Page 132 of Savage Empire

“No!” I rush out, rushing to his side to smack his stomach with the back of my hand. “You’re not interrupting anything. Hello, Leo, I’ve missed you.”

My fiancé scowls. “You saw him five minutes ago.”

“And I missed him all the same,” I snap. “You look like you two need a word. Leo, do you want to go find a drink with me? I could use some apple juice.”

“Apple juice, yes,” he agrees eagerly. Throwing himself into my arms, he grins when I tickle his stomach.

I can feel Apollo’s eyes burning at the back of my head. “You know, hecanwalk.”

“He sure can,” I agree, not looking back. “And so can I. Say bye bye, Leo.”

“Bye bye!” he shouts, waving over my shoulder.

As much as I enjoy hanging out with this little guy, I also couldn’t get away from Dante sooner. I do not want to face my future father-in-law after the scene I last made in his presence. I know Leon said he wasn’t upset, but I still feel self-conscious about it.

I don’t know how long it’ll take to feel at home here, but I know it won’t be today. Warming up isn’t my speciality, but I’m determined to work on it.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Apollo

It’s midnight when my family is finally done passing around Rayna like a shiny new toy. Between all the little ones vying for her attention, and my sisters talking her ear off, I’m surprised she hasn’t suffocated. I caught her looking overwhelmed more than once, but she made no effort to escape, or even to look for me for help. She wanted to endure, and she succeeded.

“It’s so weird that you’re going to bed with him,” Yordan tells her quietly, likely assuming I can’t hear him. “You could probably get your own room if you tried, you know? At least until you’re married.”

Rayna chuckles at her brother. “I don’t mind sharing. I may as well get used to it. It’s how I’ll spend the rest of my life, after all.”

Damn right, it is.

I watch the siblings from the corner of my eye, not even pretending to hide my interest. He doesn’t see me, but Yordan looks like he’s swallowed a lemon. “So fucking weird.”

“Language,” she tsks. “Now go to bed, there’s a giant bathtub in my new room that’s calling my name. I don’t think I’ve used my muscles this much in one day, well, ever.”

“All right,” he says reluctantly. “You know where my room is if you need me.”

“Right back at you,milichko.”

The siblings share a silent look, understanding passing between them. And after giving him a quick hug, Rayna walks over to the couch, finding me quickly. I’m surprised to find that she isn’t scowling.

“You heard every word of that, didn’t you?”

“Yordan still has progress to make on his stealth skills,” I reply, amused.

She sighs, crossing her arms. “Well, as long as you’re not upset with him checking on me, I guess I don’t care that you eavesdropped.”

“I’d be upset if he didn’t check on you,” I inform her, telling the truth. “It doesn’t matter how much he trusts me, he should always care about his sister enough to put her first.”

Rayna hides a smile, ducking her head. Her hair frames the sides of her face, and I have the sudden urge to reach out and wrap it around my fist. “Well, good. I’m going to go take a bath before bed. Will you be up soon?”

“Yes.” I wouldn’t normally, but with her here? I believe I’ll find myself in bed much more consistently. “I have to check in with the night shift guards and settle a few things, but I’ll be up for bed in a bit.”

I notice the smallest tinge of pink blooming on her cheeks. “Okay.”

Without another word, she disappears upstairs, and I resist the impulse to follow her. Despite the time of night, I do still have responsibilities. Watching her get into the bath sounds much more appealing. But unfortunately, Rayna’s soaking wet,naked body is not going to keep the family safe and secure. It would makemefeel good, though.

Going through the motions of my nighttime routine, I make sure to pay attention to small details, despite wanting my mind to be elsewhere. And finally, once the house feels as it should, I make my way up to my bedroom.

Toourbedroom, actually.