Page 102 of Claim Me
“Not at first. I can’t allow the past to repeat itself.” The tether keeping me connected to Marissa was threatening to become a noose. Goddamn, I craved the woman.
He groaned. “Your belief in karma and reincarnation is the reason you don’t sleep well at night. This isn’t the same situation by a long shot.”
“I hope not. Enough. Let’s go in. I refuse to disappoint her.” I lagged behind him, waiting as he headed to the bar to grab himself a drink. For about a dozen reasons I wasn’t interested in having a drink. Yes, this was still a celebration, yet I’d never felt less like celebrating in my life.
The police had yet to release Charlie’s body for any funeral arrangements. That also kept the grief just below the surface. With the detective still on the case, and I’d checked, my guess was he’d find a way to continue torturing her. Perhaps I should deal with him the way I’d wanted to do in the first place.
While lingering anger wouldn’t help the situation, I couldn’t erase or ignore the similarities with what had occurred in my past. I was bad karma for the lovely lady.
As we headed toward the sets of open doors, I hung back just long enough to do another sweep of the lobby, including glancing at the balcony surrounding a portion, the atrium style beautiful yet treacherous to navigate if necessary.
Once inside, I headed to a private box, my hefty donation to the charity who’d benefit from the concert the reason. While I felt too far away from the stage and from her, at least I had a decent vantage point of the entire auditorium.
The three soldiers filtered in behind us. They’d watch the door, preventing any sneak attacks.
We settled in and within two minutes, the lights dimmed to barely a glow crossing the stage. While I usually enjoyed the darkness, shadows providing comfort after a long day or a difficult week, not tonight.
Tonight they wreaked havoc on my imagination.
I remained on the edge of my seat, my hand positioned on my leg only inches from my weapon. After checking my phone for the fourth time to make certain there weren’t any issues, Mikhail nudged my arm.
“Relax.”
“Not possible,” I admitted. At this point, I wasn’t certain when I’d be able to relax around her. She had a way of creating a world that didn’t exist, a beautiful fantasy that could easily be destroyed by the poison of reality.
For tonight, I’d do my best to provide her with what she needed and not what the protector should demand.
This would be a long performance, her solo midway through. After two rousing performances, I finally sat back, my concentration still shit.
Another four and the collar of my tuxedo shirt was way too fucking tight. I yanked at the tie, coming close to ripping it off entirely.
Activity near the stage drew my attention and I stood, immediately heading to the railing with my hands gripping the metal bar as if prepared to launch myself off the balcony.
“Relax, brother. Everything is under control,” Alexsey said as he moved beside me.
“I don’t know about that.” The disturbance was an unruly patron who was quickly escorted out. The brief interlude was quickly reversed, the entire symphony taking the stage with Marissa as the pianist. I remained where I was, allowing myself to enjoy the moment. It was another Rachmaninoff piece, which she played beautifully.
The rousing applause was followed by people rising to their feet.
“Come sit down. Her solo performance is next.” My brother was insistent, but I remained hesitant. “You both need this, Kaz. You know why.”
Yeah, I knew why. Because ghosts continued to linger in the shadows.
Reluctantly, I sat, remaining on the edge of my seat as the stage went dark.
As the lights rose, a shimmer of blue highlighting the grand piano, I allowed myself to be mesmerized by the moment.
“For someone I care about deeply.” Her voice was unexpected, cutting through the silence in a way that penetrated every dark void.
Including in my heart.
She was even more stunning from afar, majestic as she slowly placed her fingers on the keys. There was no other sound, no musicians accompanying her and within three seconds, I recognized the piece. The one she’d written two days before.
Yes, she’d tinkered on the piano in the suite we’d rented, but for maybe thirty minutes. To hear the powerful notes, the deep bass, and the way her fingers flew across the keyboard kept mein awe. She was more than just a virtuoso. She was a powerhouse of music.
Remaining stunned, I could tell I was holding my breath. Not realizing I’d already risen to my feet once again, I somehow found my way to the railing. There wasn’t a single sound in the auditorium. Not a cough. Not the chirp of a phone some asshole hadn’t silenced. Just the most beautiful music I’d ever heard.
A song she’d written for me.
