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The lullaby brought tears to her eyes. Her heart opened up to him, allowing the notes to soothe and assure her heart and mind that his desire for her to be safe and secure was heartfelt. That he cared deeply for her. That he would do anything to protect her.
At that moment, she realized she’d fallen head over heels in love with Mark Pierce. The real Mark Pierce. Not the musician she’d idolized as a child. Not the celebrity she’d had a crush on. But the flesh-and-bone man she’d come to know so well. He’d shown her his true self—his heart—and unbeknownst to her, she’d given her heart to him completely.
In his music, she felt his love for her. In his eyes, she saw it.
* * *
Mark pouredhis heart into the second movement. He could barely see Emily through the blinding stage lights, but he was determined to share his feelings with her through this piece of music they’d connected by. He stared at the spot where she sat and prayed she understood what he was trying to convey.
Everything else melted away except his love for her, this girl who was so scared to death but so brave at the same time. The girl who had survived so much. The girl who struggled with his old violin, determined to push the pain and past aside and move forward.
As the last moments of the second movement died away, he felt the weight of the spell he’d cast over the audience. Normally there would be shifting or coughing, or some sort of sound between movements.
Not tonight. It was dead silent.
He glanced at Maestro Holden out of the corner of his eye. Maestro stared wide-eyed at the back of the stage, arms lifted, chest heaving. After a moment, sucked in a big breath, then turned to raise his eyebrows at Mark. Mark gave an apologetic smile and Maestro laughed and shook his head. He gave the musicians a moment to recompose themselves and began the third movement6with a wry smile on his face.
Mark did his best to rein in his emotions as he began playing again, trying to lessen the heaviness left over from the second movement.
As the music progressed, his mood lightened and he smiled, enjoying the quick movements of his fingers and wrist. He imagined Emily as a young girl, dancing to the tune and he couldn’t help but laugh to himself as he saw her sparkling eyes and carefree movements. God, he wished he’d be able to see that in person sometime soon.
Music would help.
Music would heal her. He was sure of it. He’d seen traces of it last week. He was determined to see more of it in the future.
No one would ever hurt her again.
No one.
Forty-Five
Mark bowedas the audience leaped to their feet and erupted in cheers after he finished the final movement of the concerto with a flourish. He made the customary motions to the conductor and the orchestra behind him. After all, it would be much less exciting if it were just him on stage. He glanced in Emily’s direction and saw her clapping hard, a huge grin on her face. He could imagine her eyes sparkling and he grinned back at her.
After several minutes of applause, he was able to escape backstage to check his phone. David had responded, texting they’d meet him in the lobby. He sighed in relief. Both of them would be on the lookout for Rafael. And though David was an executive and appeared benign, he had trained in martial arts since he was a child. Emily would be safe with David.
Mark wished he had done the same, but as a child, his focus had been on music and he never would have done anything to jeopardize his hands. Nor had he anticipated a time when he’d need to protect the woman he loved. His military-trained dad had trained him in the use of firearms and munitions. He’d even taught Mark how to disarm a bomb. That particular skill wouldn’t be very useful in this situation, though. He hoped.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Rafael appeared at his side as Mark packed up his violin.
Mark jumped and shrugged. “Want to go out and meet the audience.”
“You still do that?”
“It’s one of the highlights of any concert. For me.”
Rafael grinned. “Never know when you’ll find a pretty girl to fuck, eh?”
Mark forced himself to laugh. “You never know.” Internally he winced, thinking about Emily going back to David’s hotel room.
“I might join you. I’m sure there are quite a few lonely women out there tonight. And men.” He winked at Mark and walked over to his violin case. “Wait for me, yes?”
Unable to come up with an excuse to not wait, Mark nodded, tapping out another warning to David that Rafael would be coming out with him. He suggested they meet at another place, though he hated the idea of waiting to see Emily. But he didn’t want to give Rafael any opportunity to be around her.
Mark’s phone beeped a moment later and David had given him the name of his hotel and the room number. He sighed in relief. Emily would be safe. For now.
Rafael approached, a wicked grin on his face. “Maybe I can find Emma and introduce you. She has loved you since she first heard you play at that competition when you were fifteen.”
“Really?” Mark raised his eyebrows, suppressing a smile as his heart warmed at the thought.
