The Medici Queen

by Emily Bex

  Kate nodded her head, not exactly sure what a sous chef did, other than assist the chef, but knew there was more than an adequate pool of people to draw from at Castello to help staff the inn. "Yes. I knew you’d be busy with meals, especially if we make it an inn instead of a B&B, and you’d need someone else to clean the rooms, do the laundry."

  Reynaldo nodded. "Then have him send two, so they can rotate their schedule. Maybe not right away, but soon."

  Kate agreed. “Of course, we can do that. I mean, we can always send someone back to Florence if this doesn’t take off."

  Reynaldo smiled. "Oh, I think it will take off. I’m an excellent chef, and I haven’t had the opportunity to display my skills in a long time. Once we’re open, word will spread quickly. I feel very positive about that, my lady. I do have one concern."

  Kate looked at him, her brow creased. "And what is that?"

  Reynaldo hoped he wasn’t making this project more difficult than she’d planned. He didn’t want to do or say anything that would discourage her.

  "Well, I’m quite skilled at managing a kitchen, and it won’t take me long to have that up and running. But I’ve never run an inn. I know how to deal with any guests and their meal request, but making room reservations, checking in guests, seeing to their needs outside the restaurant, these are skills I don't currently possess. Luciano can create our wine list, and he can even recommend a local sommelier, vampire, of course. I don't mean to make this complicated, but we may need a manager for the inn."

  Kate bit at her lip. "How do we find a manager? He would have to be vampire."

  Luca responded, "We have a network. Shade will know how to find someone from within the vampire community. They can come here, Reynaldo can interview them, weed them down to the best candidates, then you can come back here, meet them, interview them yourself and make the final selection."

  Kate took a deep breath. She had thought this was as simple as bringing Reynaldo here, but it was quickly growing into something much bigger. "Where would the staff stay? There are only seven available bedrooms to rent out, and you’re already talking about a staff of five."

  Reynaldo shrugged it off. "There is room over the winery to add more apartments as well as space over master's large garage. Plus, whoever we hire as a manager may be local and have a place nearby. Don't be concerned with that. We can figure it out as we go."

  Reynaldo decided to stay and start the process of securing their licenses and seeing what he needed to do to get the kitchen up to commercial code. He told Kate he’d have Gi pack up and send his personal items out to California, as he walked through the suite of rooms on the first floor that were originally designed for Luca. “This is perfect, my lady. Much grander than I’m used to.” Reynaldo looked to Luca. “You’re sure you don’t mind?”

  Luca laughed. “I’m seeing these rooms for the first time, brother. Make yourself at home.”

  Kate left him all the papers, made her rounds of the house one final time, making note to purchase a supply of high-end bed linens and bath towels to accommodate a daily room turnover.

  As she wrapped up the meeting, she left Reynaldo to the task of getting everything started, then she and Luca teleported home to Bel Rosso. Arriving slightly past sunrise, Kate went directly to their bedroom where she found Shade, already undressed and in bed, fighting the pull of his death slumber. She stripped off her clothes and climbed in bed beside him, lying across his chest as his arms enveloped her.

  "I missed you, mi amore. I was afraid you would not get home before the slumber took me." He kissed her as she snuggled into his neck, the room already dark from the blinds, blocking out the sun.

  "I will always come home to you."

  40

  Shade opened his eyes, the blinds were still down, but he had a meeting with Fiamma and Marcello before the camp got started tonight, so they could compare notes. Tonight, the first round of cuts would be made and at least a third of the recruits would be sent home. They’d make their final observations tonight and decide on whom to keep in the camp by sunrise.

  Bel still slept beside him, soft and beautiful, her crimson hair spread about her. He slid his hands through her hair and heard her moan softly. "Wake up, sleepy head."

  She could feel the warmth of him as he lay next to her, his hand running through her hair, and his voice penetrated her sleep. She smiled even before she opened her eyes and rolled over to his embrace. Burying her head against his chest, she yawned, as he squeezed her tight and made her laugh.

  Shade chuckled at her yawn. "The day-walker is sleeping like a vamp in a death slumber. Perhaps, I should give you more tasks to accomplish."

  Rolling on top of her, he tickled her and they both began to laugh, he at her laughter and beauty, and her at his boyish games of tickling.

  She giggled uncontrollably, pushing his hands away as he tickled her, making him stop. "I got a lot done yesterday, and I teleported to California and back...well, sort of. Luca teleported us both to California and back. Still, it was tiring."

  "Oh, it was tiring? But training a bunch of would-be warriors is nothing? I see how this is going."

  He rolled on his back, grasping her to his chest as her hair fell around them like a cocoon. Leaning up, he kissed her softly and smiled. "How is our son?"

  "He’s fine. He’s strong and healthy, and eager to join you in the camp." She smiled at him. "He’s so much like you. I can feel him. I never felt the other baby, his spirit. I think he must have been too weak, even from the beginning. But this one, this one will come out fighting, I think."

  Shade quickly blocked the guilt that washed over him at the mention of their lost son, and the torture he still had buried deep inside. He’d never be able to tell her the truth, that he alone bore the fault for their loss. But while he felt the guilt, he knew his choice would be the same. If he had to choose between bel or the bambino, he’d choose her again. Quickly shaking the memory from his mind, he smiled up at her, letting his hands slide to the sides of her face, cupping it gently.

  "He is Medici, he will come out a fighter, loving his madre with all he has, just like his padre. Dr. Bonutti will be here soon. So, tell me of your adventures last evening. Did you leave poor Reynaldo to fend for himself out there?”

  She laughed. "I didn’t leave Reynaldo. He asked to stay, so he could get started. He was very excited. He’s looking into what licenses we need, but it looks like we’re going to go with making it an inn instead of a B&B. I’m going to talk with Gi to see if there’s a housemaid or two he can recommend we assign there, someone from Florence that might like living in the States. Also, since we’re looking at making it an inn, we may need a manager. Luca said you’d have a network you could tap into? He said Reynaldo could screen the applicants, get them down to a few we could then approve. So, can you do that? Put the word out... Or however you do it?"

  Shade shook his head. "Woman! Slow down. Cazzo! Some things never change." He gave her ass a slap as he sat up, resting his back against the headboard. Kate climbed into his lap and they sat in the large bed like two love struck teenagers. "Of course, I will do whatever you wish, mi amore. Let me just do my worldwide vampire call to the moon. It’s like a howl, very striking, you know." She pushed his chest hard as she giggled. Fuck, he loved this woman!

  Kate leaned over him, letting her hair cascade around his face, enclosing him in a curtain of crimson. "You haven’t taught me all your vampire tricks, lover. Besides, I’m not sure they’d even answer my call. The only ones that listen to me have four legs...or wings. I think I’m still pretty much ignored by the vampire community. We’ll change that, one day. Someday, they’ll all see I’m worthy of being your queen." She leaned down and kissed him.

  He grasped her hair tightly, pulling her hard into the kiss, his tongue grappled with hers and he moaned. "I don’t care what the hell anyone thinks, you are worthy of being my queen and my opinion is the only one that matters. Damn! What time is it? I need to meet with Fee and Marcello
about the cut."

  Kate rolled off of him as he slid from their bed. "Do you mind if Luca takes me to Paris tonight? I think I should be home by sunrise, but if we have to stay over, I’ll let you know. I know you’ll ground me soon, and you’ll have Gi and Theresa waiting on me hand and foot, so I need to try to get these things done as soon as possible."

  "I told you, mi amore, that is fine. And si, you will be grounded soon."

  He slid on his leathers and fastened his belt. Padding over to the armoire in his bare feet, he started banging around, flinging things to the floor. "I just need a damn black tee shirt, all I ask, a simple tee shirt!" Spinning around, he saw her laughing into her hand. "And what is so damn funny?"

  Kate shook her head. "Second drawer. How did you ever dress yourself before me?"

  Missing her sarcasm completely, he answered her, "Gi would lay out my things. I seem to have more clothing now than ever before.”

  “Maybe you should get Cory to make you some custom leathers. I'll have him design a pair for you like the ones Raven wears, with the cutouts on the pant leg." Kate pulled the pillow over her face to stifle her laughter at the very thought of her big bad warrior wearing pants with cutouts. "Or maybe red leather like Fiamma? What do you think?"

  Shade stood with his hands on his hips and stared at her. "You think that is funny, now, do you?"

  He took two leaps and jumped on the bed, making her bounce on the mattress and grinned at her laughter. "How is it you make me feel young and so alive? It’s like I have been born again to see the world in a whole new light. Damn! I am late!"

  As the electronic blinds rose, he knew his two warriors were already in his office, patiently waiting on him.

  Kate pushed him from the bed. "Get going. I’ll get dressed and come say goodbye to you before I leave."

  He kissed her quickly, as he started to leave the room.

  "Your boots! You forgot your boots!" She was still laughing at him as she headed for the shower.

  "See what you do to me." Laughing, he quickly slid on his boots as his eyes followed her to the shower. He rushed down the stairs to his office.

  Rolling into the office, he found Fee and Marcello both smirking. "Sorry, I had a few things to straighten up with bel."

  Marcello laughed. "Yeah, we heard.”

  Shade flopped down in his chair. "I didn’t ask for your input, just making a statement. So, let’s get down to business. Show me your lists, give me your thoughts. I will let you know if I agree."

  Fee shook her head. "Well, to begin with, the females are all pretty strong, but I’m on the fence with one. I think I’d like to keep at least three."

  Shade looked over her list and then looked up at her. "Britt is on the fence? Fee, I like her bow skills, and although we don’t have a lot of call for bow, I think it is important to keep warriors with some of the old world skills. If I recall, you were damn good with the bow when you started. Let us keep her this cut and see how she does."

  Marcello nodded in agreement. "She isn’t bad with the sword either. I agree."

  Fee sat back and listened, she didn’t get a feeling he was keeping her for any other reason than her skills as a warrior, but she had a bad feeling about this one. "Fine, but she better show us a lot more the next round."

  Several hours went by with heavy discussion around each of the recruits on the list, as to who would make the cut and who wouldn’t. Shade was adamant about keeping two males that were on the list to be cut who he felt had potential. Marcello and Fee had done their jobs well, and for the most part, they had all agreed.

  "All right, it seems as though this task is done. We need to get our asses out there before chaos breaks out. We will post the list tonight in the meeting room of the barracks. Those that are cut will be escorted out immediately. Once we escort them out, we will give Raven a heads up to make sure they don’t filter into D.C. and begin stirring things up."

  ***

  Kate showered, dressed and coordinated her schedule with Luca. She went in search of Gi and they discussed having him select two housemaids to send to California. He said he’d get right on it, and he had several in mind who’d love to move to the States and who spoke English fluently.

  She could hear Shade in his study, and it appeared his meeting was wrapping up. Marcello exited first and gave her a smile and a nod, as he headed out the back of the house. Shade emerged with Fee, and as he stepped forward to embrace her, Fiamma stepped back.

  Kate slid her arms around his waist. "I'm heading out now, lover. We're getting a late start, but I’ve met with Gi and he’ll work on housemaids for the Napa house. If I don't finish up tonight, Luca and I will stay over. I hate sleeping without you, but I want to get this project underway, at least to the point where I can work on it from here and coordinate things with the designers."

  "I will miss you, mi amore. I never sleep as well without you." He snuggled into her hair and kissed her neck. "I will come to you in your dreams, si? Be careful, do not stress your body. It may be well to spend the night with Luca there. I want you to get your rest. But right now, I must be getting to the camp. We have much to accomplish. Medici is growing by leaps and bounds."

  Kissing her soundly, he looked at Fee, she smiled and let him know telepathically she wished to speak with her queen. Shade nodded as he headed for the door. “I love you. Make our Paris home a place for our bambinos to thrive, si?"

  Kate gave him a coy smile. “I was thinking more of a place for making bambinos, lover." She blew him a kiss and noticed Fee had remained behind. She turned her attention to the tall redheaded warrior.

  “Love the red leathers, Fee. I told Shade he should wear a set."

  Fee yelped with laughter. "I bet that went over well. I don’t want to hold you up, my lady, but I wish to speak with you if you have a moment to spare?"

  Kate took her hand. “I always have time for you." She led Fee into the living room. "Sit down. What's on your mind?"

  Fee got down to business. "You know me, I’m just frank about things, never beat around the bush. I know you have concerns over the females, warriors or feeders. And I get it, from your standpoint. You haven’t been exposed to the best sides of either. But I have a female warrior in the camp right now that is bothering me with her actions."

  Kate sat up straight. She was pretty sure Fee wasn’t here to talk about the warrior’s lack of skills with weapons. "Actions? What are you trying to say, Fee?"

  Fee carefully thought over how to choose her words, she didn’t want to alarm Kate but wanted her to understand she’d not tolerate inappropriate behavior. "There’s a female here, her name is Britt. She’s a bit too familiar with master. I’ve dressed her down, warned her. I want you to know I have your back. I have my eye on her, I trust master with all my heart, he is the best master, but he does have a reputation. I know that’s in his past, you need to know that as well. But some of the females don’t care. They still want to be with the Medici. He had quite the reputation, and it was a competition among many females to be one of his conquests. I wanted you to know, so you could keep an eye on her as well. I hope I don’t speak out of line, but sister to sister, we need to keep each other informed, protect what is ours. I love master and I love you as well. I feel I’m a good example of how most female warriors conduct themselves. But she’s not like most female warriors."

  Kate could feel her temper rear its head, her jealously rising to the surface. "Oh, I think I know which one you mean. And thank you for telling me. I’ll keep an eye on her for sure and I appreciate you doing the same. I know if I try to speak to Shade about it, he’ll get angry. He thinks I don't trust him, and I do. I tell him over and over it’s not him, it’s them! There are women who know no boundaries. I know he’ll not act on it if they approach him, but that doesn’t make me hate their actions any less. I’m going away again tonight and will possibly be gone until well into the second night. We have new property in Paris and I need to get things in order there before I get too far
along with this baby."

  Kate lowered her head and closed her eyes. "I’m very excited about the baby, and I know he is too. But you're a woman. You understand. The more pregnant I become, the less confidence I’ll feel in myself around these women. I mean, look at you, look at all of you. You’re so tall and have a distinctively unique beauty. I don't want to feel like I’m always competing with that."

  Fee's heart almost broke. Reaching out, she hugged Kate and held the hug. "Kate, trust me, there’s no competition whatsoever. He could have had any female in the world. He chose you. Have faith in him. Be proud to be his. No one can steal him from you, and every day, you become more beautiful in his eyes. I see that, we all do. He wants you, and always will. Please, don’t worry, and I’m always here if you need someone to talk to.”

  Kate returned the hug, feeling the incredible strength in Fee's arms. "I know you’re right. I can see it in his eyes every time he looks at me. Thank you for having my back. And I’ll keep an eye on this one as well."

  Kate broke away from Fee and stood, “Now, if I don't get going, I’ll end up having to stay even longer in Paris." She smiled at Fee, realizing just how few female immortals she had befriended.

  "Don’t worry, she makes one false step, I’ll get my way and she’ll be gone. Now go, enjoy your new Paris house. I can’t keep track of how many homes you have now." Laughing, Fee headed out the door and back to the camp. She prayed Britt would stay clear of Shade, but she had a really bad feeling that it was wishful thinking.

  41

  Luca landed them on a side street that crossed the Champs Elysees, surrounded in shadow and completely unnoticed by the crowd. He took Kate's arm and guided her back to the main thoroughfare. Kate looked around at the city she loved, on this warm night in early summer. The street was brightly lit as people still crowded the sidewalks, and the traffic was heavy as locals and tourists sought out their night spot of choice. Even at this late hour, there were still crowds.