Page 65 of Savage Empire

“Armani,” he returns shortly.

Elio clears his throat. “Good to see you again. You already met with Jade and Dmitri?”

“Yes,” Javi confirms with a nod. “Dmitri was about as happy to see me as Armani currently is.”

“Well, your father did try to fix you up with his wife, so…” Elio shrugs with a grin. “And we all know Armani can hold a grudge like no other.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Armani denies. “I’m perfectly chill. No grudge here.”

“Tell that to your face,” Elio quips. “You’re glaring a hole into the man.”

“Ignore them,” Apollo says, releasing a long sigh. “You’re here to meet Rayna and Yordan, not tolerate my brother’s antics.”

“All good,” Javi replies with a shrug. “Nice to meet you both.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Yordan chimes, smiling happily. “I feel like I already know you, I’ve heard so much. Is that creepy?”

Javier chuckles. “No, I’m glad. No need to give my life story if you already know it.” He eyes me, tilting his head. “You, though. You look like you have plenty of questions.”

My arms fold over my chest. “A few.”

He nods, unoffended. “By all means, ask whatever you need.”

I rattle off my first three questions in quick succession. All relating to tutoring history, teaching style, and communication. Javi doesn’t miss a beat, answering without taking offense at my rapid pace nor my snappy tone. He’s apparently had years of experience both guarding and educating mafia heirs. His tutoring style is a hybrid of traditional and hands on, incorporating standard on-paper work with real-world applications.

Javi also assures me that he’ll not only communicate lesson plans and progress with Apollo, but with myself. First, he’ll need to assess where Yordan stands academically, which will begin with a series of tests and talks between the two of them. My brother is absolutely not thrilled by the news, but it makes me feel better. His education is being taken seriously, and made a priority by someone other than me for the first time in ages.

“I’m enjoying this,” Javi says after answering four more questions, a soft smile gracing his lips. “I haven’t felt this challenged by a woman in quite some time.”

“You should see how she talks to Apollo.” Elio chuckles. “He doesn’t typically remain smiling by the end of their conversations.”

Javi lifts a brow, glancing at Apollo. “Met your match, have you?”

“We’ve recently come to an understanding.”

“Must have missed it,” Elio says, tilting his head. “What’d he do to stop your ire, Rayna?”

“He begged,” I lie, lifting a shoulder. “Even offered to get on his knees and apologize for kidnaping me.”

“I did not.”

I smirk. “Yet.”

“Kinky,” Armani suggests, wiggling his eyebrows. “Can I watch?”

“Gross, eugh!” Yordan whines.

Armani laughs, bright and jovial. “Sorry, dude. It’s the price you pay for having a sister who’s a knockout.”

“Oh?” Yordan huffs. “So you’ve experienced this with Jade?”

Armani’s smile drops instantly.

“Party foul.” Javi chuckles, analyzing the brothers’ reactions to Yordan’s comment. “Kid’s got balls, that’s for sure.”

“Well played,” Elio tells him stiffly. “But don’t do it again.”

“Let’s cease the childish banter, yes?” Apollo says, not truly asking. More like commanding. “Anymore questions, Rayna?”