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He shutters the predatory light in his gaze, shifting back a step. “I don’t mean to frighten you. I just want honesty.”

“And I told you honestly that I can’t do your portrait.” I sidestep, snatching a palette knife from my worktable. “I think you should leave now.”

“I’ll pay you ten thousand dollars.”

Sweat breaks out on my palms and the back of my neck. “Come again?”

His rosy lips stretch in a catlike grin, a dimple popping into his cheek. “You heard me.”

Shit.

Maybe I could—

No. I can’t. Not for any sum would I ever consider painting someone’s portrait. Not after what happened to Dad. Not after—

I took a fucking vow before the goddess and the spirits and whatever else exists out there. I won’t break it. I can’t.

The guy is watching me. There’s no trace of threat from him now—his face is so serenely beautiful, it’s almost innocent.

“You think about it.” He tucks the cigarette between his lips and pulls a wallet from his back pocket. He extracts a business card and hands it over, pinned between two long fingers. He’s got a few silver rings—not as many as I usually wear, but his are fascinating. Antique for sure, maybe ancient.

His business card is a smooth, silvery gray, printed with two words and a number in an elegant, black font.

I take the card, still gripping the palette knife in my other hand.

He strides to the door and pushes it open as the bell jingles. “Let me know when you change your mind.”

“I won’t, though,” I respond.

“Sure.” He gives me a wink.

The door closes, and I watch him stroll past the window.

Only then do I read the name printed on the card.

Dorian Gray.

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Acknowledgments

I’ve had this “green light” dream ever since I was a kid. I wanted to write a book and have it published. I wanted to see a book of mine on shelves, in bookstores.

When you reach the green light, you realize how many hands pushed you toward it—some gently, some forcefully, some without even knowing the part they played in your growth as an author, as a person.

My dad read aloud to my siblings and me every night, and often made up his own stories to tell us. My mom taught me to read and encouraged me to write. I have complex feelings about my childhood, but I am truly grateful to my parents for teaching me to love books.

I also have to thank the creators and actors of the movie Begin Again. In early 2018, I had two young kids, and I’d been feeling like my author dreams were probably done for good. I broke down crying while watching that movie for the first time, and that night I determined to go after what I wanted. The Greatest Showman movie and Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince also inspired me around the same time. After years of writing things I didn’t enjoy, I could see my green light again.

Without the writing community of Twitter (yes, I’ll forever call it Twitter), I wouldn’t have known how to query properly, how to find agents, or how to take the first steps to make my dream come true. There are so many indie authors, so many readers, so many wonderful people who gave me bits of advice and encouragement, swapped beta-reads with me, and pushed me to keep going. If I tried to name them all I’d leave out someone important, so I’ll just say a heartfelt thank you to everyone.

Thank you to my sister, who first introduced me to The Great Gatsby and who has been a constant encouragement with my writing.

Thank you to my amazing agent, Eva Scalzo, who offered me representation twice. I wish I’d accepted the first time, but I had things to learn about what I really needed from an author-agent partnership. I’m so glad she gave me another chance.

And thank you to Mary Altman, my wonderful editor, who understood my “Gatsby with vampires” book from the beginning and has been a dream to work with. It means everything to have someone who loves my characters as much as I do, whose vision I can trust.

Lastly, thank you to my kind husband and my sweet kids. Thank you for the hugs, the empathy, the cheerful smiles, and the words of encouragement that keep me going every day.

About the Author

Rebecca Kenney writes spicy contemporary and fantasy romance about sassy, strong women and hot guys with tragic backstories. She is the author of the “Wicked Darlings” series (spicy Fae retellings of the Nutcracker, Wonderland, and Oz), the “Dark Rulers” series (standalone fantasy romances in a shared world), and the “For the Love of the Villain” series. Rebecca is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary. She lives in upstate South Carolina with her handsome blue-eyed husband and two smart, energetic kids. For updates and information about upcoming novels, follow her on:

Instagram: @rebeccafkenneybooks

TikTok: @rebeccafkenney