Chapter 18 #2
“I do,” Apollo confirms, not a hint of hesitation in his tone. “I know him well, and he’s the best option. He’ll keep up with Yordan’s education and keep him safe in the process. If I were to leave my children in anyone’s care outside of this family, it would likely be Javier.”
“Not Adrian?” I lift a brow.
Apollo huffs, almost cracking a smile. “I trust Adrian with my life, I don’t trust his wife to not steal my children away as her own. She’s the loving and greedy sort. My children will be adorable, and she imprints on cute things. They’ve got a litter of pets to prove it.”
I have to fight a smile. “So confident your kids will be cute?”
“With the right mother, I’m sure.”
My stomach gives a painful twist. “I wasn’t aware you were seeing anyone. Send her my condolences.”
He makes a noise in the back of his throat that I swear sounds like a chuckle. “There’s no mother yet, Rayna. Save your condolences for now.”
Yet.
For now.
Does that mean he has someone in mind?
Why do I even care?
A loud knock shakes me out of my stupor, and Apollo steps back. “That’ll be him. I’ll get it.”
“Thanks,” I say, furthering the distance between us by heading for the stairs. “I’ll call Yordan down.”
Bellowing up the stairs, I remind my brother about his dessert waiting and tell him his guest has arrived. Seconds later, footsteps stampede down the steps, all three men coming at my call.
“Dessert, you say?” Elio asks, smiling wide. “Don’t mind if I do.”
Armani is much less stressed as he steps onto the main floor. “Your closet wasn’t that bad. I shaped her right up for you though.”
“Thank you,” I reply with a small laugh. “How would I have lived with the state of it before your help?”
“Honestly, I have no idea,” he agrees seriously.
“Javier is here?” Yordan bursts out excitedly.
“Apollo’s just letting him in now.”
The four of us make the small walk into the kitchen, finding two people waiting. One familiar face, and the other completely new.
“Yordan, Rayna,” Apollo says, nodding to the man at his side. “This is Javier Cabrera, friend of the family.”
“Please, call me Javi.”
Javier Cabrera—Javi—is handsome. With deep hazel eyes, a sharp jaw, and glowing sun-kissed skin, his features are almost striking.
His dark facial hair is trimmed, framing his face perfectly.
The top of his head is shaved down too, shortened all the way into a buzzcut.
He’s tall, around Apollo’s height, but his body isn’t as muscular in some ways. He’s toned, and strong, but not bulky.
“Javier,” Armani greets in a grumble.
“Armani,” he returns shortly.
Elio clears his throat. “Good to see you again. You already met with Jade and Dmitri?”
“Yes,” Javi confirms with a nod. “Dmitri was about as happy to see me as Armani currently is.”
“Well, your father did try to fix you up with his wife, so…” Elio shrugs with a grin. “And we all know Armani can hold a grudge like no other.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Armani denies. “I’m perfectly chill. No grudge here.”
“Tell that to your face,” Elio quips. “You’re glaring a hole into the man.”
“Ignore them,” Apollo says, releasing a long sigh. “You’re here to meet Rayna and Yordan, not tolerate my brother’s antics.”
“All good,” Javi replies with a shrug. “Nice to meet you both.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Yordan chimes, smiling happily. “I feel like I already know you, I’ve heard so much. Is that creepy?”
Javier chuckles. “No, I’m glad. No need to give my life story if you already know it.” He eyes me, tilting his head. “You, though. You look like you have plenty of questions.”
My arms fold over my chest. “A few.”
He nods, unoffended. “By all means, ask whatever you need.”
I rattle off my first three questions in quick succession.
All relating to tutoring history, teaching style, and communication.
Javi doesn’t miss a beat, answering without taking offense at my rapid pace nor my snappy tone.
He’s apparently had years of experience both guarding and educating mafia heirs.
His tutoring style is a hybrid of traditional and hands on, incorporating standard on-paper work with real-world applications.
Javi also assures me that he’ll not only communicate lesson plans and progress with Apollo, but with myself.
First, he’ll need to assess where Yordan stands academically, which will begin with a series of tests and talks between the two of them.
My brother is absolutely not thrilled by the news, but it makes me feel better.
His education is being taken seriously, and made a priority by someone other than me for the first time in ages.
“I’m enjoying this,” Javi says after answering four more questions, a soft smile gracing his lips. “I haven’t felt this challenged by a woman in quite some time.”
“You should see how she talks to Apollo.” Elio chuckles. “He doesn’t typically remain smiling by the end of their conversations.”
Javi lifts a brow, glancing at Apollo. “Met your match, have you?”
“We’ve recently come to an understanding.”
“Must have missed it,” Elio says, tilting his head. “What’d he do to stop your ire, Rayna?”
“He begged,” I lie, lifting a shoulder. “Even offered to get on his knees and apologize for kidnaping me.”
“I did not.”
I smirk. “Yet.”
“Kinky,” Armani suggests, wiggling his eyebrows. “Can I watch?”
“Gross, eugh!” Yordan whines.
Armani laughs, bright and jovial. “Sorry, dude. It’s the price you pay for having a sister who’s a knockout.”
“Oh?” Yordan huffs. “So you’ve experienced this with Jade?”
Armani’s smile drops instantly.
“Party foul.” Javi chuckles, analyzing the brothers’ reactions to Yordan’s comment. “Kid’s got balls, that’s for sure.”
“Well played,” Elio tells him stiffly. “But don’t do it again.”
“Let’s cease the childish banter, yes?” Apollo says, not truly asking. More like commanding. “Anymore questions, Rayna?”
“A couple.”
It only takes Javi a few more minutes to convince me he can stay.
By the time I’m walking him out the door, I feel much more comfortable with the idea of Javier spending time with Yordan.
He’s clearly smart and capable. Not to mention, he’ll have the ability to keep my brother safe if something goes wrong while they’re together.
“Thank you again for dealing with my third degree,” I say, holding the door open. “I’m sure it was a bit over the top.”
Javi flashes an innocent smile. “No, it’s fine. I would be the same way with my little sister. It’s an older sibling thing.”
I exhale, nodding. “Glad you understand.”
“So, I suppose I’ll see you again at dinner this weekend?”
Confusion and a sense of discomfort swarms me. “What dinner?”