Page 51 of Blue Moon

“This is my niece, Alessia,” Romeo said, his back to Ryder. “She wants to sing for you.”

“Uh, okay.”

The kid handed the flowers to Luna and settled herself onto a stool, legs dangling. Ryder prepared to grit his teeth, but Alessia was surprisingly good. She missed a couple of notes as she sang one of Luna’s songs, but the grin on her face when Luna joined in for the second verse made Ryder smile too. He’d never really thought about having a family, but damn, he and Luna had so many decisions to make.

Romeo was obviously proud of his niece, and Ryder was considering changing his mind about the guy when he slipped his arm around Luna again.

“You made Alessia’s year,” he said. “She was a big reason Papa booked you for the show.”

“She’s a great singer. How long has she been playing the guitar?”

“Two years. She wins every talent show she enters.”

“Does she enjoy competing?”

“She begs us every day to go on Fifty Seconds to Fame. You know it?”

“The TV talent show? I was a guest singer last season. Alessia would do well.”

“Maybe, but she’s too young for that world. If she still wants to sing when she’s older, there’s a stage waiting for her here.”

“Ms. Maara,” someone called. “Ten minutes till make-up.”

“I just need to get something to eat,” she said, ducking out from under Romeo’s arm and turning away.

“The food’s satisfactory?”

“Really good. You have an excellent chef.”

“We do. Why don’t you join me for dinner after the show?”

That motherfucker. Ryder’s hands balled into fists, and so did Luna’s. She didn’t like the position she was in either.

“It’ll be late, and I’m always tired after a performance.”

“My driver can take you home.” Romeo touched her arm, and she flinched. Ryder wanted to go full caveman, but he couldn’t afford to cause a scene. “What’s the harm? We’re both young and single.”

Ryder held his breath.

“I’m not single,” Luna said, and a weight rolled off his chest.

Romeo raised an eyebrow. “My information was wrong?”

“So wrong.”

“Then where is the lucky man? If you were mine, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight.”

A shrug. “He’s working.”

Romeo leaned in close and whispered something too quiet for Ryder to hear, and Luna laughed.

“Oh, he’ll know. Trust me on that.”

“Well, if you change your mind, the offer still stands.”

“Your niece is waving at you.”

When Romeo turned to look, Luna spun neatly on her heel and headed for the other side of the room. Ryder followed, somehow feeling both irritated and turned on.

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