Page 138 of Savage Empire

I almost choke on my first raspberry, the abrupt shift in conversation taking me by surprise.

“You want to talk about that now?”

“No time like the present,micina.”

I suppose I can’t really argue with that, not reasonably, at least.

“I don’t want a huge wedding,” I start, folding my hands in my lap, fruit suddenly forgotten. “A bunch of strangers surrounding me makes me nervous, and honestly, a smaller guest list is more appealing in general. I know you’re the future Capo, so there’s expectations, but if we could keep it as small as possible, I would appreciate it.”

I expect Apollo to give me a patronizing explanation of why our wedding needs to be some big circus, but instead, he lights up.

“Rayna, we could marry in the back yard tomorrow if you want. The last thing I want is a huge to do. I fucking hate making polite conversation with people I can barely stand.”

“R-really?” I ask, surprised. Not that he hates small talk, but that he doesn’t have traditions to follow. “It would be okay with your dad if we didn’t do a big thing?”

“Moretti weddings can be small,” he explains with a shrug. “We can choose whatever we want. Dad knows how to spin anything. An intimate wedding can mean many things. Ana and Cassio’s wedding was small, they invited a few strategic people so that it was recognized as legitimate, and the rest of the guests were family.”

“I want that,” I admit with a relieved drop of my shoulders. “I don’t want rumors about a shotgun wedding or anything to ruin your reputation, but I would be so stressed with a crowded flashy celebration.”

“We’re on the same page, then.” The pan in front of him sizzles, and he looks back at me. “Do you want to do it here, like Ana and Cassio did? We could plan for it to be relatively soon.”

“Maybe I could talk to Jade about it?” I suggest. “She could probably tell me the best time for all of you.”

“She does keep in contact with all of us the most consistently,” he agrees, nodding absently. “Armani might be best to consult when it comes to actual planning though. He has the most diverse connections for events.”

“I can do that.” I start to consider all the details that go into a wedding and silently acknowledge that I’ll certainly be going to Armani for help. “Do we need to worry about people talking? I know Abramo agreed to make us your responsibility, and severed our connection to the Casa Nostra. But if we get married, it confirms mine and Yordan’s location.”

“The Bulgarians aren’t aware you’re here,” he confirms. “But I’ve arranged a call with their leader next week. They’ll beinformed that you’re going to be a Moretti, and if they become a threat to you or your brother, they’ll regret it. The entire weight of The Outfit, The Morozov Bratva, and our various allies will fall upon them. I have very little worry that they’ll attempt to challenge that force to settle an old grudge.”

“Okay,” I breathe, nodding gently. “If you think it’s safe.”

“Is that trust I’m hearing, love?”

I give him a weak smile. “I’m working on it.”

“Speaking of working on things,” he begins, grabbing two plates from one of the cabinets nearby. “You need to spend more of our money, work on that.”

“It’syourmoney,” I huff. “We aren’t married yet.”

“Okay.” Apollo crosses his arms, giving me a stern look. “You need to spend more ofmymoney, then.”

“And why, pray tell, do I need to do that?” I ask stubbornly. I don’t care that what he’s telling me to do is something harmless. I care that he’s trying to tell me what to do at all. “I have everything I want here. There’s no need to spend money.”

“There is a need,” he argues. “The need is that my fiancée acts like she has no money, and it irks me. Buy things for yourself, for Yordan, for gifts. Donate. Do something so that I know I’m financially providing for you.”

Confused, I point out, “Youarefinancially providing for me. It sounds like you want to financially spoil me, and that’s not the same thing.”

“It is to me,” Apollo says, maintaining his firm stance.

“Is this a sex thing?” I ask suddenly. “Does it turn you off that I’m not dripping in diamonds and strutting around in designer shoes?”

He rolls his eyes. “It’s not a sex thing. And nothing you do turns me off. It would, however, make me happy to see my phone light up with banking notifications. It would make me feel like you weren’t walking on egg shells with that card I gave you.”

“Fine.”

A devious thought comes to mind, and I grab my phone as he begins to plate our breakfast. Finding the contact I need, I hit dial and put it to my ear, staring down Apollo as I do.

“Hello? Rayna, that you?”