Page 31 of Savage Empire

“Don’t tell him what to do,” I sputter. “And you, you little shit, you’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I didn’t mean?—”

“I know you didn’t,” I cut him off. “Now go, all of you. You’re giving me a headache. No strip clubs, and watch your manners while you’re out. Yes?”

“Yes,” Yordan echoes. Lowering his voice, he leans toward Elio. “Did they just team up on me while still arguing with each other?”

Chuckling, Elio starts walking him toward the door. “Most definitely.”

Giving me one last hard look, Apollo commands, “Buy. Clothes.”

Fuck. Off.

“Good. Bye.”

Following them out, I shut the heavy door and lock it tightly behind them. Coffee is not enough to take the edge off of this awful morning. I need a shot of tequila and a fucking Xanax.

Apollo

“This one?” Yordan asks, watching with wide eyes as I round the blacked out Maserati SUV. “This isn’t the same car as last time.”

“This one,” I confirm, nodding toward the back passenger door. “Get in, we have places to be.”

He doesn’t need to be told twice, a smile lighting up on his face as he strides forward, reaching for the door. Once all three of us are settled, I find him through the mirror, his eyes soaking up every inch of the vehicle’s interior. Black leather seats, bulletproof windows and siding, the works.

“How many cars do you have?” Yordan asks, sounding mystified.

Shifting into gear, I answer, “Four.”

“Apollo isn’t a big car guy,” Elio says, expanding upon my short reply. “Armani, Matteo, and I tend to collect more. The family together has too many to keep track of, honestly.”

Yordan chuckles. “Sounds like a good problem to have.”

“Definitely,” Elio agrees, grinning. “Aside from Apollo pissing off your sister bright and early this morning, how are you settling in?”

“Are you kidding? I settled in the moment Apollo opened the door. It’s the best place we’ve ever lived in. Rayna will warm up soon. I can tell she likes it here, she’s just slow to accept change.”

“You shouldn’t call her stubborn to her face, or talk back to her in front of guests,” I scold, not forgetting his moment of sass from earlier. “She’s your sister, she only wants to protect you.”

“I know that,” Yordan says, cheeks slightly pink. “But she treats me like I’m a child, and if I continue to let her, she’ll never stop.”

“I couldn’t imagine having an older sister,” Elio says sympathetically. “Just the idea of Jade trying to boss me around, even as a teenager, seems impossible.”

I know what he’s doing, trying to get my perspective to shift. I don’t appreciate it. I’m not reprimanding Yordan because I couldn’t possibly understand his position or because I think he’s a little brat. I’m doing it because there’s a time and place to argue with your siblings. Bickering and bantering lightheartedly in front of mixed company, that’s normal.

But Yordan needs to recognize that it’s easy to cross a line when you’re frustrated, and showing your vulnerability in front of strangers is a quick way to find yourself becoming a victim to them.

“Watch what you say in front of others,” I advise, shifting my tone into one of warning. “Anyone can see that Rayna tends to overstep. She helped raise you, that kind of responsibility isn’t shed easily. Continue to stand up for yourself, but don’t let anyone ever assume you wouldn’t burn the world to the ground for her. She’s your sister, and now that you’re a man, you must do everything in your power to keep her safe.”

“That makes sense,” Yordan says, letting out a breath. “I wouldn’t normally say anything in front of people we don’t know. I guess you guys don’t feel like strangers is all.”

Elio smiles, looking back at him. “Solid point, man. We’re all friends here now, aren’t we?”

I feel both of their gazes on me and grunt, making no further sound of agreement. Elio and Yordan seem to share some kind of silent joy before my brother turns back around, watching traffic through the windshield.

Yordan drums his hands on his knees. “So, where are we going first?”

“Home,” I say, shifting around an impossibly slow Kia and speeding past. “Our father wants to meet you.”