Page 128 of Die for You

Even after all she’sbeen through, Aurora still makes music.

Her live audition for Juilliard is the best she’s ever played. Even better than the songs when we were the only ones watching. Even better than when she still lived in her apartment and played her violin when she thought no one was listening.

Our angel perches on a stool, her violin like an extension of her body as she drags her bow over the strings. I don’t know shit about music, but I do know she’s good. Damn good.

That asshole ex took a lot from her. But we’ll make sure she gets it all back. Her confidence, her safety, her happiness. She deserves the world, and if I could hold it in my hand, I’d give it to her.

When the final note from Aurora’s violin ends and she stands from her stool, walking boot securing her fractured ankle, the faculty members offer polite claps while the three of us jump to our feet.

Knox cups his hands around his mouth and whoops. “Yeah, Rory!”

“That’s our girl!” I shout.

Aurora pretends to scowl as we all clap for her, but she can’t fight the smile that tugs at her perfect lips. She thanks the facultymembers for the audition, and though the pink on her cheeks makes it clear she’s embarrassed by us, the faculty members find us amusing enough.

When she finally reaches us, she sets down the violin. Not the violin her parents gave her. A disappointing substitute.

“You did amazing, Rory. I’m so proud of you.”

With a huge smile, she accepts the bouquet of flowers from Knox. “Wow, thank you. I’ve never gotten flowers before.”

“They’re from all of us,” I cut in.

Finn hands her a box of chocolates, and she squeals. Her favorite flavor. Chocolate filled with peanut butter. “Yum!”

“One more thing.” I hold out the gold pendant in the shape of a violin.

Her voice drops to a hush. “Oh my gosh. That’s beautiful.”

“Just like you,” Knox tells her.

She lifts an amused brow at us. “You know this was just an audition, right? I might not get accepted.”

“They’d be idiots not to let you in,” I say, just loud enough for the faculty members to hear. To her, I add, “You’re definitely getting in.”

Aurora swats at me.

I dodge her attack before stepping behind her, brushing her hair over her shoulder. She shudders, and I smirk. Aurora’s never been good at hiding the effect we have on her. I slip the chain of the pendant around her neck and fasten it, the miniature violin resting on her chest. “You deserve gifts for all of your performances. No matter the outcome.”

She turns over her shoulder to face me, and fuck. I’ll never get over the way she looks at me with those beautiful brown eyes. “Just wait for my next performance.”

Knox and Finn meet my eyes and grin.

A nod from me and Finn slips out the door. Aurora lowers her voice. “Thank you, Damien. For everything. For pushing me, even when I pushed back. For believing in me.”

I cup her chin. “I’ll spend the rest of my life giving you what you need. Anything I can do for you, I will.”

She smiles. “I know. And I’ll do the same for you.”

“You better,” I tease. She pokes me in the side before Finn returns, and I nod over her head. “One more thing.”

She sighs dramatically. “I don’t need anything else?—”

As soon as she sees our last gift, the words die in her throat. She freezes, a tiny gasp leaving her parted lips. Her hand flies up to cover her mouth, and her eyes are glassy when they flash to me.

“Sorry it took so long. But it’s all fixed now.”

She races for her violin in Finn’s hands, almost as good as new. The violin her parents gave her. Her last piece of them. The one object in this world that means more to her than anything else we could give her.