded her so much of her father she had stopped. When revenge became her focus, she decided to paint again. While taking the class, her so-called natural abilities were discovered by her art teacher. He insisted she do a show or two, which she fought tooth and nail. However, she had the feeling that her art instructor wanted others to know about her work which, obviously, led her to being showcased this evening. Of course she had him sign a contract for her to remain anonymous. She simply signed her work with the initials AO.
    “Ava, you look simply stunning as usual this evening. Have you noticed all the attention your pieces are receiving?” Martin, her teacher, asked in between kissing both of her cheeks and then holding her shoulders. His smile shined and took away some of her anxiety. She thought he was just being nice. After all, she wore a bit of a disguise to make her feel less conspicuous. Thick black frames covered her eyes, and she tied a large shawl around her shoulders.
    “There are so many talented artists here,” she told him.
    “Don’t fret. I just heard that your piece overlooking Central Park has been purchased.”
    She grabbed Martin’s arm and whispered, “What? You can’t be serious?”
    “Eight thousand, I believe, was the selling price,” he told her and smiled. She felt her mouth drop, and she was stunned.
    “Remember, no one knows who the artist is. I think the mystery adds to the sale price. If they knew it was you I am certain they would be just as impressed. You look stunning this evening,” he stated, winked, then walked away.
    Ava calmed her breathing and smiled wide inside. It had been so long since she felt alive and appreciated for something she accomplished. She would have never imagined making eight thousand dollars from one of her paintings. Not that money was a worry, but it felt good to make it herself. She ran her palms over the slim-fitting satin dress, feeling both nervous and proud. She wished she had family to share it with, or at minimum someone who cared about her. The thoughts took away her moment of happiness. I miss you, Daddy.
    Ava took a glass of champagne and continued to walk around the gala. She was getting used to the way men checked her out and winked at her. Ava was coming out of her shyness shell and flirting with the idea of having a fling or two. She couldn’t remain a virgin forever.
    There had to be nearly a hundred people there. She noticed the politicians and some big Wall Street guys, too. She would have to make a point of chatting with them