Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
P ure Beauty
Michael
I sit in the back of the performance hall with my siblings as I hold two bouquets of roses in my palms. A dozen for each solo performance. I am blown away.
Symphony plays more beautifully than I have ever heard. However, that isn’t what has me in awe. My little friend isn’t so little anymore. It is time for her solo.
When she steps on stage dressed elegantly in the dark-blue ballerina outfit that sparkles and glitters against the stage lights, she takes my breath away. Even from this distance, I can see her gorgeous face. Her honey-brown locs are pulled back from her face in a bun on top of her head.
I can tell the short locs have grown longer during our time apart. She has gotten taller as well. My dreams of the faceless dancer come to mind. I have been having those dreams for years.
I shift in my seat as the thought of her silky-looking legs locked around my waist fills my head. I clench my jaw and chide myself for the thoughts. I am her guardian, not her lover.
I would never force her to be a wife to me in the true sense. I don’t even know if that’s something she would want. I have been a friend, someone she can trust.
These lustful thoughts make me feel like I’m crossing a line that was never meant to be crossed. However, as I watch her on stage, I’m transfixed by every movement, every gesture, every leap she takes. Symphony takes command of the stage like a force.
It’s clear she’s been taken away by the music. I am in complete awe. The power and grace she displays are impressive and inspiring—and the smile on her face—I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. I haven’t missed that she’s dancing to “Für Elise,” which is only making my heart swell more as I watch her with pride.
Then, the music changes. The classical version of the song becomes a hip-hop version, and another dancer comes out to join her. The two create magic together. Two brown visions of power, strength, and elegance.
The joy on Sim’s face tells me this is her friend Ximena. She, too, is a beautiful young woman, but Sim has my full attention. To see her lost in the music as she captivates the attention of the entire audience is something I can’t describe.
Symphony plays with enchantment, but she dances with an authority and power that’s spellbinding. The happiness pouring from her is palpable. It has filled the air and almost has a tangible flavor.
Passion. That’s what I see before my eyes. She has found her passion.
“This is where she belongs,” I breathe as the dance comes to an end and the audience erupts into applause.
“Bravo, bravo,” Nico croons as he claps loudly.
The thunderous applause that fills the air solidifies what I already know. Symphony is a born star. I will protect this part of her life and allow her to reach for the stars in this world. The bosses and underbosses of the Trovati family don’t need to be concerned with who Symphony is.
All that comes with the underworld is death and destruction. In the last four years I have learned that more than anyone. While I’m being groomed by Don Alessio to take over his family, I’m still a hitter for my own.
I’ve seen it all. All the dark and twisted things this life brings into your life. This … this is a thing of beauty. Symphony is something special.
She should forever be wrapped in music and the beauty within it. Don Alessio wants me to run his family for her anyway. I will turn my focus to that and allow my wife to remain happy here in the States.
I turn to Nico and hand him the two bouquets. He lifts a questioning brow. Uri pats me on the shoulder. I believe he, too, has come to the understanding I have as I turn to look into his eyes.
“I will see you when I return,” he says, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze then nods.
“You are leaving?” Annabella asks as she gives me a hard look.
“It is for the best.”
I kiss her on the cheek and leave before I change my mind. Symphony’s happiness is most important to me. This makes her happy.
Symphony
“That was amazing. You turned into someone else out there,” Ximena says as we exit the stage.
I smile. It felt different. It felt like Michael was in the crowd watching me.
In my heart, I danced for him. I danced with the hope that he had come to see me dance for the first time. I felt him and the music in my blood.
“Thank you for joining my routine. You enhanced the performance. It wouldn’t have been as amazing without you.”
“Lies. I know my limits. I’m going to miss you so much. I can’t believe this is it. You’re going to knock them dead at the next level.
“You call me any time you need to talk. Don’t allow those divas to intimidate you. You flash a little of that secret badass if you have to, or call me to come straighten them out,” she says with a smile.
I look down at the floor as it hits me this is it. Ximena wasn’t accepted to the program we both applied to. She’s the one who talked me into applying.
I wasn’t going to go once I learned she was denied. Once again, she talked me into accepting and following the dream for us both. I will miss my friend.
I cup the side of her face. “You mean the world to me. If you ever need anything, I am only a call away and I do mean anything.
“I would take a life for you. You gave me friendship when I needed someone so badly. There is no way I could ever repay you.”
Her eyes tear up. “Being your friend is no hardship. I love everything about you, Sim and you saved my life. Friendship is the least of what I could offer after what you did for me.”
“Symphony, oh my God, that was amazing.”
I release Ximena to find Annabella rushing toward me. Uri and Nico are right behind her. My shoulders sag in disappointment as I look around them for Michael and he doesn’t come into view.
Disappointment tears through me and I reach for the band on my wrist. I’ve begun to wear one all the time now. Annabella covers my hand and gives it a squeeze.
“He’s proud of you. Things back home are just keeping him away from you,” she whispers into my ear.
“Come here, you,’” Nico croons. He lifts me into a bear hug. “Look at you, all grown up. Who knew you could be all graceful? You’re just full of magic and secrets, aren’t you?”
I frown at his teasing. I don’t get to see Nico much, but when I do, he’s always teasing me. The fact that he does so with a smile has always put me at ease.
I have learned his words are never meant to be harsh. It’s just brotherly taunting. Nico has had a smile for me since the day we met.
He places me back on my feet and smiles down at me as he towers over me. Nico is as handsome as Michael and Uri. He hands me two bouquets of flowers.
I smile and take them both to hold them to my nose. I must be going crazy because I swear I catch a hint of Michael’s cologne against the paper wrapping the roses.
I wrinkle my nose and begin to look around for him again. My heart sinks when I still don’t find him. I thought just maybe he would come.
“Wow, one day you will have to tell me how you know so many hot Italians,” Ximena breathes.
I laugh as I look between Uri and Nico. If only she could meet my husband. Her jaw would surely drop.
“Ximena, this is my family. My brothers and sister-in … They are my brothers and sister. Uri, Nico, Annabella, this is my friend Ximena.”
“Her best friend.” She corrects with a smile.
“Yes, my best friend.”