Page 10 of Underworld

I see the tilt of his lip as he teases, “Yes, I do remember having to play this so often that my fingers would cramp.”

Rolling my eyes, I mumble, “I didn’t make you play it that often.” He hums but continues playing. I notice that some of the notes don’t sound the same as they used to. “Why does the song sound different?”

I see him stiffen, but he doesn’t stop playing. He’s silent for so long that I don’t think he will answer. Then his voice is soft and quiet as he says, “I haven’t played this song in over ten years.”

Wait, what? I’m taken aback by his words. He hasn’t played this song in over ten years? “Why haven’t you played it?” I question.

His eyes lift to mine, and I can see his pain in them. “It hurt too much to hear the music,” he says quietly.

I stand from the bed and approach the piano before sitting next to him on the bench. “What do you mean?”

His fingers continue to float gracefully across the keys. Now that I’m listening more closely, I can tell that the song isn’t the happy one I remember. It now sounds sad. Desperately sad. His eyes are on the keys as he answers, “You weren’t there. I couldn’t play it without thinking about you. I thought about you EVERY single day, but when I would try to play this song . . .” He pauses and huffs out a sigh. “I could never get farther than a few notes. It was like losing you all over again every time I tried to play this song.”

“I’m here now,” I whisper. All I can see is his profile, but I can see a sheen in his eyes.

He continues to play, but he’s pressing down harder on the keys. Almost like he’s desperate to release his emotions, and this is the only way he can. He sucks in a breath as he admits, “I love you. I think I loved you the moment I saw you. But as a kid, you don’t really understand love. Over the last ten years, I’ve realized I always knew you were the one for me.”

I stay silent as he continues to play. As I watch, he closes his eyes, and tears slip through his lids to slide down his face. He doesn’t stop playing, though. When he speaks again, his voice is rough. “It broke my heart every single time I tried to play this song. I wanted to play it so badly because it was the only thing I had left of you. The only connection I had. But I couldn’t play it.” He lets out a self-deprecating laugh that sounds wet as he confesses, “I would sit here for hours after trying to play and let every single piece of my heart shatter.”

“Jace,” I whisper, trying to hold back tears.

He shakes his head. “I remember Zane walking in on me the first time I tried to play it. He sat there with me as I sobbed for what felt like hours. He sat with me every single time after that.”

The music fades as he plays the last note. His glassy, dark-brown eyes meet mine, tears still running down his cheeks as he chokes out, “I’ve loved you for so long, and now you’re finally here.” He reaches up and cups my cheek. “I’m so afraid, Jane,” he whispers.

I put my hand over his. “Why are you afraid?”

“I’m afraid you’re not really here. I’m afraid you’ll be taken away again. I’m afraid this is just a dream.” He closes his eyes and whispers, “I can’t do it again, Jane. I can’t live through losing you again. My heart won’t be able to take it.”

Fuck my previous reservations because if I was honest with myself. Really honest with myself. I loved him too. I loved all of them. I don’t stop myself from pressing my lips softly against his. Our kiss is languid and sweet. There is no rush as we savor this moment. I can taste the saltiness of his tears, but I don’t care. Reaching my other hand up, I press it softly over his rapidly beating heart, then tangle my fingers in his shirt and tug him closer.

We kiss until my head spins, and I can no longer breathe. Then I pull away with a soft gasp. I’m panting lightly as I press my forehead to his. His eyes are still closed, but his tears have stopped. “I’m here, Jace. I’m not leaving again.” I briefly press my lips against his once more before pulling back to say, “I love you too.”

Chapter Ten

Jane

“Let’s go, Sephy!” Howe yells as he drags me to the next store. Alec is on my other side, laughing as he drags me by my other arm. It seems even when we go out in the city, I have to go by my alternate name. Now that I’m part of the Underworld, my name has officially changed unless we are completely alone. Seems Howe has already shortened my new name from Persephone to Seph or Sephy.

I laugh as the two of them drag me around. “I’m coming!” I call. Looking behind me briefly, I see a smirk on Jace’s and Zane’s faces. They are my bodyguards for the day.

Turning forward again, I can’t help but giggle as Alec swings around three bags of items I have already purchased. He refused to let me carry them. They are the bright-pink bags you get from Victoria’s Secret. Why did we go into Victoria’s Secret, you may ask? Well, Howe said that I needed a variety of undergarments and nothing else would do. I didn’t argue because what girl doesn’t need new, sexy lingerie? Especially now that I’m living with four extremely sexy men.

The guys drag me into a dress store next. Howe releases my hand and claps his together in excitement. He grins over at me as he says, “Alright, Seph. Pick as many dresses as you want. We will split the clothes between the house and the cave, so make sure you pick enough for both.”

I can’t help but gaze around the store in awe. I have never seen so many fancy dresses in my life. “Why do I need a lot of dresses?”

Alec chimes in, “You will need kick-ass dresses for the meetings. But before we leave, we will stop by another store to get you some casual clothes.”

Jace speaks up before I can respond. “Let us spoil you, alright? Pick out as many as you want. Whatever catches your eye.”

“We also need to stop by our weapons place to fit her with a few. The store we get our contacts from, too,” Zane adds.

Alec pokes me. “Go look around. Pick out whatever you want, and we will put it in a dressing room for you.”

Knowing better than to argue, I nod. As I make my way around the store, I find a few dresses I like. There's a dark red two-piece that I really like. It has a deep, sweetheart neckline that will make my boobs look great. The back has several crisscrossed pieces of fabric, and the bottom is a floor-length, flowy chiffon. I immediately reach out to find my size.

“I’ve got it. Keep looking,” Howe tells me as he shifts through the dresses.

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