“And you?”

“I lack empathy, like most vampyres. Except when it comes to you.”

She lifted her hand and placed it over his heart.

She felt what she thought was his heartbeat, but it felt strange. It was stronger than a human heartbeat, but after it pulsed it would fall silent for several seconds.

“You have a heart.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“I didn’t know vampyres had working hearts.”

“We need our blood to circulate, to keep the body working. Life is in the blood.”

“The other night, when you took me home after taking me to meet the others, you mentioned hope. What do you hope for, William?”

He frowned. “That I wouldn’t be condemned to an eternity of empty darkness.”

Raven cringed at his words. “Is that what you have?”

“Not exactly.” His expression grew guarded. “Somehow the darkness recedes when you’re near.”

She withdrew her hand and he grasped it, kissing the back of it.

“Your skin smells of roses.” He inhaled deeply. “It’s exquisite.”

He pressed his lips against the length of her arm, moving back and forth at a leisurely pace.

“This is my warning,” she whispered. “My heart is part of my body.”

He touched the space between her breasts. “I will treat you, all of you, with care.”

Raven watched as the beautiful, flawless man above her kissed her wrist with absolute abandon and found words tumbling out of her mouth.

“I’ll come to you tonight. But I don’t promise to sleep with you.”

William smiled slowly.

“I enjoy a challenge.”

He kissed her once more, an embrace burning with promise, then he withdrew. He extended his hand to help her out of bed.

“I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Raven focused on his retreating back, part of her wondering why she had resisted him.

After breakfast, William introduced her to another member of his security team, a tall, bald man with extremely broad shoulders.

“Raven, this is Marco.”

“Polo,” she blurted out.

William and Marco eyed her quizzically.

“I’m afraid you have him mistaken with someone who died many, many years ago,” William said, his lips twitching.

“Sorry.” She reddened. “It’s good to meet you, Marco.”

William gestured to his assistant. “Marco will follow you to the Uffizi this morning. After work, he will take you to your apartment so you can drop off your Vespa and pick up your things. Then he’ll drive you here.”

“I’m supposed to volunteer at the orphanage after work.” Raven clutched her knapsack awkwardly. “And I’d like to see Bruno.”

William appeared displeased. “He won’t remember your time together. The head injury combined with the blood will have affected his memory.”

“I realize that. I still want to see him.” She sounded stubborn.

“Very well.” William pressed his lips together as an indication of his displeasure. “Marco will escort you where you need to go.

“I have business to attend to in the early evening. I’ll ask Lucia to prepare dinner for you.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll eat with the children.”

William examined her features. “Perhaps we could watch one of your films this evening.”

She smiled. “I’d like that.”

“Good. Call Ambrogio and let him know what you need in order to show the film.”

William walked her outside to her Vespa and wrapped her in his arms. “You don’t need to worry about the inspector. He won’t bother you again.”

“Thank you.”

He gazed at her hungrily.

“I’m looking forward to tonight.”

He kissed her firmly.

A few kisses, another embrace, and she was on her Vespa, speeding down the hill toward the Arno, with Marco following in the Mercedes. A few cars behind, Ispettor Batelli trailed them.

William returned to the house and summoned Luka to the library, handing him a folded piece of paper. “I need you to travel to Florida, in America, to the cities of Orlando and St. Petersburg. Find out everything you can about the persons I’ve named. Contact me for further instructions.”

Luka unfolded the paper, read it, and placed it in his jacket pocket. With a bow, he exited the room.

William moved to the windows and looked out over his estate, lost in thought.

Chapter Forty-one

“I’m here to see Bruno Rostagno.” Raven spoke to one of the nurses on Bruno’s floor at the hospital.

“Friend or family?” The nurse didn’t bother to look up from her computer.

“Friend.” Raven shifted her weight, nervously glancing at Marco, who was standing a few feet away, looking intimidating.

The nurse was about to direct Raven to the correct room when a familiar-looking woman approached them.

“Raven, hello.” Graziella greeted her warmly, kissing both cheeks.

“Graziella, hi.” Raven smiled. “I’m just here to see Bruno.”

“Good. I’ve just arrived also. Come with me.” Graziella nodded at the nurse and took Raven’s hand, leading her down the hall.

“How is he?” she asked, concerned.

“He will come home tomorrow, I think. He was supposed to be released today but the doctor wanted to wait.”

They walked down the hall and made a left. Graziella stopped at the door to the third room.

“You say hello. I’ll come in later.”

“But you’re here. I’m sure he wants to see you first,” Raven protested, noticing that Marco had followed them.

Graziella just patted her arm and gestured to the door.

Raven’s grip tightened on her cane as she entered the room with caution. She was worried about what she was going to find.

Bruno was lying in bed, looking remarkably well. In fact, there was no evidence of his previous injuries—no bruising, no bandages, no cords or tubes attached to his body.

He looked healthier than he had before, and perhaps even a little younger.

Raven wondered if anyone else had noticed the changes.

“Hello, Bruno.” She greeted him with a cheerful wave.

He nodded at her. “Good afternoon.”