Page 76 of Dancing on Air

“How did she get loose?” Max asked Rowan. “I thought she was locked away?”

“She was,” Rowan said. “If you’re okay, I’ll go find out more and come back and tell you.” When Max nodded, he disappeared.

His mother helped him pull the shirt on and even used the washcloth to wipe a few drops of blood off his face.

“How did you manage the military when have a vasovagal reaction to seeing blood?” his mother asked him.

He stilled and took a deep breath. He glanced over at Cora as Riley quickly applied her makeup while another stylist touched up her hair. Cora’s eyes met his in the mirror and she smiled at him, giving him the courage.

“Actually, it’s because of my inability to deal with blood that I’m alive today,” he admitted.

“What?” His mother frowned and took his hand in hers.

“My team was attacked. Friendly fire. One of our own caved to the pressures and turned the gun on us, then on himself. When I saw the blood, I hit the ground. Passed out cold. The shooter thought I was dead and passed me by.” He shrugged as he kept his eyes on their joined hands.

His mother gasped and then surprised him by pulling him into her arms.

He couldn’t remember the last time she’d hugged him.

“What in the hell happened?” his father said as he barged into the room. “I heard someone attacked Cora?”

“Yes,” his mother said, leaning back. “And our son.” She motioned to his fresh shirt.

His father’s eyes ran over him and then turned to Cora and slowly ran over her. “I’ve arranged for her understudy⁠—”

“No.” His mother stood up suddenly. “Sorry, you don’t get to make that call.” She turned to Max and then to Cora. “Will you be ready?” she asked Cora.

Cora glanced at him, took a deep breath, then nodded. “Yes,” she said firmly with a smile.

His mother glanced down at her watch. “Ten minutes,” she said to Riley and the other stylist.

“We’ll have her ready,” they both said together.

His mother turned back to his father. “Thank you, Gerald, but we have things in hand.” She turned and helped Max stand. “Now, I think you’d better go do your last-minute checks.” She nudged him. “I’ll make sure Cora gets upstairs safe and sound.”

“Thanks, Mom.” He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “I love you,” he whispered. He felt his mother tense for a second, then she wrapped her arms around him softly.

“I love you too, son. Now go. Do your job.”

He took one last glance at Cora, who waved at him before he took off.

When he got to the top of the stars, Rowan was there.

“You’re not going to like this,” Rowan said to him.

“Right now, I just need to know if she’s locked up and secure,” he said as he motioned to his crew that they had five minutes until curtain time.

“She is,” Rowan said.

“Good, go check on Cora one last time. If for any reason you think she’s not good to go, tell me,” he said, meeting the man’s eyes.

Rowan nodded and rushed down the stairs. He found him two minutes later and gave him a double thumbs-up.

Moments later, he watched Cora step into her position, hair, makeup, and costume all perfectly in place. Her eyes were focused as he stepped up to her.

“I love you,” he said softly. “Dance your heart out.” He gave her a quick kiss before adding, “Merde.”

She smiled as the music started and then she straightened.