Adagio

When Claudio Rotelli went to Gresham College posing as a professor, he was only there to check out Justice St James' musical abilities. It was never his intention to fall for her. To be honest, it wasn't his job to scout musicians for the symphony that accompanied his band. But he was here as a favor. Who knew that he was about to get more than he bargained for?Justice St James doesn't know how to do anything other than make music. It's in her blood, in her soul. It's her birthright. Her father Sebastian St James is a famous solo violinist and is the last word on music in the St James house. And he tried to mold Justice into the soloist that he thought she should be.But that's not what Justice wanted. The spotlight didn't appeal to her. It didn't bother her to be in the back of the symphony. All she wanted was to make music. Under her father's instruction and sometimes unrelenting criticism, she became an excellent musician with a passion that she quickly learned to hide from him.Claudio Rotelli saw it immediately and made it his goal in life to not only sign this beautiful violinist to the symphony, but to help her release that passion in life, music and in love. Unfortunately, Justice's father saw it as well and tried his best to destroy it. His underhanded schemes drove Justice straight into Claudio's arms. There she found a love that she never thought could exist. A love where a man loved and wanted her for who she was and who she could be. A man who gave everything to her without asking for any more than her heart in return.It's been said that you can't escape your past. Even as handsome as Claudio is, he is no exception. When his vindictive ex girlfriend surfaces to try to ruin his new relationship with Justice, Claudio learns just how far he will go for love and what he will and won't do to keep her safe from the woman who 'loves him to death'.Always in the background, Justice's father tries to do everything he can to make sure that his daughter never makes it to where he is. His constant criticism and underhanded ways affect Justice in more ways than in her music. It comes out in her relationship with Claudio as well. Justice is always waiting for the day when Claudio can be bought with a few dollars. At first he stands strong against Sebastian and his threats. He coaxes Justice from her shell with his steadfast love and unshakable faith in her abilities as a musician and a woman with a huge heart to share.And yet despite our staunch resolve, no matter how much we swear it won't be us, everyone has a price. Justice's worst fears come true when Claudio took her dad's offer and walked away from her. It was enough to almost destroy Justice, causing her to give up the one thing she loved as much as that big lusty Italian; her music. True love can't be bought or traded. Claudio and Justice both learned that sometimes you just have to stand together against the world and those who are so insecure within themselves that they try to ruin what others have. Together Claudio and Justice make beautiful music and sweet love. Adagio.