Page 14 of Branded in Love
“In case the vampires come here looking for me.” I complete the sentence.
The muscles in his neck stiffen and his jaw clenches tight. “Yeah…” he says, pulling the napkin off the table. He unfolds it with a quick shake and lays it on his lap.
I do the same.
There’s so much about him I want to know. I vow to myself to dig up to the last secret out of him. But for now, I suck in one deep breath. “Okay,” I tell him, trying to settle my emotions. “Let’s eat.”
When I uncover my plate, I see a steaming fillet mignon with a side of baked potatoes and asparagus parmigiano. It smells so good. I can’t stop myself, and a moan escapes my mouth. I’m starving.
Gavriil cracks a smile. “Do you like it?” he asks, a hand on his plate cover.
“I sure do,” I say in Italian, knife in hand, ready to dig in. Forget the salad and everything else.
He seems pleased. Gavriil cuts into his steak. And then I see. His cut of meat is seared beautifully on the outside, but practically raw inside. “Oh, yours isn’t fully cooked,” I tell him before he takes a bite. “We can share mine.”
He shakes his head, impassible dark brown eyes fixed on me, twinkling garnets in the candlelight. “It’s all right,” he says in the smoothest voice.
Is it though?I shrug my shoulders. Some people like their steaks rare, I guess. I stack my fork with a slice of meat and potatoes and taste those. “Wow,” I say. “Sasha cooked all this?”
“He did,” he says in a quiet demeanor as he cuts another slice of meat.
“I can see why you keep him around...” I tease. Instantly, I become aware that I enjoy seeing him break from his self-possessed demeanor.
Gavriil gives me the hint of a smile. “He’s a man of many talents,” he says. “That’s true.”
At last, he seems a bit more relaxed. This is my chance. “So, these friends of yours,” I begin in a casual tone, “are they coming from Saint Petersburg?”
“Some of them,” he replies, looking down at his dish. Again, he becomes reserved and poised. “The rest are stationed nearby.”
I start. “Stationed?” My mind reels with confusion. “Are they like, a military group?” A soft gasp sails through my lips. “Gavriil… I’m not understanding how—”
“They’re my closest friends,” he adds, giving no room for me to counter. His stare meets mine, steady and unwavering as ever. “I promise you will be safe.”
“Sure...” I raise one eyebrow, unconvinced. “But for how long? I mean, I can’t stay with you forever.”
Gavriil says nothing. He lowers his gaze and continues to eat his meal. Minutes pass, and just when I’m about to become perfectly frustrated, he speaks again. “Tomorrow I shall take you to see a dear friend of mine,” he says in the same dispassionate tone.
“Oh?” That’s intriguing.
“She owns a coffee shop near the Pantheon,” he continues, quirking a smile. “I think you’ll like her.”
“Bene.” I nod in agreement.
Gavriil narrows his eyes, watching me with undiluted wonder. “You’re not going to ask me why I’m taking you to see her?” He leans slightly forward.
I shrug my shoulders. I leave the fork and knife on the table, place my hands on the sides of my plate, and stare at him. “You saved my life, Gavriil. Not once, but twice,” I tell him. “If you want me to see your friend, I’m sure you have good reason for it.”
“She’s a witch.” He tosses the words at me, elbows pressed on the table, fingers interlaced. And he watches me, ready to measure my reaction.
“Astrega?” I raise my eyebrows. “Mynonnawas astrega,” I add dismissively. “Is she going to cast an enchantment to protect me from the vampires?”
Gavriil looks so shocked. The heavy lashes that shadow his cheeks fly up. He waits a minute until he speaks again. “I do not know.” He speaks in all honesty. “We shall see tomorrow.”
His gaze strays from me and angles to the terrace’s entrance. I look back and notice Sasha standing quietly by the doorframe. “Luciana, will you excuse me?” he says, gathering the napkin and setting it on the table. Genuine concern looms on his face.
“Of course,” I assure him.
He rises from the chair immediately. “Please, enjoy the rest of your meal,” Gavriil says, then walks away.
