Page 4 of Savage Empire

“Nine,” I echo the time, pulling off my soaked suit jacket.

Rayna glares up at me, and I resist a smile.

So, there’s still some spite left in her.

“We’ll be ready,” Yordan assures us, grabbing his sister’s hand. “Thank you.”

Cassio nods, turning to leave. “Anyone bothers you, you come to us.”

Yordan agrees, and I eye the two of them one last time.

“Don’t return to working. You are no longer a part of the Casa Nostra. Join the wedding party or make your way to the west building. My people will get you settled.”

Catching the shadow of a man in the treeline behind them, I don’t allow Rayna to protest before I dismiss myself, walking away without another word. I hear the siblings softly arguing at each other and chuckle to myself before schooling my expression. I know exactly who’s waiting for me, and I tend not to let him see me smile. Not anymore.

“Will,” I greet dully, stopping a few feet from him.

William Sallow, The Lord of Empire Academy. To say our relationship is tumultuous would be an understatement. We’ve been rivals, friends, and everything in between since our youth.

Most recently, we’ve been at odds. After his little show of parading around an executioner, making my sister think her boyfriend was going to be killed, I haven’t allowed him the honor of my forgiveness. Thoughtechnically, the Morettis have forgiven him. It’s the reason Jade’s wedding has been able to take place here, after all.

“If you’re going to give me a hard time about spilling blood in the water, spare me the dramatics, we both know I didn’t break the law.”

Will’s jaw ticks. “I was going to tell you that you could have ended him in the sand, actually.”

I snort dismissively. “So you could end me in retaliation for breaking one of your precious rules?”

Something like hurt dances behind his dark eyes. “I think we both know that I wouldn’t be able to do that.”

I resist furrowing my brows.

Honesty, that’s not something Will does often.

“Enjoy the rest of your night, Apollo.”

My name sounds haunted on his tongue, and I’m not sure what to make of it. Will disappears into the forest without another word, leaving me to stand by and contemplate our interaction.

I sigh, scrubbing a hand down my face.What a fucking night.

Chapter Two

Rayna

“We’re not going.” The cutting words snap between my teeth as soon as we’re away from the beast of a man—who’s apparently Apollo fucking Moretti.

I can’t believe the savage heir to The Outfit just helped my baby brother execute Federico. If I weren’t in such a shock, I would be shaking with anger.Who the hell is he to step into our life and irrevocably change it?

With his stupidly handsome face, and his suffocating air of dominance swirling around him. Apollo Moretti is mafia royalty, and he just unabashedly shattered my life without invitation. He didn’t ask for permission to intervene, he saw something he didn’t like and he obliterated it. He felt entitled to it because men like Apollo don’t need to ask for approval or for forgiveness.

Well, fuck that and fuck him.

I could handle my asshole husband. I knew how to stay within his good graces and how to take a slap or two when he couldn’t be contained.

It wasn’t a perfect situation, I know that. I fucking hated that man. It was revolting just beingnearhim. But being married to Federico kept me and Yordan safe. Being the spawn of a treacherous father didn’t afford you many luxuries. The fact that the man I was assigned to marry only physically struck me every once in a while may as well have been a blessing.

But now he’sdead, and his blood is on my little brother’s hands.

“We’re going, Rayna,” my brother replies, his voice more steady and firm than it ever has been. At least when directed toward me.