Page 61 of Hurt

They didn’t talk about it anymore. Roland let Willow’s excitement sweep him up. Eventually, Willow looked around curiously.

“I can’t believe there aren’t more people here.” She glanced at the clock on her phone. “It’s only two.”

“I bought the museum out for the day,” Roland explained.

Willow stopped in her tracks. “You did what?”

He looked down at his date, smiling a little. “I wanted it to just be us.”

“Roland,” Willow breathed. “You can’t just…how did you even get them to agree to do that?”

“Money,” he answered simply.

Roland didn’t understand Willow’s shock and continued to the rest of the museum.

Willow was fascinated by the conservation shop. A large plate glass window gave them a view into the workshop, where experts were painstakingly repairing historical instruments. Roland found this the most interesting of all the things they saw.

But what he really liked was the way Willow held his hand. She wasn’t shy or ashamed to be holding the hand that had caused so much violence. Her thumb swiped over the callouses or idly played with the thick rings on his finger as they walked. She had seen Roland’s weapon of choice in action and still didn’t mind. There was no fear in her. Even when some of the employees did double takes with the infamous man, Willow was focused only on the instruments and music.

As they completed the lap around the museum, Roland steered Willow to another section.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“What?” Willow asked in surprise.

“Close your eyes.”

Willow complied and held onto Roland’s arm as he guided her through a large set of double doors. They took a couple of strides into the room before Roland stopped her.

“Okay.”

Willow opened her eyes and gasped.

Roland had brought her into a large auditorium. The cavernous room was completely black except for the stage directly in front of them. Spotlighting lit the massive platform. Thick velvet curtains made for a sumptuous backdrop for the stage.

“It’s a real stage,” Willow said breathlessly.

A museum employee came out from the wings of the stage. He was holding a violin and bow.

“Go play,” Roland said, gesturing for Willow to ascend the stairs.

“Wait. Me?” she asked, looking from Roland to the stage and back. “I haven’t played for anyone in years.”

Roland bent low to her ear, letting his lips just barely caress the shell. “You said your talent hasn’t gone anywhere.”

Willow shivered but looked up at Roland. “You should know better than to challenge me.”

She strode off down the dark aisle, plucking a hair band off her wrist and gathering her thick hair into a ponytail. There wasn’t any hesitation in her steps as she climbed the stairs and walked across the stage.

Under the lights, she looked beautiful. It was like she was born to be looked at.

The employee handed the violin over and then left the stage. Willow cradled the instrument, scanning it intently before looking out into the audience. Because of the lights, she wouldn’t be able to see Roland sitting in the closest chair, with his legs crossed and the hum of expectation buzzing under his skin.

“I haven’t performed in years,” Willow said again. She looked a little more nervous now that she was up on stage. Experimentally she plucked at the strings of the violin, listening to the tuning and adjusting the knobs a few degrees until she was satisfied.

Willow tucked the violin up against her neck, dropping her chin and assuming a pose that looked completely natural. She closed his eyes and breathed in.

It was like time stood still. Fringes of brunette hair tickled her face as she lifted her right arm up, bow held delicately between her fingers. The air was thick with anticipation as she laid the bowstrings against the instrument.