Paradise: The Masters of The Order Novel Two Read Online Free Page A

two.
    She stepped up to the kiosk. “A pack of cigarettes, please.”
    “What brand, fox?” A gnarled man leered at her from his box.
    “I don’t know. What brand do you like?”
    “I don’t smoke,” he said coldly, his eyes fixed on her chest.
    The extravagant dress did highlight her girl parts and invite the attention, but ew . Any other time, she would have been annoyed by the lewd stare, but not tonight. Tonight, let him look.
    Let them all look.
    “Neither do you, Isla. What are you doing?” Craig was clearly annoyed. He hated smokers.
    “It’s a night for new experiences. Don’t hassle me, daddy.”
    “Buy Dunhills,” Carlo called over to her. “That’s my brand. When you’re hacking up a lung, I’ll finish them.”
    And that meant Carlo was gone after tonight.
    “Dunhills, please.”
    Craig didn’t hide his disapproval as she stepped toward him.
    She tried to appease him. “They go with the get-up.”
    “They go with a coffin.”
    Craig had no idea how true that might turn out to be.
    Quite the scene greeted them when they arrived at their destination. The sophisticated gallery provided a perfect backdrop for the fine art and chic people at the opening. Their little trio had no intention, or ability for that matter, to buy anything, but looking was certainly fun.
    Erotic sculptures and paintings were scattered throughout. And the people. Not exactly a shabby bunch. The glitterati were on parade tonight as the beautiful people of Paris gathered to mingle and flirt among the art. Layers of cultured voices, reserved laughter and the pop of champagne corks mixed with the scent of expensive cologne and perfume. If wealth had a sound, and a smell, this was it.
    Isabella’s heart fluttered at the sight of their famous host. You didn’t have to know much about the art world to recognize Nicolai Stavros. He was in the society pages all the time. The gracious artist circulated among his guests, smiling, chatting and looking more beautiful than most of the women. No one was overlooked and all made to feel singularly significant.
    Mere moments after stepping over the threshold, another very tall, very handsome man approached. He was elegantly dressed, but there was an edge to his look.
    Muy sexy.
    She didn’t miss the flicker of infatuation in Craig’s eyes as he greeted them.
    “ Bonsoi r, Craig, bienvenue . I’m so glad you could make it,” the man said and kissed Craig on both cheeks.
    “ Bonsoir , Jerard. As if I would miss this,” Craig answered as he returned the kiss. “I would like to introduce my friends. This lovely lady is Isabella and this is Carlo.”
    Isabella heard Craig’s disinterest in his date simply by the way he said his name. Jerard obviously picked up on it too because he turned to her and ignored Carlo.
    “Welcome, Isabella. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Craig talks about you all the time.”
    A waiter appeared, offering champagne. She picked up a flute and raised it to Jerard as she gave him a subtle once-over.
    Jerard Gagne certainly fit Craig’s description of him. Tall and thin, but well built, he oozed unaffected charm. He wore a tailored grey suit that clearly cost more than her monthly rent like it was no big deal. A black and grey scarf curved seductively around his long neck to dangle over a grey silk T-shirt. Chunky masculine jewelry, dusky unkempt hair and a subtle beard, the man bristled with sex appeal, but had a certain humility in his mannerisms. Eyes older than the face that held them told her that he had seen a lot of pain.
    “ Bonsoir , Jerard. Craig has mentioned you more than a few times as well.” And the pleasure’s all mine .
    She winked at Craig as she kissed Jerard, shifting her eyes to him, then back to Craig, and Craig blushed. Unfortunately for Craig, the way Jerard placed his fingers on her skin told her that this man was not gay. His hand slipped into hers and ah, sí , he had really nice hands.
    “When I get the chance, I will introduce