Page 70 of Unlawful Seduction

“What can you tell me about him?”

Exhaling, she nibbled on her lower lip. “He seemed nice enough, but pushy, you know? I think he said his name was Zane, but I was barely paying any attention. I was making lists in my mind of everything I needed to accomplish at the clinic.” She lifted her head. “You still don’t trust me.”

“I do trust you, but I was hopeful you’d remember something useful.” Goddamn it. The fucker had been brazen.

“I guess I didn’t catch the clues he was casing me. Or you. It’s not like I’ve been involved in criminal activities before.”

“You mean other than breaking into my office.” Her face immediately turned bright red.

“You’re going to continue reminding me of that. Aren’t you?”

“Yep,” I growled. “Let the lady shower and change, buddy. I’ll get you breakfast.”

He huffed and snorted as if his majesty approved. His actions rewarded me with a bright smile and her lilting laugh even though it broke the spell. She headed toward the door, stopping as soon as she was about to walk into the living room.

“When do you think the roads will be safe enough to return home?”

I took a deep breath. “At least a day or two. Depends on how warm it gets and if we have any sun.”

Her sigh seemed exaggerated. “Well, at least we have a couple days before the real world crowds everything else out. That makes me happy.”

With that, she walked out and I was left to wonder how the fuck karma had swept me straight into hell.

“You play beautifully, Michaelangelo.”

I immediately stopped, lifting my head as my body stiffened. “You shouldn’t be in here, Ava.”

“Why? Because I’m a prisoner?”

“Because Gio wouldn’t like it.”

“Fuck Gio. You know how much I hate him.”

This was as bold as I’d seen her even though her voice was still laced with terror of what Gio would do. The man might have once been my friend, but he was a savage asshole. He kept hisbride to be in line using violence and threats of slaughtering her family. While part of my job was to protect her from enemy soldiers, I could do nothing to protect her from him.

“Go back to your room, Ava. It’s safer there.”

“Safe. There’s nowhere in this house, on the grounds or in this world where I’ll be safe. You should know that almost as well as anyone. Quite frankly, I don’t care if I die.”

“You play beautifully, Beckett.”

Hearing Mallory’s comment didn’t immediately drag me from the memory. It was as if the lovely veterinarian had been pulled into my past if for only a few seconds. I lifted my head up from the guitar, strumming another chord as Mallory sat down on the couch in front of me.

“I don’t play often enough.” It brought back too many memories.

“Don’t worry. I won’t ask you why. I’m finished with attempting to learn more about you.” There was no anger in her tone and barely a hint of resignation.

“I rarely play any longer because doing so is a reminder of all the things I lost.” I strummed a few additional chords and could sense I had her rapt attention. I hadn’t finished playing a song in so long I wasn’t certain of the month. Now, with her watching, I wanted to enjoy the moment.

That’s what she did to me.

It felt good to release in a way that very little else could accomplish. Violence had once soothed the nerves and anger before either became intolerable, but over the years, breakingbones and shedding blood had become just a matter of course. A means to an end.

But music had kept me feeling alive, provoking deep feelings and allowing me to think difficult situations all the way through. As I strummed the guitar, I became lost not only in the music itself, but in the story behind the haunting piece.

I felt every note, every C sharp and adagio furrowing through my core to my bones.

When I was finished, I took a deep breath, finally raising my head.

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