Page 4 of Victory for Vampires

“Yes,” I murmur. “Let me tell you everything we’ll do to you. We built a playroom just for your next visit.”

“I can’t wait to see it.” Behind her, there’s faint movement, and someone calls her name. She glances over her shoulder, waving at the other monster. When she returns her focus to me, I know she has to go.

“See you soon,” I say quietly.

“Soon, mate,” she whispers just before clicking off.

As her hologram disappears into the round disk, I consider how long it’s been since we took a vacation to see her. Too long. And now she’s coming here. She’s never been to Ever… I must tell Pietro at once.

Glancing at the ceiling, I beam as I run both hands through slicked-back black hair. “Darling girl, is Pietro back from his chores?”

The kitchen windows open and shut rapidly—a yes.

“Ah, excellent.” I swoop down to grab the hologram disk and replace it in its holder on the wall.

Anticipatory nerves jangle through me as I cross the open-floor-plan apartment Pietro and I share. I yank the door open and jog down two flights of stairs to the coffee shop. I must tell him this news at once. She’s coming, our mate. I can’t wait.

A line of customers trails to the door. Carolya and Pietro are an efficient pair, working hard to brew the various concoctions our patrons adore.

Still, I grab his arm and yank him through a doorway into the back storeroom.

Crimson eyes flash at me, the mirror of mine. Like me, his hair is dark, gelled away from a face with elegant, angular figures. We could be twins. We’re not. A quick look at the swirls on our necks would show we’re not even related. But we grew up together, even closer than blood brothers.

His crimson eyes narrow as he taps a foot anxiously. “Customers out the door, Alé. Is something wrong?”

I shake my head vigorously. “Valentina is coming, Pietro. She’ll be here for a week, possibly two. For work, of course, but still…”

He blinks rapidly, expression going blank.

“She comm’d just now,” I say with a grin. “Shall I give you the details while we work?”

He’s still blinking. He must be in shock. His heart races, one ear twitching—a nervous habit that carried over from childhood. Reaching inside his collared shirt, he fingers his ziol, the bloodletting cross he’ll gift Valentina on the day we formally claim her.

Grinning, I spin him by the shoulders and shove him out of the storeroom. After guiding him to the espresso machine, I take my place at the prep station, grabbing a ticket. “Finish your order,” I direct. “I’ll share the details.”

The hum and buzz of dozens of waiting patrons snap him out of his reverie. He grabs two cups and continues with the drinks.

I grab the nearest container of green troll whip topping and place a dollop on the closest order to me. Then I examine the next few tickets.

Pietro clears his throat.

I grin, fangs poking my lower lip as I speak. “She’s coming to speak with Abemet and Catherine about designing and building a new haven outside of Firenze. Apparently, Azuro has growntoo large, but they don’t necessarily want to recreate Azuro with the new haven. She’s been put in charge of designing the new location. It’s a huge step for her.”

A muscle tightens in Pietro’s jaw.

I’m certain he’s thinking of the last time we saw her. We spent a sultry weekend tangled up in each other. Every chance we get to come together, it’s sensual and perfect. Knowing he’s thinking of that makes me hot.

“I invited her to stay with us,” I say, “but her work already made reservations at the Annabelle Inn. She’s meeting with Catherine there.” Our haven’s singular BnB is system-renowned for her beauty.

Pietro grunts.

My brother has always been a male of few words. I’m the charmer, sprinkling magic on our romantic trio. Together we create a perfect harmony.

For half an hour, we work in silence. Carolya chirps happily with the customers. Pietro is as quick and efficient as ever.

Eventually, he looks at me, a frown marring his handsome features.

I sigh playfully. “I thought you’d be more excited. Remember that weekend in Vizelle?”

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