CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE | Rome, 1891

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Rome, 1891

KATE PULLED THE HEAVY curtains in the living room and stared out at the garden. Beyond the gates of her family home, the streets of Rome were quiet. Unsurprising, given it was early morning.

They had arrived home over an hour ago, and she’d finally encouraged Riccardo to leave. His subtle touches and sudden protectiveness would have been fine if they’d felt brotherly, but they both knew they weren’t.

She didn’t have the strength right now to say anything, but if he crossed the line, she would.

It had come close when he’d come into her hotel room before nightfall to see if she was ready to leave. Kate had slept in late and was still in her thin white nightgown. She’d seen his eyes staring at her breasts as her nipples pressed against the cotton in the cool evening air.

“ I see you need more time ,” he’d said.

She’d nodded. “ I fell asleep late. I’m sorry .”

“ No apology needed, ” Riccardo had assured, taking a step toward her. “ Kate, if— ”

“ We should hurry. We have a long night ahead of us. I shan’t be long ,” she had interrupted, turning to gather her clothing. A glance over her shoulder had shown her the tension on his jaw just before he turned to leave.

Now she was on borrowed time.

With no brother, no father, and no one to provide for her, Kate would have to take a look at her family’s finances and make some decisions for her future. They were not a poor family, she knew that, but a female living alone in the middle of Rome was not acceptable. They did, after all, live in a human world.

Riccardo would insist on her moving in with him eventually, she knew he would, and that would include having sex with him.

A tear slid down her face.

He wasn’t a horrible-looking male; she could do worse. Perhaps she would even enjoy it from time to time.

She had to make some decisions. If her mate didn’t want her—if Vincent had even been her mate—then there would be no other.

THE NEXT EVENING, KATE finally saw the last of her visitors out, a mix of human and vampires, all bringing food and flowers. They had come to show their respects after the tragic loss of her parents.

Her home looked like the florist shop, and all she wanted to do was toss them in the fire.

Riccardo had stayed by her side all evening. It had been both a comfort and irritation. She appreciated the friendship, but acting like her mate or husband was not what she had invited him to do. Kate had just smiled at the he’s a lovely man, isn’t he whispers and knowing smiles from the women.

All she wanted was some privacy to grieve her parents. Her heart was breaking with grief, and yet, life with all its expectations didn’t disappear or wait for her.

But no one understood her secret. Her heart had been broken twice. For a vampire, to lose their mate was devastating.

“Kate, I think you should ease up on the sherry,” Riccardo said.

She didn’t even like the goddamn sherry. It had been her mother’s, so she’d poured herself one. It was sweet and easy to drink, so she’d kept on it all evening, enjoying the richness.

Anyway, it took a lot for a vampire to get drunk.

“I think—oh,” she began, stopping when Riccardo held up the crystal decanter with only an inch left in the bottom.

Kate sat on the sofa and sighed.

“A long evening,” Riccardo said, leaning against the fireplace.

“Yes.”

She’d been through her family documents later in the day, after waking, and while things weren’t bad, they weren’t good either. Her father owned mostly assets which he’d built up over the past five hundred years. He had earned income, which paid for the running of the household, working as an accountant for Count Mozzi.

With no income and no skills with which to find a job, Kate was pushed into a corner. There was some cash in the coffers, but not enough to last her more than a few months.

She would have to sell the house and move out into the country where she could live a quieter life. The money would last her a long while, but not forever. When you were immortal, you had to think much further ahead.

Perhaps she would go to America after all.

“I can see your mind racing, Kate.”

She nodded.

He moved across the room and sat next to her, taking her hand. “I promise to look after you.”

She turned her face to look at him. Could she? Could she be with him?

Tears formed in her eyes.

Riccardo cupped her face. “Hey. Mamma wants you to move in, and so do I.” He smiled. “Why don’t we pack your things up tomorrow.”

What other choice did she have? It was now or later. Kate didn’t have the energy to fight him, so she nodded.

“Good girl.” He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers gently.

A cry caught in her throat.

He applied a little more pressure and put a hand on her thigh. “Open for me, Kate.”

Her eyes wide, she stared at Riccardo in surprise at his assertiveness. She’d never seen him act so bold. He smiled. “Just your lips, darling. Just your lips for tonight.”

She turned away from him. He gently cupped her face and turned her back. “Let me have your mouth.”

Kate opened to speak, and he misread her actions. His tongue plowed inside as he held her head. She froze and tried to push him away, but while Riccardo wasn’t a large male like the Morettis, he was still stronger than her.

When he’d had enough, he released her and smiled. “Kitten, my God, you are going to be wild.” He looked thrilled. “I can’t believe I waited so long.”

“No—”

“I need to return to the house, but I will come for you tomorrow. And Kate,” Riccardo paused, running his hand over her leg. “I promise to spend hours pleasing you. I am hard for you right now, but I know you are grieving.”

She swallowed.

How did she get here? It just wasn’t right. She couldn’t do it. Kate didn’t want his hands on her at all. Not a finger.

She needed to fix this. She needed to tell him she wasn’t attracted to him or wanted him in that manner. Kate went to speak again, flushed with frustration.

Riccardo took her face and plunged in again. “Gods, I want you. Look at you, pink with need. I don’t think either of us can wait. My cock can’t,” he said, beginning to bunch up her skirts.

“What are you—”

He got on his knees. “Let me lick your cunt. I can give you this, Kate. Some pleasure right now.”

She pushed her skirts down and Riccardo grinned, taking her resistance for shyness. With strength, he spread her legs apart and ran his hand up the inside of her bloomers.

“Riccardo, no.”

“Don’t be bashful, Kate. God, I can feel your heat.” He groaned, his hand getting way too close for comfort.

Kate tried to scuttle backward, but he held her in place. A cold shiver ran through her body. She gripped the sofa, struggling to get away from him.

Then she felt it; his fingers at her core.

“Fuck me,” he cried. “I need my mouth on you...my tongue inside your pussy.”

Bang bang.

“ Kate. Kate! ” a voice she recognized called out.

What on Earth? Was that...?

“ Just knock, for God’s sake ,” another voice said, and her eyes widened.

“ No, would you...fuck, let me... ”

Vincent?

Riccardo sat back on his heels, eyes wide. He stood.

Kate pulled her skirts down and moved to get past Riccardo.

“Stop,” he ordered, grabbing her arm. “What is the king doing here?”

“Vincent!” she yelled, holding Riccardo’s stare.

What was the king doing here?

The question was a good one, and her mind raced from dread to hope. But right now, as a matter of urgency, she needed to get away from Riccardo. His actions had been unacceptable. She could still feel his touch between her legs and felt revolted. She hated that she was wet, but she had been dying for relief since her moment with the king.

Kate knew she should have been stronger, but she had needed his friendship. Though not enough to let him force himself on her.

The look in his eyes scared her.

She shook off his arm at the same time the front door burst open. Vincent came storming into the room, followed by the prince, Craig, and Tom. Behind them were two others she didn’t recognize.

“Kate,” the king said, his eye blazing.

“Your Majesty,” she replied, blushing and holding his eyes for a moment, hoping to portray her need for him.

Then she curtsied.

VINCENT TOOK IN THE scene around him. The house was of a high standard. Large for Rome, but he knew her family was wealthy. The room was filled with flowers which he gathered were from those grieving the loss of her parents. Empty plates and glasses sat around, showing she had been entertaining.

And Riccardo.

Standing near Kate as if she belonged to him.

Vincent growled.

Had the male stood by her side as her mate this evening? The blood in his body boiled at the thought. But there was more to this. Something didn’t feel right. He’d heard her angst from outside and could all but smell Kate’s fear.

The male was standing far too close to her for a normal conversation, and there was a look in Riccardo’s eyes—a mix of lust, confusion, and anger—which was infuriating him. Vincent wanted to slap the guy around the chops.

“What the hell is going on?” he demanded.

He took a long draw of breath and smelled lust.

“My king,” Riccardo greeted, doing a really fucking fancy bow.

“I asked a question,” he said loudly, stepping forward and leading Kate toward a chair. Feeling her shiver under his hands made him even more furious. As she sat, he knelt down and stared into her eyes. “Are you okay?”

Her eyes darted over to Riccardo’s and back to him.

“Look at me, not him. Are you okay?”

Kate nodded.

The lust wasn’t coming from her, but it lingered.

“Do you want him to stay?”

She shook her head.

That was all he needed to know. As king of the race, he couldn’t plummet the guy to his death, as tempting as the idea was, so instead, Vincent stood and turned to the prince. Behind him stood Craig. He caught his eye. “Get that door fixed and tell the males to tend to the horses.”

“Yes, sire.” Craig disappeared.

“We will be staying here for a few days. Assuming you can accommodate us?” he asked Kate.

“Yes. Of course, Your Majesty.” She nodded.

Riccardo cleared his throat.

Vincent raised a brow and turned.

“Right, yes. Well, Your Majesty, Kate is moving into my home tomorrow. We were just discussing the details.”

Vincent narrowed his eyes and looked down at Kate.

“ Oh, fuck ,” Brayden muttered behind him.

“Is this true?” he asked, really loudly. Had he mistaken her interest in removing the male from her home?

Kate’s hands clenched the arms of her chair and stared at the faces around her. Her eyes went from face to face, looking for answers.

What the actual fuck?

She was not fucking moving in with this male. How could she even consider it? Fury boiled inside him. His fists bunched at his sides, and he was seconds from doing something he knew he’d regret. He took a few breaths and then turned.

“Go home,” he ordered Riccardo.

When he didn’t move, Brayden stepped forward. “Do as the king tells you.”

The male nodded and looked at Kate. She didn’t look at him, but if she had, she would have seen a glimpse of threat, of control, which he hoped would have scared her.

God knew what had happened in this room tonight, but whatever it was, it was now over.

“Go,” Vincent said again, his voice dark and low. “All of you, get the fuck out of this room. NOW!”

Kate swallowed and watched him. Their eyes locked together.

“Let’s go,” Brayden ordered, ushering them all out. Just as he heard the door being pulled closed, Brayden added, “Don’t fuck this up. Either of you. Please.”

Kate’s head swiveled between them, her brows furrowed.

And then it was just the two of them.

KATE FELL BACK INTO the chair when the door closed and stared at the king. He looked furious but relieved. He knelt down in front of her again and stared.

Suddenly, tears pooled in her eyes and began to pour down her face.

He looked horrified.

“Kate,” he whispered softly, reaching for her, and she threw herself into his arms.

It was a momentary lapse of judgment she would kick herself for later, but right now, she just needed to feel safe. And it was in this male’s arms she felt safest.

Vincent lifted her into his arms and sat back down in the chair as she pressed her face into his shoulder and cried.

God, she felt like a child.

“Do I need to behead him?” Vincent asked. “Because I fucking will.”

She let out a sniffly laugh and shook her head. Although it was tempting to say yes after Riccardo’s behavior, she knew she was partly responsible for not drawing a line when he’d begun to cross it.

“No,” she replied, lifting her head. “But I cannot stay here any longer, Vincent. I think”—she let out a little cry—“I think I may have to take you up on your offer to go to America.”

He tilted his head and smirked.

Did he think this was funny?

“You make it sound like a prison sentence, Kate,” he teased, letting out a little laugh. “Am I that horrible?”

She shook her head. “No, of course not. I just...well, I don’t really have a choice.”

She wasn’t going to say he was the most handsome and sexy man she’d ever seen in her life.

“Wait, why are you here?” she suddenly asked.

Vincent frowned at her, ignoring her question. “Tell me why you have no choice. This home is yours now, is it not?”

Ahh, royalty. Completely disconnected with reality. Kate shook her head.

“It’s not? Why—did that male do something?” he ground out.

“No. No, it’s just my father had little cash flow and...Vincent, what are you doing here?”

Vincent frowned, then smiled.

He really was the most confusing male she had ever met. Why was he smiling at her obvious misfortune? Between the sherry, being manhandled, and the surprise royal visit, Kate’s head was spinning. She went to stand, and Vincent lifted her to her feet. Kate brushed her skirts down and smoothed them.

“You look pretty,” Vincent said.

“Thank you,” she replied, frowning and walking to the cabinet. She needed to think. He obviously wasn’t going to give her an answer, and it was entirely frustrating. “Would you like a drink?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Will you tell me why you are here?” Kate asked again.

Suddenly, he was behind her, taking her shoulders in his hands and turning her. “You are not moving into that male’s house.”

She stared at him. Waiting. “Why? Answer me.”

“I came for you,” Vincent told her gently.

Warmth spread through Kate’s body, right down to her toes. Something akin to hope started growing in her, but she wouldn’t dare. She’d been here before with him, and until she heard the words, she wouldn’t let herself dream of something which wasn’t real again. Never again.

Unless...

“For me?” she asked quietly.

“Yes, Kate. For you,” he said, cupping her face. “It appears I am a stupid king, or so my brother says.”

A small smile appeared on her lips.

“And I suspect you feel the same way,” he added.

She chewed her bottom lip.

He cupped her face. “I was so caught up in not wanting to hurt you or break your heart that I didn’t see you were my mate.”

Kate’s eyes widened.

“From the moment I saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful thing alive, Kate. I was scared to look at you. Scared to touch you. Until I couldn’t not touch you any longer.”

Her lips parted.

Vincent’s thumb gently ran over her bottom lip.

“And then, when I held you, when I kissed you, I craved you, Kate,” he said a little gruffly. “And still, I was only focused on the pain I could cause you. I couldn’t see that you are and have always been the one.”

A cry escaped her throat.

“Oh God, Vincent.” She felt her legs turn to jelly, but he caught her and held her up against him.

Her chest heaved as she waited. Just a little bit longer for him.

“You are my mate, Kate. Please,” Vincent started, moisture in his eyes, “will you be my queen?”

“Oh, God, yes!” she cried as his lips slammed into hers.

VINCENT LAY WITH HIS queen in his arms upstairs in her bedroom. Her eyes were drooping after making love so many times.

It had been the single most incredible moment of his life. All of it. When she said yes. When he saw every inch of her body. When his cock finally slid inside.

And now as she lay tucked into the crook of his arms.

Safe. Protected. Loved

Then he remembered.

As he moved, Kate reached for him sleepily. “Vincent.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He smiled.

Ever.

He found his jacket on the floor and dragged it toward him. Reaching in, he pulled out a velvet pouch and climbed across the bed again, wrapping Kate back in his arms. He pulled the ring out and took her finger, slipping it on.

The ring had been his mother’s. It had the purest six carat diamond solitaire set in gold.

Kate blinked as he lifted it to his mouth and kissed her hand.

“Queen Moretti,” Vincent said. “My most beautiful mate. You have my loyalty, love, and protection until your last breath.”

As a tear of joy ran down her cheek, Vincent knew he had been blessed by all the gods.

“You took your damn time, my king.”

They smiled.