DEVLIN
It wasn’t kidnapping if her health was at risk. It wasn’t kidnapping if I was taking her to a place where she could get some help. That imbecile was pretending to care while plying her with alcohol on an empty stomach. Couldn’t he see how pale she was? How her face was misted with sweat? I saw him watching her like a predator after her performance. When he followed her out of the backstage area, I made it my mission to keep an eye on him.
I waited until he left his parents’ box before walking inside. I didn’t owe him an explanation for my concern. And it appeared I had been right—she was passed out in a chair. Anger thrummed against my skull, battling a wave of fear. Her hand was curled under her chin and her smooth skin was frighteningly colorless. Her chest moved up and down lightly and she let out a soft sigh. The fierce musician of an hour ago seemed so fragile.
I picked up her glass and sniffed it. I didn’t smell anything, but I’ve never seen someone fall asleep so easily either. Maybe she had spread herself too thin. Maybe the solo tonight was too much, too soon.
Roderick Chagny’s sudden appearance back in town was an unfortunate complication. If ever there was a person who could ruins my perfectly laid plans, it was him. He represented every user and abuser in the industry; an agent who saw dollar signs instead of people. I took a steadying breath. I didn’t want to do something I would regret in a moment of anger.
Then I saw the empty bottle of champagne. I took out my phone and shot my brother, Wes, a text. He had already planned to come over after the show. My new plan required his help. He responded immediately, just as I thought he would.
Maybe I was acting impulsively. But I wouldn’t stand around and watch her get taken advantage of. I scooped her into my arms. Holding her settled a feeling of rightness deep in my bones. She needed to be kept safe from toolbags like Chagny. It scared me. She was stronger than this. It was unnerving to see her so defenseless and trusting. Didn’t she know what people were capable of?
“Kim.” I hadn’t meant to say her name, but she seemed so fragile in my arms.
Kim Dae was a creation of curiosity. I had surreptitiously watched her enough to know that her eyebrows would constantly move with all of the questions that flowed through her mind. All that questing for knowledge would crinkle her flawless skin, while intelligence would flash in her dark eyes.
In contrast, her pseudonym, Christine Day, stood back from the crowd and mirrored the cold beauty of an instrument waiting to be directed. Her dark hair was always arranged artfully while she gazed at me during rehearsals. Every muscle would pause as if my slightest wish would move her to the creation of beauty.
But this woman in my arms, she was all of that and more. Her beauty was breathtaking when she was at peace like this. I’d seen her heart-shaped face, a younger version, in my dreams. Now, her long brown hair was twisted in a tight knot that looked painful, with a few loose tendrils breaking free. I wanted take it down, but I wouldn’t even know where to begin. With her eyes shut, her face was a flawless canvas, save for the two dark slashes of her eyebrows. She looked so much the same still, yet older. Mature. Sharper features, but with a delicate bone structure. I wondered what she would think if she saw me without the mask.
I stepped out of the room, but not soon enough. I ran directly into Mr. and Mrs. Dae, led by Chagny.
“Chagny,” I said flatly.
“What’s this?” He gestured to Kim.
I didn’t respond to him. My focus went to her parents who shared similar looks of worry. “She’s dehydrated.”
“Oh my, she’s so pale,” Mrs. Dae said to her husband.
Chagny stepped forward. “She didn’t say she was unwell. Quick. Take her to my car. The hospital is only a few miles away.”
Again, I ignored him and spoke to the parents. “The hospital wait time will be hours. Dr. Thurston lives near me and can be at my house by the time I arrive home.”
“To your house?” Mr. Dae frowned.
“You’re welcome to follow me,” I said and tried to step around Chagny.
“I’ll go with him, honey. You meet the guests,” Mrs. Dae said to her husband. Then turning to me she added, “We’re hosting a small soiree tonight. I’ll make sure she’s okay and then bring her home.”
“This is crazy. You can’t take her to—”
“I have many spare rooms,” I cut the dirtbag off. “She’s more than welcome to stay at my home until the morning when I can return her safely.”
“It will be very loud at our house and she needs rest. Today was such a big day,” Mrs. Dae said. “Honestly, if this wasn’t fairly common for her, I’d be more worried. Most likely she just needs to eat and sleep.”
Kim shifted in my arms with a soft moan. Her parents exchanged another worried look.
“You’re right.” Mr. Dae glanced at his watch. “Okay. What about the car? How will you get home?”
“Oh shoot.” She frowned. “I didn’t think about that.”
“I’ll drive you, Mrs. Dae,” Chagny insisted. “I have much I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Oh, that would be lovely, thank you, Roderick.”
I glared. “Not necessary.”
“I insist.” He smiled with all his teeth at me.
“No—”
“Excellent. So it’s settled,” Chagny spoke over me. “Let’s go. Devlin must be getting tired, holding Kim like that.”
Mr. Dae kissed his wife goodbye and headed out. The rest of us started toward the exit.
After I gave my address, I walked away from the group, not waiting to ensure they would follow. When I was a few feet away, Chagny said, “How unfortunate for Carla that she missed tonight.”
“Oh yes. But good for our girl,” Mrs. Dae replied.
“Somebody mentioned rehearsal had been intense today. The Maestro is very stern with the musicians. Maybe she just needed a night off,” Chagny said with saccharine sweetness.
I kept my focus on breathing and not punching him in the face.
What game was he playing at? I put more distance between us. Wes’s car sat idling waiting for us. A minivan wasn’t my vehicle of choice, but my brother had it ready and waiting.
“Is she okay?” Wes asked.
“She will be. Help me get her in,” I responded.
He opened the passenger door for me. I placed her in the seat, leaning it all the way back so she could get comfortable. She curled up, still more out of it than anybody should be after just a little bit of champagne. She mumbled incoherently—something about food and notes.
Once she was situated, Wes cleared his throat. “I’m not aiding and abetting criminal activity, am I?”
I shot him a look.
“Don’t answer that. Just give me the keys to the bike and we can pretend this never happened.”
I tossed him the keys and he caught them happily.
“I’ll see you back at my house,” I said.
Once in the driver’s seat, I finally smoothed the loose strand of hair out of her face, tucking it behind the soft shell of her ear. Electricity shot through me.
I balled my fist and pulled it away.
Kim could help me with my music. Nothing more. I wouldn’t let old feelings get in the way of new goals.