Page 11 of Inescapable Gravity

"I'm here." He closed his mouth, pressing his lips into a thin line that made his tanned skin almost white around his lips. "I've been hired to protect you," his gaze swept the room and landed on the instrument case a few feet away from her, "and the violin."

And the violin.

Of course.

"I can see why Bart hired someone. It's worth more than the GDP of several small countries. And," she couldn't stop herself from trying to interject some kind of humor into the situation, "a few Birkin bags."

He didn't smile.

She was sure that was her fault.

It didn't help that she was struggling to keep herself planted in place. Having Marius so close to her after so many years? She wanted to run and jump into his arms, but she knew he wouldn't welcome it.

She could see the tension in him from where she was standing.

He was as shut off as she should be.

But her life and her emotions could be the very definition of 'complicated.'

"Mister Blackwood didn't mention the value of the violin."

She heard the confusion in his voice and knew that he was mulling over the reason for the omission. She would too if she was in his position.

"He probably wouldn't unless you asked him outright. Bart might live the life of a billionaire with ease, he's had years to grow into that, but he's also not someone who likes to brag about his wealth.

"Likely he didn't mention the value because it's not a necessary factor in his view. He's got it insured to high heaven. And likely, it's the only way that he knew I'd accept a guard if you were also here for the violin."

She could see that he was curious. She had been as well when Bart had first unveiled it as the instrument that he had picked her to play.

Heather walked over to the table and when Marius walked up beside her, she placed her hands on the tabletop.

It was too tempting to reach out and touch him.

He was only inches away and even as she felt the heat of his arm against hers, there was a distinct space dividing them.

She kept her focus on the violin. That was something solid.

Dependable.

Because her life surely wasn't.

"The Margolis Stradivarius is a piece of art. The body is made of rosewood and even the grain of the wood adds to its beauty. When it was recovered and repaired, there were studies done with various forms of photography.

"I believe that it has more photographs taken of it than a Kardashian."

"That's something."

She smiled at his droll tone.

"The neck, scroll, fingerboard and tailpiece were likely made from the same ebony tree." She shook her head as he turned to look at her. "That's what I'm told. Bart has had studies done on the instrument and, as the person he's selected to play it, I've learned all of the mythos surrounding it."

"You were always reading mythology. I shouldn't be surprised that you've found a love for this as well. Heather, I-"

"Nix."

The denial was instantaneous.

A little too short.

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