The Raven (The Florentine #1)(91)

Raven had always discounted love, thinking it wasn’t possible for her. She wondered bleakly if William was offering her the best she could do.

She moved toward the head of the bed, putting space between them.

“Let’s not talk about love, okay? It’s ridiculous to have that conversation when we barely know one another.”

William’s expression tightened, but he did not disagree.

“Would sex bond us?” she asked.

“Bond us?”

“You mentioned something once about vampyres bonding.”

He shook his head. “That bond is through the intake of blood.”

“Oh.”

“The sexual act unifies the two, unless the parties will that it doesn’t.”

“So is that what you’d do? You’d have sex with me, but will that it didn’t bring us closer together?”

“I never said that.” His eyes took on a strange light.

Raven didn’t want to consider what that meant.

“Getting back to the illustrations, since they’re original, why don’t you share them with the world? The way the Emersons did?”

William stood, placing his hands on his hips. “Don’t mention the name of those thieves. They stole from me and they’re going to pay for it.”

At that moment, Raven was almost grateful for William’s anger. It was a great deal easier for her to deal with than his hands on her body. But she found his response distressing.

“You’re talking about a man and his wife and child. You wouldn’t harm them, would you?”

His expression remained unchanged.

“The Emersons weren’t alive a hundred years ago,” she persisted. “They didn’t break into your house.”

“That is no excuse.”

“They’re a young family with a baby. I don’t know the professor, but I met his wife. She told me they’re going to adopt a child from the Franciscan orphanage.”

Something shifted in William’s eyes, but he didn’t speak.

“It’s true. They’re going to adopt a little girl who has special needs. I volunteer at that orphanage. I know Maria. No one wants her. If you kill the Emersons, that little girl will never have a family.”

William clenched his jaw.

“That is not my concern. I cannot tolerate thievery. If the others realize I let this go, it will weaken my authority.”

“Can’t you strengthen your authority in other ways? Find out who stole from you originally?”

“I have my suspicions.”

“Then leave the Emersons alone.”

“Never,” he said haughtily, moving toward her bedroom door.

“William,” she called. “I need to tell you something.”

“Proceed.” His tone was cold but his eyes radiated concern.

“I think it’s obvious I’m attracted to you. And I—” She struggled for the words. “I feel something for you.”

She held up her hand. “Not love. I’m not sure love is for me, anyway. But if you harm the Emersons, whatever is between us will end. I can’t condone punishing the innocent for someone else’s crime, especially a mother and child.”

“I’ve already decided not to harm the family,” William responded primly. “But Emerson received stolen property. That hardly makes him innocent.”

Raven’s eyebrows knitted together. “Do you think whoever sold him the illustrations revealed they’d been stolen? The Swiss family probably wasn’t even alive when they were taken from you.”

“I want justice.”

“In your justice, don’t forget mercy.”

William’s gaze moved inexplicably to the kitchen, then back to Raven.

He said nothing.

“If you’re intending to hurt Professor Emerson, take this back.” She picked up the gold bracelet from her nightstand and held it out to him. “I don’t want it.”

He scowled darkly. “It’s for your protection.”

“Which I no longer want.”

“You wanted it badly enough a few minutes ago.” William sounded bitter. “I see you return gifts from men with practiced ease.”

“Men don’t give me gifts.”

“I have no interest in taking my revenge against a mother and child.” His eyes sparked with anger. “My issue is with Emerson.”

“Don’t you understand, William?” Raven lowered her voice intentionally. “If you kill him, you destroy his family. I know what it’s like to grow up without a father. Things happened to us after he died, terrible things. Please don’t do that to Julia and Clare.”

William started. “You know their names?”

“I met them, yes. And I liked them. Julia is kind and gentle and Clare is a beautiful baby. Would you condemn that beauty to a lifetime of sadness?”

William regarded her, his expression blank.

He glanced at the gold bracelet, but didn’t take it.

His gray eyes moved to hers. “Good-bye, Jane. Be well.”

“Wait.” She struggled to her feet as he strode through the door.

Hurriedly, she grabbed her cane and made her way to the hall. “William, wait. I can’t walk that fast.”