Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two

Dimitri

"You're going to be the death of me, my princess," I whispered huskily in her ear, my voice filled with both adoration and longing. "Though what a way to go, right?"

I reluctantly loosened my grip on Gianna's hips as our passion subsided. She slowly shifted, rolling onto her side to face me. Her fingers found their way to my chest, tracing lazy patterns on my skin.

She looked up at me, her eyes still filled with passion. "We could stay in here all day and forget about the tour."

I sighed deeply, wishing I didn't have to become the master thief. My secret mission pressed down on me like a Mac truck. But outwardly? I flashed a trademark smirk. "As tempting as that sounds – and believe me, it's tempting – I did promise to ooh and aah over your family's priceless antiques. Can't have Angelo thinking I'm just here for your body, can we?"

Gianna rolled her eyes, but I caught the smile she tried to hide. "Since when do you care what Angelo thinks?"

"Since never," I quipped, sitting up reluctantly. "But I do have a reputation to uphold. Dashing vampire, charming house guest, potential future brother-in-law... It's exhausting being this perfect, you know."

She pulled back, her brow furrowing. "You still want to go through the house after this?"

I smirked, trailing a finger down her arm. "Don't tell me you want me to be your little boy toy. I mean, I'm flattered, really, but I do have a reputation to uphold. Can't have people thinking I'm just a pretty face and a spectacular body."

She gave me a playful grin, her eyes twinkling. "Maybe. The thought has occurred to me..."

I chuckled, masking my impatience with humor. "As tempting as that sounds—and believe me, it's tempting—I can't spend all my time in bed. Well, I could, but where's the fun in that? Besides," I added, sitting up and stretching dramatically, "I need to scope out all the best places for our future rendezvous. You know, expand our horizons."

As I spoke, my eyes darted around the room, cataloging exits, potential hiding spots. Every second I spent here was a second I wasn't finding the ring and the mirror. But I couldn't rush, couldn't let on. So I plastered on my most charming smile and held out my hand to Gianna .

"Come on, show me the sights. I promise to behave...mostly."

Gianna groaned, her eyes rolling dramatically. "All right, but don't start anything with Angelo." Her voice was a mix of exasperation and concern.

I smirked, placing a hand over my heart in mock offense. "Me? Start something? I'm wounded by the very suggestion." I leaned in close, my breath tickling her ear. "I have no desire to be his punching bag again. Though I must say, I wear bruises exceptionally well."

Pulling back, I quirked an eyebrow. "But I am very curious about my new digs. I presume there's more to this vampire paradise than your lovely bedroom? Not that I'm complaining about the current view, mind you."

Gianna sighed, a sound caught between amusement and resignation. She scooted away from me, the sheets rustling softly. "Come on, I'll show you the house. Hopefully Angelo is gone by now."

"One can only hope," I quipped, rolling out of bed with exaggerated grace. "Though I'd hate to deprive him of my charming presence."

As I dressed, I couldn't help but notice Gianna's worried glances. Her fingers trembled slightly as she fixed her hair, betraying her anxiety. She gestured with her arm, her movements stiff. "Okay, come on."

I sauntered over to her, placing my hands on her slender shoulders. I could feel the tension thrumming through her body. "You're not mad, are you?" I asked, injecting just the right amount of concern into my voice. "Because if you are, I can think of several very enjoyable ways to make it up to you."

She searched my eyes, her gaze intense. I could practically see the gears turning in her head. "No...not mad...just..." She bit her lip, hesitating. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

I cupped her face, my thumb tracing her cheekbone. "Aw, you do care," I teased, but my eyes softened. "Don't worry, I'll be on my best behavior. Scout's honor." I held up three fingers in a mock salute.

"Didn't you say you were never a scout?" she asked, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips.

I winked, guiding her toward the door. "That's for me to know and you to dot dot dot. Now, shall we? I'm dying to see if this place has a dungeon. Every good vampire lair needs a dungeon."

As we stepped into the hallway, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. If only she knew the real reason for my eagerness to explore. But for now, I had to play my part. After all, the show must go on, and I had a starring role to play.

The weight of my mission pressed down on me with each step. Find the mirror, grab the ring, save Gianna and Valentin. Simple, right? Except failure meant more than just a bruised ego. It meant watching the woman I lo— cared about and her brother become pawns in a game where the players were immortal and the stakes were life and death.

I glanced at Gianna, her smile radiant and trusting. God, how I wished I could just whisk her away from all this. But that wasn't an option. Not when her psychotic brother held all the cards.

Speaking of the devil... "Remember," I murmured to Gianna, keeping my voice low, "if we run into Angelo, just act natural. Let me do the talking."

She raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you volunteer to talk to my brother?"

I flashed her my most charming grin, even as my insides twisted with anxiety. "Since I decided that watching you two trade barbs is less fun than being the one to ruffle his feathers. Besides," I added, my tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I have a bet going with myself on how many times I can make him scowl before he tries to stake me."

Gianna rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile. Good. Keep her amused, keep her distracted.

As we rounded the corner, I tensed, half-expecting Angelo to materialize out of thin air. Each priceless vase, each antique painting we passed could be the one concealing the mirror I needed. And each step brought us closer to potential discovery.

One wrong move, one slipped word, and it would all come crashing down. Gianna would hate me, Angelo would probably torture me (and enjoy it), and two innocent lives would be forfeit. No pressure, right?

But I pushed down the fear, the guilt, the burning desire to confess everything to Gianna. Instead, I plastered on my best "interested house guest" face. "So, darling, where to first? The library full of dusty old tomes? The gallery of stern-looking ancestors? Or straight to the family torture chamber? Every respectable vampire mansion has one, you know."