Cortigiana (A Vamp Life Prequel) Read online

  I laughed. “Thank you. I guess I have realized my potential.”

  He stole another glance at me in the mirror. “Are you falling for any of the men you have entertained?”

  His question immediately sent my mind racing back to Antonio before I could stop it. I hadn’t even seen the bodyguard since the day he’d carried my flowers, crushed my hope of intimacy with him, and had my bedroom furniture delivered. “I love them all.” I said, recovering with a smile.

  “You throw the word love around carelessly.” Dante scolded, turning to me and leaning back against the dresser.

  “I know little of the word, Sir. I do know that making them happy, as no other woman can, fills me with a sense of pride. Have you been in love? Perhaps you can educate me.” I said.

  Briefly, I caught of glimpse of the man I would grow to fear and eventually hate. Darkness. With the playful façade dropped, his bright blue-white eyes seemed to cloud and the side of his lip, that could smirk so attractively, curled into a sneer. Slowly, I backed away from the foot of the bed and leaned against the headboard, attempting to get as far from him as I could.

  Then, as quickly as the evil had appeared, it was gone. Dante reached into the dresser and pulled out a small strip of dark cloth. He smiled as he stepped closer to me. “I can show you a whole world of wonders. But love, well, that I cannot promise.” He said softly as he tied the cloth around my eyes, blindfolding me.

  “I would hate to be the cause of you breaking a promise.” I drew in a sharp breath of anticipation as he guided me lower on the bed and ran his hands over my body.

  His lips pressed against my thigh in several spots after he’d forced my legs apart. I was trembling all over and moaning in response. There was that painful pleasure, this time as he kissed the flesh of my leg. It was an orgasmic and terrifying sensation that I didn’t understand. I wanted to jerk the blindfold away, but I knew without permission he would be infuriated. The last thing I wanted was to see that evil side again. He groaned heavily as he licked at my inner thigh.

  Dante’s feast was interrupted by a fist pounding on the bedroom door. “Leave me be.” He said in a guttural growl.

  “Dante.” A familiar voice called from the other side of the door. Antonio. “The King of France is here.”

  This had my lover’s attention. He left me in the bed and went to the door, talking in hushed tones to Antonio. I reached down and rubbed the spot on my thigh that Dante had been so attentive to. It was strangely numb now.

  “Take Evelina home. I do not want anyone else of importance taking an interest in her.”

  “Yes, sir.” Antonio said.

  “I hate to abandon our fun, but the more I am away, the greater my appetite for you, Evelina.”

  A door shut, there was silence, and then someone was at my side. I had thought Dante returned. A pair of lips brushed against mine. The kiss was passionate, and yet, not as aggressive as I had grown accustomed to from the master of the house. It was slow, intense, and mind-altering. If a kiss could align the universe, it would have been that one.

  I was breathless and my heart aflutter when our mouths parted. Hands untied my blindfold. Antonio eyed me earnestly. “You can keep a secret.” It was a statement, not a question.

  He was right. I would not say a word to Dante or anyone else about the kiss. All I could manage was a nod.

  Antonio looked pleased with himself for getting me flustered. “Let’s go.” He gathered my discarded dress off the floor and offered it to me. The bodyguard needed my nudity covered. He drank in the sight of my bare flesh.

  I reached out for it and noticed my hand. There was a smear of blood across the palm where I had rubbed my thigh. Had Dante bitten me that hard? My eyes lifted to Antonio in question. The sight of blood immediately made me feel lightheaded even in such small amount.

  “He is not as careful with a lady as he should be.” Antonio said firmly and I knew I should leave any further questions unspoken.

  The sun was beginning to set as we left the mansion. I had thought Antonio was taking me home. Only we were going in the wrong direction. There were so many things I didn’t understand. Did Antonio have feelings for me? What was the kiss? And the blood? It meant something that I couldn’t place.

  “That’s my old home….” I said softly when we stopped in front of the familiar building. It was painful to see the place where I had grown up, lived, and laughed. Since the day I had moved in with my relatives, I had avoided going back to my old house.

  “It is your new home.” He said.

  “What do you mean?”

  Antonio held out his hand and led me to the front door. “I bought it.”

  “Why?” I put my free hand over my mouth and tried to blink away tears. No one had ever done anything like that for me before.

  “You deserve better than having to live with that horrid man and woman. They feed off your success like leeches.”

  My hand was shaking as I released his and reached for the door. “I… don’t know what to say.”

  “Thank you will suffice.” He said with a smile. It made him more handsome than the frequent serious expression he wore.

  At that moment, the door opened before I had a chance to do it myself. My mother was standing there. She pulled me into a desperate hug. I was stunned. The tears fell then.

  “Mamma….”

  “I am glad you are okay, my daughter.” She said.

  Slowly, I removed myself from her hug. “I thought I’d never see you again. Or father. Is father home, too?”

  My mother closed her eyes and shook her head quickly. “No. Your friend was able to clear my name, but it was too late for your father.”

  I turned around to speak to Antonio, but his boat was already disappearing into the distance. He didn’t allow me the chance to thank him or ask him about the tremendous act of kindness.

  “Come inside, child.” Mother said. I stared after the departing gondola with longing for a moment before following her inside.

  “I don’t understand him, Mamma.” I confessed.

  She led me into the kitchen and poured us both the best wine in the house. Everything appeared to be just how we had left it. “He probably feels the same way about you. You like him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Little else matters. Win him. He obviously cares for you.” She said. “It is great to be home. Empty without Zacharia.” A frown snuck onto her face before she forced it away. “You are no longer that innocent little girl, are you? I am sorry you had to see the world for what it is.”

  I shrugged slightly. “I kind of like the life I’m living now. Even more now that you have returned.”

  She gave a shake of her head. “Just be careful. When the hearts of men become involved, danger can follow.”

  “I will.” I gave her another hug. “Let me catch you up on everything.”

  We spent the entire evening drinking and talking until we were giddy from the alcohol. Laughter filled the halls of my home once more. I no longer had to sleep under the roof of people I despised. I was home and I vowed to repay Antonio someday. The opportunity presented itself sooner than I expected.

  The sky brightened with each moment that I stood gazing out over the balcony. Flowers had overgrown their potting and grew wildly. That was how I felt. I was the same woman, only free to grow and discover a new world. I leaned against the wall, resting my head as I watched life awaken.

  “Are you happy?” Antonio asked and I turned away from the window, startled at the unexpected voice. My hair was a mess and I had no make-up on. I wore an old, simple nightgown I’d had for years. My appearance fell short of my usual courtesan standards because I had not known he intended to visit.

  “Yes.” I stepped toward him, but he held up his hand to stop me so I did. “I never had the chance to thank you yesterday.” I said.

  “You needed time with your mother. She went out to purchase some fresh food a moment ago. Invited me to dinner.” He laughed a bit, shaking
his head. “Can you believe that?” The remnant of a smile faded quickly.

  “Are you going to come?” My voice held a heavy hint of longing. The tension grew.

  Something flashed in his eyes and I realized what I said had a double meaning for both of us. “Do you want me to… come?”

  Meekly, I responded with a yes. He was moving closer to me, each step sent my heart racing faster and faster. I thought I would be out of breath before he even reached me. When he did, he put one hand up to my cheek and ran his thumb over my bottom lip. I pressed my lips against it and looked up to him seductively. I didn’t have to act or try with him. Every response was sincere.

  “Dante is going to ask you to be his mistress exclusively. He… has an interest in you as more than a courtesan.” Antonio informed me.

  “I will tell him no.”

  Antonio struggled, trying to resist the attraction that was drawing us together. It was too strong for either of us. “You cannot. He has more power than you think.”

  His lips found mine so I couldn’t argue. Before I knew what was happening, my gown was on the floor and I had been swept off my feet into his arms. With ease, he carried me over to the bed and gently placed me on the soft mattress where I had dreamed up fantasies that couldn’t compare to what was happening at that moment.

  “I am a dangerous man, too. My… father was a murderer. Tell me no. Tell me and I will leave you alone.” He begged of me as I reached up and ran my hands over his now bare chest. How had he disrobed so quickly?

  “I want to tell you yes. I want to scream it with abandon along with your name. It matters not who hears or what happens.” I had never revealed such emotion to my other lovers, but no one else made me feel like Antonio. My cheeks burned a little and I knew I was blushing. The whore was blushing!

  He lightly touched my cheek with his fingers. “You are magnificent as you are now, the most beautiful woman I have ever beheld. I wish I could wake up each morning to see you like this.”

  Our lips met and I would have sworn it was our destiny to be together. We were like one person torn from the same fabric of the universe and finally joining together once more. Lovers, that when death came, would be cast into the sky by the gods to become stars and form a constellation together for eternity.

  I was young and falling in love for the first time. It was either one of my greatest mistakes or the best experience of my life.

  “You can have me always.” I told him. There was nothing I wanted more than to wake up beside him every single day.

  His lips brushed against my neck and I held my breath, expecting to feel the strange stinging sensation that I did with Dante. There was only his mouth and warm breath. No pain. “I cannot love you because I cannot have you. Just for today, just this once, I will take you.”

  I opened my mouth to protest, but only a moan slipped from them as Antonio did what he promised. He took what he needed while sending me to heights of ecstasy I had never before reached. Each kiss, each touch, each thrust propelled me to a higher plane of consciousness.

  Afternoon sun lit the city before we both collapsed from exhaustion. I recall sitting astride his muscular body with my eyes closed. When I close my eyes, I can return to that moment. I hear his heavy breathing, the chirp of birds, and the bustle of Venice outside my window. The scent of man mingled with blooming flowers causes my nose to faintly tingle. I feel the touch of his firm hands on my hips as he arches his hips into me. Then, the word I let slip in a soft whisper that I didn’t think he would hear. The word that Dante said I threw around carelessly. That one tiny word that doomed us all. Love.

  “I love you, Antonio.”

  When I opened my eyes, he was staring into them with a soft expression. He felt the same way. I knew he did. When he lifted me off his body and sat up facing away from me, my heart shattered. “No.” He said without explanation.

  I ran to the window and stared out at the familiar buildings and my balcony haven. Tears streamed down my cheeks and no matter how hard I tried to quiet my sobs, I failed. Antonio was behind me in an instant and soothingly placing his hands on my shoulders.

  “Just leave me alone.” I begged.

  “If I did not know better than to believe superstitions, I would say you are a witch manipulating my emotions. I am not a… sentimental man by nature. And still, I find my will to control my feelings for you vanishes with a simple smile or just a glance from your emerald eyes.” He turned me around and when I would not look up at him, he lifted my chin.

  Through my tears, my vision blurred. I blinked them away to see his handsome face more clearly. “I do not understand how you can say we cannot be together and then say such sweet words to me.”

  “I have hurt you enough and risked your life already. Be well. Remember me. But do not love me.” He kissed my cheek before leaving me confused once more.

  Was Dante really that much of a threat? I was sure that I didn’t care. My life was mine and I wanted Antonio no matter what the consequences.

  Days continued on as they had before Antonio and I had made love. I kept the company of my usual men. It was my job and I hoped it would make the man I loved jealous. Make him realize he loved me, too. He was nowhere to be found. Even Dante had gone eerily silent again.

  Then, one day, I had a chance encounter with Antonio while I was out on a stroll with my companion for the day. Antonio was on a date of his own with a woman of higher social status than me. I had seen her before at Dante’s mansion.

  “Hello.” Livia called out and waved to me. She was slender, pale, and had untamed red hair. The woman was an exotic beauty.

  I gave the sincerest greeting I could, but my face burned and I knew it was red. My anger was boiling over. Despite my intentions to make Antonio jealous, I was the one ending up green with envy.

  “Dante is returning this eve. We were on our way with your invitation to the party.” She informed me.

  “Th… that is wonderful.” I stumbled a bit over my words. Antonio bore the most serious expression I had ever seen on a man’s face. “I better figure out what to wear. I look forward to seeing you both there.”

  She smiled, “See you tonight.” I practically dragged my companion along with me. I had to get away from them. If I travelled far enough, fast enough, I hoped I could escape from the ache in my chest. It was a hopeless attempt.

  My escort and I parted ways when I returned home to prepare for the party. He kissed my lips before handing me payment for spending the day with him. The coin was substantial. Each payment ended up being more than the last.

  I headed upstairs to my room and fell to my knees, jerking out the bottom drawer of my dresser. Buried under clothing, I had a box full of money which I had been saving since the first time I’d received payment for my love. There was enough to get far away from Venice. Enough to take mother and just leave. Then, I could forget about the heartbreak.

  I honestly intended to take the money and run away from the city. For a long time, I stared at the golden coins without moving. The thought of not seeing Antonio, Dante, and the other men held me in place. Being a courtesan in Venice was my life. It was who I was and all I knew how to be. Love was ruining everything. Why did I feel such strong feelings for Antonio and not my other lovers?

  A small rapping knock on my bedroom door made me slam the lid of the box down in a hurry and hide it once again. “Evelina?” My mother’s voice called out. “A gift has arrived for the party tonight.”

  There were always presents from suitors being delivered. Before opening the door, I wiped the tears that I hadn’t realized were falling from my eyes. “What a nice surprise.” I said, trying to hide my inner turmoil by plastering a smile on my face. This did not fool my mother.

  “What troubles you, child?” She walked over and spread my new dress across the bed. A small box was placed on top.

  “Nothing. I was worried about what to wear. That is all.”

  She shot me a sideways glance as she ran her hand over
the dark green fabric of the evening gown. “I understand this lifestyle can be trying at times. We think we are strong and immune to the weaknesses of the heart. That is, until we meet that one person that sends us head over heels. Your father was that man for me.”