Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Apollo
My phone starts vibrating over and over before I’ve even left Rayna’s apartment. I followed her all the way back to her place, and refused to leave until I got a notification from security that she was back inside safely.
This woman has been running me all over the city in the past twenty-four hours, driving me insane with her attitude and accusatory remarks.
Twenty million is a small price to pay if it means she’ll calm the fuck down.
Trying to get a job at the fucking club…
I’m convinced she’s trying to give me an aneurysm.
I’ll have the money wired to a secure account for her and Yordan before she even wakes up in the morning, and hopefully the gesture will be enough for her to fucking relax for a minute.
Ignoring the incessant buzzing of my phone, I make my way back home. I’ve been ready to sleep for hours now, but late nights are often a necessary evil as an heir. There are nightlife businesses to check in on, reports to go over, and conversations to be had.
I had no plans to visit Adrian tonight. Club Calda practically runs itself under his watchful eye.
The Russo’s have been in business with the Morettis since our fathers were children, and Adrian and I met when we were only five.
I trust him about as much as I trust my brothers, and from what I know, he feels the same.
After all, I’m one of the only people he allows near his wife without added security.
Throwing my car in park and getting out, I sigh and start opening my messages as I walk into the house. My sibling group chat is full of notifications, which is strange since normally half of them would be deep asleep at this hour. But of course, no such luck for me today.
Armani
Did I just see Apollo carrying his new friend out of the club?
Of course he was there. He was probably with his little cowboy buddy too. Colton Wyatt may as well move into the mansion with the amount of time he spends attached to Armani’s side.
Jade
Tea! Did she look happy about it?
Armani
Lol. Not at ALL.
Matteo
Speaking of the oldest and grouchiest among us…Not that I’m complaining, but has anyone else noticed that Apollo is never home lately?
Nico
Sounds like you’re complaining to me.
Jade
I have noticed, and I AM complaining!
Matteo
Why? You have ME. You’re fine.
Jade
You’re so needy.
Matteo
I RESENT THAT.
Fucking Christ, I rub a hand down my face, continuing to skim the rest of the missed messages.
Armani
Agreed. Apollo is like a ghost these days. I see him for a split second in the morning or late at night and sometimes I swear I’m hallucinating him.
Elio
I see him all the time.
Jade
We hardly see you too, mister!
Elio
And yet, I wasn’t mentioned in your inquiry, little sister. I’m hurt.
Matteo
Drama Queen.
Elio
Matteo, we talked about this. You shouldn’t call yourself names.
Matteo
Fight me, bitch.
Jade
NO NEED FOR NAME CALLING.
Nico
You are all children.
*Nico has left the chat*
*Jade has added Nico to the chat*
Nico
JFC
Remo
Why is everyone awake this late?
My question exactly.
Armani
I’m always up this late.
Elio
Ditto.
Jade
Isobel and Cesar are sleeping in the same cot, I can’t stop staring at them. They’re so fucking cute. I fear baby fever is after me.
Leon
Leo had a nightmare.
Nico
I’m currently having a nightmare. This chat.
Matteo
JADE! I do NOT want to hear about your baby fever, it makes me want to skin Dmitri alive.
Armani
Same.
Can’t argue with that.
Rolling my eyes, I type out a clipped message and groan when it’s instantly replied to.
Apollo
I’m busy. This is hardly breaking news.
Leon
Busy with his new mentee and the older sister that can’t stand him.
Armani
Shots fired from Golden Boy.
Jade
You’re spending THIS much time with Rayna and Yordan? Did you really carry her out of the club?
Apollo
She found herself in the wrong place, I simply returned her to where she’s meant to be.
Matteo
Does anyone else feel like Yordan is being treated like the new youngest brother? Apollo never mentored ME this much.
Elio
Yordan idolizes him. You can barely spend thirty minutes with Apollo without complaining.
Matteo
Whatever.
Matteo
His loss, amirite?
Matteo
ANYONE CAN AGREE NOW >:(
Jade
You’re so right, Matteo. And not at all melodramatic.
Nico
That was sarcasm, in case you couldn’t catch it, Matteo.
Matteo
Catch this, asshole *middle finger emoji*
My god, these children are exhausting.
Apollo
I’m going to bed now.
Jade
Sleep well! It’s okay if you want to spend time with the Todorovs, we’re just being silly. Come see your niece and nephew for a bit tomorrow though! They miss you. You can bring Yordan, too!
A smile tugs at my lips. Jade is the sweetest of us all, and she never fails to remind me how much she values my place in her life.
Armani
Goodnight, all!
Nico
This conversation could have been an email.
Elio
We love you too, Nico.
Rayna
My adrenaline from the encounter with Apollo is still too high to fall asleep. But lying in bed with a TV show playing softly is actually quite relaxing.
My phone buzzes, screen lighting up in the darkness of my bedroom.
Elio
I hear you got a visit from hurricane Apollo tonight. You alright?
My lips twitch, despite the memory of Apollo hauling me out of the club.
Rayna
Hurricane Apollo, is it?
Elio
My dearest brother’s alter ego. Comes out whenever anyone has a little bit too much free will.
Elio
Bold move to test his limits so soon though.
I huff, blowing a bit of hair from my eyes.
Rayna
I’m not sure why he was tested at all. He shouldn’t give a shit what I do.
Elio
Tsk tsk. I’m sure he explained himself after you finished tearing him a new one. Come on, you can be honest with Papa Elio.
A ridiculous snort leaves me.
Rayna
PAPA Elio?
Rayna
Do people actually call you that?
Elio
Only Matteo, lol. Made you smile, though, didn’t it?
I can’t deny that it did.
Rayna
I see why she likes you, you know?
Elio
Why SHE likes me? Rayna, I’m hurt. I thought we were friends for life now. Besties, or whatever the kids are calling it these days.
Rayna
Are you sure it’s not too early to declare we’re friends? It’s only been a few days, you haven’t seen the worst of me yet.
Elio
Do you always push away people prematurely?
Rayna
Easier that way.
Elio
It’s like looking in a mirror.
Rayna
What?
Elio
Never mind. Back to the topic at hand. Did Apollo not actually explain his actions? That’s pretty unlike him.
Ugh, I grimace.
Rayna
He used looking out for Yordan as an excuse. It’s fine though, we worked it out.
Rayna
For now.
Elio
Well, that’s good at least. The better you two get along, the easier things will be.
Elio
But you don’t have to let him get away with shit for the sake of keeping the peace. Feel free to keep calling him out on his shit. I, for one, find it very entertaining.
Rayna
I’m sure you do.
Elio
Either way, you let me know if you need something.
Rayna
Taking me under your wing like you did with S?
Elio
Maybe, R.
An unexpected hit of warmth washes over me, reading that letter from him.
Rayna
Fair play, E.