I know you’re not a monster. I know you’re not a bad guy. And that scares the hell out of me.
Chapter Five
Gabe
She makes me want to be a better man. She makes me want the best of everything for her. Hell, she just makes me want. -Gabe
The sound of the soft melody being played on the piano draws me closer to what Gemma calls her music room. In it, she hasevery instrument known to man. I know enough about her to know that she taught herself to play most of her instruments. Her dad didn’t have enough money for teachers, so she watched videos. I’m still constantly amazed at her talent.
The door is surprisingly open. Usually, she writes behind it, only keeping it unlocked because I told her I need access to all rooms. I know that bugs the hell out of her. She isn’t adjusting to my presence here like I hoped she would. She definitely isn’t adjusting to my rules.
I lean against the door frame, watching her.Fuck, she’s beautiful.Her brow is furrowed in concentration and her long fingers move across the piano with talent that few people could ever hope to have.
I close my eyes when she starts to sing.
Shit, she’s singing that song…the song that seems to unlock something in my heart.
The title of the song isFinal Lullabyand it’s very obviously the story of singing her last song to her mom as she lay dying. She rarely sings it in public, but the words and melody are haunting. It’s the only song that’s ever brought tears to my eyes. I close my eyes to let the lyrics wash over me.
Close your eyes,
Take my hand,
You queen of lullabies
Her voice breaks off on the last line and then there’s a moment of silence.
“You know there’s a hefty fee for private shows,” she finally announces.
I open my eyes slowly, not wanting reality to come back. It’s like that for all her songs. I just want to stay in that place, the place where her music takes me.
“I’ll pay whatever I need to pay in order to hear that song.” I can’t believe I’m admitting how much the song affects me.
She raises an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize you were such a fan,” she says drily as if she doesn’t believe me.
“I am,” I say as I walk further into the room. “I’m actually a huge fan.”
“Favorite song?” she quizzes.
“The one you just sang, and I’m not just saying that. But if you want my favorite upbeat tune, I’d go withThat Girl.” I sing a few lyrics in my very out of tune voice and she emits a girlish giggle.
“You do know my stuff.” She sounds genuinely surprised.
I lean against the piano. “I don’t know how you could be surprised. Most of the world loves your songs.”
She shrugs. “Some people, not so much.”
“Then they’re idiots.” I know all about the criticism online, how people say her songs are just full of fluffy lyrics. I think they’re crazy. “Your song,Final Lullaby, that song got me through…” I think of the deaths of some of the Marines that served with me, “it got me through a really tough time. I couldn’t let my emotions out in my day-to-day life, but that song, well, it brought all the emotions to the surface.”
She takes a deep breath and stands. “That’s all I ever wanted with my songwriting. I just want to make people feel.”
I smile. “Well, mission accomplished then.”
She smiles back and then walks closer to me. My heart beats faster.Fuck, she’s too close. All I want to do is reach out and touch her.
Instead, she’s the one to touch me, just lightly on my arm. “You lost someone you love?” she asks gently, as if afraid of what my answer will be.
“I’ve lost a lot of people.” And that’s the truth. So many good men and women that shouldn’t have been in the line of fire.
