Page 18 of Savage Empire

Emilio is also married, happily. While Elio is the kind of brooding but kind man that draws in plenty of female attention—usually the kind that he doesn’t entertain. But the last thing I need is for Rayna to fall for his charm and become attached.

“So, she’ll have to endure looking at the equivalent of your face for the whole flight?” I purse my lips in distaste. “Poor thing.”

Emilio scowls. “Prick.”

“Stick!” Mila shouts, trying to mimic him.

“Yes, a stick is exactly what Uncle Apollo has shoved up his?—”

“Shirt,” Dad cuts in, giving us both a disapproving look. “Small, innocent ears, boys. Mind your manners.”

“I didn’t say anything,” I defend, holding up my hands.

“You didn’t need to.”

Emilio takes his cue to leave and Dad looks down at his granddaughter, speaking to her in quiet Italian words. I watch Emilio go, letting my eyes wander to his twin as he passes. Elio is speaking privately with Rayna, sharing a serious look and hidden words. My jaw clenches and I turn my head, refusing to be caught lurking.

“She’s going to drive you crazy.” Dad chuckles. “I can’t wait.”

There’s no need to wait.

Rayna is already driving me crazy.

Chapter Six

Rayna

Not all Morettis are pompous pricks, apparently. Leon has been obviously welcoming and kind, but Elio was the real surprise.

I noticed him first thing in the morning, recognizing his face instantly, but refused to engage without prompting. I didn’t expect the man to address me, let alone privately speak to me about our shared connection. Yet, that’s exactly what he did. He sat right by my side on the plane, leaned in and started talking like we were old friends. We couldn’t say much with listening ears surrounding us from every angle, but the fact that he came to me at all made me feel better about the entire situation.

See, I may not be able to recognize names and notable faces the way Yordan can, but I know Elio. He’s the reason I could neverfullydislike the Moretti name. Yes, I’d heard good things about the family as a whole, but I knew better. They weren’t all as wonderful as the world made them out to be. Elio is the only one who’s shown me tangible proof of his morality.

Since sharing a few words with him, I officially feel like I have an ally on the inside now, even if I’m certain that he isn’t perfect. I don’t know him well enough to fully judge his personality—only what I’ve seen of his character. Idoknow that he’s not a bossy asshole like Apollo, at least.

Besides, there are plenty of things I’m keeping from Elio myself, and I think he knows that. Evidently, he still cares enough about the hidden link we share to assure me that I’m safe with his family. I’m simply going to have to take his word for it, for now.

Nothing bad will happen to either of you, I’ll make sure of it.

Pretty promises aren’t always kept, but so far, Elio hasn’t lied to me.

More importantly, he’s never lied toher.

When our flight lands, our new ally insists on sticking by Yordan’s and my side as we’re ushered to leave with Apollo. The brothers share clipped words, and not much else.

Apollo narrows his eyes at Elio. “Why are you coming with us?”

His lips spread into a responding smirk. “Why not?”

Elio calls us hisfast friends, and takes the passenger seat after opening the back door of the shiny vehicle for us. Apollo looks like he wants to batter his brother for keeping his cards so close to his chest, but he doesn’t put up a fight. He won’t argue with him in front of strangers. So he accepts whatever silent deal is happening beneath his nose, and ignores it. For now.

The four of us are huddled into a big black SUV right from the airstrip, and we begin a smooth ride toward a small city.

“Here,” Apollo says from the driver’s seat. He extends an arm back to Yordan, passing him a sleek package without taking his eyes off the road.

“What’s this?” my brother asks, peaking inside the white plastic box.

“Phones, for both of you,” Apollo answers. “My brother, Remo, set them up and deactivated your old ones. All of your old information should be there. Contacts, music, photos.”