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He needed to call Chase again. More than the restaurant needed to be taken care of.
The orchestra quieted and the tuning began. Mark checked his violin and stared at the stage, avoiding looking at Rafael.
“Mark, I’m so happy to have you here this week.” Mark turned to see Maestro Holden walking toward him. He greeted Mark with a big smile and handshake. “It will be a good time, I’m sure. The musicians, and audience, always enjoy your visits.”
“Thanks for having me.” Mark forced a smile, wondering if Maestro Holden had abused Emily, but he’d only been here a few years. He’d been appointed after Emily had run away, so it was unlikely. “I’m happy to be here, too.”
“Shall we?” Maestro motioned to the stage and Mark nodded and walked ahead of Rafael.
Mark smiled and shook hands with the musicians he knew and nodded to those he didn’t. Mary, the assistant concertmaster, had moved into the concertmaster position since Rafael was acting as a soloist for the first concert. Mark greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and asked how she was doing.
“I’m doing great.” She grinned. “I like it when Rafael is the soloist.”
Mark chuckled. She was an extremely talented musician and if Rafael ever retired, she would be an excellent concertmaster. Though if Mark had any say in it, she’d have the opportunity to shine sooner than later.
Maestro moved to the podium. “As you all know, we have a special guest here with us. Mark Pierce is here to participate in the conference all week.”
The musicians nodded and there was a spattering of applause.
Maestro proceeded to point out the schedules that had been placed on each stand, reminding the musicians they were welcome at any of the workshops, but to be mindful of the required concerts and small groups.
“And with that, let us begin with the second movement of the Bach ‘Double Violin Concerto’1for tonight.”
Mark glanced at Rafael and gave him another tight smile before walking to the side of the podium, leaving enough space for Rafael. If he hadn’t learned what a rat-bastard Rafael was, he would have offered to play the second violin part, but Mark wasn’t going to offer any grace to the man. Rafael hated taking second place to anyone, let alone a kid he’d mentored in the past. There was some comfort in knowing his presence was pissing off the child abuser.
Forty-Two
The bellhop unlockedthe hotel room door and stepped aside to let David and Emily walk into the enormous presidential suite that would be their home for the next several days.
“Wow,” she said under her breath. It had been a long time since she’d been in a place so palatial. As if the limo ride and private jet hadn’t prepared her to return to the level of opulence she’d grown up with.
She walked to the window and looked out over downtown Los Angeles. Despite the smog hanging over the city, her heart softened at the thought of being home. She hadn’t missed her family, but there was nothing like the warmth of the California sun on her skin and the knowledge she was back where she’d been born.
It was a bittersweet thought.
“Do you approve?” David asked from the doorway.
Emily turned and smiled. “It’s been a long time.” He hadn’t asked any more questions on the plane, having been busy with his presentations. She’d been thankful he’d respected her request, though it made her willing to open up more to him.
“You can put her bags in the second room,” David said to the bellhop and walked to join her at the window. “There’s no city like Los Angeles.”
Her brows knit together, but he shook his head and she turned back to the window until the bellhop left.
“Rumors fly around at these sorts of events. I’m trying to protect your reputation. And mine.” He smiled. “I’m hoping you’d prefer to stay in my room though.”
She smiled. “I’d love to.”
“Good.” He leaned down and kissed her, stroking her cheek and her chest warmed. “So, what’s on our agenda today?” He settled down onto the couch and patted the seat next to him.
She sat down and pulled the tablet from the leather bag. It powered up from the sleep stage within a few seconds and Emily tapped open the itinerary. “There’s a dinner tonight at six, and then a concert with the LA Symphony.” She swallowed and forced a smile as she looked up at him.
He studied her face for a long moment before blowing out a long breath. “Emily, I know we haven’t known each other for long, but I hope, in the short amount of time we have spent together, I’ve proven myself trustworthy.”
“You have.”
“You admitted you’re from LA on the plane.”
She nodded, her body flooding with nerves. He had a right to ask since they were there.
