by Emily Bex
Climbing the stairs to get to bel, he walked past the guest bedroom and noticed a light on. He took two steps backwards and realized Theresa was in the room. Tapping on the half open door with his knuckles, she timidly peeped around the door and smiled. He smiled back and asked, “May I enter? I suppose you felt a bit out of place in the staff quarters?”
Theresa smiled shyly, knowing master had recently been with Marco and hoping he brought word from him. “Si, it was my lady's insistence. I do not want to cause any problems, I can return there if you wish, master.”
Shade shook his head. “Return there? No, bel is right, this will be a much better place for you.”
He chuckled as he saw her blush and then he noticed a painting of Marco on the wall. Walking toward it, he stood and stared. “Damn, the old codger looks young in this one. Luca, I presume? That boy can sure capture images on canvas, brings back many memories for me of Marco.”
Theresa sighed with relief, knowing she would stay in the main house and near my lady. They were the only females about, and while she was happy to help out with the warriors, she didn’t want to live among them. “Si, Luca is gifted, master. He favored me with several portraits.” Looking down and twisting her hands, she hesitantly asked him, “Is he well, Master Shade?”
“Marco is well, and ornery as ever. He misses you. And I might add, was quite impressed with that gift. You have my word as master, once this chaos is over with, I will be going to Castello with bel, and you will be coming along.”
Theresa gave him a nod and a soft smile as he exited to the hallway and called out to his mate, “Bel!”
From their bedroom, she could hear his booming voice. It always made her smile. “Lover, you are home.”
He entered the room and was assaulted by her as she covered him with kisses. “Slow down woman! Hell, you damn near knocked me over, and that is no easy task.” Smiling, he nuzzled into her neck and growled. “Miss me, did you?”
“I always miss you. You saw Theresa? You don't mind, do you? I just couldn't imagine her being the only woman among all those men.”
“Si, I saw her. She is used to the warriors, but she is also used to having her own space. I like the idea. I feel better knowing she is here. Thank you, mi amore, for taking care of things for me. I promise to make it up to you.” He nipped her neck gently.
“And the paintings... the paintings Luca did of Marco. Did you see those?”
Pulling back from her, he gave her a serious look. “You know of Marco?”
“I don't remember if I met him when we were in Florence. There were so many warriors, so no, I don’t think I know him. But when I was helping her move to the guest room, I found the canvases covered with a blanket in her closet. I asked who he was and she told me. They love each other, but she was afraid to display the paintings. I told her to hang them on the wall. Love should never be hidden away. Why would she hide them?”
He stood tall in front of her. “To begin with, I had no idea of this love until she came to me before I left, and asked me to take a gift to him. How the hell did I not know this? I spoke to Marco. They had kept it hidden. Bel, you need to understand, warriors are not always meant to find love, they are meant for war. It is custom, it is how it is done, and females are a great distraction, especially for young warriors. Once out of camp, they need to explore the world for a very long time, to practice their skills in the streets, to learn to live among mortals. Leaving females behind is a struggle and a great weight to bear on them. Marco and Theresa know the rules, they were raised on them, abide by them, as is my wish. But I would have made exceptions for them both. They are both dear to me.”
Kate looked at him with a puzzled expression. “But you are a warrior. And we found love. I’m not arguing with you, I’m only trying to understand.”
“I am also a master, and royalty. I am expected to find a mate and carry on the bloodline, so that is different. I have made exceptions for my warriors. I look at their circumstances. Marco trains now, he is rarely in battle himself. He stays at Castello, so I would have made an exception. Bel, I need to shower quickly, I told Luca I wanted to go over some things with him, then I will return to you. He is waiting on me, mi amore. Can you find me some jeans and a t-shirt?”
Kate looked about confused. “I, yes, okay, I'll get your clothes ready. But you’re leaving already? You just got home.”
He answered impatiently, “Woman! I am master here, I have warriors housed, and I have to get some things worked out, si? Please, do not argue with me, I am having this meeting with Luca in my office, not leaving the house, so I can be with you later... without interruption. May I have your permission, my lady?”
Undressing, he flung his clothes across the room, his boots tossed to the corner.
She watched his temper flare as he reminded her who was master, and mockingly called her ‘my lady.’ Her own redheaded temper flared, as she answered him. “Since when have you ever needed my permission to do anything, Shade Medici? Please, don't let me stand in your way.”
Whipping his head around to her, he growled. “Don’t you even think about copping an attitude with me, woman! I will spank that tight ass of yours red, and make you beg for the master of this house, his cock and kisses! Do you not understand, I am doing this for you, so I can be with you the rest of the night? Making love, and lavishing you with all my incredible charms.”
She stood with her hands on her hips, “From where I stand, you seem to have lost some of that incredible charm. Maybe you should find it before you come back to me. Are your warriors rubbing off on you already?”
Holding up his hand, he roared, “Enough! As you wish, bel rosso, I won’t return to you until my charm has returned.” Walking to the shower, he spun on his heels to face her. “I do not wish, my lady, to inconvenience you any further, so I will retrieve my own clothing.”
He went to the armoire, whipped out a pair of jeans, went to the shower and slammed the door shut. Cazzo, why doesn’t she understand I’m overwhelmed right now, and I’m doing this for her? He took his shower quickly, then dressed and teleported to his office, seeking out Luca.
Kate was fuming mad. He turns his back on me? And then he teleports away? Well, isn't that just fucking handy? She stormed out of the bedroom, stood at the top of the stairs and screamed at the top of her lungs, "This isn’t over, Shade Medici!"
Shade heard her shout, and before he could tap him down, the beast ripped to the surface, his fangs punched and his eyes flared like flames, as he walked to the bottom of the stairs, and stared at her. Shade heard Luca behind him, and without turning his head, he issued a low growl. “This is between Kate and me.” He heard Luca turn to leave and he saw Kate glance at her protector. “He won’t save you. You are mine.”
The beast began to climb the stairs, growling, his eyes never leaving hers, locked tight onto her, holding her there. Reaching the top of the stairs, he circled her once, then twice before he picked her up, threw her over his shoulder and made his way to the bedroom, kicking the door closed behind him. He pitched her onto the bed and hovered over her, as he roared back at her. “Then make it over!”
Kate saw the beast emerge, and her instincts told her to stand still as he slowly climbed the stairs toward her, circling her, before throwing her over his shoulder. She swallowed hard as she looked into his eyes, glowing red with anger, not lust. Her heart was pounding, and as much as she wanted to look away, she locked eyes with him, responding in a soft voice. “You always walk away... always.”
Leaning down, he touched noses with her and growled in a lowered tone. “And you always push and push. What do you want from me? Tell me.”
Her voice trembled, “You, I want you, I always want you. I'm sorry, I know there is a lot going on, and I’m trying to be understanding. But I see less and less of you. That is what I want, lover... your time.”
Sliding his hands up her face and into her hair, he gripped two fists full and closed his eyes. He felt his body tremble, fi
ghting for control, as he pushed back the beast and fought to say the right words. “My time is precious right now. I do not want to fight with you. I do not want this, mi amore. I am doing all I can to be here. I have responsibilities beyond your belief. I do all of this for us. Can you not be patient with me? I want to run away with you and leave this all behind, but I cannot. I am master. These warriors, these people around you, they depend on me, just as you do.” Lowering his head, he laid it on her chest. “Forgive me, but I am doing the best I can, just be here for me, do not test my emotions more. I am fighting to protect you, and make you proud.”
“You always make me proud, Shade. I don't even know how we got here. One minute talking, the next minute fighting. Our time together is precious, and fighting is not how I want to spend my time with you.” She placed her hand in his hair. “I’m sorry.”
Leaning down, he kissed her long and soft. “Please, I need to see Luca and then I’ll return, mi amore. I want to come to you, all of it done for the night, so you may have me, body and soul, with nothing on my mind. Can you please give me that?”
“Yes, go, and I promise there will be no more screaming from the top of the stairs.”
Looking at her longingly, the master of the house had decided to change his plans. “Oh, you will be screaming, mi amore!”
Hooking his hands on each side of her jeans, he ripped them free, yanking her to the edge of the bed, and dropping to his knees. His kisses began slowly at her abdomen and then to each hip, his tongue leaving a trail of wet kisses. Nuzzling into those gorgeous curls, he growled and willed the music of Van Morrison singing Tupelo Honey to play loudly, as he slid his tongue deep inside her, pulling her legs over his shoulders.
It was a night of passion, a passionate argument followed by passionate love, before he slipped into his death slumber, and she slept soundly, sated, curled against him.
Kate felt him as he woke and slid from their bed, slipping out from under her arm and leg thrown casually across him as she slept. She stretched out, hands overhead, toes pointed, feeling the pull on all the muscles in her body as she shook herself awake. Shade was right about one thing, he did have her screaming at the top of her lungs in their bed. She watched him as he dressed, the leathers conforming to his shape. He looked up at her from beneath his dark hair, still tossed from sleep.
"Buongiorno, mi amore. Has my crimson spitfire settled down this evening?”
She smiled back at him, “Si, lover, I have no energy left for anything except calm.”
He softly chuckled, as she reached out from their bed and took his hand. “Shade... I should never have yelled at you like that. I was just so...”
He placed one finger on her lips, indicating he didn’t want her to speak.
"Not now, bel rosso. We will speak of it later. You needed time, and I did not give it, you were angry. I had obligations to others in the house, with every intention of returning to you. Somewhere, we got our wires crossed, si? But right now, I need to be in D.C. I do not want to start another conversation we don't have time to finish.” He leaned down and kissed her goodbye. “Stay in this room until you hear me leave with all the warriors. Clear?"
“Clear, lover.”
"Ti amo, mi amore."
“I love you more.”
She listened to his feet on the stairs, boot heels clicking against the tiles as he headed for the bunker, followed shortly by the sound of that thundering herd of warriors, laughing, speaking rapidly to each other in Italian. Within minutes, she heard them all leave the house, and she got up to dress for the night when she heard her cell phone buzzing. Kate scrambled around, trying to pinpoint the sound, and found the phone still in the pocket of the jeans he had hastily removed from her. She pulled the phone from her jeans pocket and saw Shannon on her caller ID. “Hello?”
Shannon was practically shouting into the phone, “Kate! Did you give him my number?”
Kate giggled. “Well, good evening to you too.”
“Oh... sorry... I was just so certain he would call me. He pretty much said as much when he was helping me with my coat. I have felt like an idiot walking around for the last few days with my phone in my hand, afraid I would miss his call. I mean, did I read him wrong? Because I really thought he was interested.”
“No Shannon, you didn't read him wrong, and I assure you, he's interested. But Shade is back home, and there are several of his... uh... business associates staying here at the house. Luca has been really busy. Just give him some time, okay?”
“Okay... okay, but like, how much time? A week? A month? I'm going crazy here!”
“Cool your jets, girl. I assure you, there is no one else in the picture, and however long it takes, you’ll find he's worth the wait.”
Shannon sighed. “Oh, he looks more than worth the wait, girlfriend. Did you see his eyes? That man could start a fire with those eyes!”
Kate was still laughing. “Do you need me to hose you down?”
“Maybe, I'll let you know. In the meantime, I've worn out two sets of batteries on my vibrator.”
Kate screamed. “Shannon! TMI...please! And I want a good girl for Luca.”
Shannon practically growled out her response, “Oh I'll be good, I promise.”
“Okay, I am ending this conversation now.” Kate was giggling uncontrollably. “Seriously, be patient, he will call. And in the meantime, behave yourself.”
“No promises. And I'm calling back if I don't hear from him. Or… you could give me his number and I could call him?”
Kate shouted, “No! He has to keep his line clear for emergencies. I can see you texting him nude photos all day.”
“Hey, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. And don't tell me you captured your Italian Stallion by playing goody two shoes.”
“Okay, seriously Shannon, I'm hanging up now. This conversation is not about me.”
Shannon pledged, “Three days, four max, and then I'm calling you again.”
Kate ended the call. She had no idea if Luca had talked to Shade yet. But after last night, she would have to walk on eggshells with this one. She finished getting dressed and headed out for her evening breakfast and to meet Luca for training and torture.
28
Kate headed to Luca's suite and tapped on the door, he answered immediately, giving her a raised eyebrow look as he led her out of the house to start her warm-up. As she stretched, she looked up at him. “What was that look about?”
He chuckled lightly. “After yesterday, I wasn't sure I'd see you here tonight.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Kate, I have known Shade my entire life. And I can tell you the only people to raise their voice to him in anger like that are masters from rival covens, and some of them aren't around to tell the story. We have all heard his beast emerge with you before, but never in anger. I was afraid for you.”
“Yeah, that was a little over the top. But Luca!” She balled both hands into fists, “He made me so mad! And then he just teleported away and left me standing there. I wanted to scream.”
He nodded his head in the direction of the footpath and they began their run together. Only a few weeks ago, this could not have happened, running and talking, she was just struggling to breathe.
“Yeah... we heard. We all heard. As a master, you shamed him, Kate, in front of his coven. I mean, I don't know what it is you do to calm the beast.” He laughed and shook his head. “And you probably shouldn't tell me, but let's just say, that's a skill you better not lose.”
“Well, first of all, he's not my master. And secondly, the beast and I... we got a thing going on.” She giggled. “But I did think I had pushed him too far yesterday. That was the first time the beast scared me. I saw you start to intervene, Luca. Please, don't ever put yourself in that position again.”
“Okay, well, let's break this down. First of all, he is your master. You are mated to him. You are a part of his coven, and more than any of us, you belong to him. We are a male-
dominated culture. And if you don't feel it now, you will when you are turned. He gives you free rein in most things. Very unusual by the way. But you might want to figure out which lines not to cross.”
“Like screaming at him from the top of the stairs?”
Luca laughed. “Exactly. And you need to understand the beast. Every vampire fights for control over their beast nature. Learning to control and direct the beast comes with age, but no vampire ever has full control. There is always a point of no return with the beast. That's a dangerous game to play. And most protectors, like me, have a very long list of don'ts they are monitoring for their master's mate. Shade has only given me one, and that is, when he is absent don't ever leave you alone.”
“But I wasn't arguing with the beast, I was arguing with Shade. Seems unfair, doesn't it? Two against one and the beast always wins?”
He laughed at her again. “Did the beast win? I think not, or you wouldn't be here running with me tonight.”
“Well... I think it was a draw. And you intervening, what were you thinking?”
“It’s just instinct now. As your protector, and with the bond we have, my response is automatic when you’re in danger, even if the danger is from him. And trust me, you were in danger. It’s not my place to ask, but what set you off?”
“I don't know, it all seems so stupid now, in hindsight. We were just talking. I was asking him questions about Theresa and Marco? Trying to understand why they weren't together? And he was answering me, and then, just like that, ‘okay, well, I'm done talking’ and he was walking away. When I said something he yelled, “Woman!” And I know what that means.”
Luca laughed. “We all know what that means.”
“But then he started reminding me that he is my master...”
“Which he is.”
