pin drop, and then Alessio cleared his throat, and his cup met the saucer with a soft clink. “Am I to understand, you were unaware he sent it to me?”
Nik scrubbed a hand down his face, then felt a wave of dizziness. He leaned over his thighs, and immediately Adam’s hand began to rub small circles over his back. “I was not aware.”
Alessio hissed something under his breath in Italian that Nik didn’t need to understand to know it was a curse. “I’m sorry. This is such an imposition. I normally wouldn’t have even come, but I was in the States with Ben already, and Nicolas was insistent that I make contact with you.”
“Nicolas Michaud?” Nik asked, and Alessio made a small, affirmative noise. “He heard it? Saw it?”
“He was quite enthralled with it,” Alessio said, and for a moment, Nik swore he was floating.
“It’s not finished,” he managed to choke out. “It’s…I’m not even close. Things have been overwhelming lately, my writing has been…” He trailed off, searching for words.
“His father just died,” Adam said, the literal angel he was, and Nik could have kissed him right there if he was in his right mind—if he had permission to do that.
Alessio swore again. “I’m so sorry. When?”
“A few days ago,” Nik said, finding his tongue. “The funeral was yesterday.”
Alessio let out a small, strained laugh. “And here we are, just dropping this on you when…” There was a noise, he was standing now—he was going to just leave, and Nik felt a rising panic when he felt Adam rise too.
“Wait. Don’t go,” Adam said, his voice almost trembling. “Obviously, you liked it, and I think…I mean, you can talk this out, right, Nik?”
Nik fought the very real feeling like he was about to swallow his tongue, but he did manage to stand as he reached for Adam’s shoulder to steady himself. “I’m totally out of sorts, but yes. If you’re still interested?”
“Nicolas would kill me if I implied we were not.” There was more shuffling, and everyone resumed their seats. “I’d like to know how it came about that your brother knew where to send your submission.”
“He subscribes to your website,” Nik said, the words sounding so stupid now. “He told me about a call for compositions, but the one I had written before this was terrible, and I wasn’t far into this one.”
Alessio blew out a puff of air, then sighed. “He sent a video recording of you playing what you had on piano. I was taken with it, showed it to Nicolas who put you on the top of the list. We’re looking to showcase something new—different. Moderno.”
“It’s Ced’s idea.” That voice came from Ben, a gruff, low rumble. “He’s been up Nicolas’ ass about dragging him into the twenty-first century.”
Alessio chuckled quietly. “He is, and believe me when I say Nicolas cannot tell him no. But I’m for the idea. We have played and replayed classics and mimics of the classics. We wanted a new feel—and we were close to perfection until we got your video.”
Nik couldn’t feel his toes. Hell, he couldn’t feel anything except the pounding of his heart and the hot press of Adam’s hand to the small of his back. “So what…would you want from me?”
“A concerto,” Alessio said, like that was nothing at all. “The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is where we debut most of Cedric and Nicolas’ work—their holiday concerts and special occasions. We’ve done two of Nicolas’ operas in the last five years, but in truth, I think he’s getting tired.”
Nik took in a slow, calming breath. “And you would want me to play there?”
“This piece,” Alessio said. “And we’d like you to stay on to assist me in composing something around it.”
“An opera?” Nik asked, his voice sounding hollow.
“Sì,” Alessio said. “Well…what does Cedric call it?”
“Rock Opera,” Ben said, his voice closer to a grunt than real words.
Alessio laughed again, delighted, like it was the best thing he’d ever heard. “Electric guitars, drums…” He went off on a small string of Italian. “It will be beautiful.”
Nik was rocked to his core. “I’ve never…that might be…beyond my capability.”
“Ah, but we’ll work together, signore. I think we can complement each other. I might be an old man now, but I can be taught new tricks.”
Nik’s entire body went aflame with the way Alessio spoke—the flattery, the surety. “How long would I have to finish this first? It isn’t done,” he added lamely, repeating himself over and over.
Alessio’s voice softened. “As