* * *
I hold Leonidas’s hand the entire time we walk toward where he’s needed. The farther we walk and the closer we get, the more his fingers tighten around mine. Amelia and Elijah walk in front of us. They talk quietly while shaking their bodies slightly to ease the stiffness.
“You’ll do great,” I whisper up to him when I find a frown on his face.
Biting his lip, he stares straight ahead. “This shit never gets easier. I’m scared until I’m out there.”
We enter a dark room, and many people run around, doing tasks with urgency. I gulp when I spot the stage, hidden behind a huge black curtain.
Well, that’s intimidating.
I know I would pee my pants if I had thousands of people watching me. Props to the triplets because I wouldn’t be able to do what they do. Leonidas’s firm hand grips me to a halt. Standing in front of me, he taps his foot on the ground.
I beam. “Go kill it out there, rock star.”
His eyes darken. He pulls my face closer, and his lips capture mine in the most possessive way. I let him pour all his nerves into this kiss. I open my mouth and allow his tongue to fight mine for dominance. Leonidas makes a small sound from the back of his throat, which makes me want to go wild.
I grow uncomfortable, knowing many people are watching us. I’d rather save this for later. Pulling away, he kisses my nose.
A man’s voice suddenly announces over a speaker, introducing X3. Screams fill the arena.
I give Elijah a fist bump, and he runs onstage with a smile. Amelia is next to follow suit, and she blows me a kiss over her shoulder. I smile when I hear the fans’ screams go slightly higher for the two. Leonidas is next.
Before he goes on, he pecks my cheek and whispers, “This is for you.”
My lips twitch in a smile as he runs toward the blinding lights. As Leonidas runs onto the stage, the fans’ screams turn into roars. The stadium practically vibrates. Fans jump up and down while he grips the microphone in a palm.
“Athens, how are you doing?” his voice yells into the mic.
If I didn’t think the fans could yell any louder, I was wrong. I might need hearing aids after this because it looks like Leonidas has all the girls’ hearts.
Bad news for them: I’m the only girl who owns it …
I find Mom a couple minutes later. Athena guides us into the arena. She shows and explains that family and friends have a special spot in the front row. Fans are far away, leaving me still a mystery in the dark.
I am The Girl in Black …
For a good twenty minutes, I stare at the guy I’ve fallen deeply in love with. His skin glows under the lights that beam above him. His rough yet smooth voice hypnotizes me. I’m zoned in on the way his body sexily hunches over as he hits a high note that rocks my bones. The black shirt that goes well with his ripped black jeans make him droolworthy, almost untouchable. The red classic rock-star guitar that’s around his shoulder makes desire fill my heart. This look matches him perfectly.
My heart flutters each time he looks over at me and smiles against his mic.
Our relationship isn’t a secret, but it’s private. I love the way he makes me feel loved, even from down here. Fans scream as he gets closer to them at the edge of the stage. He grips their hands as they try to touch him everywhere. My heart swoons as I watch him give a little girl his guitar pick. Her pigtails bounce as she jumps in excitement.
Elijah and Amelia kill it. Elijah strums a guitar similar to Leonidas’s, and Amelia plays the drums like a badass. Her drums sparkle under the lights as she dances in her seat to the beat with a smile. I understand why X3 is famous for what they love to do. They put on a wonderful show. I want to record this and watch it forever. Seeing your man onstage for the first time is jaw-dropping. I can’t wait to catch up with them later. I’m dying to just sit down and talk like we used to.
My attention immediately shifts from the triplets as I hear screams—not screams of excitement, but screams of terror.
I’m pushed onto the ground roughly when shots are fired.
FIFTY-SIX
TRINITY
My body hits the ground hard. Every bone within me aches as pure terror unfolds around me. People run from their seats. Some duck on the ground behind chairs while others climb over one another to escape this nightmare we didn’t expect.
I look up frantically. My heart beats wildly in my chest as I find a security guard over me. Mom and Athena are also being protected by two other men.
People’s screams fill me with pure panic. My chest heaves as I try to fill my lungs with oxygen.
