Sonny responded calmly, “I just came to buy the paintings. There’s no need to explain our relationship, right?”

“There is,” Gary said firmly. “I am her friend, and I will not sell her paintings to strangers.”

Sonny raised an eyebrow. “I’ll have to ask for further instructions. Please wait a moment.”

Gary frowned, watching Sonny walk away to make a private call. Because he had to ask for instructions, he wasn’t the one who wanted to buy the paintings. Who did ...