Page 351 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two

My dinner isn’t threatening to make a reappearance.

I want to laugh, to get up and dance around the stage and find my way to Elliot, Rhett, and Wren and kiss them all. But I stay seated, my fingers working from muscle memory since my head is basically in the clouds. I can celebrate later. For now, I want to bask in it all—in the stage lights, in the audience’s attention, and in the feeling of finally achieving one of my longest-running dreams.

So I do. I absorb every moment, my spirits rising higher with every note. The time passes by way faster than I expected it to, and before I know it, we’re finishing up the last song. Maybe I’d be disappointed if I wasn’t so damn happy.

Applause fills my ears, and then it hits me that I’m taking my bow with everyone else, the stage lights shining in our eyes.

This is it. I did it.

I finally did it.

The next few minutes are all a blur. Shaking hands with the other musicians, congratulating each other on a job well done, and reveling in the heat of the lights.

I don’t even remember heading back to my dressing room or grabbing my bag. I practically float through the halls until I find everyone in the crowded lobby.

Rhett spots me first, and he drops Elliot’s hand and makes a beeline for me. The second I’m within reach, he gathers me up in his arms. My feet lift off the ground, and I let out a shout of surprise as he spins me around. He’s never done something like this before—never.

“I’m so damn proud of you,” he says before capturing my mouth in a hard kiss. His hands grab my face, holding me still so I can’t pull away until he’s ready. When he finally does, his eyes are glistening with tears. “So proud, O.”

“Rhett, I—”

But then Elliot is swooping in and enveloping me in his arms. I grab onto him and press a kiss to his neck as he squeezes me tight.

“Thank you for making it,” I whisper, unsure if he’ll hear me over the noise echoing off the walls.

“I wouldn’t’ve missed this for the world, Ol. You were perfect.” He kisses me, the movement of his lips against mine hungry. “God, I missed you.”

“Missed you too, Ell.”

When we pull away, Mom and Maria are right there. Mom is holding a bouquet of roses, and her eyes are shining.

“Aw, Mom, don’t cry.” I pull her into a hug.

“I’m just so happy,” she says, sniffling. “You did so well.”

“And it’s all because of the work you put in when we were younger.” I squeeze her. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”

“Oh, you. Don’t sell yourself short.”

“I’m not. I worked hard, but you?” I grin. “You’ve always worked harder. I’ll never stop being grateful that you believed in me and made it so I could accomplish this.”

Fresh tears fill her eyes, and she throws her arms around me and buries her face in my chest. I hold her and press a kiss to her hair. This is a lot for Mom. She practically killed herself to make sure Maria and I had the best of the best. Honestly, I’m surprised I didn’t hear her sobbing during the concert.

Once Mom is good, she pats my back and steps away. Then she hugs Elliot, her smile still a little watery. “I’m glad you made it home safely. How was the wedding? Is your family doing well?”

Their conversation fades into the background as my gaze lands on a tall man across the room. His long, dark hair is up in a bun I’d recognize anywhere, and the upside-down cross on his left temple stands out just as I remember. The only difference is that he doesn’t look quite as pale, like maybe he’s getting out more.

Axel Holden.

He’s watching Ben with a regretful expression. For a moment, I wonder if he’ll come say hello, but then I realize it’s best if Ben doesn’t know Axel is here. He took Axel’s absence hard—like an abandonment. A betrayal. Bringing that all up again wouldn’t do any good.

The woman standing next to Axel looks up at him and says something. When he turns his attention toward her, the regret on his face intensifies. But then it melts away, replaced by a devotion I’ve only seen from three other people in my entire life. He says something back to her while slipping a protective arm around her waist.

When he looks back, he gives me a solitary nod, which I return. And then he disappears into the crowd, keeping the woman as close to him as humanly possible.

Wren nudges me. “You good?”

“Hmm? Yeah.” I give her a quick smile, and when I glance back, Axel is gone.