by Emily Bex
She was surprised Alec would choose such a highly visible and populated area for a house. As they turned the corner onto the Champs Elysees, Kate was looking at the building fronts, and comparing them to the photo in her hand, looking for a house number. She saw the huge building in the middle of the block. It was a large, ornate Beaux Arts structure with many French doors on the facade that opened onto wrought iron balconies, all overlooking the broad boulevard.
She fished the key from her purse and unlocked the door. She and Luca stepped into the large open foyer with large black and white tiled floors and a curved white marble staircase with an elaborate scrolled black iron banister. The architecture was uniquely Parisian. They walked together through each of the three floors. The building was old, but was built in the 19th century, so it wasn’t as ancient as Castello, and it had been well maintained.
Kate was making note of specific areas that would need some renovation, but she wanted to keep true to the buildings original architectural style. The bathrooms would need the most work, and the heating and cooling systems would need to be replaced. Almost every room had a fireplace, but she knew that wasn’t a practical way to heat a home in modern Paris. She’d have a contractor check the electrical, but even without rewiring, there were light fixtures that would need to be replaced. She knew the merchants that helped her restore Bel Rosso to its traditional Tuscan glory, would be able to help her keep the same period feel for this house as well.
Alec had been right about one thing. The house was huge, and it could easily be renovated to make three separate apartments, and in this part of Paris, they could charge a fortune for rent. But if the point was to have a place for them to stay, a place to bring the children in the future, then she wanted to keep the entire property for themselves. She took photos in every room, and made copious notes, but found she was tired in spite of her enthusiasm. There was no furniture left here, so they’d spend at least a portion of the day in a hotel, so Kate could sleep, before coming back to take final measurements and meet with the designer.
Luca had arranged for a hotel nearby in the event they had to stay. He knew she was strong and healthy, but the pregnancy would drain her energy more quickly. "Come with me, Kate. I can tell you’re tired. You got a lot done here and I promised Shade you’d rest. The sun is already out. We can walk to the hotel from here."
They walked down the wide stairs and back out into the streets of Paris. The sun felt glorious on her face. She wondered what it would have been like had she not been reborn a day-walker, to never experience the feel of the sun on her skin again. The tree-lined streets of the Champs Elysees were in full bloom, and every door had large urns filled with flowers. Kate lifted her face to the sun and took in a deep breath. Her heart broke that it couldn’t be Shade walking beside her. That this was a pleasure he’d never know.
Luca led her to the Hotel Plaza Athenee on the Avenue Montaigne. They passed a small cafe with the strong smell of rich coffee in the air, and bakeries with glass front counters filled with baguettes and fresh pastries, their fragrant, sweet, doughy smell wafting from the open doors. She paused slightly as they passed, the memories of her mortal body responding to the scent. Luca smiled and pulled her away as they continued on their path. Kate smiled wistfully at him.
"I wonder if he ever misses this."
Luca shook his head, "You can't miss what you never had. These are mortal pleasures. Our bodies don’t require it. We don’t feel the same pull as you do. Your desire for mortal pleasures will fade with time."
Kate nodded as they walked arm in arm, the mortals on the street passing them by. "What about the sun, Luca. He can't walk in the sun. He only knows the darkness and a world of artificial light. I wonder if he longs for the sun."
Luca looked down at his feet as they walked. "Every vampire who must hide from the sun adjusts. Again, for those not born as day-walkers, they really know nothing else. I don't think Shade thought about it much until he met you. I know it bothered him greatly he couldn’t be awake with you in the day. But just as you have adjusted your own schedule to sleep when he sleeps, we all do what we have to, right?"
She smiled back at him. "I’d change nothing."
They arrive at the Athenee and got checked in. They had a suite with two bedrooms, so he could be as close to her as possible.
"Get some rest, Kate. Sleep as much as you need. We don't have an appointment with the designer until this afternoon. Once you finish up with him, we can teleport back."
They both retired to their respective bedrooms. Kate barely noticed the lavishly appointed rooms. Her feet were tired from all the walking and this baby took what he needed from her first. She pulled the heavy drapes closed and climbed between the sheets, remembering the last time she was in Paris with him. She sent him her love and quickly fell asleep.
Kate slept soundly and dreamt of him, and Bel Rosso. She felt Shade as he dream-walked into her sleep, making love to her in Paris. She saw a young, dark haired boy running through the fields, squealing in delight, dragging a toy sword behind him and knew in her heart this was Lorenzo. She woke after a few hours of sleep and sat up on the side of the bed, shaking the sleep from her eyes. She walked to the bathroom and splashed her face with cold water. So much to do yet, and she wanted to get back home.
She called out to Luca who responded to her immediately. "Did you sleep well, Kate?"
She nodded. "I did. I was more tired than I thought, but I miss him beside me. Let's get back to the house, meet the designer so we can finish up and you can take me home."
They made their way back to the house and found the designer that had helped her so much on both the Virginia and California houses waiting at the door. Kate extended her hand to him. "I hope you haven’t been waiting long."
He smiled graciously. He had served the Medici family for a very long time. They had made him a very rich man. What she didn’t understand was he would stand here for hours waiting if necessary. "Of course not, madam. You are right on time."
Kate unlocked the door and the three of them entered together. Kate and the designer walked from room to room, planning out the space, taking measurements and discussing furniture. The designer had a large notebook of numerous furniture pieces he had at his disposal that he kept showing to her, making suggestions.
"And, of course, if there’s something specific you want, just let me know. If I don’t have it, I can certainly track it down."
They spent the remaining hours planning the rooms, the furniture, the drapes, and rugs. Kate ripped all the notes from her notebook and handed them over to him. "And here’s the list of things that will need renovation. I’ll need you to help oversee the contractors. I won’t be able to get here as often, so I’ll need your oversight."
He gleefully took the list, seeing dollar signs. "Of course, madam. We have done much renovation at Castello. We understand the Medici standards. Please, don’t trouble yourself. I promise only exceptional work."
Kate had no doubt. As they finalized their plans, Kate gave the designer an extra key so he might come and go as needed and oversee the workers who’d be in and out. She bid him farewell and turned to Luca.
"Well, that's done. And I’m more than ready to get home to Bel Rosso. I’m surprised at how quickly this baby zaps my energy."
Luca pulled her close as they stood in the large foyer and teleported out. The sky was darkening, and he knew with the time change, it would be close to morning when they arrived back home.
42
Fee walked back into the camp and saw Shade, and she wasn’t the least surprised to see Britt standing at his side. Shade saw her approaching and wondered why she’d stayed behind to talk to bel.
"Everything all right, Fee? Is bel okay?"
Fee smiled. "Of course, everything’s fine, female chatter. I just wanted to wish her good luck on the Paris house. I know you’ll be a grumpy ass tyrant tonight since she’ll be gone, so I plan on staying far away from you."
Shade l
aughed and fist bumped her. "If she is gone too long, I will be going after her!"
Fee turned, and Britt was right under her feet. Fee grabbed her by the arm and steered her in the direction of the group. "You belong over here and you will stay over here!"
Shade worked through the groups, as they were put through their paces. He watched those they had decided to keep and thought they’d made the right choice. He gathered the warriors for a break and announced that the cut list would be posted at the end of the night in the meeting room of the barracks. Those not making the cut would be escorted out, but reminded them they could always try out again in the future. He let the warriors go for their last round of skill sets and decided to head back to the house. Things were fine here, and he was missing bel.
He needed to call Dr. Bonutti and see when he planned to arrive, and check in with Raven on how things were progressing in D.C. He worked his way around to the gate and headed quietly up the road to the main house.
Britt saw him leave the camp. He’d be hard to miss since she’d kept her eyes on him all night. She looked around and saw Fee was preoccupied with the women and decided to make her move. She heard Fee mention to him Kate was away, so he’d be all alone in that big house. Britt ran up behind him, catching up quickly as he took long strides on the path to the house. She reached out and grabbed at the waist band of his leathers. "Not so fast, warrior. I was hoping you’d maybe give me a clue as to whether I’m on the list to stay."
Shade’s mind was so preoccupied, he’d had no idea anyone was behind him.
He was surprised, and a little annoyed to see Britt. He’d tried to be stern yet gentlemanly in making sure she understood he was master here, this was a warrior camp and she was a recruit, but she had stepped over the line and he was putting an end to this. "Britt, the list will be posted shortly. You will find out the results when the others do, and not before. So, I would suggest you go back and use your time wisely, si?"
Britt flashed him a coy smile. "I could go back, if that’s what you want. But I heard your mate left you alone tonight." Britt stepped in closer, inhaling his scent. "Perhaps, you’d like some company in that big empty house. I have other skills you haven't seen yet, and I’d really love to show them to you."
She reached her hand out, brushing back those dark curls from his forehead, seeing the intensity in those blue eyes, even in the moonlight. She wanted him so bad he made her mouth water.
Shade sighed heavily. If she thought that was a line he’d never heard before, she was wrong. As her hand touched his hair, he gripped her wrist and growled. "I am master here, I am mated, and she is loved. You have no business with me other than to train as a warrior. You have overstepped your bounds. No more, Britt! If you wish to disrespect my commands, then you can leave now, and you will be escorted out of here. But I think you want to stay. I think you want to be a warrior. Tell me if I am wrong. Go now, before you stir my beast. Go!"
Shade turned and took a deep breath. He’d thought, once he was mated he’d be done with the nonsense of females chasing after him, wanting to bed him, to be his for one night. Fuck! His past would always haunt him in some fashion and now, he fully understood bel's anger when she saw any female around him.
Britt was surprised when he grabbed her wrist, but his strength turned her on even more. She felt the electricity of his touch and it ran straight from the strength of his strong grip on her wrist to the core of her sex, and she burned for him. She knew he was angry, but she also knew his reputation. This one wouldn’t go for long without a woman to warm his bed, and if his mate stayed gone a while, Britt was sure she could wear him down. After all, he was the Medici, and there was a long list of conquest proud to be included on that list, and she intended to be one of them. She gave him a slow smile, tilting her head down in a submissive manner.
"Of course, master. Whatever you wish... However you wish it... You will have."
Britt turned and walked away from him, tossing her newly red locks and looking back over her shoulder at him, making sure he got her message as he watched her go.
43
Shade watched Britt walk back to camp, her message had been clear, he just hoped his message to her was just as clear! He thought he was done with all of this nonsense with females. What the hell did it take for them to forget his past, learn he was mated and in love and received that love in return tenfold? He took his time walking back to the main house, letting his temper cool down. He prayed bel hadn’t felt the sexual advances from Britt. He was sure she wouldn’t since his response had been nothing but anger and taking the vixen down.
Walking into the house, Gi nodded and handed him a glass of Midnight, which Shade downed immediately. He let Gi know he’d be in his office if he was needed. Gi filled his glass again and Shade walked to his office and picked up his cell. He looked at the pile of papers neatly stacked on his desk and sighed. He’d never been happier in his life, or busier, and there was only one thing he yearned for, his lily-white with the crimson locks.
He dialed up a few vampire masters he knew in California, asking them if they were aware of any honest and reliable day-walkers who might be good candidates to manage the inn in Napa. He had an idea what bel was looking for, as he gave the masters an overview of this venture. He silently hoped none of them sent him any female candidates. He’d had enough damn problems with females lately!
He glanced at the clock and could feel his death slumber coming slowly. Reluctantly making his way up the stairs, he knew she wouldn’t be there and wouldn’t be coming home today. How the hell did he ever live without her? He could feel her tiredness and knew she was pushing her limits, trying to get everything done before she was grounded. He chuckled out loud at her choice of words, but she knew him better than he knew himself.
Shade also knew, once the bambinos began to arrive, she would remain here. She’d want to raise them here at Bel Rosso. This was their home, their legacy, and he spent every second of his life making sure there would be enough to support them for an eternity.
Dropping his clothes behind him as he walked through their bedroom, he smiled to himself. He could imagine her disapproving stare as he left the trail of clothes behind him. He took a long hot shower then walked to the empty bed, naked and wet, his hair dripping small rivulets of water down his face and chest. He sat on the edge of the bed and noticed his cell blinking. Someone had called and left him a message. He grabbed his phone, hoping it was bel, but noticed it was Dr. Bonutti, returning his call.
Hitting redial, Shade didn’t wait long before Dr. Bonutti answered in his jovial friendly voice. He had known Shade since his birth and had administered to the Medici family for centuries and there was no one better, in Shade's mind, to care for the next generation of Medici. "Doc, grazie for answering my call."
Dr. Bonutti laughed into the phone. "Medici, I apologize profusely for not returning your call earlier, but I have just come from London, a special case. I hear congratulations are in order in your mating and the crowning of your new queen. I am most honored to be of service to you and yours. Always a pleasure, I assure you."
Shade flopped back on the bed and grinned. "Grazie. I need you to come to the States as soon as possible. My mate is with child, we know it is a son. I need someone I can trust, someone who can make the journey here as often as necessary. She is not far along, but I need to have her examined, for my own piece of mind. She is newly turned and--" Shade swallowed hard as the loss of their first son slammed him hard every time he thought about it. "Well, she lost our first son when she became pregnant while still mortal. Both of us need some reassurance."
Dr. Bonutti listened and could feel the anguish of the Medici. "Si. Those pregnancies are rarely successful, Shade. This one, of course, will be fine and I will monitor the pregnancy and the birth for Council. I will come in two night’s time. We will all meet, and I will answer any questions your queen may have. I am most excited to meet her."
"I appreciate it, doc. This means a grea
t deal to me. I will send you the coordinates of our home, and we will see you then. Buonasera."
As Shade ended the call, he tossed the phone onto the nightstand and spread out on the bed, moaning. He wanted his bel! He wanted her to know the ache in his heart her absence caused him and sent her his love telepathically. Closing his eyes, he felt the slumber drag him under as the last words he heard were hers, whispering in her soft voice that she loved him and missed him too.
44
Through the fog of sleep, Shade heard the soft sound of the electronic whir of the blinds opening for the evening. He rolled over and moaned. His slumber had taken him deep and he slid easily into bel’s dreams, making passionate love to her in the lover's paradise of Paris. He’d made her a promise in his dream, to come back here with her, and make love with her in reality, including the seedy alley where he’d taken her wantonly as others walked past. Reaching out for her, the bed was empty and cold. He missed the warmth of her curled against him, her head on his shoulder, her arm draped over his chest.
Before the ache for her could build inside him, he quickly showered, dressed in his leathers, and laced his boots. Tonight, would be a good exercise for the recruits. They’d cut a good number, so the group was smaller, and it was time to turn up the heat in the warrior camp.
As Shade made his way to the camp, he could hear the sounds of metal against metal and the swishing sound of swords waved high into the air, as mock battles were in full force. He walked inside the gates, across the training field, and watched as Marcello paired them up. The recruits were going at each other full force. Shade liked what he saw. He walked the perimeter of the training field, closely observing those he was hoping to keep. He tried to remain on the periphery of the field, out of their line of vision, so they weren’t aware of being observed.