Page 126 of Tragic Empire

Cassio turns to Apollo. “Has she gotten sassier, or is that just for me?”

“She’s been living with Matteo for nearly two years now, what do you think?” he deadpans. “Speaking of Matteo, tell him to get his ass out here to help with these boxes.”

“Will do,” Jade chirps, wrapping her fingers around my wrist and pulling me toward the large house. Once we step over the threshold, she cups her hands around her mouth. “Matteo, Apollo demands you help unload the truck!”

“Yeah?” Matteo calls back. “Well, I demand he fucks off.”

“They need the biggest, strongest Moretti to assist them.”

Finding us, Matteo crosses his arms, giving Jade a doubtful stare. “Don’t try that flattery shit on me, little sister.”

“Oh, go help,” Jade chides, smothering a laugh.

“Hello, Matteo,” I greet, smiling. “There aren’t that many boxes, if it helps.”

Sighing dramatically, the youngest Moretti boy relents. “Fine, I’ll help. But I’m only helping since it’s for Ana, not because Apollo summoned me.”

“Such a good brother,” Jade coos approvingly, patting his cheek as she maneuvers around him. “Come on, I have to show you the cutest thing.”

Strolling into the family sitting room, we find Dmitri holding their daughter and Ivan on the ground with Cesar, watching the boy intently as he does his tummy time.

“Isobella,” my best friend says gently, approaching her husband’s side. “Who am I?”

Giving her mother a gummy grin, the baby girl’s brows knit, like she’s thinking of the answer to Jade’s question.

“Ma… Ma,” she babbles, spitting out the word.

“Mama!” Cesar screeches, prompted by his sister.

My heart swells and I jump in excitement. “Oh my gosh! When did they start that?”

“Just a couple weeks ago,” Jade tells me, eyes sparkling. “They say Dada too, it melts my heart.”

Like he wants to prove his mother’s claim, Cesar shouts, “Dada!”

“Oh my goodness.” My hands cover my heart, and I resist the urge to scoop him up and hug him for the accomplishment.

I know from working with countless babies at St. Mary’s that all children develop at their own pace, but six to nine months for basic words is quite common. The twins are seven-months-old now, their birthday coming up in August, so they are marvelously on track.

“They’re growing so much,” Jade marvels, caressing Isobella’s little face. “I feel like they were in my stomach yesterday.”

“Did you show her the room yet, Krasotka?” Dmitri asks, kissing the top of her head.

“I’m about to take her up,” Jade replies, blushing.

“Ana, I’m kidnapping your dog,” Matteo declares, sauntering into the room with Sirius in tow.

“Good luck with that,” Armani drawls, walking in behind him, boxes in hand. “He’s loyal to her, no matter how many runs you take him on or how many treats you sneak him.”

Matteo shrugs, petting Sirius’ head. “We’ll see about that, won’t we, boy?”

“Take him outside,” Cassio instructs as he passes by.

“I’m going, I’m going.”

“Dad made sure that part of the yard was fenced in for him to get some fresh air and space to himself,” Jade tells me. “Dmitri and I brought the twins to see Emilio and Melani recently. We wanted to make sure they weren’t allergic to dogs, and they have two Doberman guard dogs just like yours. We’re all clear on that front.”

My brows rise up. “You’ve thought of everything.”