Her face flushes. “This is outrageous.”
Remy turns his head slightly. “Meg.”
Meg appears instantly, tablet already in hand. “Revoke any standing invitations for her, and refund the box her husband purchased for his business,” Remy says. “And for her guest.”
The second woman finally speaks. “I didn’t say anything.”
“Your silence was complicit. That is on you,” Erik replies.
Meg nods once.
Security is already moving in.
Remy tightens his arm around me and finally looks at the woman directly. “You should go.”
They’re escorted away, her voice still carrying, sharp and indignant, until the doors close and the sound cuts off.
Conversation resumes in cautious ripples. A few people raise their glasses to us. Erik lifts my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles.
“You okay?” Remy asks quietly.
I nod.
“I didn’t need rescuing,” I say, just as quietly. “But thank you for standing with me.”
Remy’s mouth curves slightly. “Always.”
“She came from the group by the bar,” I say in a low voice. “Not sure who they are.”
“I’ll look into it. You and Erik are about to perform.” He gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before moving toward the center of the room.
James, who has had the orchestra playing softly in the background, brings the music to a stop.
Remy easily commands attention as the people angle toward him.
Erik moves me off toward the small stage set up in the back corner of the room.
I lean down for my violin. The strings are cut. All of them.
Ruiz, now directly behind me, curses under his breath.
For a second, the room tilts. The earlier chill crawls back up my spine. I inhale slowly and claw down the panic rising in my chest. Ruiz is here. I reach out to him and grab his jacket cuff. “I need you to stay close, please.”
He nods and turns his arm so his hand can give mine a quick squeeze.
Bracing myself, I make my way to James. “The strings are cut,” I tell him quietly.
“I can get you another violin. Or Liu can do the piece if you’re uncomfortable.”
My hands want to curl into fists. I force them open. “No. I can do it. If I can borrow one.”
Liu, who is seated close enough to hear, stands immediately and offers hers. “Thank you. I’ll return it as soon as we’re done.” She nods once and passes it to me.
Chapter one hundred seventeen
Christianna
I look to Erik and he nods. The opening chords pour from the borrowed violin. I miss the weight of mine, but this one is tuned perfectly.
