Page 91 of Hunted Hearts
Juliette surged forward, crashing into his chest with the force of all the feelings she’d bottled up since the moment he stepped into her life. “I love you too,” she choked, burying her face against his neck. “I tried not to. I told myself this was temporary, that I was just a mission…but I lied.”
His arms wrapped around her so tightly, it nearly hurt—but she never wanted to let go. Their kiss was a long, slow seal on everything they hadn’t been able to say before. He cupped her cheek, his mouth brushing hers over and over like he was trying to memorize the shape of her love.
When they finally broke apart, he laced his fingers with hers and gave her a smile that almost knocked her over.
Around them, applause broke out in thunder across the room.
“That paint’s really peeling off the walls now,” Denver joked.
“‘With love’s light wings did I o’er-perch these walls,’” three of his siblings recited in unison.
Theo and Juliette broke into laughter.
He gave Juliette’s hand a tug. “Come with me.”
She followed without question, their hands still joined as he led her through the quiet house, past the flickering fireplace and down the long hall to the one place that had already become sacred ground.
The library.
The moment they entered, her chest swelled. It smelled like aged paper, leather, a little dust…and him.
He didn’t speak, just walked straight to the shelves, scanning the titles until he pulled out something unexpected—a thin black computer tablet, tucked between two massive encyclopedias.
He returned to her, caught her hand again and guided her to the couch—the same one where he’d kissed her senseless not so long ago. Only now there was no war behind his eyes. Just love.
“Sit,” he said gently.
Juliette lowered herself onto the cushion and he handed her the tablet. Filled with confusion, she curled her fingers around the sides.
Theo leaned forward and tapped play on the screen.
Music filtered out, quiet at first and then growing in clarity.
Grainy black-and-white footage filled the screen.
She gasped.
The image wavered for a moment before steadying on a woman standing in the middle of a room filled with kids, her hair twisted in an elegant knot similar to the one Juliette sometimes wore, her chin poised as she lifted a familiar violin to her shoulder.
“My great-grandmother…” Juliette whispered, tears burning her eyes.
Theo didn’t speak, but she felt his focus on her as she watched the past unfold.
The woman’s fingers danced over the strings with a grace that pulled the air from Juliette’s lungs. It was the same posture, the same technique as her own. It was like watching a reflection in time.
“I found it in a historical archive out of Paris,” Theo said softly. “It took a few strings and a favor from a buddy, but…I wanted you to see this. She played with heart. Just like you.”
Juliette began crying in earnest now, her throat aching from the emotion that filled her. She swiped at her tears, but they kept falling.
“It’s the best gift I’ve ever received. Theo, I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Juliette. I wanted you to have this to remind you that you come from a line of women who changed the world with nothing but a bow and some strings. And you changed me too.”
She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and clinging like she never wanted to let go. Because she didn’t.
He hauled her into his lap, strong arms caging her in, and they kissed like it was the first and last time all rolled into one. It was hot and slow and reverent, his hand sliding under her sweater as if he needed to touch skin to prove to himself she was real.
When they broke apart, her forehead rested against his. Her voice was raw. “Wherever I go…you’ll come too?”
