“They wouldn’t like Tenzin living there…,” Giovanni said. “Or maybe they would. If it would open a business relationship with her allies in Asia, they might not have a problem. She’d have to play nice sometimes.”
Ben shrugged. “I can get her to play nice when necessary.”
“You’re possibly the only one who can.”
“Do you think it’s a big enough market?” Ben asked. “Could we make any money with it?”
“If you were good, you could make very good money, but we should consider it an offshoot of Beatrice’s and my business to start. I’ll refer clients to you when they need to find antiquities—”
“And eventually I’ll refer clients to you if they need to find books.”
Man and vampire both smiled.
“This could work, couldn’t it, Gio?”
“Are you excited about the idea?”
Ben paused and really thought about it. “This feels right,” he said. “More right than anything else I’ve thought of. I just have to keep Tenzin from forging copies of stuff we’re hired to find.”
Giovanni closed his eyes and turned back to the chessboard. “I’m pretending I didn’t hear that.”
“Good call.”
“Don’t do it again.”
“I won’t.”
“You risk your reputation and mine, Benjamin.”
“I get it. I get it. I’ll keep her in line.”
-❈-
TO Lady Filomena De Moura
Immortal Guardian of Naples and the Second Parthenopean Republic
Nena (I told you I’d give you a nickname),
Forgive me for leaving your beautiful city so abruptly. I meant no offense, so I hope none was taken. The events that led to your rise were, admittedly, surprising to me, but I hope that Tenzin and I were able to assist you in our own way. I understand the collection of Sicilian tarì have been returned to the Neapolitan treasury. I am grateful that our small part in their recovery was satisfactory. (And the bonus was very much appreciated.)
As I have now discovered the delights of your city, I hope to return again soon. I understand you and Emil Conti are working toward smoother relations between the Neapolitan and Roman courts. I wish you both well.
Until our next meeting I remain…
Your admirer,
Benjamin Vecchio,
International Man of Mystery
Scourge of the ____________ (still working on that one)
-❈-
DEAR Ben,
Come back to Naples soon. You will be welcome.
Nena
Epilogue
THE HUMIDITY WAS EVEN HIGHER than when he’d left two weeks before, but Ben was whistling when he saw the prow of Claudio’s boat as it drew up to dock near the train station.
“Ciao, Claudio.”
“Ciao, Ben.”
He threw his satchel into the back of the boat and climbed in next to Claudio.
“It’s still hot,” Claudio said. “Even at night. It’s not cooling off at all anymore.”
“I know.”
“You have your passport? Get it out. I’ll take you to the airport right now. Get you out of this dreaded damp furnace.”
“No, thanks.”
Claudio shook his head. “Fine. Whatever you want. You’re an idiot like her, I think. Come back in the spring. It’s much nicer then.”
Ben smiled. “You’re the one who lives here, Claudio.”
The young man shrugged. “Where else would I live? It’s Venice. The greatest city in the world.”
❂
BEN heard Louis’s trumpet echoing down the quiet canal as they approached the house. Claudio let him out at the end of the Rio Terà dei Assassini and tossed his bag up to him.
“You have the key?” Claudio asked.
Ben held it up. “I made my own copy.”
“I’ll talk to you later then. Try not to die.”
Ben blinked. “Okay. Is there an ambush I need to know about?”
“No,” Claudio said. “I say that to all the humans I know who hang out with vampires.” He waved and drifted off down the canal.
Ben watched the lights of his boat until they disappeared around a corner, then he turned and punched in the gate code before he twisted the key in the lock. Both the gate and the door swung open easily because he’d oiled them before they left Venice the last time. It was little stuff like that Tenzin always forgot to do.
“Honey,” he called quietly when he stepped into the courtyard. “I’m home.”
A faint sound of laughter echoing off marble.
Ben dropped his bag on a bench and walked to the turntable at the end of the entry hall. He picked up the needle and skipped to “La Vie en Rose,” then he walked over and plucked the wineglass out of Tenzin’s hand and set it on the coffee table.
Accusing grey eyes met his. “I was drinking that.”
“I know,” he said. “But you should be dancing.”
“This is becoming a bad habit, Benjamin.”
Ben pulled her to her feet and spun her out before he tugged her back and grabbed her around the waist as the trumpet solo started. After a few minutes, she relaxed in his arms and let him lead.
“I thought you’d go back to LA,” she said.
“I missed your house.”
She chuckled. “Good to know where your loyalties are.”
“My loyalties are never in question,” he said in a soft voice. “You should know that by now.”