Page 105 of Captured

She laughed and moved into the cooler while I pulled out three hundred-dollar bills, laying them on the counter. In less than a minute she returned, a huge red ribbon around the bouquet. “Here you are.”

“You are a doll, Rosie. Keep the change.” I patted the counter and pulled the roses under my nose, taking a deep whiff. They were perfect.

Just like my wife.

As I raced out, I noticed my favorite burger food truck was positioned just across the street. Only my buddy wasn’t behind the counter. Now, starting with the investment he’d made from the stock tip I’d given him, he owned six trucks and a small restaurant, along with building on his stock portfolio. The guy was a wealthy man and that fact made me grin. His wife was also healthy, maybe because I’d helped him find the right set of doctors, even paying for her care.

I raced back to the SUV, once again barely inside before Rico took off. Groaning, I glanced at the clock on the dashboard, and he threw me a look.

“We’re going to make it. Stop worrying.”

“We damn well better or I’ll never hear the end of it.”

The man was on a mission and only five minutes later, he pulled up at the main entrance to the concert hall.

“Go, boss. I’ll grab a parking spot.” Rico literally pushed me out the door.

I grinned before slamming it, turning and rushing inside, flying by everyone as I took the red carpeted stairs two at a time. I heard applause and took a deep breath, heading into the beautiful theater and to the private box I’d rented. It was just off to the right of the stage where she could hopefully see me.

The sight of my sweet baby in a long red dress was breathtaking and I almost stumbled before I was able to sit down.

As she sat down at the stunning ebony grand piano, the orchestra ready to begin when she did, she lifted her head. The smile crossing her face lit up the entire auditorium. The rush of emotions sweeping through me was unlike anything I’d ever experienced in my life.

And the moment my baby began to play, I sensed Mary was smiling down on me.

The fifty minutes went by too quickly. She’d played beautifully, so much so I was certain my heart had stopped. As soon as she lifted her hands from the keys, the entire auditorium cheered, providing a standing ovation.

My beautiful angel, my little sparrow was a star. Just like I always knew she would be.

While she was playing the encore piece, I rushed down, hiding behind the curtain backstage. No one said a word to me or tried to send me away. Perhaps they knew better.

When she looked up again, disappointment crossed her face from not finding me where I’d been. She waved to the crowd and heading to where I was standing. The moment I crept from my hiding place, she squealed and rushed toward me, almost crushing the flowers against my chest.

“You’re a mean man. I thought you left. I was terrified you’d be held up.”

“Are you out of your mind? Never. You’re stuck with me.” I cupped her face with one hand before pressing our lips together. There was nothing like the scent of her perfume or the feel of having her in my arms. I captured her mouth, holding our lips in place for several seconds. The taste of her was even better than I remembered.

I swept my tongue inside, enjoying the few seconds of being in our little world. When I pulled back, she smiled.

“It’s so good to be home,” she said, taking a deep whiff of the roses. “These are beautiful.”

“Just like my baby.”

“Hmmm… You might have to remind me later.”

“Oh, I plan on it. Any news?” She’d been waiting to hear about a record deal for four freaking months, which had nearly driven me back to my old ways.

Her eyes reflected disappointment, her mouth twisting.

“I’m sorry, baby. That record producer is an idiot. I should have a discussion with him.”

My sweet angel couldn’t keep a straight face, bursting into laughter. “You should see your face. Yes, I’m headed to the contract signing tomorrow. The best part? I’ll be recording the album here.”

“You should know better than to tease me. I guess I’ll need to remind you who you belong to later. Won’t I?”

I playfully gave her a pat on the behind and she squealed. I was reminded of how blessed I was to have a second chance at the kind of life I’d wanted but didn’t understand until now. My angel was my everything.

But I would kill anyone who hurt her, even if I was no longer that man. She was mine.

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