Page 86 of Death Dance

TWENTY-SIX

Do I get a say in this?

Not far from my father’s precious port was a stretch of beach owned by the rich and famous, and my father presented Emerick with the keys of one of the estates. “The property and everything in it is my dowry offer for you to take this child of mine off my hands.”

My husband wasted no time claiming the keys as his. “I can’t help but notice it’s right by the port, and once again, there was no evidence this property was ever for sale.”

My father chuckled. “It wasn’t ever for sale. I own every single house on this stretch of beach, and over the years, I’ve given lots to family who wished to live in the neighborhood. The properties, including this one, remain technically mine, as I pay the property taxes, handle the maintenance, and provide security. In application, the home is yours to do with as you please. This has excellent water access and the best privacy, and it’s far enough away from my preferred home that you won’t have to see me unless you want to—and I happen to be in town. My uncles all feel I cheated for the house. How dare I not use up more effort or money than needed? Then I reminded them it’s the best house and property in the entire set, and why would I want an inferior home for my daughter?”

“Where are your uncles?” I asked, eyeing the house with interest.

“Inside, waiting to show you the wonderful things they have acquired for your family.” My father chuckled, gestured for us to follow, and headed for the front doors. “Yes, this qualifies as a mansion, and yes, it has more square feet than any person wishes to clean, which is why my maid service comes by every other day to take care of everything. The maids are either members of my brood, family of my brood, or friends of my brood. I have a larger service that hires others, but only people close to my operations have access to any of these properties. I pay exceptionally well for the work, and as all the homes here are owned by members of the family, the maids are also treated exceptionally well. I don’t even make them wear silly outfits. I instruct them to wear what they want unless there is a social event, in which case I provide the appropriate attire, which is usually a suit. The ladies only wear skirts should they wish.”

Damn. It sounded like my father’s maids had it made. “We should steal some of his ideas, Emerick.”

“I plan to. Are there any surprises we should be aware of before we go inside?”

“My uncles have interpreted Pepper’s interest in helping Edgar and visiting with all the brood babies as wishing to have a place in the home where she can steal children at her leisure, so there is a collection of everything little boys and girls need, of all ages, in the eastern wing of the mansion on the ground floor. That is also where the bedrooms for children are located. This way, when Pepper wishes to be surrounded with little ones, you can arrange play dates here with ease.”

“I’ve been wanting to do something like that, but there was no space at any of our properties,” Emerick confessed, and he grinned and rubbed his hands together. “How do you feel about a party for all the families with children after we’re back from our honeymoon, Pepper?”

“You know I’m not going to say no to that. And once we’re hosting the entire lot of kids, I’m going to be very grateful for the help.”

“That’s what we thought. I’ve yet to meet an old vampire who didn’t prefer having many children running around causing trouble. It’s even better when the children running around causing trouble are your own, but I wish you the best of luck convincing Pepper to deal with the headache of even trying for children.”

I did the only thing I could: I kicked my father in the shin. “I’m sure Emerick will not mind should I decide to use and abuse him for my nefarious plans.”

“Do I get a say in this?” Emerick asked, his tone one of curiosity.

“No,” my father and I replied in unison.

He laughed. “I think I can handle part of our mansion being used as a play area for the brood’s children. This is definitely the largest home I own now, though. Dare I ask how many bedrooms are in this place?”

“Twenty-seven,” my father reported. “There are three kitchens, more bathrooms than there are bedrooms, several playrooms, a tennis court, basketball court, and a volleyball court. There is also a small stable suitable for four horses and ten acres of pasturage for them, and there’s an indoor swimming pool in the basement. There are also numerous offices, a library, and a few sitting rooms and dining rooms. As part of the dowry, everything has been furnished.”

I whistled. “That’s some dowry. I’m amused you wanted to get rid of me that badly.”

My father sighed.

Grinning, I stole the keys from Emerick, went to the door, and made use of the fob to let myself in. Within, a spacious foyer decorated with antiques gobbled up space, included sufficient space to ditch muddied shoes, and offered comfortable seats for those loitering around for any reason, along with several bookcases to offer literary amusements. “The only thing the foyer is missing is a fireplace,” I noticed.

“It’s a foyer, not a sitting room, although if someone is waiting for you, there are amusements here. There are many sitting rooms with more books and fireplaces for your enjoyment, I promise.” My father kicked off his shoes and retrieved enough pairs of slippers for us from under one of the nearby benches. “The maids will be deep cleaning the day after tomorrow, so I’d like to at least pretend I don’t make more work for them for the fun of it.”

I chuckled at that, took off my shoes, and put on my slippers. “Is this a good place to ship my prizes to during the honeymoon?”

“There will be someone around daily, so yes. Just let me know if there are any live animals in the shipment.”

I eyed my husband.

“I am not an animal, and you’re not going to be shipping me home.”

“Awww,” I complained, winked at him, and headed deeper into the house to explore my husband’s prize for putting up with me. “I’m so much trouble my family felt the need to give you an entire mansion to deal with me.”

“I’m more concerned you’re going to be stealing children when I take my eyes off you for even a second,” Emerick confessed. “Now that we have a place where such a thing is feasible, I’m worried.”

“I’d give them back after a few days. I’m doing the brood a favor. I’m giving us a location where we can secure all children in case of any future emergencies. Our neighbors are Originals, Emerick.”

My husband blinked. “I had not thought of that.”