Page 149 of Savage Empire

As I turn to leave, she objects. “Wait, what does that mean?”

I don’t turn around to answer.

“Daughter-in-law.”

Chapter Forty

Rayna

Apollo told me he was going to take Yordan to handle some business with a few of his brothers, but I didn’t expect the house to bethisquiet when I came downstairs. It’s a regular week night, and I had only gone upstairs for a nap a few hours ago. I woke up hungry and in the mood for company, but I’m not sure I’m going to find the latter.

Most of the lights on the main floor are off, which is odd for how early it is in the evening. I have to assume that everyone else had some sort of plans, because this is the first time I’ve walked into the Moretti common room without running into a single person.

Deciding that I’ll get something to eat and put on the TV to fill the silence, I flick on the living room light and nearly jump out of my skin as the room is brightened.

“Surprise!” Ana and Jade shout, jumping out from behind the couch with big grins and matching party blowers sticking out of their mouths. They both blow into the noisemakers, a sharp and bright horn sound coming from them.

A giant pink banner is hanging from the ceiling. “Happy Bachelorette Party!” is written in large silver script.

“Holy shit,” I choke out, clutching my chest. “How long have you two been waiting down there?”

“Oh, we only turned off the lights and hid once you started going down the stairs. We were decorating and setting up while you slept but I had the hallway camera send me an alert when you triggered it,” Ana explains, sounding proud of herself.

“That’s…creepily wholesome,” I tell them, swallowing as I take in the room around us. There’s pink everywhere. Candies and napkins, pillows and balloons, streamers, twinkly lights, and more. They’re even wearing matching pink pajamas, silky looking shorts and tank tops that look brand new.

Jade notices me looking at their outfits and positively beams. “We have a set for you too!” Almost diving across the couch, she grabs a bundle of satin fabric and holds it out to me eagerly. “Change into them if you want. We’re going to do a slumber party. Food, movies, games, and girl talk.”

“We figured that you wouldn’t want to go out and party,” Ana explains, nodding to the setting around us. “Jade and I like low-key stuff too, so we thought this could be fun. We kicked basically everyone out, but we’ve got guards watching. Ivan and Javi are upstairs, too.”

“But if you’re not into it, we can totally scrap it,” Jade rushes out. “No pressure, I promise.” Fingers crossed, she makes an X over her heart like it’s some kind of sacred vow.

Ana grins at her friend and then lifts a brow in my direction. “So, bride-to-be, what do you say?”

“This is the nicest thing…” I trail off, chest swelling with emotion. “I’ll get changed right now. What are we eating?”

“A woman after my own heart,” Ana replies, sounding charmed. “Dinner is a must, and we have plenty of options.”

“Pizza, wings, sliders, tacos, some pasta,” Jade lists, blurting out dish after dish. “Plenty of dessert, too.”

“My mouth is watering,” I admit sheepishly. “Do you guys care if I change right here? I could run upstairs?—”

“Go ahead,” Jade insists. “Ana and I have literally seen each other fully naked, I promise your underwear won’t bother us in the few seconds it takes you to switch clothes.”

“Is it really a bachelorette party without partial nudity?” Ana adds in a quip. “It’s bad enough we opted to forgo the penis straws and cock-shaped cake. But with Apollo being your man, it seemed wrong to go the fun tacky route as his sisters.”

Jade shivers in disgust. “You can say that again.”

Feeling reassured by their responses, I start to quickly undress. “Speaking of nudity, there are no strippers coming, are there?”

“God no.” Jade bursts into a startled laugh. “Oh my gosh, could you imagine? The boys would lose their minds.”

“I’d probably lose my lunch,” Ana tacks on, looking almost sickened by the thought. “I don’t want to see any man’s junk other than Cassio’s.”

Pulling my new outfit into place, a new thought makes my stomach churn. “Are the guys having a party?” The idea of Apollo getting a face full of boobs at a bachelor party gives me the undeniable urge to throw up.

“If you consider fight night a party, then yes.” Jade giggles. “They’re being testosterone-fueled goobers and hitting each other for fun. You don’t have to worry about them getting up to no good. None of my brothers are fond of clubs.”

“No strippers for any of us,” Ana agrees, nodding happily. “Unless you want to watch a movie with them.”