Page 155 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“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.