Page 32 of Freeing Savannah

It was the way he watched her, likeshewas the one worth savoring.

But the best part—what had taken her breath away—was when he’d stopped outside a stone building tucked along a quiet street and said, “Come on. I have one more surprise.”

She’d followed him into Mozarthaus Vienna, and her heart had tripped over itself the moment she realized where they were.

“Thought it might be your kind of place,” he’d said, walking beside her through the rooms where Mozart had once lived and worked. The revelation that the famous composer had createdThe Marriage of Figaroin the very place she’d been walking had filled her with a profound sense of awe.

There isn’t a musician of note who hasn’t included at least one of Mozart’s many compositions in their repertoire at some point in their career. And she was no different. She’d grown up playing his piano sonatas.

Sawyer hadn’t rushed her. He never did.

While she stood in front of the composer’s original manuscripts, something in her cracked open. Not just because of the music, or the genius in the notes on the page, but because Sawyer had known. Without her saying a word, he’d known exactly what would speak to her soul.

That was the moment she knew she was in trouble.

Real, heart-deep trouble.

She wasn’t sure how it would all end, but she was certain of one thing: Vienna had given her Mozart, chocolate, and music. But Sawyer had given her something even rarer.

Understanding and a day she’d never forget.

A knock on her suite’s door startled her out of her musings. Sharp. Precise. Not housekeeping.

She froze.

Another knock. Louder this time. She moved slowly toward the door, her bare feet silent on the plush rug. “Who is it?”

“It’s Henry,” came the voice through the door, low and casual. Too casual. “Thought I’d see if you needed anything.”

Savannah frowned. She hadn’t scheduled anything with Henry. And he hadn’t mentioned coming by earlier.

“I’m getting ready,” she said, keeping her voice even. “I’ll see you at the venue.”

He laughed, soft and dry. “Come on, Savannah. It’s not like I haven’t seen a woman in curlers before.”

Her stomach flipped. He wouldn’t seeherin curlers. Not ever.

She took a step back from the door, fingers instinctively reaching for the clip in her hair.One press,Sawyer had said.Don’t hesitate.

Yet, she did. She hesitated.

Henry knocked again. “Don’t make me get hotel security to do a wellness check.”

What the hell?Savannah’s skin prickled.

“No, thank you,” she said clearly. “I’m fine, Henry. I’d prefer privacy.”

A pause.

Then a muttered, “Stuck-up little tease,” barely audible through the door, then, “Fine. I’ll see you tonight,” followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps retreating.

Savannah’s knees buckled as she sank onto the edge of the couch, heart pounding. Her fingers trembled in her lap, but her mind was clear. He hadn’t forced his way in. But something wasweirdabout that whole scenario.

Henry had always set her nerves on edge, but this was different. It bordered on aggressive. Calculated.

Not knowing what to think, she was left in a state of uncertainty. Daphne missing. Henry’s weird visit. The jumbled thoughts swirled in her head, making it hard to focus. But focus was what she needed most. She had a concert to get ready for, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. She hoped that, in time, the answers to the questions swirling in her mind would eventually reveal themselves.

And that no others would arise.

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