The rehearsal hall’s air conditioning was usually enough to give her a chill, cold enough that she would have seen her breath before her if she were able. Instead, she felt an unaccustomed warmth radiating through her skin, making all of her nerve endings tingle.

And it had nothing to do with the woman holding her arm.

She barely remembered meeting Linda a few days ago when she’d attended her first full orchestra practice and the whole crowd had made their introductions. She remembered that the woman was bright and curious. Very, very curious. “So, who is the hunk?”

“I’m sorry,” Allegra swallowed and tried to focus on Linda’s question. “What did you say?”

Allegra felt a playful swat on her arm and tried to pull away, but Linda wasn’t going to let go so easily.

“That gorgeous man that almost made Davis pee himself on the sidewalk. Who is he?”

Allegra shuddered a little at the thought. “Was Davis afraid of him?”

She felt Linda draw close, her expensive perfume crinkling Allegra’s nose. “I think he was more afraid that he’d lost you in the subway. Oh my god! Think of the press! Blind cellist lost in the crowds by Artistic Director! The Orchestra would be over and done on the bad publicity alone!”

She tried to laugh it off, but Allegra felt a little tremble of worry push through her body. “I’m fine though. I was lucky that Valerio found me.”

“Oh,” Linda’s fingers dug into her forearm and Allegra stumbled slightly, “is that his name?” They stopped short. “Here, there’s a chair right in front of you.”

Allegra reached out her arm and said a silent prayer of thanks that Linda had released her. With a minimum of fumbling, she found the back of the chair and sat down on the hard seat. “Valerio? Yes, that’s what he said. Valerio Orsino.”

The high-pitched metallic squeal of chair legs sent a shudder through Allegra’s shoulders.

“Nice. So, are you two… you know… together?”

Allegra could hardly catch her breath. “Together? No,” she smiled as a matter of being polite, but underneath it all, she grit her teeth together, “we’re not.”

It was the truth, but it irritated her on some level.

“He was, in a word,” Linda confided, “drool worthy.”

Allegra opened her mouth to say that drool worthy was two words, but Linda rolled right over her.

“I mean,” she laughed, “not that you’d know if you didn’t ‘know’ him, you know?” There was an odd little pause between them before Linda popped back in with a rush of sound. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I mean, I wasn’t trying to say that you couldn’t know because, you know, you’re blind. Which would still be true, but I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad about it. What I mean is-”

Allegra held up her hand. “I got it. It’s okay, Linda. Really. I just… I need a few minutes to catch my breath, if you don’t mind.”

“A few minutes,” the other woman mumbled, “yeah sure, of course, I mean you were gone forever and-”

“Allegra?”

She almost threw herself at Valerio in thanks. Linda was apparently a nervous talker and Allegra was one ramble away from a splitting headache. “Yes?”

She felt something press against the back of her chair and then a whisper of fabric.

“Allegra,” she startled, his voice in her ear, he must have knelt beside her, “I spoke to my brother and he’d like to meet you. Do you have time to have dinner with my brother and his… wife?”

She opened her mouth to answer and then paused, but Linda had no qualms about talking before thinking.

“So, it would be like a double date?”

Valerio continued to talk and Allegra almost smiled when she realized that he wasn’t answering Linda. “He says I owe him for leaving him alone with Uberto earlier. I’m usually the one that keeps them… on an even keel with each other. Salvatore and Natale have a table at Carducci’s-”

“Wait a minute!”

Allegra bit the inside of her cheek. Linda’s interruptions were more irritating than she wanted to admit.

“Salvatore and Natale? Is your sister-in-law Natale Durante?”

That caught Allegra’s attention. “The fashion designer?” She gave a little giggle at the thought. “That’s amazing.”

“So, your brother is Salvatore Orsino? Not much of a family resemblance,” she grumped, “well except for the good looks, the broad shoulders, nice suit too, by the way. You both look like you work out all day long, damn.”

“Linda,” Allegra felt a pinch between her shoulder blades, “you know you’re talking out loud, right?”

The first chair Oboe coughed out a soft chuckle. “Not so much,” she sighed. “You know that’s why I like the woodwinds, don’t you?”

Shaking her head, Allegra didn’t even try to guess.

Linda’s laugher was a little too high pitched to be genuine. “I like to keep something in my mouth all the time.”

Allegra groaned. “Really?”

“I still can’t get over the idea of you having dinner with Natale Durante,” Linda scoffed beside her.

“Why not?” Allegra shrugged, enjoying the idea. “I’m sure she’s a fascinating person.”

“Fascinating sure,” Linda groaned, “but really, Allegra? What would you talk about? What does a blind woman know about fashion?”

Allegra’s face went numb, her hands chilled to the bone.

“Walk away.”

The words came from Valerio. Quiet, steel-edged and pointed. With a huff, Linda got up from her chair and left.

She felt his hand on her arm.

“I’m sorry for speaking to her that way if she is your friend-”

“You saved me from a headache,” her laughter felt good and the gentle touch of his hand on her arm warmed her to the core. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me,” he explained, “I was about to pick you up and run out of here.”

Reaching across her body, she covered his hand with her own. “I wouldn’t have stopped you.”

“I think one of the others might have.”

Allegra nodded. “Maybe.” She quieted as the reality of her situation settled over her. “This is all,” her hands waved around a little as she struggled to find the right words, “kind of surreal.” The more she thought about it that way, the more it made sense. “I think you were amazing this afternoon,” she explained to him, “I don’t want to think about what would have happened if you hadn’t been there-” sensations rushed back through her body, fear, panic. She slammed the door closed on those thoughts and stood, using the time to steady her nerves. “It was sweet of you to invite me,” she began, “but, I’m sure you don’t need me interrupting dinner with your family.”

“I wouldn’t ask if it was an interruption, Allegra.” He stepped closer to her. “You feel it, don’t you? This connection between us?”

She wanted to deny it, but she couldn’t, not when her heart told her she would only be denying the truth.

“It feels,” she began to speak and then took a breath, “it does feel like something out of a dream.”

“Nothing wrong with a dream, is there?”

She drew in a breath, steadying herself. “Not when you’re used to a nightmare.”

“Allegra,” she felt his hand touch her arm, “what happened?”

She cleared her throat once… and then again. “Please, I shouldn’t have said anything.” His hand mirrored his tender touch on her other arm. “I don’t want to think about that. Not now.”

She heard his hesitation, felt the gentle reassurance of his presence.

“Then, come, Allegra. Come and meet my family.”

She squeezed her eyes closed, as if it made any difference besides the comfort it gave her. A barrier of sorts that was only in her head, but no less effective. “It’s a big step.”

“Big step, how?”

Allegra swept the tip of her tongue over her bottom lip and blew out a breath. “It’s part of that nightmare,” she explained, “I’m not used to doing much outside of rehearsal and then back to my apartment. A few stores here and there if it isn’t delivered. Before agreeing to play with the orchestra I hadn’t done much of anything in my life besides prepare to be ‘outside’ again.” She shook her head. “I know… it probably sounds crazy-”

“It sounds like you’re a survivor, Allegra. You’re taking back your life, waking up from your nightmare. And now, I’m here-”

“I’ve been alone for so long,” the admission hurt, “I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

She felt his lips brush against her cheek before trailing across her lips.

“You’re not alone, Stellina. You have me, you have my family, you’re one of us.”

Allegra blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and brushed her lips against his.

“And I’ll be here for you.”

* * *

He felt a slight hesitation in Allegra as the front door closed behind them. Valerio used the hand he’d placed on her lower back to curve around her side and stepped closer to her.

She’d been overwhelmed in the subway earlier, but most people would assume that Carducci’s would be a cake walk compared to that. Valerio knew that wasn’t true.

Everything at Carducci’s was larger than life. The food, the furniture, flavors… but also the personalities.

And with personalities came volume.

Even in the entryway, which held the vintage allure of an upscale Italian restaurant from the heyday of Hollywood’s glamour, everything was overdone… over the top.

Valerio kept his hand on Allegra’s lower back, smoothing his thumb back and forth to keep her calm, but to reassure him that she was actually there beside him.

The host walked up from the dining room, his impeccable suit gracing his aging form. “Your party is already here, Mr. Orsino.” He extended a greeting and pressed a kiss to each of Valerio’s cheeks. “It’s so good to see you again.”

“Paulie, we were here a few nights ago.”

“True, but we love having you and your family here at Carducci’s. And you brought a guest with you.” Paulie’s tone spoke volumes. Before Salvatore had found Natale, Paulie had fancied himself a bit of a matchmaker… at least with his daughters and nieces. It had been quite a relief when he’d realized that the only reason they came to Carducci’s was the food.

“Who are you, my dear? I-”

Valerio saw Paulie flinch the slightest bit as he saw the folded cane in Allegra’s hand and then looked back at her face with a sympathetic frown.

Allegra extended her hand in greeting and introduced herself.

There was only a moment of hesitation and then Paulie recovered himself. “Come, my dear, a handshake?” He chuckled and the room filled with his trademark hospitality. “A kiss for each cheek, yes?”

Laughing, Allegra shrugged. “Sure.”

And when Paulie placed a kiss on one cheek, he talked as he moved to the other, drawing her into his side.

“And now we let your man follow us to the table and I will tell you all about Carducci’s so that you will love it as much as I do.”

Valerio followed behind them and noted the care that Paulie took to slow his normal steps and steer her gently through the crowded dining space.

When they reached the side room, Paulie seemed to dissolve into the dark wood panels of the restaurant and Valerio held his breath, waiting to see how his family would react to Allegra.

His bear chuffed at him in frustration, ending in an indignant huff as they watched as Natale and then Salvatore welcomed her to their family’s table. He didn’t have to touch Allegra to feel her happiness. He could see the relaxed line of her back and the soft smile on her lips.

Salvatore was the largest of the brothers. A man that most would think twice about approaching, even in the best of moods, but with his mate, he saw his brother’s gentle side come into play.

Allegra couldn’t see his size, but she reacted to his energy and his gentler nature. At their sides, Natale held Allegra’s hand in hers and beamed at the other woman.

“Val, come, let’s take our seats,” Natale had no problem taking charge of the family, and they all loved her for it, “I’m sure by now Paulie has the kitchen staff working double time to get some food on the table.”

Setting a hand on Allegra’s hip, he leaned his head down and whispered into her ear. “I’d like to sit you between Natale and myself.”

She nodded, flushing a bit. “Thanks.”

Salvatore was already on his side of the table, gently settling his mate in her chair as Valerio mirrored the same for Allegra. The two brothers shared a look over the heads of their women and Valerio felt a deep satisfaction in his chest.

Family had always been the central strength of the Orsino clan and while life with his brothers had been full of brotherly love that at times had been more of a wrestling match than nurturing, he was proud of his brothers and what they had accomplished.

Settling in his chair, Valerio unbuttoned his coat at the waist and reached out his hand. He saw the warm affection in Natale’s eyes turn to misty awe as Allegra reached out her hand and found his instinctively.

Valerio lifted their joined hands and brushed a kiss over the back of her hand, making her blush as Salvatore began to speak to them.

* * *

Allegra turned toward Natale when she felt a gentle touch on her arm.

Natale’s voice made her smile, with its rich tone and the genuine warmth that it contained. “I was going to the ladies’ room and I was wondering-”

“Yes, please!” Allegra stopped short and laughed. “I probably sound so silly. I’m just not familiar with the room.”

“I completely understand.” Allegra relaxed at the reassurance, she hadn’t wanted to bother asking. Natale eased her worry and their laughter blended together. “Of course not. Women are supposed to visit the restroom in packs.”

“Like gazelles on the Serengeti,” Allegra prompted, “safety in numbers?”

Natale’s tone held even more joy than before. “Rather, I’ve been the one outnumbered in this family by all the men. I’m so glad not to be alone anymore.”

Allegra stilled for just a heartbeat, and hoped that no one noticed. Without prompting, Natale had stumbled upon one of her usual worries, especially in unfamiliar locations. Being alone. Navigating her apartment, her neighborhood, that was easy after practice. A crowded restaurant?

The quiet rush of sound told her that both men had pushed back their chairs.

Allegra’s cheeks flushed when she felt Valerio’s hand on her arm.

“Thank you,” she murmured, and felt the reassuring stroke of his thumb on the inside of her elbow as she stepped closer to Natale.

Another moment of indecision was taken care of in an instant. Natale took her hand and then her elbow, a secure and gentle hold. “I’ve got you.”

And it felt like she really did.

Allegra smiled and leaned closer. “Thank you.”

Natale gently lead her around the table and leaned closer to whisper into her ear. “No thanks needed. You’re family.”

Inside the bathroom, the first thing she noticed was the soft music over the speakers. Rosemary Clooney’s cheerful version of ‘Mambo Italiano’ that never failed to make her tap her toes was loud enough to hear the lyrics, but not loud enough to drown out normal thought or decent conversation.

And a soft voice offered a welcoming greeting as soon as they entered the room.

“Welcome back, Mrs. Orsino.”

“Thank you, Alva. Good to see you too.”

Natale continued to walk Allegra through the room. “My friend and I want a few minutes alone. Would you mind?”

“Oh, no worries, Mrs. Orsino. I’ll be just outside. When you’re finished, just open the door.”

Allegra didn’t hear anything further from the other woman. Natale walked her to a stall doorway and set her hand on the side of the opening.

A few minutes later when she unlocked the door and stepped out onto the tiled floor, Allegra took a moment to listen for movement.

“I’m here in the sitting room, just inside the door.”

Allegra nodded and moved across the tile to the counter.

Natale gave her a few easy instructions to find the sink, the soap, and a basket of fancy folded cloths to wipe her hands on. Using the sound of Natale’s voice, Allegra easily made her way to Natale’s side.

“I left you half of the bench if you’d like to sit.”

Leaning slightly to the side, Allegra felt the solid side of the bench against her knee and edged along to find her seat beside Natale. “Thank you, for helping me.”

There was a puzzled silence beside her. “Everyone has to go when they have to go.”

Allegra shook her head. “For trusting me to take care of myself. The first time I had to leave rehearsal to go to the restroom, you would think I was the Queen of England with a whole slew of retainers and assistants. I don’t know what they thought I’d need help with while I was in there. I do live alone. I have two hands. I’m just blind.” Allegra felt her emotions running away from her and let out a long shuddering breath. “I’m just blind.”

She felt a gentle touch on her arm and turned on the bench toward Natale.

“Sorry, I must seem like I’m whining.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Natale’s voice was gentle and warm. “You’re frustrated. Trust me. I know what that’s like.”

Allegra’s laugh was thin, almost bewildered. “I find that hard to believe. You’re amazing! An award-winning designer. From where I’m sitting, you have an amazing life.”

“It took a lot of frustration to get there. If it wasn’t for my father believing in my dream and my mate for encouraging me, it would have been an even bigger struggle.”

Tracing her fingers along the edge of the bench, feeling the brass brads that secured the fabric to the frame, she listened to the intensity of Natale’s voice before speaking again.

“It means a lot to have support. If it wasn’t for my teacher, my nurse, and my therapist, I don’t know what I would have done. It was their job,” she took a breath, “but they cared. They really took an interest in helping me do more than survive.” She pressed her eyes closed, trying to ward off her tears. “I know I was blessed to have them for as long as I did. Others don’t have that luxury in their lives.”

Natale’s hand left her arm and settled over the hand that Allegra had set on the edge of the bench, and gave her a friendly squeeze. “After Val called, Salvatore looked you up online.”

“Me?” Allegra felt a nervous flutter in her chest. “Why?”

“Well, I’m sure sisters would do the same thing for each other like the brothers do,” she explained, “but it wasn’t because he didn’t trust Val or you, Salvatore’s not like that. He’d trust Val’s instincts because of the three of them, Val’s the most in tune with his… nature.”

Natale’s hand lifted away and Allegra heard the metal click of a clutch purse opening. Then the twisted whisper of a lipstick case. “What Salvatore did when he found the advertisement for your debut concert is buy the family a block of seats upfront in the Founder’s Circle.”

Allegra coughed and pressed a hand to her chest as she struggled to swallow.

Taking her free hand, Natale pressed a small item into her palm. “A mint.”

Nodding, Allegra popped it in her mouth and then cleared her throat. “Those seats are only for members of the Orchestra’s biggest donors they’re not for sale like regular tickets.”

“Mm hmm.” It sounded like Natale closed the lipstick case and returned it to her bag. “Orsino Security’s Board of Directors are now all members of the Founder’s Circle.” Setting her hand on Allegra’s shoulder Natale’s laughter was soft, sympathetic. “It’s a little much, isn’t it?”

Allegra nodded. “It’s all so…”

“Overwhelming?”

“That’s one way to put it.”

“A little like a tidal wave?”

“Basically.”

“And you’re not sure if you know exactly what it is you got into?”

Allegra reached out for Natale and found their hands clasped together. “Is that how you felt when you met Salvatore?”

Natale pressed a friendly kiss on her cheek. “That, and then some. But while the rush might seem scary, you should know that there’s two things I’m sure about in the world.”

“Oh?” Allegra braced herself, her teeth biting into her lower lip.

“First, if Val says you’re the one… then you are.”

Allegra struggled to process the words through the rush of sound through her ears, from the accelerated pulse of her heart in her chest. Natale’s tone was sure, her voice was full of conviction about what she said.

It took her a minute to get up the courage to ask, “And the second?”

“The second,” Natale gave Allegra a one-armed hug, “is that you’re going to fit right in to this family. I’m glad he found you.”