Page 78 of Savage Empire

Smart girl.

I shrug, unaffected by being caught. “This is simply to seal the deal.”

She blinks. “Are you using my actions against me to get your way, Apollo Moretti?”

I should not enjoy hearing my name from her lips so much, especially not with the anger she laces it with.

Something about this girl has her easily getting under my skin. I feel like it’s been months and at the same time minutes since she crashed into my life. Or if you ask her, since I crashed into hers.

“You should really come up with something more familiar to call your fiancé,micina.Amore Mio,Bellissimo, orTesorocome to mind.”

“Or I could call youpishka,” she suggests, the word coming out with the Bulgarian accent I’ve heard before.

“Let me guess, you called me a prick, an asshole, or something similarly vulgar?”

Her lips tip up into a cheeky grin. “Dick, actually.”

I arch a brow. “Thinking about my cock, are you?”

“Oh, do shut up,” she gripes. “Fine, Yordan can have his gift. But don’t get used to buying his love. He doesn’t need to become accustomed to being a spoiled little mafia prince. He wants to earn things, you know?”

“There will come a time for that. He should also know that he doesn’t need to claw his way up for everything he wants.”

She rubs the back of her neck, looking uncomfortable. “Why do I feel like we’re co-parenting my almost seventeen-year-old brother together?”

“Well, weareengaged, darling.”

“You’re going to milk this little farce as much as you can, aren’t you?”

“That doesn’t sound like me at all.”

She doesn’t laugh, but I can see the humor creeping in on her face. Though I feel like we could go back and forth for hours, I send her outside to get Yordan and tell her to bring him out front. I’ll need a moment to get his surprise ready and that will give me plenty of time.

Now staring down at the gift, the sun making the powder blue chrome shimmer, I grin to myself. Rayna said she wouldn’t get upset with the birthday present, but I don’t think she expected me to give himthis.

The sound of footsteps on the driveway are my cue to pocket the keys in my hand, and meet the group with a small nod. Everyone has gathered outside of the house, most of them already aware of what’s about to happen. Not Yordan though. Rayna was instructed to tell him that I had something to show everyone. He’ll have no idea that this is all a set up for him. Well, not until I tell him.

“New car, big brother?” Jade calls out. “Love the color.”

“Who cares about the color?” Matteo snorts. “That’s a Ferrari, sis.”

Jade tilts her head at the vehicle. “How can you tell?”

“The emblem, darling,” Dmitri tells her softly, kissing the side of her head.

“The emblem, the shape, the tires,” Yordan pipes up, eyes wide and excited. “It’s an SF90 Stradale. Custom paint, too, I think. I don’t think they come in that shade of blue. It’s a work of art.”

“What he said, then,” Jade chimes. “Great choice, Apollo.”

“You like it, Yordan?” I ask, watching as Rayna bites her lip. She’s following her brother with her eyes, trying to absorb his reactions without giving anything away. Luckily, she doesn’t seem too surprised by the gift. She seems to be adapting to the Moretti Family opulence after all.

Slowly, at least.

“It’s fucking sweet,” he replies, looking like a kid in a candy store as he comes closer, getting a better view.

“Language,” Rayna admonishes.

His eyes roll. “She swears like a sailor and wonders where I get it from.” She gives him a warning look and he sighs. “It’s freaking sweet. That better?”