Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
ISLA
I didn’t know it then, but this precise moment was an invisible, gravitational pull—a force so strong that it would realign the stars in the sky, shifting my journey onto a path from which there would be no return.
Whatever I thought, whatever I learned, whatever happened next, I had absolutely no control over.
I never believed in destiny.
To me, it was this made-up illusion that people told themselves to find hope in something—to feel like everything had a purpose, a reason. Especially when horrific situations made no sense and caused an enormous amount of pain that was ultimately inevitable, since fate seemed to take over.
It seemed like an excuse, and I refused to be a victim of luck.
Except that evening, the music didn’t only save my life, it also caused my damnation.
You see, it wasn’t merely the song luring me in.
If that were the case, this would have been easier.
I would have been able to walk away. Perhaps even run.
Instead, this fleeting moment was destined to become a permanent memory in my new life, and I had no idea how much influence it’d hold over me.
I couldn’t feel the fear in the pit of my stomach or the cuts all over my skin.
I couldn’t see anything but the melody.
Him.
The dim fluorescent lighting of the wide-open space did little to hide the breath that suddenly caught in my chest.
One minute, I stood by the graffitied wall, and the next, my star-eyed gaze collided with two bright, infectious Caribbean-blue eyes that were just as wide-eyed. It was this strong, all-consuming stare where there was no mistaking the instant connection we shared.
It felt dangerously familiar in ways that didn’t make any sense. It was this palpable surge of energy as his gaze stayed fixated on mine the entire time. His eyes brimmed with untold secrets and unspoken truths while his fingers bled across the piano keys in such a devastatingly haunting way.
It was breathtakingly beautiful.
He was breathtakingly beautiful.
I immediately recognized the lone wolf in him, reflecting my own spirit animal.
His jet-black hair and bright blue eyes were contrasting traits that he wore like a striking paradox. His defined facial features were almost as prominent as his piercing gaze. I couldn’t look away, mesmerized by his dominant presence and what was so obviously his natural-born talent.
I stayed there captivated with no intention of taking my eyes off him.
Now, where the piano had calmed my mind, the violin, which had abruptly started playing flawlessly on cue, consumed that peace with the sharp bite of its bow against the strings.
My attention didn’t just shift to the violin player. It was snatched toward him. Purposely.
Instantly, my gaze locked with enchanting, dark forest-green eyes.
His hair might have been blond, but his strong facial structure and equally dominant demeanor mirrored the guy playing the piano.
I’d be a fool not to realize they were brothers.
For that reason alone, it seemed as if this undeniable force stole every last breath from my lungs.
I watched him play his violin with such fierce execution, utterly oblivious to the strangers around him.
It was only him and me, and I understood each note.
It was this raw, dark, and desperate cry pouring off his strings and bow, triggering this sensation of a history we once shared, which was impossible.
How I could embrace these emotions for these two boys I’d only just met was crazy and so unlike me.
Perhaps it was the music. It was evident how important the music was to us all, causing an instant bond between the three.
Or maybe… just maybe, they were already part of my destiny. Of a fate I never believed in, and in a future that would unfold whether I was ready for it or not.
When it all became too much, my eyes shut on their own, and I got lost in the rhythm that both comforted and plagued me all at once.
Though when I slowly opened my eyes, the sun and moon collided.
The notes intensified, the music’s climax evident as they played against each other.
Yet it felt as though they were suddenly forced into a silent battle for my attention, their eyes never leaving mine. Not for a single second.
It was such a private moment in such a public place, and before I could continue to spiral toward these guys and their music, someone yelled out, “COPS! RUN!”
I froze, but for a whole different reason.
Are they here for me?
To say I wasn’t used to the freeze response would be an understatement.
The sudden tension stretched, thick and suffocating, until the violin guy laced his fingers with mine, and I swear, a spark jumped from the tips of our skin.
My stare quickly shifted from the distant cops to our entwined hands. I was confused by the turn of events.
Plus… I’d never held a boy’s hand before.
As soon as the warm thought hit me, a clipped tone sliced through the air, pointing out, “The fuck, Julius? What the hell are you doing?”
It was only then that I realized the voice belonged to the piano guy, who was now pissed as hell, demanding an answer from Julius. He was glaring right at our entwined hands.
In a silent reassurance, Julius lightly squeezed my fingers before responding in an equally clipped tone, “Exactly what it looks like, Kraven.”
Julius? Kraven?
Even their names struck a chord inside me. I resisted the urge to say them out loud just to feel the way they rolled off my tongue. To see if the names felt as right as they sounded in my mind, as memorable…
The desire was almost unbearable, considering I barely ever spoke at all. It was better that way, safer to keep quiet and just nod or shake my head when I needed to.
The rules were always don’t be seen, don’t be heard. It made things easier for me when most probably assumed it’d make it more complicated.
I didn’t speak, but that didn’t mean I didn’t have a lot to say. On the contrary, I carried note pads for this exact reason. Sometimes I’d leave them lying around in random places for others to read and possibly relate to them.
In the crack of a whip, Kraven bit, “You can’t—”
“You don’t tell me,” Julius interrupted, “what I can and can’t do, little brother.”
Something passed between them, something deeper, darker, more binding than blood.
Just as the thought occurred, Julius turned to Kraven. “Give me your hoodie!” he ordered, nodding over to me.
Kraven scoffed in disgust. “Fuck no.”
“Kraven…” Julius warned in an edgy tone. “My jacket won’t keep her warm on my bike.”
With an offended expression, Kraven snapped, “Why is that my problem?”
“Guys!” someone barked from behind us. “Stop flexing your dicks. We gotta go! I’d give her my sweater, but I don’t have one, so just give her yours!”
Kraven barely contained his anger before ripping off his hoodie and throwing it at us. I instinctively caught it, instantly feeling the warmth of the fabric from his heated rage. It was heavy in my arms, and I tried not to let the sudden assault of his scent affect me more than it already was.
My fingers slightly trembled while I slid it over my head and down my body.
“Text Roland to meet us at the house,” Julius demanded in another hard-edge voice.
“You can’t be serious…” Kraven replied in a shocked tone.
Who’s Roland? Another brother?
“Go, Kraven!” Julius ordered, bringing my attention back to him. “You can’t get in trouble again. Move your ass! Now!”
Once I had Kraven’s hoodie on and could see him, he had his keyboard bag over his shoulder, whipping around and leaving, running toward what I assumed was a back exit.
Time seemed to stall as Julius’s concerned regard suddenly met mine. I wasn’t sure if it was seeing me in his brother’s hoodie that triggered him, or if it was just from the sight of me drenched in blood that obviously upset him.
Briefly, he scanned my body from head to toe. Attacking every last fiber of my being as he landed his gaze back on mine.
It was my turn to reassure him. I unconsciously nodded, letting him know I was okay even though I was far from it. My head started spinning, and I felt a little woozy.
He must have noticed, stating, “You’re not okay.” Then, all in one breath, he coaxed, “I’m going to need you to trust me.”
I swallowed hard, partially opening my mouth to speak after not speaking a word for days…
Months…
Years?
All the rehomes. All the fosters.
All, all, all…
One big jumbled mess of silence.
I didn’t give him an answer. Instead, I watched as he threw his violin in his case before he gripped my hand, and we started running.
Another first—the concept of trust.
Is that what I’m doing? Trusting him?
I was tired, dizzy, and unwell.
Spots danced around my eyes. One second, I was running, and the next, I vaguely heard Julius whisper into my ear, “I got you.”
Am I straddling his lap?
The question barely formed, and it was my last thought as I took comfort in not only Julius’s scent but Kraven’s as well.
Both addicting.
Both familiar.
And then everything went black.
Although this time…
I didn’t feel so alone.