Page 116 of Savage Empire

“I guess I can live with that.”

Good.

“But what if we have a girl?”

“It’s statistically not very likely for this family,” I tell her steadily. Perhaps she dreams of having a daughter, and I wouldn’t want to squash that. Still, I don’t see it happening for me.

“I know,” she agrees. “But I want to talk about the possibility. I don’t want our daughter to be forced into an arranged marriage some day. I want it in writing that she can’t be.”

“You won’t hear me argue with you on that, Rayna.” I offer a small nod of acknowledgment. “On the off chance we have a girl, she will be treated just as Jade was. She will choose whoshe wishes to love, when the time comes. No forced marriage arrangements will happen for her.”

“Can you say the same for our son?”

Our son.

I like the sound of that.

“He will have the same freedoms I have been afforded, but the same responsibilities as well. An arranged marriage is unlikely, but could happen if he’s even more stubborn than I am.”

Rayna nods. “I suppose that’s as good as it’s going to get for him.”

I set my pen down for the next subject. Something I’ve been thinking about for a minute. “You should adopt Yordan, legally, before we marry.”

For the first time in our meeting, Rayna looks vulnerable. “I…what?”

“Making Yordan my stepson will solidify his role in the family. He won’t be my son by blood, so no rumors of him becoming heir will cause issues. But he’ll become a Moretti, as you would.”

She captures her bottom lip with her teeth. “Y-you want that?”

“Of course,” I confirm smoothly. “Yordan means very much to me. I would have hoped that with all the time and effort I’ve put into caring for him, into training him, that you wouldn’t doubt that.”

“I’ll ask him about it.” She exhales softly. “Thank you, for always thinking about him.”

“We can ask him together,” I suggest. “When we tell him about the engagement.”

“We’re really doing this, then?”

“Well, our contract needs to be finalized for your final approval. And there’s that trial we need to schedule, but all and all, yes. We’re doing this, Rayna.”

“We won’t have a marriage like Leon’s will we?” she asks, voice almost trembling. “I don’t think I could handle that. The cold indifference?—”

“It will be anything but cold and indifferent, love.”

For the first time, she doesn’t snap at me not to call her that.

“Oh, and Rayna? Be prepared to be bossed around, won’t you? I won’t tolerate your attitude as kindly while we fuck. I happen to like control in many places, bed most of all.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Rayna

Rayna

Don’t forget a condom.

Istare down at my last text to my potential husband for far too long, only stopping once the door bell rings. I make my way to it quickly, refusing to let him think I’m nervous or having second thoughts. Yordan is out for the day, doing more physical therapy-like stretching with Elio and Javi, making today the perfect opportunity for our…trial.

Apollo waltzes into the apartment as soon as I open the door for him. He doesn’t wait for an invitation inside, nor does he feel the need to exchange formal pleasantries. I try not to appear rattled, shutting the door and locking it behind him. When I turn around though, there’s no possibility of hiding my shock.