The Raven (The Florentine #1)(95)

“He’s getting better. Now, what do you want for breakfast?” Lidia moved as if to stand, but Raven stopped her.

“I should be making you breakfast.”

“I can still fix breakfast. I’m not dead.”

Raven shot a worried look at Graziella, who rolled her eyes to the ceiling.

“I’m just on my way to work at the Uffizi. Maybe we could have breakfast another time.”

“Anytime. Just knock on the door. But not tomorrow; tomorrow the doctor from Rome is coming.”

Raven smiled and squeezed her neighbor’s hand. “Good. I’ll see you soon. If you need anything, please let me know. I’m just next door.”

Raven hugged Lidia and took leave of Graziella, wishing with all her might that the specialist might find a way to help her neighbor.

It was with great surprise that Raven saw Luka standing in the hallway of her building after she left Lidia’s apartment. She’d thought that William would withdraw his protection after what had happened the night before.

She didn’t bother asking him questions about William, for she knew Luka wouldn’t answer. His lordship had trained his servants well and they always obeyed orders.

Luka was human. As far as Raven knew, all William’s servants were human. Although at first she couldn’t tell the difference between a human and a vampyre, now she found it easy. Vampyres were paler of skin, stronger, and more imposing physically than human beings.

An air of danger and threat clung to them, as well.

As she exited her building with Luka, she didn’t see Ispettor Batelli watching her from across the piazza. Nor did she see him following the Mercedes from a distance.

She spent a quiet but constructive day in the restoration lab, working on the Birth of Venus. Patrick and Gina stopped by to invite her to lunch and the trio walked to a nearby osteria, on the other side of Piazza Signoria.

Luka drove Raven home after work, where she prepared a simple dinner, packing up half of it to deliver to Lidia. Lidia was grateful for the gift and prevailed on Raven to stay and enjoy a glass of wine.

Just as the sun was setting, Raven took leave of her neighbor and descended the staircase to the street. She put on her helmet, climbed on her Vespa, and drove to the Piazzale Michelangelo.

The Emersons’ time was decidedly short. She didn’t know how long the hunters were going to remain in the city. She didn’t know when William would decide to go after the professor.

She was determined to see him and try once more to change his mind.

When she approached the gate to his villa, she heard a voice from the security speaker. She hadn’t even announced her arrival.

“State your business.”

“Um, it’s Raven. Raven Wood. I’m here to see his lordship.”

“His lordship is not at home.”

Raven recognized Ambrogio’s voice. She also recognized that he was being cool with her.

“Could I come inside and wait? I really need to see him.”

There was a long pause.

When Ambrogio didn’t reply, she decided to change tactics.

She lifted her wrist, displaying the gold bracelet to the security camera.

“His lordship ordered me to return this,” she lied. “And his lordship’s orders are always obeyed.”

Raven bit her lip, trying to keep a straight face. It was too ridiculous.

“One moment.”

Raven waited and the high iron gate opened, allowing her to pass through. She was shocked her strategy had worked.

She drove to the triple garage and parked in front of it, storing her helmet inside the Vespa’s seat. She picked up her cane and walked through the garden to the door.

Ambrogio greeted her, directing her to Lucia, in the kitchen.

“Ah, Miss Wood. Sit down.” Lucia gestured to the kitchen table, on which she’d already set a bottle of wine and a plate of fruit and cheese. She gestured to an empty glass. “Shall I?”

“Please.” Raven tried not to drum her fingers on top of the table as she watched Lucia pour her a glass of red wine.

“His lordship is not here.” Lucia corked the bottle and set it aside before placing the full glass in front of her guest. “In fact, he is not expected home this evening.”

“Why not?”

“He has another residence that he sometimes uses. He stayed there last night and will probably stay there again tonight.” Lucia’s expression was carefully controlled.

Raven derived the impression that there was much, much more that Lucia was not telling her; none of it good.

“Can I wait for him?”

“I would not recommend that. As I said, he is not expected home.” Lucia glanced significantly at Raven’s wrist.

She removed the bracelet. “If you could return this to his lordship, I’d be very grateful.”

“Of course.” Lucia took the item.

“Can I still see his version of Primavera? He ordered me to give him my report for the restoration, but there’s one part of the painting I need to see again.”

Lucia smiled. “Please enjoy your wine, and when you are ready I will escort you upstairs. Will you need to have the painting removed from the wall?”

Raven shook her head.

Lucia gestured to a small bell that stood in front of Raven’s plate. “Ring when you are ready.”