Page 153 of Savage Empire

“That’s the worst part of it, isn’t it?” I choke out, laughing humorlessly.

“What do you mean?” Ana wonders.

“I know I’m going to fall for him some day,” I confess, so vulnerable that my hands shake in my lap. “And I swear he knows how I’m starting to feel. But I can’t even be excited about it because it’s making me feel immensely guilty and regretful. I’m realizing that he’s this incredible guy, and I’ve said the most vile things to him—about him. How can I feel worthy, like I deserve the way he makes me feel, when I treated him like shit?”

Neither of them can reply before I keep rambling.

“I accused him of kidnapping me and Yordan. I almost slapped him once, I’ve cussed him out on multiple occasions, and I thought the worst of him at every turn. I almost kissed his brother for fuck‘s sake?—”

“WHAT?” Jade bursts out.

“Which brother?” Ana asks, eyes wide.

My stomach drops. “Oh, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Circle of trust,” Jade says like a reminder. “No judgment, only curiosity, Rayna.”

“Unless it was Cassio,” Ana quips, trying to lighten the mood. “Then I’d have to rip your hair out.”

“It was most definitely not Cassio,” I reply, shaking my head. “I don’t think I’ve ever even been in a room alone with him.”

Ana smiles, enjoying that bit of information. She really is as possessive as it gets. I kind of love that about her.

“It was Leon,” I admit hesitantly. “It didn’t happen, it was just a little moment. But the point still stands, I have been horrible to Apollo. Now who am I to fall for him like I have the right to?”

“I don’t know if I’m the best advice giver,” Jade begins, reaching out to hold the back of my hand. “But wouldn’t it be worse to deny your feelings as they grow? I think the best way to make up for your rough beginning is to have a great ending, don’t you?”

“Maybe you’re right.”

Even if she is, it doesn’t make it any less terrifying.

Chapter Forty-One

Apollo

My wedding day came quickly, but not at all fast enough. I’ve been counting down the days, doing whatever it takes to make it come faster. After over twelve years of avoiding being married, I never expected that I would be chomping at the bit to tie the knot.

But I never expected Rayna to blow into my life either. Nothing has been quite the same since I forced her hand, giving her no option but to come with me and seek safety. I don’t like to think about the time in my life before she came into it. When I do, I regret how easily I let Federico die.

I should have used the opportunity to teach Yordan how to properly torture a vile piece of shit. A bullet to the head was too quick—too good for him. Especially after I learned more about his marriage to my Rayna. She opened up to me after her bachelorette party and the shame on her face when she talked about him—it made me fucking murderous.

But as my father would say, I have to focus on the future, rather than dwell in the past. In a short while, Rayna will bemy wife, and I can assure that nothing bad ever happens to her again. Her, and her now-adopted son. She and Yordan signed the papers two nights ago. Meaning after today, he’ll be my son as well, though he’s felt that way for weeks.

“Shouldn’t you stay out here?” Elio asks me, stopping at Rayna’s wedding suite door. “You know, so you don’t see her before you marry her in like twenty minutes or whatever the rule is.”

A snort comes from the figure standing between us. “Rayna doesn’t believe in that shit. Jade said she’s dressed, let’s go.”

Without a warning knock, the door is swung open and all three of us step inside. A flash of bright white fabric catches my eye, and I feast my eyes on every inch. Tight long-sleeves, a long skirt that falls to the floor, the dress clinging to her chest and her torso, but flaring out under the curve of her ass. Her back is almost entirely exposed, aside from some of her hair that swoops down there. She looks fucking exquisite.

Hearing the door open, Rayna looks over her shoulder and freezes, eyes going wide in utter disbelief.

Our guest puts on a megawatt smile, lifting her large fake glasses from her eyes and planting them on top of her head. “Why so surprised, buttercup? You didn’t think I would miss your big day, did you?”

In a flash, my bride is running, heels slapping against the floor as she crosses the room to get to us. She almost body slams her best friend to the ground as they crash together, surrounding each other in a strong embrace.

“You’re here!” Rayna cries, squeezing so hard that I can see her arms flex. “Holy shit, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“That was the goal,” she jokes. “Glasses, overdrawn lips, fake freckles, birthmarks, and my odd eyebrow shape, not to mention the loose-fitting dress…all of it so that I could get here withoutbeing recognized as the Casa Nostra’s missing Bianchi daughter.Soworth it.”