Page 8 of Savage Empire

I remember those days.

I was ten when Yordan was two. My sweet brother could make a mess just by breathing at that age.

“Thank you,” my brother says, gratitude dripping from each word. “Please tell me if I can ever repay the favor.”

Leon tilts his head, accessing the sincerity of Yordan’s offer. “No need this time. I’ll keep the offer in mind in the future though.”

It’s happening already.

I want to lash out and fucking scream that he shoudn’t think about Yordan at all in the future. He doesn’t need to be pulled further into this family’s folds.

Leon leads us to an oak door on the second floor, knocking once before slowly opening it. We’re immediately met with another new and beautiful face. Leon’s wife, I imagine.

Her hair is pulled into a tight ponytail with beachy waves of brunette hair hanging from the back, and warm honey curtain bangs framing her face. Hazel eyes narrow on me, her face bare of any makeup but glowing like she’s just finished her skin care routine.

“Who’s this?” she asks, her smoky voice directed toward Leon while her gaze remains firmly on me.

“Apollo’s guests,” Leon says by way of explanation, walking into the room quietly. “Jade asked me to grab them some clothes and give them a room. I won’t be long. Yordan and Rayna, this is my wife Cleo.”

The icy and untrusting look she has shot in my direction doesn’t warm, not even as she takes Leo into her waiting arms. He clings to her pajama T-shirt, tucking himself into her side, his little dress shoes swaying against her leggings. She’s changed from her wedding attire, I’m certain I saw her wearing a black evening gown earlier while serving dessert.

“Bastian already asleep?” Leon asks, leaving us in the doorway as he strides over to a group of three suitcases.

“Only just,” she tells him, holding their son close. “I wasn’t aware Apollo had guests.”

Leon sighs, likely sensing the disbelief in her tone. “It’s a new development. They’ll be returning with us tomorrow, he’s putting them up somewhere, I guess.”

Yordan and I share a discreet look. That’s news to us.

Her nose crinkles. “And we’re simply trusting strangers to sleep under the same roof as us now?”

Someone else may be offended by the question, but I couldn’t agree more. I don’t trust any of these people as far as I can throw them. It doesn’t matter how nice Jade was or how welcoming Leon seems, people are never truly what they seem.

Leon exhales, hands full of clothing as he returns to the door. “You know what would happen to you if you tried to hurt a member of this family, correct?”

“If I had a death wish, I’d commit suicide,” Yordan replies bluntly. “It would be faster and far less painful.”

Leon gestures at my brother as if to saysee.

“Andher?” Cleo blinks at me, expecting an answer from my mouth as well.

Jaw clenching, I finally return her glare. “We’re only here because my husband punched me in the face twenty minutes ago. Your future capo instructed my brother in the act of killing him in response. Apollo has promised to keep Yordan safe from the consequences of that action. If I let a man beat me to keep my brother safe, do you think I’m going to jeopardize that safety now?”

An awkward silence echoes around us following my rant.

Yordan clears his throat, and Cleo breaks our eye contact.

“Don’t be long.” She turns from us, beginning to speak Italian softly to their sleepy little Leo.

Leon leads us further into the hallway, sighing as he shuts the door behind him. “You didn’t need to explain yourself like that, Rayna. Cleo is…distrustful, but she’s not in charge. If Apollo trusts you, she has no right to question his judgment.”

She may not technically have the right, she may have even been out of line, but I won’t pretend I don’t understand.

“She’s a mother,” I reply with a lift of my shoulder.

“Yeah,” he agrees, nodding once. “She is.”

Chapter Three