Page 122 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“I do every night, do I not?”

“You could just bring hot chocolate.”

“And deprive you of my newfound abilities?”

I snorted, pouring myself some coffee before adding cream and sugar. It was a calm environment as we set about the room. Astrid, Demetrius, Lixin, and Hassan took up a card game. Marco sat down at the puzzle that someone had started. Zola stretched out along the sofa, throwing an arm over her face like she intended to nap. Philippe and Stella sat with books, ignoring everyone else.

Kian took up a stance near the window, gazing out into the darkness. He was Henrietta’s sire. He’d been the least friendly toward me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he blamed me for her death. The way his jaw ticked when he looked at me suggested my suspicions were correct.

I sipped my coffee, regarding them. “You have a beautiful family,” I murmured. I knew they could all hear me with their supernatural senses, but I didn’t care.

Something in Laurent’s features softened. “I do.”

“Do all of your children live here in the manor?”

“Not quite. Some live in Italy. A few others are scattered at various other houses I own around the world. Only my inner circle resides here.” He glanced around the room and frowned. “Vittorio!”

The male in question appeared. “Yes, sire?”

“Come, Vittorio. Leave the dishes for later. Linger with us a while. Miss Shaw has agreed to grace us with her beautiful music this evening.”

I choked, sputtering coffee back into my cup. Several heads glanced up.

“Laurie,” I hissed, “you know I don’t play for others.”

“Oh come, they’ve all heard you playing.”

A lump formed in my throat. I glanced at the beautiful instrument. “All right,” I said at last, finding my courage. My hands trembled slightly—whether from nerves or the lingering effects of training, I couldn’t tell. “But I’m not apologizing for all the mistakes I’ll make.”

Laurent’s mouth twitched. “None of us will mind.”

I finished my coffee and set the cup and saucer back on the table. Laurent led me to the piano, then took up a stance near my shoulder. I ignored him as I flipped through the song I’d left out last time I practiced. Then I set my hands on the keys and played.

30

Laurent stood behind Lily, mesmerized as her fingers tapped along the piano keys. The others had slowed their activities. Even the card game had temporarily stalled. They listened. Vampires loved music as they loved all fine arts.

Her music was a deep inhale, something that breathed life into everything it touched.

It was a selfish thing, to want her playing for himself alone. To wish it was just the two of them. But this was his family, so he could share, if only for that reason. After a few minutes, the others returned to their activities. Even Kian’s frown disappeared. He hadn’t warmed to her the way the others had, still frustrated over Henrietta’s death.

Laurent didn’t feel a morsel of guilt. Why should he? His fingertips brushed Lily’s shoulder before he could stop himself, a simple caress. Her playing faltered, just a note, then continued. He wanted to rub his hands over every inch of her, touch and taste her. Remove that frustrating dress shielding her neck from him.

She’d done it on purpose. He hadn’t missed the smug tilt of her lips. He’d have the damn thing in shreds by the end of the night if he had any say in the matter.

Earlier that afternoon, he’d found a recipe on the internet for snickerdoodle cookies. Much simpler than anything he’d made thus far. But considering the time, he wanted something quick. He’d snuck into the kitchen while Vittorio prepared dinner, relieved that Lily hadn’t been in attendance, and mixed up the dough. All that was left was to slide the sheets into the oven.

When Lily finished at the piano, he said, “It’s late, perhaps you’d like to retire for the evening?”

Her eyes flared with his unspoken meaning. “Okay.”

Cinnamon snoozed by the fireplace. She scooped up the dog and said goodnight to everyone. Out in the hall he said, “Why don’t you go upstairs and get Cinna ready for bed? I’ll be along in a bit.”

“Okay,” she said again, eyeing him with curiosity.

“And don’t change out of that dress,” he added.

A flush crept across her cheeks. He loved that he could make her react like that.