Page 85 of Savage Empire

“You don’t really think that’s true, do you?” Jade frowns. “Apollo likes you, Rayna. He wouldn’t invite you along if he didn’t. Trust me, he avoids people like the plague unless he likes them at least a little bit.”

I give her a disbelieving look, but her tone is insistent.

“The fact that you stand up to him?” she continues. “It’s got to be like a breath of fresh air to him. No one talks to him like you do, not even my brothers. I’ve heard tales of the names you’ve called him.” Chuckling, she shakes her head. “Armani heard you guys fighting outside of the club and he couldn’t stop giggling about it for weeks.”

“Not my finest moment,” I admit, wincing. “Yordan says I swear like a truck driver but I think your brother brings out the worst of it.”

Her head dips in a dramatic, bouncing nod. “He definitely knows how to get under people’s skin. I love him to death but he’s a grumpy grump a lot of the time. Ignores people, doesn’t socialize, pretends not to smile when he’s happy, hides his laughs—ugh. He’s a complicated one, that Apollo.”

“He doesn’t seem that grumpy to me,” I mention, thinking about it. “He seems too cocky and assertive to be grumpy. When I think grumpy, I think lumberjacks or cowboys who grunt as responses and scowl at daisies.”

“He doesn’t grunt his responses at you, does he?” Jade asks, smirking. “You should see him when waitresses try to flirt with him or guards bother him about mundane shit. He’s all glares and grunts then.”

“Really?” The back of my neck feels hot, and I clear my throat. “Well, you’d know him better anyway.”

“Would I?” She raises a brow, looking pleased.

“You look identical to him when you do that, you know,” I mutter, huffing out a small laugh.

“Are you saying I look handsome?” she asks, wiggling her brows. “I’ve been told by Ana that all of my brothers are gorgeous. It’s nauseating to imagine, but I suppose it’s complimentary since a lot of people think Apollo and I look alike.”

“You’re meddling,” Dmitri says softly, holding his arms out for his daughter who’s crawling across the couch to him.

“Shush,” Jade whispers.

“You told me to stop you if you began meddling, krasotka.”

“I’m not the same woman I was twenty minutes ago, love,” she says, giving him a teasing smile. “I changed my mind.”

“Martha also asked me if I think he’s handsome,” I tell her with a shake of my head. “You two have the same brand of subtlety. But I’m not sure why the attempts to gauge my perception of Apollo’s appearance are happening. Even if I thought he was attractive, it wouldn’t matter.”

Jade’s nose scrunches up. “Why would you say that?”

“Apollo isn’t interested in me, and he certainly doesn’t find me attractive.” She gives me a doubtful look. “Trust me, he only cares about mentoring Yordan. He tolerates me by association.”

“Well, I don’t believe it,” she replies stubbornly. “You’re an absolute knock out and last I checked, his eyes work perfectly well.”

“That’s sweet of you to say,” I reply hesitantly. “But I still don’t think he sees me that way. It’s kind of nice to see that you care so much about finding him a match, though. You clearly care a lot about him and his happiness.”

“I do,” she confirms, lips tipping up on both sides. “Which is why I’m not going to stop meddling. I apologize in advance.”

“Knock yourself out.” I shrug. “I’m sorry to say your efforts will be for nothing.”

“We’ll see.”

I chuckle at her confidence. “How about those cake balls? We can talk about Yordan’s party happening tomorrow. You still want to come, don’t you?”

“Absolutely!” She claps her hands together. “We got him a few gifts and they’re already wrapped. Don’t worry, we didn’t go nearly as extravagant as Apollo did.”

Thank God.

I couldn’t handle another car surprise.

Her phone makes a light ding and she checks it quickly.

“Oh! Ana and Cassio are in the area, is it okay if they come by? Ana was hoping to meet you too.”

A small rush of anxiety sinks in, but not enough to scare me.