Page 70 of Savage Empire

A glass clinking sends the wild chatter of the dinner table into silence. Like she knows I’ve been contemplating my ire for her, Melani stands up from her seat holding up her wine with a bright smile.

“I don’t want to interrupt the conversations for too long, it’s so rare for all of us to be here together.”

“Too rare!” Jade adds in a regretful cheer.

Melani chuckles. “Exactly. I only wanted to announce that the latest charity ball Emilio and I hosted met our incredible goal last night, in large part due to Dante. Hundreds of struggling women in the city will have assistance and housing for the next five years, and I’m so grateful for being able to be a part of this generous family.”

My blood goes from a warm wine flush to a raging boil in an instant. Suddenly she cares about the wellbeing of women in need?

The table shares a polite round of applause, cheering for Melani’s short speech.

Don’t say anything, Rayna.

Bite your tongue.

I choke down the rest of my wine, wishing it were a tranquilizer.

“We should collaborate on something for the orphanage next,” Ana suggests with a bright grin. “I know you love doing women’s charities lately but there’s plenty of young boys and girls who could use a killer fundraiser this year.”

“That’s a lovely idea,” Melani agrees, nodding. “Emilio has always said that Morettis care about women and children above all else.”

Despite my desire to remain quiet, I can’t help but snort. The sound unfortunately doesn’t drown out in the noise of the table. Everyone hears it, and everyone looks at me.

Melani sits, eyes narrowing as she does. Her perfectly blown out blonde hair is so long that it brushes the table before falling beneath it. “Care to comment?”

I should politely decline, pretend I thought of something funny and didn’t mean to laugh at the wrong time.

But I’m on my fourth glass of wine and Melani is the wrong person to test my restraint.

“You don’t want to hear anything I have to say, trust me.”

You could hear a pin drop, even the babies have gone quiet.

“Try me.” She hikes a perfectly sculpted brow. “I highly doubt you have anything too brutal to say toward the family that has given you so much.”

“Melani,” Jade gasps in admonishment.

“Careful,” Apollo warns.

“Last I checked, Apollo is the only one who’s given us anything. If you’re looking for a thank you, you should look elsewhere.”

“Do we have a problem?”

“Girl fight,” Matteo whispers, chuckling into his glass. Jade smacks his stomach, quietly hissing, “Don’t goad!”

“If there’s something you’d like to say, Rayna, we’re here to listen,” Dante says, his deep voice filling the room like a gentle command rather than an offer. “Any complaints are welcome, we are a reasonable family.”

“What could she have to complain about?” Melani scoffs. “From where I’m sitting, she looks like she’s got it made.”

“Melani,” Jade says again, seeming utterly surprised with the world class snark her sister-in-law is serving up.

“You want to know my complaint?” I ask, teeth grinding as I keep my eyes directly on her. “Fine. You all think you’re God’s gift to women, and I won’t spit in the face of what Apollo has done for me and Yordan. But I know people this family has hurt and neglected, so forgive me if I don’t feel like toasting to your greatness.”

“Rayna…” Yordan says, wincing. “Maybe you shouldn’t?—”

“Yes, Rayna,” Melani cuts in. “Maybe you shouldn’t.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t be so vocal considering you’re the reason I’ve resented the Moretti name foryears.”