Page 128 of Savage Empire

I typed that for him :) Don’t text and drive, kids.

Jade

I’m so happy!! This is the best news everrrr.

Nico

Try not to knock her up immediately, the twins just stopped screaming the house down.

Jade

NICO!

Armani

Just saw a light under Apollo’s office door, Jade. He’s been home this whole time, go hug him for us.

I hear a scream from downstairs and sigh.

Apollo

Thank you for that, Armani. The peace and quiet was getting old.

He ignores my sarcasm.

Armani

Anytime, brother.

Jade doesn’t bother knocking as she bursts into my office, practically tackling me with an embrace. I grunt, pretending to be put out. But I hide a smile as I return my little sister’s hug.

As nice as this moment is, it doesn’t escape my notice that Emilio had nothing to say in the group.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Apollo

One thing about having a big family? Moving is always made easier. Since early this morning, my brothers have rallied around the Todorov apartment, helping pack up everything they’ve decided to move.

Most of the furniture and kitchen equipment is going to stay, and I’ve told Yordan and Rayna that they can still have access to the space. It seemed like the logical choice to give them a place to escape to when the Moretti house inevitably becomes too chaotic or overwhelming.

Leaving a lot of large items behind made the packing process move quickly and efficiently, leading us to arrive at the mansion by noon. Unpacking has taken a backseat at the insistence of Martha. Lunch time was a more pressing matter to her, and no one had the heart to deny her. Besides, she cooked up a feast of homemade pizza, and all of us were a sucker for the choice in food.

“Today is such a good day,” Jade gushes, taking a seat next to Rayna in the dining room. “Martha’s pizza,andyou’re moving in? It’s like Christmas.”

Rayna offers a hesitant smile, looking unsure how to reply. She doesn’t have to come up with anything when a tiny voice chirps down at her side, moving her attention from my over-eager sister.

“Rain-a,” Leo says, his little hand tugging on her arm. When she smiles down at him, he gives her a grin right back. “Rain-uhh, up please.”

“You want to sit with me?” she asks, eyes twinkling.

“Yes,” Leo agrees, head bobbling with a nod. “Up please.”

Rayna scoops him up under his arms, settling the toddler into her lap. She looks like she’s about to offer him some of her pizza when another small shadow approaches.

“Bastian,” Leo giggles, pointing down to his older brother. He looks at Rayna, adding, “My bru-ther, my Bastian.”

“This is your big brother I’ve heard so much about?” she asks, gasping to excite the boys. She offers a beaming smile toward Leon’s eldest. “It’s very nice to meet you Bastian, I’m your daddy’s friend Rayna.”