Page 12 of Savage Empire

My responsibility that I took gravely serious.

So I did what any protective, desperate older sister would do. I called Romeo, and I made a deal to save my brother’s life.

Shaking myself out of memories long past, I look at Yordan again, resisting a frown. Leon Moretti must be close to doublehis age, and yet his T-shirt and sleep pants only look a bit oversized on him. He’s grown up so fast, sprouting up like a weed right before my eyes.

“You know I love you more than anything, don’t you?”

Yordan drops down onto his temporary bed, scrunching his nose at me. “What are you getting all sappy for?”

I huff, tossing my pillow at him with a half-hearted reprimand. “You used to love when I was sappy,milichko. My sweet baby brother who loved my hugs and snuggles.”

He rolls his eyes, tossing the pillow back. “Yearsandyearsago, maybe.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t remember how much you love me,” I tease, standing up to stretch. I’m far too restless to lay down right now, though our accommodations are relatively cozy.

The room we’ve been put in is nice enough. Two twin beds, a shaggy rug, a few small dressers, and a private bathroom with a shower. It feels like camping, almost. If I try hard enough, I might even be able to convince myself we’re here having a little family trip. I could forget all the nonsense that brought us here, and just enjoy the peace and quiet.

“You bribed me with sweets,” he argues, hiding a smile.

I chuckle, remembering all the fond memories we’ve made while baking. Working on pastries is something I’ve always enjoyed, though we haven’t always been able to afford. It was a useful escape from the ugly world, making pretty desserts to stare at and adore.

“You begged for sweets,” I counter. “You always wanted to eat the raw product. So impatient.”

Yordan chuckles, but the laugh dies down as a familiar voice sounds from the hall. Apollo is talking to someone, whether it’s a guard or a member of his family. I make a move toward our door and Yordan sends me a worried look.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m just going to talk to him.”

“Rayna,” my brother pleads. “Don’t mess this up for us.”

“I won’t,” I promise, voice firm. “I’m only going to ask what his plans for us are. Stay here, Yordan. We need to have an adult conversation.”

I don’t allow him to object before I slip out of our room into the bright hallway. My sock-covered feet hit the cool cement floor and I shiver, looking up to find Apollo only a few feet away. Whoever he’d been speaking with has already begun to walk away, and he stares at me, as if daring me to approach.

He can dare all he likes, I’m not scared of him.

My spine snaps straight and I stride up to him, folding my arms over my chest like a shield.

“Yes?” he asks, his voice a smoky drawl.

“Is this your room?” I gesture to the door behind him. “Did you put us right next to you to keep an eye on us?”

“You’re next to me because it was an open room with two beds,” he replies mildly. “Is that why you came storming out here? Are your accommodations not to your liking?”

I don’t believe him for a second. He wanted us close by, probably thinking we’ll try to rob him and run away. Asshole.

“I need to know what you want with me and my brother,” I state, trying to eliminate any nerves from my tone. “If you’re planning something for the pair of us, tell me now. I won’t take kindly to being blindsided.”

His tongue clicks, an obnoxious air of amusement sparkling in his eyes. “Is that right?”

“Yes,” I hiss, stepping closer, a thunderous expression painting my face. “I know you must think I’m some kind of cowardly weakling for allowing my husband to physically abuse me, but make no mistake, everything I’ve ever done in my life has been for Yordan. If I get even the slightest inkling that youplan to harm him in any way, I will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to eliminate you.”

Apollo doesn’t flinch. Of course he doesn’t. An unarmed woman threatening him is hardly something he’d find frightening, I’m not naive enough to assume otherwise. My point still stands.

“So, I’ll ask again,whatare you planning to do with us?”

He stares at me, eyes searching for something on my face. Whatever he sees, it eventually convinces him to speak.