Page 80 of Fierce Secrets

When we walked into the theater, the midday sun streaming through the high windows, I stopped short. There, center stage, stood a gleaming grand piano. Brand new, standing out like a sore thumb in the dusty, abandoned memories of the theater.

"Leo—"

"Play something," Leo urged softly as he let go of my hand but continued walking to the stage. "I want to hear you play again."

"I haven't played in years," I protested, but my fingers itched to touch the keys. It had been a way to escape all those years ago, but I'd given it up when my father had gotten mad at me one day and broken my fingers, saying a pianist was never going to survive in this world.

If only he could see me now. He'd be rolling in his grave.

"Please." Leo's gentle request spurred me on, and I moved past him and up the stairs to the stage.

The midday sun danced around the piano, spotlighting it in a way.

I sat at the bench, running my hands over the smooth ivory. What if I didn't even remember how to play? It truly had been so long, and despite both Gray and Sof asking if I'd play again, I never had.

It was never too late though.

The first few notes were hesitant, but muscle memory took over. I moved into a classical piece I'd loved since I'd first started playing, the one I'd played during my recital as well. The small ache in my fingers, broken so many years ago and left scarred inside, eased after a moment, and I let myself fall back into the familiar sensations.Chopin – Nocturnefilled the space, and I closed my eyes as I felt the music and magic through me, the sense of freedom it granted me.

This was me, a woman free from the chains of my upbringing, a woman who chose to love despite the odds, who chose to protect those she loved and fight for them.

No running, no more fragmented memories.

I was whole, and I was me.

I hit the final note, the sound echoing through the theater as my heart thrummed excitedly, and I turned to beam at Leo.

"I wished you'd kept playing," Leo said, such a soft, tender look on his face. It was so unlike him, and yet perfectly him, that my heart swelled. "You were magnificent at that recital."

"Why is there a piano in an abandoned theater?" I decided to ask the real question, my cheeks burning at the way he was looking at me.

He moved onto the stage, his hand trailing along the piano's edge. "It's just the beginning. I bought the building." His eyes met mine, a playful flame dancing in their icy depths. "I want you to help me restore it, bring it back to life."

"Leo..." Emotion closed my throat. This place had been my sanctuary, and he knew it. He'd found me here, even joined Gray and I on occasion.

And now, he owned it.

"It's my gift to you, Mer. I want you to be happy in this life with me, and to always feel safe and cherished," he stepped closer, covering my hand on the keys with his own. Those eyesheld mine, so full of affection and love that my own heart wanted to explode.

This was the man who would do anything for me, who had done so much for me.

A man who would always love me.

I surged up to kiss him, pouring all my feelings into it. He responded instantly, lifting me onto the piano keys. The discordant notes echoed through the theater as his hands slid under my dress, running the curve of my ass.

"Will you be mine?" he moaned against my lips.

"Yes. I'm yours," I answered, pulling him closer as the heat ignited between us. "Always yours."

His hands were everywhere, claiming, possessing, as the piano keys sang beneath us in a wild mess. "Always," he growled, his lips trailing fire down my neck.

"Always," I gasped, my fingers tangling in his hair. My core ached and throbbed, my skin burning at his touch. "As long as you're mine too."

"Always." He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, his own dark with desire. "I've loved you for so long, Meredith. Tried to keep you away from my darkness, my world."

"I would have followed you anyway," I admitted, tracing his jaw as my heart lurched with his declaration. "Eventually. What I feel for you... I can't deny it anymore. I love you too."

He captured my lips again, this time with so much fire and passion that it stole my breath. I melted into him, letting everything else fall away. This might not be the world I'd imagined for myself, might not be what I was ready for, but this – this was pure. This man who'd loved me since we were young, who'd protect me at any cost.

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