Unwilling Pawn by Measha Stone

Chapter 27

Christian

I heard the sweet sound of piano notes the instant I stepped into the penthouse.

It had been two weeks since the wedding celebration. And although my wife had come back to our bedroom and had even begun speaking to me again, she had not regained the brightness in her soul that drew me to her. Hearing her playing on the piano filled me with joy, and better, hope.

I followed the music to the piano room. Amelia had her hair twisted up into one of her tight buns, exposing her neck. I licked at my lips, fighting back the urge to kiss her there, right on the tender spot behind her ear.

The melody carried her away and her hands and her body became more animated as she hit a fast bit of the piece. Her fingers flew over the keys with such fluidity, such confidence it sucked the breath from me.

When the song ended, she curled her fingers into her palm and brought her hands to her lap. It was almost as though she didn’t want to pull away too quickly and destroy the hum that lingered.

“It’s good to hear you playing” I said, shattering her illusion of being alone. She jumped up from the piano seat and spun around to face me. It reminded me of the first time I’d met her. Playing her heart out on a piano that didn’t belong to her, yet the entire room seemed to be under her spell.

“I didn’t know you’d be home,” she said.

“Would you not play if you did?” I asked, making my way to the piano.

“I meant I didn’t realize I wasn’t alone.”

I picked up her hand, running my thumb over her knuckles. “You’re not alone, Amelia. Ever.”

She brought her large green eyes up to mine. A soft blush touched her cheeks.

“Let’s go for a walk.” I linked my fingers through hers and tugged her forward. She was already wearing her white gym shoes with her jeans and soft pink t-shirt.

“Don’t you have meetings?” she asked as we approached the elevators.

“Just one.” I pulled her inside the elevator and hit the button for the lobby. “With you.”

“Christian.” She tried to get loose of my hand, but I wouldn’t let go. I’d been too accommodating the past few weeks and that had to come to an end. It wasn’t gentleness my girl needed. She was drowning in platitudes and kindness. What she needed was her husband to remind her he cared about her, and that I would always care for her. No matter her mood or temper.

I led her through the lobby and out into the bright sun of the late summer sky.

“Are we going to the park?” she asked when we came to the crosswalk.

“No.” I tugged her along across the opposite street, continuing east down 59th Street.

“Where are we going?” she asked after another block went by.

“Someplace special,” I said, squeezing her hand. I pointed to the next corner. “We go right at that corner.”

“What’s special over here? It’s all storefronts.” She glanced at the shop windows as we passed them.

“You’ll see.” I squeezed her hand. “Patience.”

“Between the two of us, I’m not the one who has problems with patience.”

Her snark was returning, little by little, but every tiny spark of life from her was a sign of good things to come.

“Maggie said my father’s left town. Her dad has no idea where he is, not that he would probably admit it.” She pulled on my hand. “Do you know where he is? Do you know if he’s okay?”

I stopped in front of an empty storefront and turned to her. I looked down at her, at the worry and sadness in her eyes and wished I could give her the answer she wanted.

“I don’t know where he is, but I’m sure he’s fine.” I brushed my knuckles along her jaw. “I promise, Amelia, he’s in no danger from me.”

“Maggie says he probably just took the money you gave him and what he’d been given from the Romanov estate and ran.”

“I think Maggie’s right.” Igor had no desire to waste time tracking down Kacper. He’d raised Amelia, kept her safe. Even if it was just for the money, he’d done his part of the arrangement. And because of that he’d stay safe from any of us.

“Igor and my brother are coming for dinner this weekend,” she said.

My insides tensed. I would have to get used to the idea that Romanov men would be in and out of my life and my home. They were her family, and I wouldn’t stand in their way. But we still hadn’t come to an agreement about how exactly our family businesses would run with this new connection.

“Your family is always welcome.”

“Even if they piss you off?” The corner of her lips quirked up. “If they do something insulting?”

I took a deep breath. “Even then.”

“I have no idea how everything is going to work out, but I’m trying not to have any expectations.”

“You should expect the best, Amelia. Always.” I pointed to the storefront behind her. “Let’s go in here.”

She turned to look up at the sign. Since it was an empty shop there were no identifying markings.

“It’s open, go on.” I nudged her.

“What’s going on?” she asked, reaching for the handle.

“Just go inside, woman. For once, just do what I tell you.” I smacked her ass as she stepped up into the store. She froze for a brief moment, but it passed quickly, and she went inside.

I entered behind her and shut the door. The bright sunlight poured in through the large windowpanes of the storefront, illuminating the golden oak flooring.

“It’s empty, Christian,” she said with her arms open.

“Not entirely. Go down the hall into the first room on the left.” I pointed.

I followed her soft footsteps to the room and leaned against the wall as she pushed the door open. I studied her profile as she took in the room. Her brow wrinkled in confusion.

“What is this?”

I leaned into the doorway. “It looks like a piano. Not fancy like the one you have at home, but it should do well enough.”

She looked up at me. “Well enough for what?”

“Your students.” I stepped across the hall and pushed the door open for another room. “This one doesn’t have a piano, but we can put one in here if you want. I thought you’d like to have several different instructors teaching different instruments.”

She shook her head, probably trying to piece everything together. “What are you talking about?”

“This place. It’s yours.” I pointed back to the main entrance. “You can use the front part here as a shop. Sell instruments, sheet music or whatever you think would be good. And the back rooms—there’s only four, but we can always renovate and use the second floor if you want more—can be used for lessons.”

She walked up to the main room again, stood in the center of the room, and looked around at the space.

“You rented me a store?”

“No,” I corrected. “I bought a building. I’m giving you the store.”

She stared at me, her thoughts unreadable as she took in what I said.

“Why?” she whispered.

“Why?” I asked, tilting my head. “You taught piano back in Chicago, right?”

“Yeah, but that was just for fun.”

“You did it for fun so your dad wouldn’t get involved. No one’s involved here, Amelia. This is yours. Your business, your store. I have no say in what you do here, and I won’t get in your way.”

Suspiciously, she narrowed her eyes. “Again, why?”

I pocketed my hands. “Because you have worth, Amelia. You always did. And it’s not because you’re my wife, or because you’re Igor Romanov’s niece, but because you’re you.”

Her fingers fidgeted at her sides. Fear unlike anything I’d ever felt before washed over me. Rejection could be a large pill to swallow, but I had to take the chance. I wouldn’t lose her because I was too much of a pussy to say it out loud.

“I love you, Amelia. And I want you to be happy.”

She sucked in a shaky breath as a single tear rolled over her cheek.

“So, you teach piano. Give free lessons to kids that can’t afford them or charge up the ass for these rich bastards in town, whatever you want. This is all yours.”

“You love me?” she asked tentatively, as though she wasn’t quite sure she’d heard me right.

“I do,” I said with a sharp nod. There must be no mistake of my sincerity. “And I know you might not believe me and you’re still angry about me holding back information, but understand, really understand I did it to keep you safe. I didn’t want your world to crash down around you until I knew everything and could be there to catch you.”

She swiped her fingertips across her cheek, wiping away another tear.

“I know,” she nodded. “You were just being an overprotective jerk.”

“Well, maybe just overprotective is enough.”

She laughed, and it was the lightest, most magical sound I’d heard in weeks. The pressure in my chest cracked, and relief flooded my soul. I hadn’t lost her. But damn, I’d come close.

“Come here.” I crooked my finger at her. As soon as she was within arm’s reach, I grabbed her arms and yanked her to me. My mouth crashed down over hers. It wasn’t just a kiss of love and passion, but of claiming. Never would she wonder if I loved her, if I cared for her. And never again would she be made to think she was just a pawn to be moved around a board.

When I broke the kiss, I looked down at her, at her puffy lips and her shimmering green eyes.

“You love me?” she asked again, her fingers touching my cheek.

“I do,” I answered firmly. I grabbed her chin between my fingers and pulled her head back until she was looking up at me. “And you? Do you love me?”

Without a second’s hesitation she responded. “I do.”