44. A Haunting Melody
A Haunting Melody
The shower had been blissful, just as she’d expected, with the water pelting down her back, leaving her as red as a lobster.
Entering the bathroom, she’d come face to face with a free-standing bath, positioned beneath a roof window, offering a splendid view of shining stars overhead. She’d promised herself that luxury when she felt less… bothered.
Flopping herself down on the massive bed, her nostrils flared wide to catch a whiff of the sweet smelling mint that rose up from the grey linens.
Just like home.
She closed her eyes, only each time she did so, Ethan’s deep blue ones popped up. Shaking her head to free herself of the sight, she continued combing through her tangled hair.
What had the boy been thinking? What had awaited him at home?
Kate shuddered, thinking of Lucien’s words. “You’re not doing the kid any favors.’’
She hit a tangle in her hair with a sigh of frustration.
Maybe that was where her anger was still coming from. The idea that somehow interfering had been wrong. Should she have kept her sharp tongue to herself? Or had she been right to offer him the glimpse that yes, there were people in the world who cared?
A rush of memories buzzed through her mind. She pressed into her temple, hoping the pressure would bring her peace. It didn’t.
Her gut tightened as she thought of what she’d spat in front of Lucien’s feet. You only take paid jobs?
He, Lucien, had flinched. She kept replaying the scene over and over in her mind, saw the way he’d gone still.
Even through the rush of water she’d picked up on the sounds of punches raining down on the heavy bag in the room next to hers.
The speed of the hits, the power behind it, should have sent her heart racing, instead it made her feel heavy with regret.
Then the ringing of his phone cut his blows short.
Able to hear his voice but not the words spoken, she listened with an ear pressed up to the door.
But only a long silence followed, before the punches started anew, reverberating even louder through the wooden house.
He must have received bad news.
That had been half an hour ago, ever since the house had been deafening in its stillness.
Knowing she wouldn’t find sleep due to her raging mind, she padded over to the door. Maybe she would find some solace in a book. Doubtful, but worth a try at least.
Hair still dripping, she entered the hallway, only to stop in her tracks.
Soft music resonated through the house, coming from the living room below her. Had he turned on the radio? If so, she didn’t want to disturb his evening routine of a book plastered to his hands and a glass of something sweet within reach.
Kate padded down a couple of steps, bare feet barely making a noise as she bent down to catch a glimpse of the room. There he was, seated on the small bench with his back to her. Fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys, bringing the music to life on his piano.
From the way the notes swirled up in the air, she could tell he had experience, only the proud posture wasn’t there. His shoulders hunched over slightly, as if an invisible weight rested on them.
She knew that feeling all too well, but to see it reflected in him. Unease grew in her stomach at the sight of it. Kate bent down, coming to rest on the upper stairs, entranced.
The music felt as if every thought in her mind was brought to life. As if what felt written in her very veins now spread out between them. Her sadness reflected in the soft tones as it gently climbed higher, mirroring her despair, the feelings of injustice that filled the world.
Closing her eyes, her head moved with the steady rhythm Lucien’s skilled fingers brought to existence. Steadily climbing higher and higher. She could feel the same white-hot rage course through her stomach at the thought of a hand raised to strike a child.
It was as if his music breathed the pain every child living through abuse felt, every single person who suffered from disease or hunger, every animal that screamed for its life to be spared, and every woman or man suffering at the hands of domestic violence.
It was simply the most beautiful thing she’d ever heard.
His fingers played the keys ever faster, a whirlwind of movement she couldn’t pry her eyes away from.
The only tie to reality was the cold wooden floor below her feet, chills seeping into her toes. Unwilling, she moved with the music until the very last notes faded into the tranquility of the house.
Lucien didn’t move from his spot, but his voice broke through her thoughts, dragging her back to Earth. “You intend to keep dancing on those cold feet?” Either her ears were playing tricks on her, or there really had been a slight quiver to the words.
He turned slightly, their eyes meeting.
Kate remained silent, there were no words to express how he had just made her feel simply by playing a piece at the piano.
His smile fell away slightly, he padded the bench next to him. “Care to join me?”
Her feet moved before her mind had even processed his question, feeling like she was both light and heavy at the same time, she sat down in a daze. Gathering her legs beneath her in an attempt to keep the cold at bay.
With a tilt of his head, Lucien summoned Ghost from his spot near the window, scratching him lovingly behind the ears before asking him to lie down in front of the bench. “There, a warm fluffy rug for your feet.”
A chuckle escaped her. “You really have a solution for every problem.” She stretched out her legs, resting her feet across Ghost with a relieved sigh.
“I try to.”
She opened her mouth, hesitating for a second. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier.”
He studied her for a lingering moment, one of his eyebrows raising.
“I felt… as if it was me all over again, my emotions took over. It’s not a solid excuse though. I’m glad you arrived when you did, so… thank you. And,” She bit her lip. “Sorry again, I shouldn’t have said that to you.”
“Apology accepted.”
This time, she raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Really? I thought you were going to say no apologies needed.”
A smirk danced along his lips. “Oh no, your sincere apology was absolutely required.”
She smacked his arm for good measure, getting a low chuckle in response.
“Can I also get that other reward or?” He pursed his lips in a kissing motion.
Kate whirled around, heat already shooting up to her cheeks. “Nice try, fellow, but no luck there.”
A sigh escaped his lips. “It was worth a try.”
She shifted in her seat, bumping against him with her elbow and a “sorry” ready on her tongue. But he merely smiled, his thigh warm where it rested against hers.
With the music gone, the house felt… empty.
She’d only noticed the way she started fiddling with her fingers until a gentle hand closed over hers. Willing her to relax under his touch, she gave in, the rapid motions stilling beneath him. Without missing a beat, Lucien drew her hand into his lap, still caressing her tenderly.
Goosebumps rose on her skin as he leaned in toward her, whispering. “Still not sure what you’re up against?”
Her breath hitched at the touch and she swallowed. He must have drugged her, slipped something in the salad. It was the sole explanation she could come up with, given the direction her thoughts were straying in.
Tilting her chin up, she faced his intense gaze, seeing what looked like longing etched in them. His breath mingled with hers, his touch stilling slightly when on instinct, she leaned in against him. Maybe that reward would come into play after all.
But he glanced away, regaining his composure to continue playing with her thumb.
Her eyes dipped to his scar-littered hand, the same one that held her with such a gentleness, and further up. Her brows furrowed at the even, reddened scars trailing up his elbows. She trailed over the grooves she’d left behind. “I’m sorry for that.”
He fixed her with a stare. “Don’t be, if you hadn’t… you wouldn’t be here right now.”
Gathering his DNA beneath her nails. Her silly attempt at justice. The last thing she did before being knocked out cold was the reason she was still alive.
Her breathing faltered. “How do you do it?”
Lucien tilted his head, the movement reminding her of Ghost. “How do I do… what?”
“You’re always this in control.”
Even when I see you’re slipping up.
“Meanwhile, I feel like I want to, no, need to scream out.”
“Hmm,” he tapped on the piano. “Maybe you just need to feel… light for once.”
“What do you suggest?” She asked slyly.
He got up, pulling her along with him. “Allow me to show you.”