Page 21 of Tragic Empire

“Dmitri will be in the room, won’t he?” Jade asks, lifting her chin. “To look out for her best interest?”

Dante gives her a quirk of his lips and a confirming nod. “Dmitri is welcome to join us.”

Jade shares a look with her husband before nodding back. “Good.”

ChapterSeven

Ana

It didn’t take Doc long to verify that my vitals are at safe levels. He offered me a pill at the end and stipulated that I could have it if I drank a packaged protein beverage with it. The mood stabilizer was a low dose, but with the promise that the relief it would offer would be much milder than what he gave me last night, I couldn’t resist.

Downing the protein drink helped my stomach feel fuller, and the small pill was easy enough to take. Doc planned to stay overnight again, and he encouraged me to seek him out if I started to experience any concerning symptoms.

Now sitting in Dante’s office with Apollo and Dmitri present, I don’t feel as foggy as before. Whether it’s the medicine or the food kicking in, I’m not sure. All I know is I want to hear what these men have to say.

“So…” I start, feeling awkward. “You have a plan?”

“We do,” Dante confirms. “I apologize, but it may be a lot to digest.”

With a helpless shrug, I reply, “I don’t mind.”

I truly don’t. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do to resolve this situation—to hopefully begin recovering from it, at the very least.

“We’re going to help you, Ana,” Dante continues, his promise firm. “But with the…politicsof it all, there’s something we need to do first.”

“A legitimate connection needs to be forged,” Apollo adds, speaking more plainly. “Friendship only creates so much trust when it comes to things like this.”

Both men are choosing their words wisely, but even with new medicine coursing through my veins, I’m picking up what they’re putting down.

“You want to arrange a marriage,” I guess quietly. “To me, I assume? So that someone can run The Kings while Killian is recovering, and no one suspects foul play on your end?”

Marriageis the oldest and most respected method of forging relationships between mafias. Itcreates a bond nearly as good as blood.Familyis a language that all made men speak.

“At least she’s smart,” Apollo says under his breath.

Dante makes a low noise in his throat at his son before giving me a soft smile followed by a nod. “Exactly. A marriage is what we have in mind. I understand it may be a difficult time?—”

“I’ll do it,” I interrupt, decision made.

It’s a sensible idea, and it’s not like I have many other options. I don’t just need to stay safe, I need to make whoever is responsible for upending my life pay. I want justice for Cole. Cold and bloody justice.

Who better to help me with such a task than a Moretti husband?

Dante blinks, appearing shocked. “I don’t want you to feel like we’re forcing this on you, Ana. Especially while you don’t have Killian or Bron here to advocate for your contract terms. But I’m afraid I don’t see another way.”

It’s not ideal… Even so, he’s right. The Kings need to be preserved. In order for that to happen, the men will need a leader to trust. My husband would be the best option to step in, especially if he were a Moretti.

Of course, I need to be protected as well. Whoever did this to my family left me alive, but to hurt me. They wanted me to live with the pain of what they did, and that doesn’t mean they won’t come back to finish me off. Maybe they’ll even come for Killian, if they’ve found out that he’s still breathing.God, they better not.

Killianhasto wake up, and when he does, I want his organization to be alive. He deserves to take his place on the throne—he’s worked his whole life for it. He’s lost enough without losing his birthright on top of it all.

“I agree,” I tell them, fiddling with my hands while trying not to pick at my cuticles. “A marriage is the most logical option. Dmitri can advocate for me for the contract.” Turning to the man in question, I wince. “I mean, if that’s okay with you?”

“I can do that,” he agrees easily.

I let out a silent breath and nod. Jade’s husband won’t allow me to sign something against my best interest.

“Um, did you have someone in mind?”