A Cartel Affair (First Original Draft)

Chapter 12

Carter's P.O.V.

It had taken Lea a little bit to settle back and start to relax once the opera started. I could tell that she had never been to a live performance and was unsure of what to expect from it. We were waiting for act three to start and Lea had began to understand that Madame Butterfly was a romantic tragedy. 

We had about ten minutes before the theater went dark again and I found myself continually glancing toward Lea during the intermission. She looked so beautiful tonight, simple but elegant. 

She had the pendant in between her fingers and looked deep in thought as I gazed over her once more.

"Lea?" I turned toward her and watched as her mouth twisted and her eyebrows scrunched together.

"HM." She continued to roll the diamond drop between her thumb and forefinger absently.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" I asked softly as I reached over and clasped my hand around hers, loosening the necklace from her grasp.

She shivered at the contact but didn't pull her hand away. Instead, Lea half turned in her seat and faced me.

"Why did you bring me here?" Her voice was low, as if she was afraid of the answer.

"I wanted to spend some time with you, away from the house."

Lea dropped her head and sighed softly. "Why?"

I turned to fully face Lea and cupped her chin, gently lifting her face. I wanted to look into her eyes as I spoke honestly.

"Because I'm willing to try, Lea."

Lea's eyes roamed over my face before setting back on my eyes. "To try what?"

Lea's breathing hitched as I traced my fingers along her jawline.

"I find myself wanting to try and be someone more than what you see me as."

I placed my palm on Lea's cheek and let a small smile make its way on my face as she closed her eyes and pressed her cheek against my hand once.

An array of emotions flashed through her eyes as she opened them and covered my hand with hers. She pulled it from her face and held it in her lap.

"O.K." Her voice was barely audible as she held my gaze.

The lights dimmed and the performers took the stage once more. I ran my thumb over Lea's knuckles as we watched the final act. By the end of the show, Lea had tears streaming down her face.

"That was beautiful," she stood and pulled her hand from mine and wiped under her eyes.

"It is one of my favorites." I held my hand back out to her. "Shall we?"

Lea nodded and placed her palm in mine. We made our way from the V.I.P. room to the lower level of the theater. "Restrooms?"

We stopped outside the restrooms and I nodded at a couple of elderly ladies as they giggled and walked in after Lea. Lea walked out a few minutes later, laughing.

"You sure seem to attract admirers of all ages."

I rolled my eyes. I had gotten use to the stares, glares, and whispers a long time ago but decided to play it up. I brushed my hand down the front of my chest and let a smirk set on my face. "No one can resist this."

Lea's eyes went wide and then clutched her stomach with both hands as her sweet laughter filled the air. "Good one." Lea had backed up to the wall for support as she continued to laugh.

Lynx had walked ahead to secure our car as Miller and Xian flanked Lea and I, amusement on their faces at my sudden playfulness. I closed the distance between Lea and I and placed one hand on the wall by her shoulder and the other on her cheek causing her to immediately quiet.