Page 2 of Savage Empire

I look up, locking eyes with the teenage boy as he gapes, stepping back, still guarding his older sister.“Holy shit! You’re Apollo Moretti.”

I can’t tell if he’s looking at me with complete shock, admiration, fear, or a mixture of all. His bright green eyes are wide and he’s quite tall for looking so young. Then again, he’s on the slimmer side and working catering, so he could be older than he looks, and simply malnourished. Most of the Casa Nostra’s staff come from the less affluent families in their territory, after all.

Hearing my name, the woman gasps. “What the hell?”

“What’s your name, kid?” I ask, tilting my head at him as Cassio joins me. “And her…she’s your sister, yes?”

“Yordan Todorov,” he replies confidently. “Rayna is my sister, and I am not a kid, I’m sixteen.” His chest puffs up, and I’m surprised by his ability to remain calm in my presence.

Men older and larger than him have practically pissed themselves meeting my eye, and here he is, a lanky sixteen-year-old holding his own while meeting a man he’s no-doubt been raised to fear and steer clear of.

Todorov is not an Italian name, it’s Bulgarian. And if I’m not mistaken, I know exactly what family these two come from. Rayna was married into the Casa Nostra, shackled to a fucking prick, as well. A tale as old as time, unfortunately. The daughter of a traitor sold off to keep the peace. How she managed to keep her brother from being killed for her father’s crimes, I’m not sure.

I certainly want to know, though.

Amused by Yordan’s confidence, my lips twitch up. “Sixteenisa man in our world,” I agree. “Would you like to learn what men do to those who hurt their families?”

“W-what?” Rayna stutters from behind her brother but I don’t spare her a glance. I’m far too busy assessing Yordan, watching as he reacts to the task at hand. My offer isn’t simply one to teach, it’s also a test.

I want to know how he will respond to doing what needs to be done. Will he hesitate? Will he jump at the chance to avenge his sister? He was man enough to guard her from a grown man’s rage, but can he finish the job? Does he possess the ability to take a life? When excitement flickers in his gaze at the proposition, I think I have my answer.

“I know what they do,” Yordan says, voice firm and sure.

“Good.” I grin, rolling my shoulders back. Turning to Cassio, I gesture toward the half-unconscious dickhead on the ground. “Ocean?”

“Ocean,” my brother agrees.

Killing on Empire grounds is expressly forbidden. During an active semester, that rule extends to the water surrounding the island, within reason. But school is not in session, and Cassio and I know what we’re doing. Pulling off my black satin tie, I toss it into the sand and lean down to grab Federico by one arm while my brother seizes the other.

“Follow us,” I tell Yordan. The teen listens immediately, ignoring his sister’s worried protests.

I don’t understand her objections. Her brother was born into this world, the same as she was. He was always going to get his hands bloodied.Especiallybeing the son of Damyan Todorov. I’m sure that’s who these two must come from, though I don’t think Cassio has put two and two together yet. Damyan was executed seven years ago for stealing from the small Bulgarian mafia he’d been brought up in.

The syndicate operated in New York City, in mutual territory with another few smaller criminal organizations. How the pair of them ended up being in Abramo Giuliani’s custody of all people…I’m not quite sure.

I make it my business to know as much about the various things happening around The Outfit. But unless it directlyaffects my family, sometimes looking into something is more trouble than it’s worth.

Once we’ve met the freezing ocean water at waist-deep, we’re officially far enough from the Island to be excluded from the no murder rule.

Pulling a handgun from the small of my back, I plant it firmly into Yordan’s open palm. “Your sister, your kill.”

There isn’t even a trace of fear in his eye as he accepts it.

“What the fuck?” Federico slurs. “You can’t just tell him to kill me! Do you even know who I am?”

I know exactly who you are.

“A wife beater?” I drawl.

Cassio smirks, adding, “A spineless cunt?”

“She deserves everything she gets,” he snaps. “She doesn’t fucking listen. She’s supposed to serve me!”

Cocking the Glock, Yordan pins the barrel to Federico’s skull. “I told you I would kill you for hitting her. Rayna didn’t want to risk being stuck with someone worse than you, she begged me not to. But I won’t let her be saddled with another son of a bitch like you ever again.”

Like every coward, his rage is quickly overcome by fear.

“I’m your brother,” he tries to reason.