Velvet Lullabies

“Sing for us, topolina!” Massimo cooed.

Adelina rang her fingers together. Lucian watched from afar. She looked pale at the request of the Boss.

She sucked in a deep breath and plastered a fake smile on her face. “Oh, I don’t think so, not tonight.” She couldn’t come up with an excuse fast enough. “I need to find my fiancé.” She wiggled her ring finger hoping this excuse would placate the men.

“Nonsense, here he is!” Massimo gestured begins her where Lucian was just walking back into the room, his father and Enzo tailing behind him.

“Hope you’ve kept my fiancé entertained.” Lucian slid in perfectly next to Adelina, who clung onto him like a lifeline.

“On the contrary, we were hoping she’d entertain us.” Massimo gestured to the grand piano next to him. “Just had it tuned. Little Mouse used to play this thing for hours when she was kid. Drove my wife mad.” The men chuckled around him.

Lucian gazed at the piano in a deep thought.

“Didn’t know you played, Addy.” Enzo swept his hand along the sleek black piano. “Anything good or just the classic shit?” He smirked.

“I think my fiancé needs a refill, Enzo.” Lucian eyes his brother.

“Yes, Enzo, get the girl a drink so she can sing for us.” Massimo nodded to him. “She used to play beautifully for Theo. Come on now I insist.” Massimo peered down to meet her gaze. His stone-cold eyes intimidating her.

She didn’t ask for much when Lucian had asked her what she wanted from life, but one thing she did mention was not wanting to be used as entertainment.

Never refuse a boss.

Lucian could hear his father’s words echoing in his head. But who gave a fuck about Massimo Maranzano?

A look around the room showed men who followed him.

One song?

Was it worth pissing him off?

Lucian squeezed Adelina’s hand. “Pretend it’s just me.” He whispered in her ear. “You’re just playing to me.”

She nodded her head and Lucian pulled out the bench for her and leaned against the piano blocking the party from her view.

Tepidly she began to stroke the keys playing a light melody. Her voice was so light as she began singing the words. Lucian knew the song immediately. Hallelujah written by Leonard Cohen. It was a classic.

She sang the word Hallelujah in succession four times as she hit the chorus. Lucian kept his g

aze focused on her but he could hear the mumbled whispers of the crowd gathering behind him. He couldn’t blame them, Adelina was beautiful when she sang.

Her eyes drifted closed as she became immersed in the music. Her fingers dancing along the keys effortlessly while her painted red lips belted the words in a beautiful tune.

If he didn’t know how shattered the girl behind them felt singing for all these people whom she despised he’d say this was the most beautiful symphony.

She belted the last few hallelujahs before her voice lowered and she lifted her eyes to meet his gaze and concluded. They held the eye contact for a minute before she broke it.

“Bravo!” Massimo cooed from behind them.

Lucian helped Adelina up from the stool, pulling her into him. “That was beautiful.” He whispered to her.

“Let me have a moment with my fiancé, yes?” Lucian turned to Massimo.

The boss nodded in agreement, and the room quickly emptied.

“Thank you.” Adelina’s words came out in a hushed whisper.

“For what?”