22. Leonardo #2
“For us,” Master Vincent said. “With space being limited and the area having a large human population, I couldn’t build a massive house for us all to live in.
Not only that, but I though with several of you being mated, it would be best for everyone to have their own apartments.
We will still have a common area that is much like the villa here.
It will be on the first locked floor. It will have a family dining room, living area, and kitchen.
But the floors above it will have four apartments on each.
They are all four-bedroom apartments with full amenities.
Each will have a full kitchen if you should choose to cook in your family area. ”
I was even more confused now. “I don’t understand, Master. Sandro mentioned that we might be moving, but that was all he’s said. That was a few weeks ago though. Has something changed?”
“He’s not mentioned this to you, then?”
I shook my head. “Please don’t be upset with him. We’ve been preoccupied with the baby and trying to work through some of his nightmare issues with Rio.” I bit my lower lip. I was certain I’d just said too much.
“I’m not upset, Leo. I now realize that I have made a mistake, and I should have shared more news.
” Master Vincent sighed. “Unfortunately, we must move. There are children here to consider now, and although I have no doubt that we can protect them, the issue is that there will always be others around who will use them to get to us. We have overstayed our time here in Naples, and despite my desire to remain, I know it is in the coven’s best interest to move. ”
“All right. So the apartments are to be our new homes, then?” I mean, it would be nice, I guess. But it wouldn’t feel the same.
“Yes. They will only be accessible to the family and verified guests. You will still have the same security that you have here. There is a sunroom up on the top floor that will also be open to everyone in the family.” Master Vincent seemed to be searching for something, and when he found it, he smiled again and turned the laptop back in my direction.
“Oh, that’s nice,” I said. There was indeed a sunroom. “Is the grass inside as well?”
“Unfortunately, no. It is outside. It will have to be maintained, but it will allow for some outdoor time for everyone in the family as well.”
I nodded. There was something about the image though. Something felt off. Master Vincent took the laptop back and went scrolling again. I was once more shown images. This time, it was of what I had to assume were the apartments.
“What do you think? I know that having a private space is going to be nice in the long run, but also that it is drastically different from the community house that everyone is used to. I wish I could continue to provide a community-type house for us, but it simply makes more sense to allow individual couples to have the privacy they deserve.”
“That’s incredibly thoughtful, Master. It will be an adjustment for certain, but I think it’s sweet that you’re thinking of the mated couples. It will provide room for more children.”
“Exactly. I was insistent on having the first floor be for a family floor. That way, we can still have a space such as now. But when it’s all said and done, everyone will have their own private quarters that are more than just a room or two.
I know some of the suites here are on the smaller side, Marcello’s being one of them.
As it is, their twins are in what used to be a second closet.
They don’t have anything beyond the oversized bedroom. ”
I blinked at the comment. I’d not realized that.
Abel had mentioned that they were tight on space, but I’d just assumed that was because they had two cribs instead of just one.
I realized just how lucky I was because Sandro’s suite was on the bottom floor, and it had two bedrooms. Although our second bedroom was much like what was described by Master Vincent: a converted second closet.
“I don’t mean to be rude or anything of that nature, but may I ask when we will be moving?”
Master Vincent smiled warmly at me. “It is not rude at all, Leo. We won’t be moving until after the new year.
We must wait for your baby to be born, and there are still renovations to be completed on the new places.
Unlike Nikolai, I have not had the same relationship with certain warlocks.
The first hurdle was getting the council to approve the move.
I believe the fates had something to do with it being approved in the end, but I don’t know that I’ll be given the opportunity to ask such a question. ”
I nodded, because what else could I do? None of this really involved me directly, in that I didn’t have any say in the matter. I was part of this coven, and if my coven master said we were moving, we were moving. I guess I could protest and remain here, but that would be dumb.
The baby kicked me just then, and I absently placed my hand on my stomach. The kicks were slower now than they used to be, but that was because the baby was out of room. “I’m sure the new place will be wonderful, Master. Is there something that I need to do to help? Or can do?”
“No need. We’ll make the move once everything is ready. I would like nothing more than to be able to pack up and move everyone tomorrow. Unfortunately, the renovations have to be completed and inspected by the city first. With where we are going, there is no way around that.”
Dare I ask? “All right. Well, my input is that the apartments, although quite different from what we have now, will be a nice change. I agree that it will provide privacy, which is always a good thing when you have several mated couples mixed in with some that aren’t.
” Not that any of the single guys in the coven seemed to spend many nights alone.
More than once, I’d caught several of them with a guest in the kitchen or in the community living room.
“I wish for everyone to feel comfortable at all times, no matter where they are in the house. That will be able to be enforced more in the new place,” Master Vincent said.
“The shared space will be family only. No visitors of any sort there. Everyone should always feel comfortable grabbing a midnight snack if they need one. I know that there are a few that can get carried away at times.”
I laughed. He knew what I was thinking. He didn’t, but he absolutely did.
“I know about Nicolo. He’s been talked to again and warned that there will be serious consequences next time.” Master Vincent sighed.
I shrugged and smiled. “I mean…he’s single. There is nothing wrong with a little company. It’s needed because he doesn’t have the same option as those that are mated.”
“Agreed. But he knows to keep things in his suite.”
“Well, from my perspective, and I feel mine should matter the least since I’m the newest member of this coven, I think the apartments will be wonderful for everyone. Different, but sometimes change isn’t a bad thing.”
“That’s what I hope to hear. I know it is a big change, but my goal is to keep everyone safe. Hopefully, that will be possible.”
“Can I ask where we’re going to be moving to?”
Master Vincent smiled. “Of course you can. We’ll be moving to Las Vegas. Nikolai gave me the idea, and the thought of running a casino there has great appeal.”
I smiled. I knew what casinos were, obviously. But Las Vegas? That was…all right. So the family was going into the casino business? That was so drastically different. Or perhaps we weren’t going into the casino business?
“That’s exciting news, Master. I’m sure Abel will especially be happy to be closer to where he’s from.”
“Possibly. That’s not why though. There are many factors that were taken into consideration for our new location. I hope that you and the others will understand eventually. I did not make the choice without weighing all of the options.”
“Of course not, Master. I look forward to experiencing another new place soon.” I smiled at the coven master, because I didn’t know what else to do. “Sandro. Please help. I’m in Master Vincent’s office, and I don’t know how to ask to leave.”
I heard laughter through our bond, and then not even a few seconds later, there was a knock on the door. When I turned to look at who it was, I wanted to run and hug the man.
“Excuse me, Master. Might I steal my beloved?”
“Of course, Sandro. I never meant to keep him as long as I have.”
I stood. “It was nice to chat with you, Master,” I said.
“And you as well, Leo. You are always welcome to stop by if you ever have any questions or requests.”
I nodded but hurried over to Sandro. He pulled me close, and I smiled up at him. The man was going to get the biggest hug as soon as we were in the privacy of our own suite. For now, I was happy that he was here and was leading me away from Master Vincent’s office.