Page 35 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

But the sincerity in his expression, the emotion glittering in his eyes, the slight pull between his brows. There’d been surprise, perhaps even a tiny measure of admiration? No. It couldn’t be.

Could it?

Warmth burst through my chest. I pressed my hands against my cheeks to cool them.

No. He’d meant nothing by it. Just a compliment to be nice. But when had Laurent ever gone out of his way to be nice to me?

I shook my head, then scooted off the bench. Another realization sank in and my heart began to beat faster. He’d heard me play. He’d heard me play! Laurent had heard me playing piano. How long had been standing there, listening as I stumbled over mistakes?

My stomach squirmed. I was going to be sick, wasn’t I? I replaced the sheet music and closed the lid. Then I strode from the room, returning to the safety of my own.

10

Vittorio lifted his gaze as I walked into the kitchen. “Miss Shaw, good afternoon.”

“Hi, Vit. I... What is all this?”I surveyed the island.

Vittorio was leaning against the counter, doing the same. “Ingredients, Miss Shaw. For dinner tonight.”

“That’s…a lot of stuff. You know I don’t eat all that much.”

“Master Laurent requested dinner in the dining room this evening.”

“Is he having friends over?”

“No, Miss Shaw. Household only. Has Zola found you something to wear?”

I faltered. “Me? But…”

“You are expected to attend.”

My mouth went dry, eyes darting over all the ingredients again. What would it be like sitting around a table with vampires? Would they look at me like dessert? Or would they be like Laurent? Consider me a useless human. The thought of sitting around a table with them—with Laurent—left my skin clammy.

“Can’t I just eat in my room? I’m not part of his little vamp club.”

Vittorio huffed. “You are part of House Sarkas now, Miss Shaw. Part of the family.”

Despite how nice those words sounded, they were a lie. Still, I swallowed and nodded. There wasn’t any point in arguing. Not with Vittorio.

I rubbed my palms against my leggings. “Do you need any help?” I tried to disguise the hope in my voice.

Vittorio’s expression flashed with amusement. “That bored, hmm?”

“All I’ve been doing is reading. I know you don’t really need it but…please, Vittorio. Help a girl out.”

“Can you cook?”

I hummed, thoughtful. “I mean, I’m not awful.”

“Not awful.”

“Okay, I’m not…like you, but I do enjoy it. Besides, look at all these veggies. How about you put me on scullery maid duty or something.”

He made a noise that almost counted as a surprised laugh. “Scullery maid, indeed. All right, Miss Shaw. Get started on the salad.” He turned into a blur, moving around the island. Ten seconds later, he’d siphoned off a stack of items that were intended for the salad. “Knives are over there.”

I stalked over to the block, looking over my options. I grabbed a large chef knife and walked around the island. “Wait, I can’t kill a vampire with one of these can I?” Vittorio’s head whipped in my direction. “Hah! Kidding, Vit. Well, actually, sort of? What does it take to kill one of you?”

“A bit of garlic, holy water, and a stake,” he deadpanned. “Bonus points if you have a cross.”