Blackstone Ranger Scrooge - Alicia Montgomery Page 0,72

She whirled around to face Natalia. “Th-there you are. I was looking for you everywhere.”

“Apparently, you look for a great many things everywhere. Even in places you should not be looking.” From Natalia’s cold, freezing stare, it was obvious she had overheard everything. “Lady Arabella, I think perhaps it’s time you leave.”

“But, I—”

“That was not a suggestion.”

Her lips pursed and eyes narrowed. “You wrinkled old hag, you deserve what’s coming to you,” she spat, then turned to J.D. “The Dashokovs will never accept you. But then again, you’re all animals, the lot of you.”

“Leave now before I fucking kill you, bitch!” J.D. hissed. To make her point, she opened her mouth and let out an inhuman growl.

Arabella jumped back. “Fine. I’m leaving. You deserve each other.” Lifting her head, she turned and marched out of the room.

Natalia shook her head. “Why didn’t Cam tell me?”

“He didn’t see the point,” J.D. said. “He knew it would hurt you.”

“Bah. I hate cheaters. Igor and I may not have been mates or madly in love in the beginning, but he vowed never to betray me with another woman. Polar bears are fiercely loyal to their other halves.” There was a softness in her face that made her seem decades younger. “Anyway, good riddance to that vile woman. We will never have to think about her again.”

“I hope so.” If she saw Arabella again, it would be too soon.

Natalia’s face brightened. “I nearly forgot! I came to tell you that I found my grandson. But he’s indisposed for the moment, but asks that I ensure you do not leave.”

“I’m not sure … Arabella, what she said about the Dashokovs … it’s true, right? Cam should be with someone refined and graceful like her.”

“What nonsense,” Natalia declared. “Fate has paired him with the mate he needs.”

“Please, I should—”

“Shush.”

“But I—”

“I said, shush!” Natalia gripped her hand. “Stay quiet and listen.”

“Listen?” She cocked her head. “Listen to what?”

Natalia lifted a finger in the air. “To that.”

The orchestra had stopped playing some time ago and after a few more seconds of silence, music began to fill the air. Piano music.

Every hair on her arm and neck stood on end as J.D. recognized the opening notes of Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are.”

Natalia smiled at her and pulled her along, toward the raised dais next to the orchestra. Sure enough, Cam sat behind the piano, tinkling out the intro and the first few bars.

And when their eyes met, he began to sing.

His eyes never left hers as he worked through the song. Those lyrics that she knew so well began to embed itself into her heart as Cam’s beautiful voice wove its magic around her, surrounding her and filling all the empty places in her heart and soul she never even knew had been there. His voice called to her, reached out to her, begged for her forgiveness with each note and word.

She didn’t know what it was, but it was as if she could feel his sincerity, his love, and his very soul, knitting into hers. Her heart sang along, repeating the words back to him. So simple, yet so true.

When he finished the song, the room was completely silent. Slowly he stood up. “I’m sorry, J.D.,” he began. “Please forgive me. You don’t have to change anything about you. In fact, I’d prefer it if you don’t because I love you just—”

She didn’t let him finish as she flew to him, wrapping her arms around him, then kissed him with all her might and love. “I love you too, Cam,” she said, breathless. “You felt it right? The bond? It really happened.”

He blinked. “You’re right. Fascinating.”

His expression was similar to that of a little boy who just discovered something new. And she loved it. “Weirdo.” But she kissed him again. Around them, everyone cheered.

Cam tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t let him. She only deepened the kiss, clinging to him as she ravaged his mouth. Finally, when someone behind them coughed, she released him. “Your glasses are all fogged up again.”

Letting go of her, he took them off. But instead of cleaning the lenses, Cam chucked them over his shoulder. “Don’t need those anymore. Maestro,” he said to the orchestra leader. “If you please.”

The conductor nodded, raised his baton, and turned to the musicians. “One, two, three and—”

J.D. burst out laughing as they began to play another familiar, but more upbeat Billy Joel tune. “So,” she began, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Does that