Page 59 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

She leaned in and kissed my temple. “I meant what I said earlier, darling. If you wish to go home, you can. But certain precautions will be in order. There will be vampires posted around your apartment to protect you. Your neighbors will probably notice. You’ll have to explain it. You will require bodyguards, adequate protection whenever you go anywhere. That sounds like a headache to me.”

I blew out a breath. I didn’t want to think about it right now. I didn’t want to think at all.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Because I’m an amplifier?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

“No, Lily Winifred Shaw. Because you are a good person who has been through too many awful things. You deserve a better life.”

I blinked. “You… You know?”

“I looked you up online. The internet is marvelous, isn’t it? A hundred years ago I’d have gone digging the old fashioned way…”

I lost the thread of her voice. My mind jumped to my teenage years, to what had happened, the involvement of local news outlets, the shame and embarrassment. My cheeks warmed. How long had she known?

“So, what do you say? Are you willing to let us protect you? Give you a better life?”

I picked at the comforter, keeping my eyes downcast. “Laur—“ I stopped myself. “He thinks I’m a spoiled brat. I’m not… I don’t need to be pampered. That’s not…me.”

“You can live here without being pampered.”

I pressed my lips into a tight line. Even Vittorio’s cooking made me feel pampered. “It’s… It’s a lot to think about. To consider.”

“I understand. You need not give me your answer yet. How about we get some fresh air, hmm?”

My hands fisted the sheets. “I’d rather stay here.”

“No. I don’t think so. If you let it, they will win. The witches. You’ll never want to leave the confines of this room.”

I felt safer here. I didn’t want to venture into the rest of the manor. The bed was comfortable and familiar. Besides, what if he was lurking out there. I didn’t want to see him.

“Come, let’s go to my room. Yes? And since we can’t go out and shop, how about some online shopping? Spending copious amounts of money will make us both feel better.”

I swallowed, my eyes darting toward the door. I could do this. I could walk down the hall to Zola’s room.

After a long moment, I peeled back the blankets. She led me down the hall, letting me use her arm for support. I’m sure we looked quite the pair. Me with my six foot tall frame to her five foot seven. I took in every doorway, every shadow, praying I wouldn’t see anyone.

In her room, Zola grabbed a laptop and we got comfortable on the sofa. “Ah,” she sighed, opening browsers for several clothing companies. “I just love online shopping. Makes everything so easy. A century ago, I had to go to the modiste—that’s a dress maker.”

“I know what a modiste is,” I teased. “I read historical romance.”

“But of course!” She sighed, her eyes going slightly unfocused, as if reliving memories. “Just think about what a headache that was, hmm?”

“I don’t know, it sounds kind of nice. What was it like?”

Her expression brightened. She regaled me with stories about fashion in the old days, while we sat there scrolling. I knew she was doing it to make me feel better. To distract me. She scoffed every time I turned my nose up at the fashionable options she picked for me. But eventually, we filled our virtual cart with designer brands I would never in a million years have the funds to pay for.

Vittorio stopped by with our tea service. His eyes locked on mine and a soft smile appeared on his lips. I blinked. Had I ever seen him smile at me—truly smile? It was an expression that prompted me to forgive him for the role his sire involved him in. “It is good to see you awake, Miss Shaw. I think you will like your tea service this afternoon.”

“It’s good to see you, too, Vittorio. Thank you…for the soup.” I managed something that might have passed for a smile, though it felt hollow.

“Excellent.” He set a tray before us on the coffee table.

My lips parted. “Are those...?”

“Bite sized cinnamon rolls. Yes.”

Each one was perfect, with a dollop of sugary frosting. This time something lighter flickered across my face, cutting through the numbness. “They’re so…so cute. You did this for me?”