Color Blind
Copyright© 2026 by Evie Olivia Niven
Chapter 4: Rescue?
Xandri had been uncertain when Alanna had invited her to attend the closing party for their art show. Still, she had come dressed for the occasion, knowing she was unlikely to have a chance to go home before the party. The simple black dress she was wearing was one she had borrowed from Bea, who didn’t like it because it was “chaste”. I think it’s nice, Xandri thought, tugging down her jean jacket, then smoothing down the dress.
“Where is Quinn?” Sada said, for the dozenth time. “He should have been here hours ago.”
Xandri glanced across at her. She looked really amazing in a short, emerald green dress that matched her eyes. Alastair, who had his arms around her, rolled his eyes. I hope this doesn’t cause a fight between them, Xandri thought, frowning. I’ve noticed Sada seemed to talk about Quinn more than she should ... I wonder why? Sada couldn’t see Alastair’s agitation, because her back was against him, but certainly she had to feel it.
The crowd parted suddenly. Quinn walked down the now clear aisle, holding a covered canvas beneath his arm. His hair was in a ponytail, but mussed, and his clothes were rumpled, the same ones he’d been wearing the day before. There were dark circles beneath his eyes. Sada broke free of Alastair’s grip and rushed towards him. Xandri noticed Quinn’s eyes light up, and her frown deepened. They aren’t ... there isn’t something between them, is there? she wondered.
Janice also approached, but Quinn didn’t notice her. He was wholly focused on Sada.
“You look sick,” Sada said, her green eyes worried. “Where’ve you been?”
“Sleeping,” Quinn muttered. “Sorry I was ... up all night. Excuse me for a moment.”
Quinn pushed past her and headed into his section of the gallery. Sada moved to follow after him, but Alastair caught hold of her wrist, pulling her back. Janice followed, however, so Xandri followed her. She watched, surprised, as Quinn took down the painting of Janice. He tossed it carelessly aside, not even noticing (or perhaps ignoring) Janice’s outraged shriek, and put up the new canvas.
Xandri met a very familiar pair of dark blue eyes set in a face she wasn’t sure she recognized. There were the freckles ... but was her mouth really that sensual? And her hair didn’t look like that, did it? She took a step closer, unaware of the press of people around her who were also moving closer to see the picture. Xandri glanced at Janice and found her glaring furiously. Uh oh, she thought, swallowing hard. This is going to be trouble ... but how’d he ... why...?
“Quinn, that’s fantastic!”
That was his mother. She’d been talking to the old critic who’d insulted Quinn’s work yesterday, but became focused on her son’s work with the rest of the crowd. Xandri saw her pause and glance back. Aislinn’s eyes, pale blue like her son’s, swept over her and Xandri felt her cheeks heat.
Quinn shrugged. “Just couldn’t get it out of my head, I guess.”
“Is ... is that me?” Xandri asked. “It ... I look...”
She couldn’t express it. Instead, she glanced at Quinn. He refused to look at her. And Janice was glaring at her so fiercely that Xandri thought her skin might catch on fire. She inched away from the crowd, hoping to escape. The old critic was examining this new picture now, and the crowd was at a tentative distance from what he was saying. Janice, however, was stalking closer, looking somewhat like a hungry shark.
“Now, this is more like it,” the old critic was saying, but Xandri hardly heard him.
“You,” Janice growled. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I ... I didn’t do anything,” Xandri stammered. “I swear I didn’t.”
“That picture,” Janice hissed. “I can’t believe you would betray me like this!”
Janice shoved her out of the way and stomped from the gallery. Xandri sighed and followed her, but she had disappeared quickly. She spent time looking around for her, searching through numerous galleries, but after a couple of hours, she began to suspect that Janice had left. I wasn’t trying to get Quinn to do a painting of me, Xandri thought. I didn’t even know he did it. But she had to fight down a part of her that grew warm at the thought.
She wandered back to the Wolfe family gallery, where the party was beginning. Xandri didn’t see Quinn anywhere, for which she was somewhat grateful. I don’t know how to react to him right now, she thought, sighing. She wasn’t paying attention to where she was going and bumped into someone. Startled, Xandri looked up at a handsome man with red-brown hair and brown eyes.
“Watch out,” the man said, reaching out to steady her.
“Oh ... sorry,” Xandri stammered, smiling sheepishly. “I’ve got a lot on my mind ... I apologize.”
“Not at all,” the man said. “I’m Andre. What’s your name, cutie?”
Xandri felt her cheeks heat. “I um ... Alexandria. Or ... just Xandri.”
“Alexandria,” Andre repeated, grinning. “Both our names start with the same letter ... maybe it’s destiny.”
Xandri backed up a step. She didn’t really like this very much. Someone bumped into her from behind, and she stumbled, but Andre caught her before she fell. I don’t want him touching me, she thought frantically, pushing away from him. The crowd was beginning to seem far too big. Xandri backed up further, then turned away, heading for the exit of the gallery.
“I need air,” she called back over her shoulder.
“I’ll come with you,” Andre said, following after her.
Please don’t, Xandri thought, sighing inwardly. She didn’t say it out loud, though; it wasn’t in her to be rude. Andre followed her as she headed down a corridor and out into the back parking lot. She sucked in a deep breath of clear air, filling her lungs. It was a bit chilly, and Xandri shivered, but she was so glad to be out of the crowded gallery. Andre stepped up behind her, and she turned, backing into a car.
“You’re jumpy,” Andre said, grinning. “There’s no reason to be so nervous.”
“Don’t crowd me,” Xandri said, closing her arms around herself protectively.
Andre chuckled. “No need to be shy. Any girl who models for Quinn Wolfe has no reason to be shy.”
“I didn’t model for him!” Xandri protested.
Andre made a grab for her. She dodged out of his way, but he caught the end of her sleeve. She stumbled, caught up in the coat, and struggled to get it off. Andre pounced on her before she could get free. Xandri shrieked, trying to slap him, but her arms were pinned to her sides by her jacket. He pulled her down to the ground, pressing his mouth sloppily to hers.
Xandri bit his lip. He shouted, enraged, and slapped her hard across the face. Stars burst behind her eyes, leaving her dazed. Andre’s hands were rough as they yanked her jacket open and pulled her dress down. The sound of tearing fabric reached her ears, breaking through her daze. Xandri flailed, trying to get her hands up. She wanted to jam her knee between his legs, but she was afraid to move them. As long as she could keep them closed, she had a chance to fight him off.
“Stop struggling, damnit!” Andre growled.
“Let me go!” Xandri shrieked.
She’d gotten a hand free, and she raked her nails down the side of his face. Andre howled and slapped her again. Blackness swam up around her. Xandri blinked frantically, trying to keep herself awake. Her body felt weak, and she couldn’t fight back as he shoved the dress up over her hips and pulled her thighs apart. No, no, no, she thought, as tears slid down her cheeks. Leave me alone...
“I can’t believe she has the nerve to show her face here!”
Quinn glanced sidelong at Sada, fighting back a grin. He could understand her outrage; Melissa had caused a lot of trouble between her and Alastair. And there was no mistaking those blue eyes or golden blonde curls. She looked lovely, as usual, but it was a beauty that made Quinn’s skin crawl. Don’t come over here, don’t come over ... damnit, he thought, cringing as she started towards him.
“Quinn,” Melissa said, grinning. “Lovely painting...”
“Go away,” Quinn grumbled.
Melissa laughed. “Aww, that’s not nice.”