Page 78 of Hunted Hearts
He focused on the camera feed in the room. Everyone had gained their feet and formed a semi-circle around Juliette as she played. The notes sang out, gripping at him too.
Minutes later, the VIPs filed out, whispering about the energy Juliette brought to the strings. One woman was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.
Theo traded a look with Denver. This was it.
Denver tailed the VIPs to their seats. Theo stepped into the dressing room, his stare moving over Juliette. She cradled her violin in her arm like a baby.
“Ready?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He moved closer, curling his fingers around her waist. “You look stunning.”
A soft flush settled in her cheeks. “You think the plan will work?”
“I do.” He just prayed everything that came after went off without a hitch. But not knowing which direction the danger would be coming from was driving him to the brink.
She tipped her face up to his, and he couldn’t stop himself from skimming her lips with his own.
Then they were moving out the door, down the corridor.
Juliette threw him a dazzling smile that made his heart jolt as she moved into the wings.
The lights dimmed. The air shifted.
Juliette stepped onto the stage.
Theo stood at the edge of the ballroom, his eyes never leaving her. As she lifted the violin to her shoulder and played the first note, silence fell like snow. The room stilled. The music wasn’t just beautiful—it wastranscendent. It bled through every crack of his armor and stitched something in him back together.
Every note told a story. Her story.
His.
Theirs.
It felt like she was playing only for him.
And he wasn’t the only one moved—there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
When the last note faded, the entire ballroom erupted in applause. Theo’s chest swelled with pride…with love…
With fear.
Because the more she shone, the more she stood out.
And that made her more of a target.
* * * * *
Juliette dipped into a graceful bow, then exited the stage. Theo was already moving.
He found her in the hallway. She looked up, eyes blurred with emotion for this man.
“You were…” His voice cracked. He cleared it. “You were incredible.”
The intense expression in his eyes hit her square in the chest.
She stepped up to him. He dropped his forehead to hers. For a long beat, neither moved.
