Melody & Styx - Anne Mercier Page 0,11

at Lucy. "So you were willing to screw up your premiere in order to promote Joey's upcoming movie?"

She shakes her head. "No. The… blast was to have been much smaller. Someone sabotaged the stunt."

I nod. "At least there's that."

"Yeah, it's nice to know you have respect for those co-workers. I'm sure they got a head's up," Trace deduces.

"They did," Lucy agrees. "Can I say something?"

I wave my hand.

"I can't apologize enough for my lapse in memory, but I'm not perfect. I had so much going on, I didn't even want to go to the premiere, but I was contracted. I should have made it a priority and let everyone know immediately, but it was a last-minute thing and with the kids sick, I was exhausted. It's no excuse, but my apology is sincere," Lucy tells us.

I nod. "Thank you for your apology. I appreciate that and I'm sure Trace does as well." He grunts.

"We've come to a few decisions," Trace tells them, then looks at Cage and Giovanni. "This involves everyone in this room."

"Why am I afraid to hear this?" Xander mutters.

I give him a sad smile. "Because you're not going to like it."

Jace sighs. "You're leaving Blush."

I meet his gaze and nod. "We are."

Cage leans forward. "Can we at least discuss this?"

"We've discussed this," I say motioning between me and Trace. "We have our reasons, and I'll lay them out for you."

"Please," Sera asks, sounding shocked though I'm not sure why.

"First and foremost, we love making music with you. We truly do, but everyone's priorities have changed since we formed Blush. Lucy and Jesse have their family, Jace has his. Sera's got more than just Blush on her plate. We miss the excitement, the drive, the energy making music on a regular basis gives us. Right now, we're not even doing that part-time," I explain.

There are nods in agreement.

"The rest?" Kennedy asks. The look in his eyes, the sadness I'm seeing, it's breaking my heart.

"The danger of being involved with anything Russo…" I let that trail off. "We're only indirectly part of the family and yet our lives are constantly being threatened."

"We have protected you," Gio rebuts.

"You have, but there are times when even your protection isn't enough. Just look around the room at everyone with injuries from flying bullets and a bomb that was tampered with by your enemies," I reason.

"We don't want to take those chances with our lives anymore," Trace relays.

Lucy sniffles and nods. "I don't blame you. I truly don't. I never wanted, in any way, to be a part of the Russo Famiglia. But it doesn't give you a choice."

"Governor," Gio says. "What are your thoughts?"

"I think Trace and Meggie have made their decisions and I'm hoping you'll respect that. If there's a need for security, I or they can provide it for themselves," he replies.

Gio nods.

"The risks they've taken just by being involved in the band has taken ten years off mine and my wife's lives. They shouldn't have to dodge bullets in order to make music," Dad explains.

I look around. "Are we the only ones? No one else feels this?"

Jace leans in. "I do. I've been trying to decide what to do." All eyes turn his way. "Summer and I want to help Joan with Harmony House. They've started plans for expanding and adding more locations. Seeing how much Joan has helped our kids, we want to be part of that."

"Wow," Lucy says. "You're moving out?"

Jace nods. "We are."

"Ethan and I are, too. We need our own space. No offense, but without having to worry if there's a peeking kid gonna see me grab my husband's cock or more," Linc explains.

Jace cringes. "Sorry, man."

"Nah, don't worry about it. We just want to be alone together. We haven't really ever had that," Ethan explains.

"We understand," Jesse replies. "For all of you. We get it. Everything's different now. So much has changed in the last few years. And trust me, I don't like being part of the gun-wielding, bullet-dodging family either, but for better or worse, Lucy's my wife, my life."

"No more Blush?" Cage asks.

"No more Blush," Trace responds.

"Do you have a band in mind…" Lucy asks us.

"No. We haven't looked or anything. We took time away to recover and get our heads on straight," Trace tells her.

"Are we at least still friends?" she asks hesitantly.

"We are but give me a little time to get over my really overwhelming case of pissed off," I offer.

She breathes a sigh of relief and gives me a