Page 66 of Savage Empire

“A couple.”

It only takes Javi a few more minutes to convince me he can stay. By the time I’m walking him out the door, I feel much more comfortable with the idea of Javier spending time with Yordan. He’s clearly smart and capable. Not to mention, he’ll have theability to keep my brother safe if something goes wrong while they’re together.

“Thank you again for dealing with my third degree,” I say, holding the door open. “I’m sure it was a bit over the top.”

Javi flashes an innocent smile. “No, it’s fine. I would be the same way with my little sister. It’s an older sibling thing.”

I exhale, nodding. “Glad you understand.”

“So, I suppose I’ll see you again at dinner this weekend?”

Confusion and a sense of discomfort swarms me. “What dinner?”

Chapter Nineteen

Rayna

Apparently turning down Dante Moretti’s personal invitation to family dinner was not an option. Trust me, I tried.

Even pretending to be sick this morning didn’t work, no thanks to my traitor brother who ratted me out to hismentor. The little shit.

So now here we are, only a week into our new life, being thrown to the wolves. We’re both dressed as if we’re going to a fancy restaurant, and we may as well be. The Moretti mansion is pristine. Tall ceilings, impeccable marble floors, and decorative chandeliers that look more like art pieces than lightning methods.

Not only did Yordan essentially force me to attend this far too intimate event, he also abandons me mere seconds after we walk in the door. He strides into the home like he lives in it, rushing off to greet one of the many Moretti brothers scattered all over the place. Elio trails in right behind him, already laughing at a comment I must have missed.

My breath catches at the warmth and familiarity surrounding the large group of people. They all accept Yordan into their chaos with happy greetings and no hint of hesitation. My stomach gives an uncomfortable twist, and I instinctively reach to my side.

Snatching Apollo’s wrist, and tightly wrapping my hand around it, I exhale shakily. “Don’t you dare abandon me like they just did.”

His head tilts, eyes examining me with careful precision. “Did you see me attempting to walk away?”

“No.” I swallow, blinking. “But you won’t, right?”

Apollo’s mouth quirks on one side, lifting up into a half-formed grin. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to trade me in for one of my more bearable siblings? I thought you’d prefer to be rid of me,micina.”

My eye twitches, picking up on the Italian word he’s referred to me as multiple times now. “Okay, you need to tell me what that means because I’m assuming this is your cute little way of calling me a bitch. And if you are, prepare to be kicked in the balls for it.”

“You think it’s cute?” He smirks, eyes sparkling with mirth. “My, my, Rayna. Are you beginning to enjoy my presence more than you let on? First you beg me to stay by your side, and now you’re calling the nickname I gave youcute?”

“Apollo,” I begin to warn, voice stern.

“Kitten,” he replies, a proud grin on his lips. “I call youMicinabecause you’re like a feral little kitten. Hissing, clawing, and scratching when you don’t feel safe. You hate new things, and you don’t trust anyone who can’t prove they’re safe to you.”

My lips part, head flinching backward in surprise. He hasn’t been calling me some wretched curse, and still, I’m not sure ifKittenis any better.

“If you still plan to kick me in the groin, you should probably wait until you leave my father’s house. He won’t take kindly to you jeopardizing the future of the Moretti line. I have yet to give him an heir, and my ability to do so is quite important to him.”

How charming.

“Let’s just get this over with,” I say, changing the topic. “Do not leave me alone, I wasn’t kidding about that.”

“Do you plan to hold my arm hostage the entire time?”

I look down, realizing I’m still gripping onto his wrist. I release him and grimace as I notice the white nail indents I left behind in his tanned skin. He probably thinks I’m a lunatic.

Apollo doesn’t mention how tightly I was holding him. He simply takes a step further into the house, waiting for me to follow his stride. “You need a drink.”

For the first time, I don’t have a single desire to argue with him. I match his steps, practically hanging off his side and he leads me further into the house. He doesn’t greet anyone we pass, and no one attempts to stop him.