Page 47 of Savage Empire

I doubt Rayna would speak to Jade the way she snaps at me, even if she didn’t jive with her immediately. Despite her appalling manners when it comes to our conversations, she hasn’t vocalized her anger toward any other members of our family. Even if she had, Jade is pretty likeable and easy to get along with. I assume Rayna would be fine meeting my sisters, but what the hell do I know? I can’t get a read on the woman.

“Rayna isn’t exactly notorious for keeping her opinions to herself,” I say drolly.

Elio agrees with a nod. “And despite her and Apollo’s beef, she’s friendly. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind meeting Ana and Jade. Probably best not to spring it on her though. I can give Jade her number, see if they can build a texting rapport first.”

“That makes sense.” Matteo hums. “I’m worried she’s not a big fan of having girls for friends, though. Did you guys see the looks she was shooting Melani on the plane?”

My ears twitch. I saw no such thing. “What are you talking about?”

Matteo looks contemplative, almost wincing. “It was hard to catch, but I was in the back near Jade, the kids, and Melani. Rayna looked at her like Melani killed her puppy or something.”

My mind whirls, searching for possible reasons for what Matteo saw. I didn’t catch onto any sort of tension between anyone other than Rayna and myself. I mean hell, Cleo gave her the stink eye several times and Rayna didn’t even return the frosty attitude thrown right at her.

So to hear she was sending some kind of glare at Melani…

I pause, eyes flicking to Elio who looks entirely unshocked.

“Care to comment, brother?”

“Melani’s family has been less than kind to Rayna,” he says cagily. “It’s nothing to worry about, and not my story to tell. I assume it’ll come out eventually, but Rayna won’t act on whatever negative feelings she harbors. At least not physically. She’s good at keeping her resentment hidden.” He smirks in my direction. “Unless it’s directed at you, brother.”

Matteo chuckles. “Martha was tickled pink when I told her a woman shouted at you. I think she and Dad are planning your wedding as we speak. Looks like they want you to marry someone who isn’t afraid to knock you down a peg.”

My hands twitch, clenching and unclenching.

“I’m not going to dignify your little theory with a response.”

“Thatwasa response,” he huffs.

“Perhaps I should start planningyourwedding,” I suggest, voice dripping with threat.

“Jeez,” Matteo huffs with a flinch. “No need to be so touchy.”

“Get some water and take a break.” Armani’s voice cuts through our conversation. “You did good, it takes a while to correct bad habits but so far you haven’t pissed me off—and almost every student does.”

Yordan looks like he’s just been given the keys to the city, absorbing Armani’s compliment with a bright grin. “I’ll try to continue and keep you un-pissed.”

Armani nods. “Good man.”

“You can make him extra happy by inviting him to suit shopping after this,” Elio tells Yordan with a chuckle. “Just be advised, hewillbe snobby about every single thing you try on.”

My tattooed brother perks up. “Suit shopping you say?”

“Hey, thank you for buying Rayna’s clothes by the way,” Yordan says suddenly, his eyes on Armani. “She was prettyuncomfortable with the whole idea and I doubt she would have bought more than a few things. She probably won’t admit it for a while but I think she’s excited to have a whole closet again.”

“It was a pleasure.” Armani gives a small bow, hands together like some kind of director of fashion accepting his praise. “I would have gotten her more but I didn’t want to buy a bunch of shit and have her hate it all. I tend to go overboard.”

“That’s an understatement,” Matteo chirps. “There’s a whole guest room of clothes you’ve bought Jade and Ana that they haven’t even gone through entirely yet.”

“Women have so many more fun options,” Armani pouts before turning back to Yordan with a frown. “Hey, are you drinking just regular water? You should really use an electrolyte packet, you’ve sweat a lot. Here, let me get you a good one.”

Elio chuckles. “Oh good, another person for the hydration king to pester. Run while you can, Yordan.”

Yordan shrugs, unbothered. “I’ll take all the help I can get.”

Armani grins. “Good answer, kid.”

Deciding we’ve done enough for the day, I give Yordan a quick nod to get his attention. “Get showered after your drink, and grab something to eat from the kitchen. We’ll leave within the hour.”