Page 13 of Savage Empire

“My family owns an apartment building, it’s a safe house of sorts. Victims of domestic violence, or trafficking in the area are offered clean and safe apartments, rent-free. There’s twenty-four hour security, and everything you need to live comfortably. There’s a place for Yordan and yourself there.”

My brain short circuits, digesting the information with complete and utter disbelief.

“That’s it?” I scoff. “You expect me to believe you’re simply giving us a place to stay out of the goodness of your heart?”

For once, his face shifts from cold indifference. He scowls, looking properly insulted. “What other reason could I possibly have, Rayna?”

I could think of at least twenty off the top of my head. None of them would be appropriate to list. I doubt he’d take kindly to the accusations.

I decide to continue to grill him instead.

“And what about money, huh? How are you expecting us to provide for ourselves? You will not be making Yordan into a soldier in exchange for our safety. I won’t allow it.”

“By all means, seek employment if you please,” Apollo replies, sounding bored. “You won’t need it. Food, utilities, and necessities will all be included in your stay. Yordan will not be forced into anything, including by you. If he comes to me,wanting to learn, I’m not going to turn him away to appease you.”

I swallow hard. Why does he have to be such a well spoken, quick wittedbastard?

He has an answer for everything.

“And how long before we outstay our welcome?” I challenge, lifting my chin. “How long do you plan to bankroll a pair of strangers? Should we expect an eviction in a week? A month?”

“You’re a greatly distrustful person, do you know that?”

“You’re a greatly suspicious person, do you know that?” I snap. “Do you even understand how unbelievable this is? People don’t do this. They don’t give handouts and expect nothing in return. No one is that generous, everyone wants something.”

“Even you? What do you want, Rayna?”

“What I want has never mattered, don’t pretend that that has changed now,Apollo.”

His eye twitches. “You’re going to have to have some faith, I suppose.”

“Faith?” I laugh bitterly. “Faith? You’re more delusional than I thought if you think a woman like me is capable of something so ludicrous as possessingfaith.”

“What are you truly afraid of?” he questions, sighing like I’ve exhausted him. “What do you think I’m trying to do here?”

“Control us, isolate us,” I begin, trying not to scream at him. “I think you’re going to steal my little brother away to be one of your mindless minions who will stand in front of a bullet for you. I think that you could do anything you wanted to us and no one could stop you. And I think you’re flat out ignorant if you can’t see why trusting you is an utter impossibility.”

I release a breath, steadying myself and looking at him straight on. “I’m trusting you enough to get us out of here, and keep us safe from Romeo and Abramo. For Yordan’s sake. But I’m keeping my guard up, Apollo Moretti. If I sense the smallestbit of betrayal coming from you, I will do whatever it takes to shield him from it.”

The future Capo blinks, his eyes leaving my face and shifting downward.

“Are you wearing Leon’s shirt?”

My mouth drops open at his abrupt shift in topic. “Have you even been listening to me? Why the hell are you asking about my shirt?”

I look down at the navy blue cotton, dumbfounded as to how it’s caught his attention at all. It’s a plain T-shirt, too big for my frame but unspecial in every other way.

Too suddenly to react, a thick, veiny hand clutches the fabric around my middle, fisting it tightly. Apollo uses his unwelcome grip on the shirt to tug me forward, pulling me into his room and slamming the door behind us.

“What the actual fuck?” I hiss, shoving his hand away like he’s scalded me. “Are you insane? I will rip your balls from your body. How dare you?”

“Take it off,” he demands, ignoring the threat entirely and turning away from me swiftly. His large body makes it across the room in what feels like the blink of an eye.

“Excuse you?” I screech. “I certainly will not!”

A bundle of black cloth soars across the room, landing at my sock-covered feet.

“Change,” he says, the command holding no room for argument.