Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Rayna
Ihaven’t seen Yordan this happy in years.
He’s been exploring every inch of the apartment for over an hour now.
He’s obsessed with his room, saying it’s better than any bedroom or hotel room he’s ever stayed in.
And he adores the living room, specifically the oversized flatscreen TV with endless streaming and gaming options available for free.
Not to mention the couch he’s already claimed as his cozy sanctuary.
His enjoyment has made this process easier. I know I’ve bitten Apollo’s head off more than once, and I still don’t like the man, but I can’t deny how profoundly he’s impacted Yordan in such a small amount of time.
If I didn’t have him to consider, I would have a much harder time accepting this place.
I’m stubborn to the bone, but even I can’t refuse this kind of help.
It’s life changing, and Yordan deserves this more than anyone.
He’s the biggest light in my life, constantly shining in the darkest of times.
He likes the Morettis, every single one of them that he’s met thus far.
Apollo has already promised him that he’ll pick him up tomorrow morning to show him around The Outfit territory and businesses.
I, of course, declined to go with them, with Elio’s assurance that he’d stay by Yordan’s side.
The idea of letting my baby brother go off for the day with two mobsters who have no doubt taken their fair share of lives makes my skin crawl, and still, I won’t try to stop him.
This is what our life is transitioning into, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it without hurting Yordan.
We’re both finished looking around now, since Apollo and Elio left us alone.
The code has been changed and my brother has already begun snacking on something from the pantry.
With a bag of chips in one hand and a sports drink in the other, he plops down on the couch, laying back perpendicular to me.
Sighing happily, he nudges my thigh with his foot. “You should be smiling, dude. This place is insane. Don’t you love your room?”
Forcing my lips to tip up, I nod.
My room is nice. Nicer than the one that Federico tossed me into on our wedding night. That bedroom was small and dusty, with a squeaky bed and no bathroom of my own.
This one couldn’t be further from the old prison of a room.
It’s wide open, and bright from the big windows.
There’s a spotless ensuite that looks like no one has ever even showered in it.
My bed doesn’t squeak, nor does it wobble on uneven legs.
It’s a queen-sized memory foam mattress, decorated with pearly white blankets and pillows.
The furniture is all matching, and the walk-in closet is bigger than necessary.
Top it off with the dark wood floor and white fluffy carpet combination and the room becomes something like out of a Pinterest board.
The room is lacking any sort of color and style, like a blank canvas. Not that I’m complaining. I haven’t been able to decorate my room since I was a teenage girl, anyway. It’s just a lot…it’s so many new things all at once. And Apollo expects us to buy more on top of it.
Sure, there’s only a few pairs of clothes for us right now, and our toiletries may only last two weeks or so, but buying more? It’s overwhelming to say the least.
“Yes, it’s nice,” I tell him, trying to muster up a more genuine grin. “I’m glad that you like it so much.”
“It’s the best place we’ve ever lived, even better than back home.”
I try not to frown. Our childhood home was quite large, and definitely more welcoming than Federico’s place. But I can see why he might prefer this apartment to where we grew up. Most of our old, good memories of that place were all tainted in the end.
“This city is a lot smaller than Chicago too,” Yordan adds with a smile. “There isn’t half as much noise or traffic, it’s nice. I used to think Pennsylvania was all Amish people and Hershey’s chocolate factories. But it’s kind of cool here, isn’t it?”
The Outfit territory is comprised of a large chunk of this state and some of the surrounding areas, with the heart of it existing outside of Philadelphia, at least from what I know.
The Morettis also operate in the shared territory of New York City, owning several businesses up and down the east coast as a whole.
“It seems safe enough,” I reply with a shrug.
Yordan groans. “There’s more to life than safety, Rayna. Aren’t you just a little bit happy to be away from Federico? Can you please admit that to yourself? I don’t like thinking that you still feel like we’d be better off back in that hellscape. You can’t still be mad that I killed him, right?”
My chest gives a painful, aching beat.
He couldn’t understand the way my mind works, even if I attempted to explain it. But I wouldn’t want to put that burden on him either way.
“It’s fine, Yordan. I’m just tired,” I say carefully. “I’m not mad at you.”
Now he’s the one trying not to frown.
“We can trust them, I know it.” He sounds so sure, it almost makes me smile. “Elio is good to…well, you know. And Apollo likes me, I can tell.”
“You can’t tell Apollo about Elio, milichko,” I breathe out, locking eyes with my brother. “It is not our information to share.”
“I know,” he says, voice sure and true. “I know how to keep a secret, Rayna. You know that.”
“I wish you didn’t have to,” I tell him quietly. “I wish you could live a normal life, away from all this chaos and conflict. You deserve it.”
“So do you.” He huffs, shaking his head. “But I don’t want a normal life, sister. I like this life, the hard parts sucked, sure, but look at us now. We never have to go back to that, Apollo promised me.”
We’ll see.
“You should text her,” Yordan says lightly. “It’ll make you feel better.”
“You’re too smart and observant now, you know that?”
He preens under the comment like it’s the best compliment.
“I get it from my sister.”
“Kissup,” I snicker, hiding a smile.
Yordan grins, quickly replying, “Grouch.”
Pulling out my new phone, I bite my lip in contemplation.
With nimble fingers, I open the text messaging app, typing in the phone number I’ve had memorized for years.
It was safer to keep the digits out of my contacts before, never knowing when my husband might go through my phone. But now…now I can save it.
Filing her number under the initial ‘S’, I begin to write out one of our common challenge and pass messages.
We came up with a series of challenge phrases and password responses to ensure our conversations remained safe and secure, a method used by plenty of military and mobsters alike.
Ours are personal, and custom to match any kind of speaking.
Texts, phone calls, in person…any method we could come up with to keep her safe from prying ears.
Rayna
I lost my contact list and might have the wrong number, is this Rachel?
I don’t expect an immediate reply, as she doesn’t always have her phone. But apparently, it’s my lucky day. Our timing has lined right up.
S
Regina? Is that you?
I breathe out a sigh of relief, the password is perfect. Rachel McAdams as Regina George, a little nod to Mean Girls, something no idiot mafia man would even think to draw a connection to.
Rayna
It’s me. I’m so glad I caught you, I was hoping the new number wouldn’t make you immediately block me.
S
I’ve been biting my nails to bits waiting to hear from you! Are you and Yordan okay?
Since no one is looking over her shoulder, she can use our real names, there’s no one to snoop through her phone bill. This is her burner phone, after all. The one that Elio provided her.
She deletes her messages religiously, and hides the small device while using the one her parents gave her in everyday situations.
Rayna
We’re okay! We’re in Outfit territory. Federico is dead, Apollo Moretti has made us into his next charity case and I’ve seen Elio. But forget about all of this mess, how are you?
S
Forget about all of this? Are you NUTS? Bitch, that’s crazy. You’re living a movie. Elio should have told me! I’m going to smack him.
Figuratively smack him, she means. She’s not allowed to leave Chicago, and he can’t be caught in the area.
He’s never physically around her unless he’s worried for her safety.
Meaning she needs to check in with him religiously or he’ll take the risk.
Hence why he’s the Moretti who I trust the most. The two of them could hardly be called friends, and yet he takes care of her better than anyone else ever has.
Rayna
It all happened really fast. Apollo caught Federico pushing me around and took it upon himself to step in. He put us up in this apartment…it’s unreal. He gave us new phones and gave Yordan a credit card to buy us clothes and stuff. Even after I screamed at him.
Rayna
…more than once.
S
You screamed at the Moretti heir? GOD I LOVE YOU. Did he flip?
Rayna
Surprisingly no. He just kind of blinked at me like he didn’t believe what was happening.
Rayna
And now he wants me to spend his money and he says he’ll be pissed if we don’t spend enough. Who the fuck does that?
S
He probably didn’t believe it! You fucking yelled at the future Capo, you beautiful, reckless idiot.
S
I’ll also be pissed if you don’t spend enough. Swipe that card extra for me, PLEASE. Trust me, he can afford it.
I laugh, shaking my head.
“See, look at you already feeling better,” Yordan boasts.
“She thinks we should spend all of Apollo’s money.”
He huffs out a laugh. “Of course she does.”
Rayna
We’ll see. Now tell me how you are!
S
Fine. Normal. Parents gone for the night, I’m binge watching Love Island while on house arrest.
S
But your life is currently better than any kind of reality TV. I require being kept in the loop.
Rayna
As long as you do the same…
Rayna
I’m sorry I can’t be there. I could demand Apollo try and bring you here too? He seems like he might do it just to prove he can. And we have a 3rd bedroom you could stay in.
S
No way. Don’t risk your cushy new set up for me. I’m fine.
I sigh sadly, frowning at my phone.
Rayna
I saw your sister.
S
Don’t call her that.
Rayna
I’m sorry. I didn’t talk to her, if it helps. I didn’t know how to without ripping her head off for abandoning you.
S
My hero.
I can practically see her smirk and eye roll from through the screen.
S
It’s fine. I don’t need to be rescued. You just enjoy that new life, okay? No more letting men hit you for safety. Most of that family are unthoughtful dicks, but they don’t hit girls.
Rayna
We’ll see.
S
They won’t. Elio wouldn’t lie about that.
Rayna
I can’t promise I won’t try to get you here.
She knows I’m serious, and as stubborn as she is, I’m worse.
S
Wait a few months at least…
S
I’d love to be with you and Yordan again, but put him first. Don’t push your luck for me of all people.
Rayna
For you of all people? You’re the only ‘people’ we’d push our luck for. We love you, S.
S
You’re going to make me cry, you bitch.
S
I love you both too.
Rayna
Hide your phone now, okay? I’ll check in soon.
S
I’m so fucking happy for you. XX.
“We’re going to get her out next,” I tell Yordan, a determined look furrowing my brow.
His lips tip into a grin. “I love when you get that look.”
“She said not to push our luck too soon,” I add, considering the thought. “But the first time Apollo needs something from us instead of the other way around, I’m making my move.”
Yordan nods thoughtfully. “I’m on board with that. But honestly, I think he’d help now. Especially with Elio—”
“You know how she feels about Elio. He’s already risked a lot for her, Yordan. We have to respect that he can’t know everything right now.”
My brother sighs. “He’s going to find out, Rayna.”
“I know.”
Unfortunately, I fear Elio might find out from me. I’ve given my word to S to try my best and keep her secrets, but my temper might get the best of me. Being surrounded by the people who have failed to help her for years may prove to be too much for me.
“How about we focus on something we can have now, hmm?” I clap my hands, standing up from the couch.
“Like?”
“Like what to eat for our first meal in our new place.”
Yordan whoops happily. “Great idea.”
Every teenage boy loves food, it’s a universal fact.
But my little brother could eat a truck load of pretty much any cuisine.
He loves it all. Pastries are the only thing I’d pride myself on, they’re my only true passion in the kitchen.
But I’ve been cooking for my brother since I could use the stove, and he’s never complained.
Shuffling over to the beautiful new space, I turn to him with a hopeful smile. “Well, what do you want for dinner?”