For the first time, Priscilla looked as if she wasn’t going to implode or burst into tears at any moment. “Thank you, Mr. Ferraro.”
Geno inclined his head and started to follow her out of the box to ensure her safety. Lorenzo’s voice stopped him.Stay inside the box where we control the shadows, Geno. You don’t know whether she was sent to draw you out of the safety zone.
Geno swore under his breath. He knew. His gut told him Priscilla was terrified and it had taken every ounce of courage she possessed to warn him. Lorenzo could hear lies just as well as he could.
She’s a kid, Lorenzo.
You come out of the safety zone; you leave me no choice. I guard you or your brothers, and you’re the main target, so I’m sticking with you. We’re stretched thin, Geno.
Geno understood how frustrating it was for men like Valand Dario to be surrounded by personal protectors who refused to give them space—especially when one of them was a shadow rider like Emmanuelle. She could follow them anywhere. Geno had bodyguards, but he could escape them using a shadow anytime he wanted—unless—like now—his protector was a shadow rider. His cousin from San Francisco wasn’t going to be shaken off easily.
Fuck you, Lorenzo.
Lorenzo’s amusement slipped into his mind, reminding Geno of Stefano. All of them were so alike. He might have found the situation a little comical had it been one of his cousins.
Check to see if the kid made it safely onto the main floor. I don’t have the best visual.
Geno bared his teeth toward his cousin and growled low as if he were a feral animal. Salvatore and Lucca lifted an eyebrow simultaneously. He used to intimidate his brothers, but ever since he’d been with Amaranthe, he seemed to have lost his edge. Sighing, he ignored them and went to the railing to look down. Immediately, he spotted Priscilla.
Jenny cut Priscilla off from the hallway leading to the back dressing rooms. The two girls appeared to have a heated exchange, with Jenny holding out her hand for the rectangular jewelry box Priscilla had for Amaranthe. Priscilla stepped back, shaking her head. Jenny looked furious.
Geno willed Priscilla not to get overconfident. Fortunately, the head usher came up behind Jenny and directed her to the other side of the theater before speaking with Priscilla. She listened and then glanced up toward Geno’s box. He nodded to indicate Priscilla was telling her the truth. The head usher took the jewelry box from Priscilla, giving her a smile and clearly telling her where she should be working.
Geno took a deep breath and turned back to his brothers. “I detest not being able to communicate with Amara. She’d answer me if I reached out, but it wouldn’t be fair when she needs to concentrate on dancing.”
“She must be just as worried about you,” Salvatore said.
Lucca agreed. “You know how she is about you, Geno.”
“About all of us,” Geno corrected. “She’ll reach out if she needs to.” This was her time to be a dancer, not a shadow rider. Not his fiancée. She was wholly Amaranthe, a trained classical dancer.
Geno knew Amaranthe loved what she did, and she deserved her time on the stage. If she truly wanted to dance with the American Ballet Theatre, she could apply, and he would support her decision, but he would travel with her. He considered that he might prefer her dancing to her shadow riding.
The International Council couldn’t send her out on elite investigations once she was married to him, not unless he agreed to go with her. Six months was a very long time for him to be away from his territory. He doubted he would ever agree to such a lengthy time, but he didn’t rule out anything when it came to Amaranthe. Right now, he needed to remain focused on her safety—and that of his brothers and cousins. They were all bait to draw out the murderers.
Bells dinged and the lights dimmed three times before they went off and the theater darkened. A hush of anticipation fell over the audience. Geno found himself sitting again, his breath catching in his throat. He’d seen Amaranthe dance in the privacy of their bedroom, and he’d been utterly mesmerized by her. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to see her perform on the stage in a full-scale production.
The marketplace scene was a whirlwind of activity where the fair Rosaline turned down a proposal and the Montagues and Capulets showed a fierce rivalry. Tempers flared, but before a fight started the Duke of Verona appeared and threatened them with death if they didn’t stop the feud.
Geno leaned forward when Amaranthe appeared in the next scene in the garden receiving her ball gown. Her parents had accepted a marriage proposal on her behalf from noble Paris.
Amaranthe was stunning onstage. Her jumps were beautiful, elegant and astounding in the height she could reach. Her kicks were effortless and so high she appeared to have legs that went on forever.
Guests arrived at the ball. Romeo and his friends, wearing masks, followed Rosaline and gained entry to the Capulets’ home. In the ballroom, Romeo and Juliet saw one another across the room filled with people. Geno thought it was a highly emotional moment. He wasn’t the only one. He heard the swift intake of breath from the audience. The hush shared throughout the theater as the onstage chemistry became apparent. The chemistry was so believable between the principal dancers, it was easy to see the two had fallen in love at first sight.
Jason had strong, clean technique. The lines of his body were superb. Although he was significantly taller than Amaranthe, the height difference was never a problem due to her outstanding ability to leap into the air effortlessly as well as the way Jason matched her stride while appearing to be at full extension every time. Geno had no idea how the man could accomplish such a feat, but he certainly was generous to his partner, always spotlighting her.
Geno was suitably impressed with him and held spellbound by Amaranthe—by the two of them. Their onstage chemistry made for a magical partnership, creating the illusion of two young people from rival families falling deeply in love. The audience couldn’t help but feel every emotion as the dancers portrayed the depths of their feelings for one another through dance.
Geno did his best to scan the audience for any movement, not that he expected to see any of the Boutlers, but even the best of the best made mistakes. A rider could make a transfer from one shadow to the next but step out into the open for the briefest of seconds to make the exchange.
Intermission gave him a reprieve and what he hoped would be the ability to be stronger. Time was against themnow. If the Boutlers were going to attack, they would do so in the next hour. Geno stood up to stretch, to keep his body loose and ready for action. Salvatore and Lucca did the same.
Brielle sent word to Elie, Emmanuelle reported telepathically to her family.Our little theater is suddenly crowded with the enemy. They came in while the audience was getting drinks and food.
Is anyone going near Amaranthe?Geno asked, doing his best not to sound like he was snapping her head off.
It appears they’re all coming up here just as we expected them to do, Emmanuelle said.
