Page 87 of Savage Empire

Ana laughs, light and airy. “He’s a talkative little fellow, this one. Just wait until he can string sentences together. He’ll never stop telling stories.”

Isobella catches my eye from her uncle’s arms, still holding her last cake pop. Shyly, she holds it up and whispers, “Pink.”

The tiny precious word sends a flutter of warmth to my chest. I feel special just to hear her little voice. Big blue eyes bore into mine as I nod, smiling encouragingly at her.

“Yes, the frosting is pink. Do you like pink?” She nods, breathing slowly as she blinks at me. “I like pink too. Your Uncle Armani filled my closet with it.”

“Ma-knee,” Isobella replies, recognizing his name.

“Yes,” I agree, smiling wider.

“Ma-knee, dress,” she continues, wrinkling her nose like she’s trying to think. “Ma-knee, dress.”

“That’s right, sweet girl,” Cassio tells her softly. “Uncle Armani buys lots of pretty dresses for you, doesn’t he? Enough to fill a full-sized closet, isn’t that right?”

She nods bashfully, her brown curls bouncing. Suddenly done communicating, she rests her head on Cassio’s shoulder and sighs softly.

“I can’t believe she just spoke to you so freely,” Jade says, emotion happily sparkling in her eyes. “She normally takes a few days to warm up.”

“She must know that Rayna is practically family now,” Ana says, looking pleased. “Yordan is around the house more than most of the boys these days. Apollo and Dante have practically adopted him.”

“Dante?” I ask, surprised. “Yordan hasn’t mentioned spending a lot of time with him…”

Why would the capo of The Outfit make time for my brother? A teenager from a meager family with no former training or experience. Apollo showing interest in mentoring Yordan was already surprising enough, but his father as well?

A sweeping bit of guilt sinks in my gut.

Is Dante’s interest in Yordan related to Apollo allowing him to think we’re together? Has he been investing his time—whichhe must not have a ton of to spare—in my little brother because he thinks wewillbe his family eventually?

“Oh, yeah,” Jade replies casually. “Dad adores Yordan. Says he sees a lot of potential in him, especially as he keeps working more and more with Javier and Apollo.”

“You look shocked,” Ana comments, tilting her head.

“I am,” I blurt, shaking my head. “I mean, I didn’t make a great first impression with him…and I’m sure he has a million other things he could be doing with his free time.”

I’m also shocked that Yordan hasn’t mentioned this little detail to me. He tends to go on and on about his days with Apollo, Elio, Javi, and Leon whenever he comes home. But I can’t remember the last time he said anything about Dante. I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t tell me.

It’s no secret that Yordan worships this family. He’s been a fan of their work since he was young, hearing stories about the Moretti family like they’re a coveted group of superhuman mafiosos.

Yes, his favor for them wavered when we became close with Sienna. But I think deep in his heart, he never imagined they could be personally responsible for what happened to her. He looked up to them, Dante especially.

Maybe we need to have a talk tonight, I don’t like the idea of him keeping something from me. Does he think I would be upset?

Because I’m not. I’m mostly confused.

“You really didn’t make that bad of an impression,” Ana replies, head tilting in contemplation. “Yes, family dinner isn’t the best location for an outburst. But Dante values honesty, and the fact that you were able to shout at a table of his sons…honestly I think you impressed him.”

I nearly swallow my tongue. “Impressedhim? I think you’re mistaken?—”

“You impressed me,” Jade admits, tone chipper. “I can’t pretend I don’t have some empathy for Melani. I love Emilio and my brother has always been besotted with his wife. But if Sienna is to you what Ana is to me, I’d definitely hate her guts too.”

“What she said,” Ana agrees with a sharp nod. “We don’t know the full story, and it’s not our place to get in the middle. But trust me, we don’t blame you for losing your shit. I probably would have been more violent, honestly.”

“Shit,” Cesar announces, echoing Ana’s small swear.

“Of course, you pick up that one tiny word,” she grumbles down at him, trying not to smile. “You’re a little sponge, aren’t you?”

He giggles at her, grinning wide.