Page 9 of Savage Empire

Apollo

After filling in my siblings about what just happened, while strategically omitting certain details, I distance myself from the noisy party to make a call.

The Island air is cooler and more crisp as time creeps deeper into the dark of night. Shadows dance around the towering trees, bouncing off the countless number of twinkling lights that have been hung especially for today’s events. I would find it relaxing if my suit weren’t still soaking wet. Instead, the breeze is providing an unsettling chill, reminding me that I need to go change once I’ve settled this task.

Abramo answers on the third ring. “Why are you calling me during your sister’s wedding?” Translation:why are you calling me at all?

My fingers flex around my phone, threatening to crush the small device. His voice alone could ruin my day. Abramo has always had a smug attitude and we’ve never meshed, not even in our youth. The fact that we have a peace treaty is probably thesmartest move our fathers have ever made. We’d likely tear each other apart if left to our own devices.

Since we’re dropping pleasantries and pretenses, I’ll get right to it. “Yordan and Rayna Todorov won’t be returning to your territory. They’re protected by The Outfit now.”

A tense silence follows my declaration. I’m prepared for an argument, to hear him bitch about overreaching and breaking rules. I’m not prepared to hear him laugh.

“Yeah?” He chuckles. “And how does Federico feel about that?”

Oh? He finds that amusing, does he?

My lips twitch into a daring smirk. “He doesn’t feel much of anything at all anymore, I’d imagine. He’s gone for a swim, a lifelong one.”

“Is that right?” Abramo’s amusement is gone in an instant.

Yes, yes it is.

“Were you aware of his penchant for violently laying his hands on his wife?”

Another pause.

“I wasn’t.”

I believe him, annoyingly so. Abramo is a violent, sadistic fucker most of the time, but he isn’t a woman beater, nor does he endorse or approve of the trait.

But we both know his father doesn’t feel the same way. Something tells me that vile piece of shit was well aware of how Rayna was being treated. He either didn’t give a fuck, or even worse, he agreed that she was deserving because of who her father was—or simply because she is a woman.

The weaker sex,he’d claim.

I’d do unspeakable things to see that man bleeding out at my feet. “Suffice to say, they’re under Moretti claim now. Should I be expecting a problem on your end?”

There’s no hesitation this time, no pause to collect his thoughts or silence to portray contemplation.

He swears under his breath. “No. You can have them.”

“I wasn’t asking for permission.”

“Your superior attitude is going to get you killed one day,” Abramo warns, venom lacing every word.

“Perhaps,” I hum, unaffected by his spiteful prediction. “And perhaps you should use this as an opportunity to check on the women who are supposed to be under your protection.”

I doubt he’ll appreciate me scolding him like he’s a school child, but someone needs to do it. If a woman in our territory was being abused by her husband, her father, or anyone in her family, she’d know to come to me or one of my siblings. She’dknowthat we would remove the problem. If you can’t keep the most vulnerable among your people safe, are you truly powerful?

“We both know The Casa Nostra doesn’t work that way, Apollo.”Not while my Father is still alive.I can practically hear the words he won’t say.

I consider my next words carefully. “Perhaps if you aim to change that, you’ll ask for assistance.”

Again, he laughs. “Assistance at a cost I refuse to pay?”

Seeing Romeo Giuliani dead would be more than enough payment. I wouldn’t even seek a favor in return. In general, because of our peace agreement, favors are typically exchanged without much struggle as it is.

“No cost. What’s a little assistance between friends, hmm?”