Chapter 40
It was laughable, my believing I could lock my feelings away and let them fizzle. How could I, when Laurent faced me with such raw vulnerability? The way he begged for my touch, the expression he wore, the wonder, the want, the hope.
This was not a man incapable of love, whether he wanted to admit it or not.
I traced his jaw first, then trailed my fingertips through his hair along his scalp, putting as much comfort into my touch as possible.
His eyelids drooped, but didn’t close. I placed a hand on his thigh to brace myself, then leaned in and kissed him.
The weight of me pressed him backwards until I was stretched along him.
His hands found my bare back, pressing me close, but nothing more.
He was allowing me to lead, waiting to see what I would do.
He wanted my touch.
I kept my kisses gentle, running a hand down his chest, tracing the ridges and valleys of his muscles.
I found the junction where his thighs met his abdomen and teased his skin, trailing my fingers along the crease.
I caressed him but didn’t take ahold of him—not yet.
He huffed, the sound amused but laced with frustration.
My kisses traveled along his jaw, down the column of his throat, across his chest. I made myself comfortable between his thighs. My eyes never strayed far from his. He watched my every movement.
I found his length and took him in hand, giving him a firm stroke.
He groaned and bowed his hips. His eyes were dark and fathomless as he watched me lean down.
I swept my tongue up the length of him, catching the bead of moisture pooling on the tip of his cock, humming in delight at the salty flavor of him.
He hissed, a desperate, impatient sound.
I chuckled and it reverberated against him. His cock jumped against my tongue.
“You’re going to kill me, aren’t you?” I loved the sound of his voice, the emotion in his words.
I didn’t answer. Instead, I teased him, licking and sucking every inch of him.
Then I took him deep. My eyes watered as he hit the back of my throat but I didn’t stop.
Muffled curses fell from his lips. He didn’t take over, didn’t try to lead.
His chest rose and fell, his body’s desperate attempt to breathe despite not needing air.
His hips flexed, bucking wildly against the forearm I braced over his abdomen.
Every sound he made, every movement, made me feel unbelievably powerful.
Laurent might be one of the strongest vampires in the world, but right now I held him completely at my mercy. The realization crashed over me and sent heat licking straight to my core. With him like this, he was mine to do with as I pleased. I could take whatever I wanted. He wouldn’t stop me.
I lifted my gaze to look at him. His expression of absolute adoration made me falter. I licked my lips, already wet and messy. “Would you rather come on my tongue or inside me?”
His eyes turned completely black, the vampire in him close to the surface.
He blinked rapidly while I waited. “Fuck,” he breathed.
He scrubbed a hand over his face, collecting himself, then lifted onto his elbows.
“Inside you.” My stomach swooped. “I want to come inside you. Come here, little flower.”
“All right,” I said. “But in a moment. I’m not done yet.”
I wrapped my mouth around him again and he cried out a rough whisper of my name, collapsing back onto the bed.
I knew when he was close, when the movements of his hips became uncoordinated and his cock hardened unbelievably.
Only then did I pull my mouth away to the sound of his groan before straddling his hips and lowering myself onto him.
I was already dripping for him. He hummed his contentment as he slid inside my slick warmth with one single thrust. “Little flower,” he cried, taking my hips in his hands. “Look how you destroy me.”
“I’m looking,” I challenged, placing my hands against his chest, putting my weight on him to keep him down.
Then I did exactly what he accused me of.
I destroyed him. Every movement was a catastrophe, every breath devastation.
We finished together, a mess of panting breaths and frantic heartbeats.
I collapsed atop him, snuggling into the crook of his neck as his arms encircled me.
Something was different this time, a thing that could only be felt but not named.
“I want to try,” he said, his words shocking me into stillness.
For a moment, I could only blink, attempting to make sense of what I’d heard.
“I want to try to love you. Maybe…” His voice cracked.
“Maybe I already do.” The admission was a quiet whisper that broke me.
His arms tightened around me as if he was afraid I might disappear.
Despite my inability to move, warmth burst through me, fireworks, golden rays of happiness. A smile pulled at my cheeks until I turned my face against his skin and smiled into him.
“I’d like that,” I managed. “I’d like it if you tried, Laurie.”
His sigh was heavy. One of his hands stroked my hair. My eyelids drooped at his touch. “Sleep, little flower.”
Despite the happiness swirling around me at his revelation, I did.
The bed was cold and empty when I woke. Sunlight streamed in through the windows.
We hadn’t bothered with the drapes. I stretched.
A slow smile spread across my lips. Last night came back in flashes of lurid images, before the one I wanted settled into place.
Laurent wanted to try for love, and perhaps he already loved me.
That admission alone destroyed me.
My breath hitched. I covered my mouth to keep a sob suppressed that threatened to break free. Relief, joy, yearning. A mess of emotions crashed over me. For the first time in my life, someone might actually be in love with me.
All my life I’d craved this kind of love—someone choosing me, wanting to build a life with me—and now this. I reached beneath the sheets and pinched my thigh. It was real. This was real.
My grin was unwavering as I climbed from bed and used the restroom. I showered and took extra care getting ready. I liked the townhouse more than the fortress, despite the fortress’s size and amenities. We’d been bouncing between both for various events during the season.
My heart gave a tiny pang, making my smile waver.
I missed Cinna, despite having seen her just two days ago.
We decided she was happier at the fortress with the vast grounds.
More often than not, she was dirty and exhausted by the end of each day.
Endless roaming, swims in the little lake, and plenty of trouble to get herself into.
She was living her doggy dreams in paradise.
We’d be retuning this afternoon and I couldn’t wait to see her.
“Where’s Laurent?” I asked Vittorio when I caught sight of him.
He was setting breakfast out on the dining room table.
I’d expected to find Laurie in the study, but a quick search of the house yielded nothing.
Ignoring the needle of hurt created by his absence, I strode further into the dining room.
“Good morning, Miss Shaw.” The knowing gleam in Vittorio’s eyes meant he knew exactly what had happened between me and Laurent—looked pleased by it, even.
“My sire is out. With Marco. They had business in the city.” As he said it, his mouth pulled into a subtle frown.
Reading vampires wasn’t easy, but I’d spent enough time around Laurent’s family to recognize the signs. I didn’t like his reaction.
“What business?”
“Nothing to worry yourself over. Come, eat.”
“I wouldn’t be worried if you hadn’t reacted like that,” I grumbled, taking a seat.
“All will be well, Miss Shaw.”
Despite his words, I couldn’t shake the strange feeling of worry mounting in my gut. Laurent took me with him for the majority of his business matters. That he hadn’t, especially after learning of Lio, was a red flag.
The afternoon came and went, and with its passing, my anxiety mounted. Laurent and Marco did not return. We did not leave for the fortress, though Vittorio suggested we ought to stick to the plan, that they could meet us there after they got back. I refused to leave without Laurent.
It wasn’t until after dark, when Zola burst through the townhouse’s front door looking disheveled and grim, that I knew something was very wrong.
I jumped from the long bench against the far wall, nearly toppling my mug of tea, just to get to her.
She didn’t bother to disguise her worried expression as she tossed two shattered cell phones on the hall’s entry table.
Vittorio appeared. His face was stony—hiding whatever he felt behind a barrier.
“I found these, but nothing more,” she said. He gave a curt nod.
“What’s going on?” I managed, growing more agitated. “Is that… Is that Laurie’s cell phone?” My stomach turned rock hard.
“Darling,” she greeted, turning to me. “Are you all right?”
“No,” I nearly roared. “I am not all right. Laurent is missing! Someone better tell me what is going on.”
Zola rubbed her eyes. She looked tired—
The door chime rang. Zola and Vittorio whirled around.
Faster than I could blink, Vittorio was at the door.
Catina and Paolo emerged from the hallway leading to the kitchen.
They were both frowning. By the time the door opened into the dark night, the stoop was empty.
Vittorio bent and retrieved a small envelope.
He stood, lifting it to his nose to sniff it as he closed the door. Zola gave him a look and he shook his head. My frustration grew. “Who is that from?” I demanded.
These vampires owed me nothing. I was part of their family now, but just because I was Laurent’s didn’t place me at the top of their pecking order. That didn’t stop me from making demands.
“There isn’t a name,” Vittorio said, breaking the wax seal on the back.
His eyes darted over the small slip of parchment in his hands. This time, his expression was easily readable. My stomach sank. He passed the note off to Zola and she gave much the same reaction.
She lifted her head to the others. “This ends tonight. Summon our forces. Call in our allies.”
The words felt heavy.
I made a sound that caught her attention. She passed me the note and I read it. My blood ran cold.
One house, one family. But what is a great house without its sire? Decide who is more important: your household or the girl. Send her and I will return him to you.
There was an address accompanying the words. My lips parted and I tried to make sense of the writing. Enough was clear. Laurent was in danger. “What does this mean?” I asked Zola, who was in the midst of issuing orders. She was obviously the highest ranking in this situation.
She turned to me, glancing at the slip of paper. “One house, one family,” she read. “It is our house motto. It’s a threat. Our enemy wants you in exchange for Laurent.”
“How did they get him?” Vittorio demanded, looking at Zola. She held her phone in hand, typing furiously.
“It is obvious, no?” She lifted a dark brow in his direction.
“The blood ruby,” I said, drawing conclusions of my own. “Lio.”
Zola’s head whipped toward me. “What do you know of Lio?”
“Just that he’s alive. That he’s behind this.”
“That’s impossible, darling.” But she frowned.
“It’s not. We figured it out last night.
That’s who touched me at the garden party, why Laurent was so angry afterward.
He must have…” I shook my head. He’d been gone all day.
“He must have gone looking for him. If Lio got Laurent, then he really does have the blood ruby and used it to capture him.”
The door opened and Hassan strode in, his expression hard but determined. “The others are on their way.” He stopped at the sight of me, then strolled over, planting himself before me. “Are you all right, Miss Shaw?”
I snorted. “Not even a little bit. I’m going with you—to get him back.”
“You most certainly are not,” Vittorio said at the same time Zola said, “Don’t be absurd, darling.”
I crossed my arms, facing them. Catina and Paolo had disappeared, no doubt to see to other preparations. “The note wants me for a trade. You show up without me, do you really think he’ll just hand Laurent over? He probably won’t even admit you unless you have me.”
“She does make a valid point,” Hassan mused.
“What are you saying, Hassan? You know Laurent would have our heads if we put her in danger.”
“Hassan has been training me daily.” I lifted my chin. “You all know how dangerous that ruby is. And you’re susceptible to it. I’m not. I’m not a vampire. I’m probably the safest out of all of you.”
“Safe?” Zola scoffed. “The moment that little wretch sinks his teeth into your neck, darling, you’re dead.”
“Not if I command him otherwise.” Even though my words sounded confident, I couldn’t ignore the terror clawing at my insides. I couldn’t let them know how frightened I was. They’d smell it and then I’d never be allowed to go.
Zola shared a long look with Hassan. I waited to see what she’d say.
I had the address—had memorized it the moment I saw it.
Regardless of what she decided, I was going with or without their permission.
“Very well,” Zola conceded at last. “If we’re going to do this with her, we need a solid plan.
” Hassan smiled grimly. A moment later, so did I. We were going to get Laurent back.