“You have so much art. So many sculptures.”
“I enjoy them,” he said while guiding me to the back. “Not to mention Breed art with historical paperwork is a good investment.”
“Why do you keep some at the club?”
“I use my office as a retreat. It’s nice to surround yourself with things that you love. But if you want to know the real reason, it’s never wise to keep all your investments in one location. You could have your fortune stolen in one fell swoop.”
With that security wall outside his office, he likely didn’t worry about theft. The thought of someone attempting to carry one of those heavy sculptures out of the club made me smile.
He patted a wall as we entered a large kitchen. “I’ll give you the abbreviated tour.”
The large space to the right was devoid of a dining table it desperately needed, but clearly Vampires had different needs. Farther in to the left was a small round table in the corner and a sliding glass door straight ahead. The large galley kitchen in the back right was stunning. There wasn’t a kitchen island, but the right-hand counter was a backwardLshape. Two tall chairs were pushed in and would allow a person to eat at the counter or watch the cook. He had a gas stove and plenty of counter space.
“Are those real?” I pointed at the small potted herbs on the left windowsill.
He walked to the sink and plucked a stem, twirling the leaves beneath his nose before offering it to me.
I inhaled deeply. “Mint.”
Atticus walked through the kitchen and peered into a few cabinets. “The refrigerator and cupboards should be fullystocked.” After searching the refrigerator, he nodded and shut the door. “Fully stocked, as I said.”
“You trust your people to enter your home when you’re not here?”
“There’s only one person I trust, but I still change the access code after he leaves. There’s always a chance someone could charm him for the code. Can’t be too careful.”
Atticus walked to the far end of the kitchen and opened what I presumed was a pantry door. Then he returned and gestured to a massive fruit bowl on the marble counter. “Apple?”
“No, thank you. My stomach is a little topsy-turvy after the trip. Maybe later.”
“There should also be some in your room. That’ll save you a long trip downstairs.”
“Maybe you should build a slide.”
He chuckled quietly.
I couldn’t get over the warm, luxurious feel of his home. His sumptuous mansion exuded an air of grandeur with its stone, granite, and marble elements. Each room had wide entryways, some arched.
Atticus gave me a tour of the wine cellar and proudly showed off his favorite bottles. He pointed out some that were too old to enjoy, but he had a story for each one, which revealed his sentimentality. The cellar floor was a nutty color, and the brick walls were various shades of brown. As he took me back to the main room with the staircase, he motioned to each bathroom we passed as if I might have to pee at every turn.
Then again, knowing their locations would be useful. My bladder was like an unpredictable sprinkler.
There were statues everywhere.
“Are these just investments?” I asked, stopping at one of a pregnant woman. “Or are they people you once knew?”
“I suppose a little of both. Art is the one true constant. I’ve watched the evolution of medicine, technology, science, fashion, and even food. Art is timeless. It’s the soul of humanity.”
“Some humans make art with machines.”
With a shake of his head, he looked up at the statue next to me. “I’m not keen on this new world humans are creating for themselves. What’s next? Replacing people with robots?”
“You wouldn’t purchase a robot to clean your home?”
He took my hand and walked me up the open staircase along the left wall of the main room. “I would never trust a robot enough to bring one into my home.”
“Because you can’t charm them?”
“I don’t abuse my power.” Atticus paused on the landing and changed my bag to his left hand. “Is this too far for you to walk? I wanted you to have the best view, but maybe having you hike up and down the stairs is dangerous. Your safety is imperative.”
