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I fell in step with Grant as we traveled through the theater’s open lobby down a short hall until we reached our destination. He remained silent while he guided us to the entrance of what I assumed was the theatre. Two large architectural wooden doors that stood out against the blank pale gray backdrop of the walls they were connected to. One was propped open, allowing the melodic sound of a piano to filter from the theatre.
“I’ve got it from here,” I offered Grant with a nod but he stepped in front of the doors blocking my entrance, lifting his chin slightly while looking me right in the eyes.
“I know who you are, who your family is here in Crescent Falls. Regardless, I have a job to do so before I let you go in there, I need to know that there won’t be any issues.”
Impressive.
If he indeed knew who not just my family was, but who I was, he was taking a huge risk by getting in the way of anything I wanted and right now what I wanted was behind him. I could only respect the guy.
“I assure I intend no harm to my fiancée.”
“Fiancée…you’re marryingCress?” The confusion swept through him erratically. I could imagine he was just as surprised as everyone else would be. I didn’t know much about the woman I was intending to marry but I did know that the only marriage anyone would deem reasonable for Cress would be to her career. There had been no mention of men in her life on or off record. No candid shots of anyone other than family greeting her after shows, joining her for intimate dinners or outings throughout the city which would mean me claiming my future bride-to-be would not be expected.
“I am.”
“Oh, shit…” He glanced at the stage. “I didn’t know. She hasn’t mentioned it.”
“Would there be a reason why she would mention toyouthat she was marrying someone.”
“Me, no…” He quickly shook his head. “Absolutely not.” He stepped out of the way. “I’m gonna head back up front to let Em know everything’s good back here.”
He ducked his head and walked away. I stepped inside, quietly traveling down the aisle and stopping midway where I took an aisle seat. No one noticed me so I settled in to watch. The lighting in the theatre was dim making the stage the focal point.
Red and black translucent fabric created a backdrop of simplicity but still felt dramatic in a sense. The bodies on stage moved fluently as they glided across the stage in organized chaos, but none fit the memory of the one I was specially there to see. I waited impatiently. I was eager to see Cress and the minute she emerged on the tips of her black satin pointe shoes, covered in a pale shade of pink from her ankles to her neckline, everything else faded into the background.
My fingers flexed against the fabric of my jeans several times before I caught myself. Watching her move forced my mind into comparison of the first night I’d see her dance, onstage at Chapter House, skin brushed in crystals. That night she had been less guarded, more uninhibited and freer. On stage now, her movements were more structured and controlled. Still breathtaking and sensual the way she became the music. Every note expressed in her movements, subtle and grand. The curve of her leg, the arch of her back, the angle of her lean and slender arms. Being exposed to her in motion gave the impression that each note was ingrained in the fibers of her being. She became the melody.
Gradually the music shifted and it wasn’t until her arm extended and her body bent in a dramatic curve to the side that I realized she was no longer the only person on stage. A male figure approached, with tentative slow movements. The minute her small hand slipped into his, my body tensed to a painful degree. Claws of possessiveness rolled through me at an increasingly alarming rate. When he jerked her into his frame and his hand landed flat against her abdomen, fingers spread so wide the tips rested at the underside of her breast, my fingers ached from the way my fists clenched tightly. The moment was brought to a close by the sharp sound of irritation bellowing over the music. A male voice that had my eyes shifting away from Cress and landing on a pale man with thinning blond hair.
Shilo.
“What the fuck are you doing, Cress? If you cannot deliver, maybe I should consider handing over the lead to your understudy for tonight’s performance.”
Immediately my eyes moved to Cress who flinched and pulled away from her partner. “What was wrongthistime…”
“You’d do better to ask me what wasright. How many times do we need to repeat this before you deliver, Ms. Devereaux? Your peers and I would appreciate time to rest and prepare for tonight’s performance. With your efforts we’ll be here until the curtains rise this evening and the seats are full of people who paid good money to see an exquisite performance not mediocrity.”
I was already moving and by the time I was a few feet from the stage I could envision all the very painful ways I would make this man suffer if he put his hands on her. Yelling at my wife—futurewife—was infraction enough but if he laid a finger on any part of her body…
“She was perfect.” Her partner moved protectively beside Cress and I noticed her relax slightly. I didn’t like the idea of another man bringing her comfort.
I fucking hated that shit.
“She is an embarrassment to this company with how she’s been dancing lately. I’ve been tolerating you, Cress but…” He moved one step closer ,placing his face a breath away from hers and I fucking lost it.
“Touch her and I touch you…” I growled, bringing every eye from the stage down toward me. Some gasped and others’ mouths hung open, but I only had one thought in mind. Kill.
SIX
cress
The minuteI noticed Elias my first thought should have been what the hell are you doing here but that was side barred by the way his eyes swung left and right.
He was looking for a way up here.
“Excuse you but this is a closed rehearsal.”
The menacing look on Elias’s face had me moving with a newfound determination toward the stairs that were positioned on the left side of the stage. Shilo had no clue of the beast he was potentially poking with his simple words.
