Page 116 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“It was my pleasure. Sleep well.”

The door closed and I drifted off to sleep smiling, my body still humming with contentment.

I woke whimpering, covered in sweat. Shivers wracked my body. My mind echoed with the feel of a steel table beneath me. I squeezed the bedding just to be sure. Soft linens.

Not the abandoned hospital.

In the dim light, I spotted Cinna in her crate. I fled my bed, trying to get my breathing under control. Cinna barely stirred as I gathered her in my arms. I hugged her to me as I crossed the room and found the door leading to Laurent’s chambers. It clicked open.

I’d never been in here, and yet I didn’t question the force that drove me.

A lamp was on, casting dim shadows across the room. An immediate sigh fell from my lips when I found him. He was sitting in a plush armchair, a book abandoned on his lap as he watched me. His room was like mine, only bigger, with black accents instead of red.

I didn’t speak. Nor did he. He simply watched me, isolated in his pool of light, as I crossed the room to his bed. Perhaps he could hear my heart or sense that I’d had another nightmare. Did he know that I sometimes woke screaming? Sobbing?

He remained motionless, as if he feared a single movement would send me scampering back to my room. I climbed into his bed with Cinna’s warm body cradled against mine. The silky black sheets felt cool against my hot skin. The entire room smelled like him. I immediately felt safer. I curled around Cinna’s soft body and closed my eyes. Sleep dragged me under as the remnants of the nightmare retreated beyond my reach.

Just as I slipped away, I felt soft lips on my temple, a gentle hand stroking my hair. A whispered reassurance that I was safe. Then…nothing more.

When I woke, bright sunlight filtered in through the windows. There was a single red rose on the pillow beside mine. I took it, putting it to my nose, inhaling its sweet scent.

Everything was quiet.

I shot upright almost immediately. This was Laurent’s room. The memory of seeking refuge caught up to me as my eager eyes took in everything. Unlike my room, his was lived in. Messy, even. I spotted a suit jacket draped over one of the sofas in the sitting area. There were books scattered on his table. His bathroom door was open, a small pile of clothes on the floor. A smile tugged at my lips.

Did he do his own laundry? And how had I never wondered that before?

A quiet knock sounded. Crap. My eyes darted toward the door linking our two rooms. But there was no point in retreating.

“Uhm. Come in?”

Vittorio swept in, a tray in hand. “Good morning, Miss Shaw.”

“Nothing happened.” I sprang from the bed so he’d see I was fully dressed.

“None of my business.” He cleared space on the table before setting the tray down.

“Right.”

“Cinnamon is enjoying herself with Hassan. He’s taking her on a walk. I hope you don’t mind?”

“Oh. No. That’s, that’s really nice of him.”

“He offered.” Vittorio shrugged, then glanced around, frowning at Laurent’s discarded clothes littering the room. “Look at the state of this place.”

A laugh burst from me. “I take it he doesn’t let you do his laundry⁠—?”

“Ah, you’re awake.” Laurent strode into the room. “Not talking about me, are you?”

“We were merely commenting on the disarray, sire.”

I clapped my hands over my mouth but it was too late, a laugh slipped free. Laurent’s eyes narrowed first on Vittorio, then on me, as if I was to blame. I could only drop my hands and grin. “It is a bit…messy.”

I’d never taken Laurent for an untidy person.

He scoffed, strolling across the room. His finger slipped under my chin. He tilted my face up and kissed my forehead. Right in front of Vittorio.

His voice was lower as he said, “Good morning, little flower. Shall we eat?” I gaped at him. “Yes, then? Good. Thank you, Vittorio. I appreciate it.”