Free The Plume: The Second Anthology by Ella Ardent Page B

quite good. They really want
this show, Rex, which bodes well for its success. The Plume could
be as famous as you’ve always hoped it would be.”
    “But at what price? It might be revealed or
discovered. It might all come to an end.”
    Julius smiled sadly. “All things come to an
end, Rex. And a fireworks display is always more impressive than a
match that fizzles before it really lights.”
    “You think I should take the chance.”
    Julius smiled. “I think you don’t like that
this Louise made the choice for you. But look beyond your need to
manage everything. Look at what is really offered here, on
excellent terms.”
    Rex stood up and went to the window. It was a
grey day, the clouds heavy and low as if ready to dump vast
quantities of snow on the city. He looked back at Julius. “It’ll
change everything.”
    “Everything will change anyway, Rex.,” Julius
said quietly. “The trick is to see this as an opportunity and not
an obligation.”
    Rex sighed. He knew his old friend was right.
And he could admit to himself that he was excited by the
possibilities. He was already excited about going through his
entire collection and choosing the shots to be blown up and framed.
“We could have an opening night for the members of the Plume,” he
said, making an effort. “They could come in costume and be
masked.”
    “You could easily make it the event of the
year,” Julius agreed.
    Rex turned to face the lawyer. “Would you
come?”
    Julius smiled. “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t
miss your first opening for the world.”
     
    * * *
     
    Married to Mike. Captive forever. If that
wasn’t heaven, Joanna didn’t know what was. She floated home at the
end of her holiday week, her skin tingling and her body humming.
She’d had everything she could imagine from him, and only wanted
more.
    He’d locked her into a newer, tighter version
of the black leather corset before she left and Joanna savored the
reminder of his ownership of her body.
    She hoped he’d call tonight and make a
midnight raid on her apartment.
    She opened the door to the apartment,
somewhat disappointed to hear Louise in the kitchen. Maybe her
roommate could go out tonight.
    Of course, once she moved in with Mike,
Louise’s plans wouldn’t be a concern anymore. That thought restored
Joanna’s good mood and she put her things in her bedroom, then went
into the kitchen with a smile. “Hi. How was your holiday?”
    “Excellent.” Louise grinned. “Looks like
yours was good, too.”
    Joanna felt herself blush as she filled the
kettle. Could she even sit down properly in this tight corset? The
constraint made her pulse with desire.
    “I’m going out tonight,” Louise said, much to
Joanna’s relief. “I have a date.”
    “With Rex?”
    “No, with jam and walnuts.”
    Joanna frowned, not understanding. “But how
was Rex?”
    “He was everything I expected.” Louise
smiled. “And more.”
    Something in her tone made Joanna pause and
glance back. “In what way?”
    “He’s quite the photographer.” Louise saluted
Joanna with her sandwich, even as Joanna worried just what pictures
Louise had seen. “He’s going to have a show.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “An exhibit of his photographs. I talked to
my friend Josh at the Eye of the Storm Gallery and he’s really interested. He made an offer that I guess Rex
couldn’t refuse.” Louise nodded and took another bite of her
sandwich. It seemed to Joanna like her friend took far too long to
chew that bite. “It’s going to be billed as a sneak peek inside the
Plume. Josh says it’ll be standing room only. They’re going to
invite all the press for a huge opening night. It’s going to be
amazing.”
    Joanna didn’t share her friend’s
enthusiasm.
    In fact, she was horrified. “You’re joking.
Rex is going to do that?”
    “Absolutely. It’s all signed, sealed and
delivered.” Louise ate the last bite of her sandwich with a
flourish. “And, as a total bonus, I’ll get to