“That doesn’t look like a balanced relationship to me.”
“He is in charge of her, but she gets his protection. It’s balanced.”
“And she’s supposed to be satisfied with that?”
“They’re not mates, Benjamin. Will they be someday?” Tenzin shrugged. “Perhaps. Probably not.”
Ben sat on the chaise and reached for the bottle of wine he’d been drinking hours before when Ruby had first shown up with the gold. He pulled the cork out and drank directly from the bottle, then passed it to Tenzin.
“So how does it end?” he asked.
She took a long drink. “None of your business.”
“But—”
“Not everything comes to a happy end, Benjamin.” She reached over and patted his hand. “Remember that. We’re vampires.”
❂
BEN drove to Rome the next day. Tenzin didn’t trust the coins on the train and neither did Benjamin, so he started early, rented a junky tourist car, and made the six-hour trip on his own. He pulled into Residenza di Spada just a couple of hours before sunset and grabbed a nap before Tenzin arrived.
When he woke, he was alone, but he could see Tenzin outside his room, perched on the small balcony that overlooked the interior courtyard. He opened the window and heard the quiet buzz of city traffic, not knowing whether the clamor of vehicles was comforting or annoying.
“You’re being so well behaved,” Ben said as Tenzin floated into his room. Since he couldn’t float, he sat on the edge of the bed. “You actually waited for me to wake up this time.”
She was frowning and silent.
“What’s up?”
“How was your meeting with Filomena before you left Naples?”
“Filomena?” He rubbed the sleep from his eyes as Tenzin hovered in a corner. “Good, I guess. We flirted. Nothing much happened. But she seemed pretty progressive for a vampire.”
“Instant read on her?”
He took a deep breath and lay back, closing his eyes as he thought. “I liked her. She’s smart. Doesn’t take herself too seriously. I found myself… surprised that she was Alfonso’s lieutenant.”
“Why?”
“One, she seems too independent for him. Two, he doesn’t seem like the type to have an independent thinker as his second-in-command.”
“Which tells us…”
He stretched and rolled over. “It tells us she’s either got him fooled, or there’s more layers to the Mad Duke than we’re seeing.”
Tenzin nodded and crossed her legs on the end of his bed.
“Do you know who she reminded me of?” Ben finally said.
“Emil Conti?”
“Yes.” Ben wasn’t surprised Tenzin had picked up Filomena’s similarity to the vampire in charge of Rome. “Old but progressive. The Naples court is too insular for her.”
“I’m betting she didn’t know Alfonso sent two men to follow you.”
“I’d bet you’re right. She had too much respect for you to piss you off.”
“I think before we meet with Alfonso and give him his gold—”
“You mean, give him your gold that you very nicely forged for him?”
“Exactly. I think before we meet with Alfonso again, you should have another meeting with Filomena and… fill her in.”
Ben narrowed his eyes. “What kind of trouble are you trying to cause, Tiny?”
“Benjamin, you know I only cause the very best kind of trouble.”
Chapter Eight
BEN MET FILOMENA AT THE same restaurant where they’d had a drink before he left Naples. The vicious heat wave had not let up, but the breeze across the bay cooled the evening enough to make things slightly less miserable.
He spotted Filomena walking along the boardwalk. She was wearing a long summer dress that evening, which made Ben wonder where she was hiding her weapons. Wherever they were, he had a feeling he’d have a fun time finding out. It was a shame he had to talk about politics.
“Hey,” he said when she came close. “Nice dress.” He flipped one of the tarì at her, and her hand shot out to catch it.
Filomena held it in her palm. “Nice gold.”
“Did ya miss me?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
She sat and slid a hand along his thigh until she’d leaned forward enough to brush his lips with her own. “Hello.”
He tasted cherries and smiled against her lips. “Hey, Filomena?”
“Yes?”
“I want to give you a nickname. Can I do that?”
“If you call me baby, it might result in injury.”
“No baby.” His fingertips slid along her soft shoulder. “I’m going to think about it. I’m just warning you. A nickname is coming.”
Filomena pouted. “If only I were too.” She sat back and held up the tarì. “You got them.”
“We got them. But we had some company—”
“What?” She straightened, all flirtation forgotten. “You had what kind of company?”
“The kind Alfonso sent. Anyone go on vacation lately?”
“That…” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Was Tenzin very angry?”
“She wasn’t happy. Which is why I wanted to meet with you before she sees Alfonso again.”
“He’ll claim he was protecting his interests.”