Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Rayna
So far, I’d say the treat I whipped up for the twins is a hit. Cesar has absolutely bodied two of them on his own, almost growling like a happy little lion as he devoured them.
Isobella seemed happy with them too, but instead of eating them all on her own, she decided to take one bite of every cake pop ball she was offered, and share the rest of it with a random adult of her choosing. First was her father, then her uncle Cassio, and then her mother.
Jade was right, she’s quite the sweetie when she doesn’t feel so shy. Being a good sharer at the early ages in life is a great sign of kindness, especially when it’s unprompted.
One thing is for certain, being around this family is dangerous. There are far too many adorable young children, and I fear the treacherous condition known as baby fever is trying to infect me.
I’ve always wanted my own children, but I haven’t allowed myself to think of the desire for years. It’s never been safe, and I’ve certainly never found a man I would allow to father my future babies before.
Watching as Isobella tries to pick off a tiny pink sprinkle from her treat with careful fingers and a determined gaze, I smile to myself, imagining what it would be like to have a daughter.
Sometimes with Yordan, it feels as if I’ve always had a son. But he’s not my son, not truly.
“This place is cute,” Ana comments, smiling as she looks around. It hasn’t been long since she and Cassio settled into our small group. Turning to her husband, she nudges him playfully with her elbow. “How come we never had a cute little apartment together?”
The third eldest Moretti son gives her an amused look. “You wanted to live with my sister, if I remember correctly, wife. Had Dmitri and I never been born, I fear the two of you would be married instead.”
Jade hides a giggle and Dmitri huffs.
“Bite your tongue, husband,” Ana says with a chuckle in her sweet London accent. “I could never think of such a thing. Don’t be jealous that Jade and I are best mates.”
“Mate,” Cesar echoes, wiggling in Ana’s lap.
“Yes, you’re my little mate, too. Aren’t you, lad?” She coos down at him happily. “Have you been behaving yourself, mister?”
Jade groans, looking as embarrassed as before. “He’s been showing off his colorful vocabulary again.”
Ana laughs, light and airy. “He’s a talkative little fellow, this one. Just wait until he can string sentences together. He’ll never stop telling stories.”
Isobella catches my eye from her uncle’s arms, still holding her last cake pop. Shyly, she holds it up and whispers, “Pink.”
The tiny precious word sends a flutter of warmth to my chest. I feel special just to hear her little voice. Big blue eyes bore into mine as I nod, smiling encouragingly at her.
“Yes, the frosting is pink. Do you like pink?” She nods, breathing slowly as she blinks at me. “I like pink too. Your Uncle Armani filled my closet with it.”
“Ma-knee,” Isobella replies, recognizing his name.
“Yes,” I agree, smiling wider.
“Ma-knee, dress,” she continues, wrinkling her nose like she’s trying to think. “Ma-knee, dress.”
“That’s right, sweet girl,” Cassio tells her softly. “Uncle Armani buys lots of pretty dresses for you, doesn’t he? Enough to fill a full-sized closet, isn’t that right?”
She nods bashfully, her brown curls bouncing. Suddenly done communicating, she rests her head on Cassio’s shoulder and sighs softly.
“I can’t believe she just spoke to you so freely,” Jade says, emotion happily sparkling in her eyes. “She normally takes a few days to warm up.”
“She must know that Rayna is practically family now,” Ana says, looking pleased. “Yordan is around the house more than most of the boys these days. Apollo and Dante have practically adopted him.”
“Dante?” I ask, surprised. “Yordan hasn’t mentioned spending a lot of time with him…”
Why would the capo of The Outfit make time for my brother? A teenager from a meager family with no former training or experience. Apollo showing interest in mentoring Yordan was already surprising enough, but his father as well?
A sweeping bit of guilt sinks in my gut.
Is Dante’s interest in Yordan related to Apollo allowing him to think we’re together? Has he been investing his time—which he must not have a ton of to spare—in my little brother because he thinks we will be his family eventually?
“Oh, yeah,” Jade replies casually. “Dad adores Yordan. Says he sees a lot of potential in him, especially as he keeps working more and more with Javier and Apollo.”
“You look shocked,” Ana comments, tilting her head.
“I am,” I blurt, shaking my head. “I mean, I didn’t make a great first impression with him…and I’m sure he has a million other things he could be doing with his free time.”
I’m also shocked that Yordan hasn’t mentioned this little detail to me. He tends to go on and on about his days with Apollo, Elio, Javi, and Leon whenever he comes home. But I can’t remember the last time he said anything about Dante. I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t tell me.
It’s no secret that Yordan worships this family. He’s been a fan of their work since he was young, hearing stories about the Moretti family like they’re a coveted group of superhuman mafiosos.
Yes, his favor for them wavered when we became close with Sienna. But I think deep in his heart, he never imagined they could be personally responsible for what happened to her. He looked up to them, Dante especially.
Maybe we need to have a talk tonight, I don’t like the idea of him keeping something from me. Does he think I would be upset?
Because I’m not. I’m mostly confused.
“You really didn’t make that bad of an impression,” Ana replies, head tilting in contemplation. “Yes, family dinner isn’t the best location for an outburst. But Dante values honesty, and the fact that you were able to shout at a table of his sons…honestly I think you impressed him.”
I nearly swallow my tongue. “Impressed him? I think you’re mistaken—”
“You impressed me,” Jade admits, tone chipper. “I can’t pretend I don’t have some empathy for Melani. I love Emilio and my brother has always been besotted with his wife. But if Sienna is to you what Ana is to me, I’d definitely hate her guts too.”
“What she said,” Ana agrees with a sharp nod. “We don’t know the full story, and it’s not our place to get in the middle. But trust me, we don’t blame you for losing your shit. I probably would have been more violent, honestly.”
“Shit,” Cesar announces, echoing Ana’s small swear.
“Of course, you pick up that one tiny word,” she grumbles down at him, trying not to smile. “You’re a little sponge, aren’t you?”
He giggles at her, grinning wide.
“For the record,” Cassio speaks up. “I can confirm their interpretations of the night. My father is not upset with you. I believe he’s quite upset with Melani, which is challenging for him.
Mila and Valerio mean a great deal to him, so he’s come to think of Melani quite fondly over the years. That has become more difficult now.”
I swallow, unsure how to reply.
“Let’s brighten the mood, shall we?” Jade asks, sensing my discomfort.
“Good idea,” Ana agrees. “How shall we liven this gathering up?”
My mind goes blank, no suggestions popping up. Fortunately—or unfortunately—I don’t need to come up with anything.
“Looks like we’ve arrived just in time.” I almost jump out of my skin at the sound of Apollo’s voice.
I hadn’t even heard him come in. And normally when he comes by, Yordan is by his side and stomping his way through the door with his heavy steps. This time, my brother is as quiet as a mouse, grinning like he’s just pulled off some kind of stealth mission.
“Heyyy, now it’s a party,” Jade greets them happily. “How was training today?”
“Great,” Yordan chirps, grinning happily. “I sparred with Matteo and pinned him twice.”
Apollo smirks. “And he was none too pleased about it.”
“Are you happy that your protégé got a couple of wins or that he got the upper hand on our dear brother?” Cassio asks, arching a brow.
“Can’t it be both?”
Laughing dryly, Cassio huffs. “Congratulations on your improvement, Yordan. Matteo is a tough fighter.”
“Thank you,” my brother replies, chest puffing out with pride.
“He should spar with Ivan next,” Dmitri comments, looking suspiciously smug. “I do not think he would fare so well.”
Jade tsks at him. “Poor Matteo is catching strays and he’s not even here.”
Apollo chuckles. “Isn’t it fun?”
“Hey, sis,” Yordan says, coming over to greet me properly. He gives me a half hug and I grimace, pushing him away.
“Ick,” I grimace, nose scrunching. “Take a shower, you stink.”
“That’s my progress smell, Rayna. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Beautifully horrid,” I quip, brushing off the bit of sweat he left behind on my arm. “Since when don’t you shower before you come home? Apollo’s car seats must be wilting.”
“I had to come home to tell you,” he insists, eyes full of excitement. “I’m not feeling the love, Rayna. Do I need to give you another hug?”
“Boys are gross.” I shake my head. “I can be proud of you and not want to be subjected to your stink. Go wash off and I’ll hug you after.”
He rolls his eyes. “Fine, I’ll go shower but you better not talk about me while I’m gone. You’re supposed to be making friends, you know? I can’t always be the topic of conversation you use to avoid opening up.”
I reach out and smack his stomach with the back of my hand, surprised to find it hard with new muscle. “Don’t embarrass me.”
“Now what kind of a little brother would I be if I didn’t embarrass you from time to time, hmm?”
“Go before I embarrass you.”
His eyes widen at the threat. “I’m going, I’m going, sheesh.”
As he disappears up the stairs, I return my gaze to the group and find Jade looking at Apollo.
“Rayna made special treats for the twins,” she tells him, smiling wide. “Little cake balls with low sugar. They were perfect. Wasn’t that nice of her?”
“Very nice,” Apollo agrees mildly, not taking whatever bait he feels she’s trying to lure him with. “How long have you all been around?”
“An hour for us,” Jade answers, nodding to Dmitri. “Like twenty minutes for Ana and Cass. Did you guys decide to finish early since Yordan’s party is tomorrow?”
“It was part of my consideration in how long this training would run, yes. He didn’t have tutoring today, so it wasn’t difficult.”
“You know you can just say yes,” Ana says, rolling her eyes. “We all know you want him to have a good birthday, you don’t have to pretend to be indifferent. You bought him a flipping Ferrari for Christ’s sake.”
“Jealous, Ana?” His lips curl to one side. “If you want a Ferrari of your own, I’m sure you could simply ask your husband or our father for one.”
“I could buy one myself,” she shoots back. “But I’m more of a jewelry kind of girl. Cars are depreciating assets and I hold no fascination for hunks of metal collecting dust in my garage.”
Apollo doesn’t bother replying to her, and she doesn’t look like she’s expecting him to. Instead, he sets his sights on me.
“I need a word, Rayna. In private.”
I sigh, getting up from my seat. “Of course, you do.”
I start to move past him toward the kitchen and he steps into my path. “If you think they won’t be able to hear us ten feet away in a connected room, you’re mistaken.”
“You seriously think they’re going to eavesdrop? They’re your family.”
He merely blinks down at me, unmoving. “Which is how I know how nosy they are.”
My hands find my hips. “Seriously?”
“I won’t lie, I probably would have kept my ears open,” Jade admits, smiling sheepishly.
“Does it really need to be a private word?” I ask Apollo impatiently. “I have guests.”
“I’m sure they won’t mind,” he replies blandly. “They are my family, after all.”
“You’re a pain in my ass,” I grumble. “Let’s go into the hallway, I’m not taking you upstairs just to have you worry about Yordan listening in too.”
Apollo deems my suggestion acceptable, leading the way to the front door and eventually shutting us out of the apartment.
“What is it?”
Apollo ignores my clipped tone, choosing to get right into the conversation rather than reprimand me for it. “Abramo called me this morning. He has heard some concerning whispers about your father’s old associates.”
My stomach drops. “W-what?”
“It appears that some of them are still looking to exact revenge through hurting Yordan. And yourself.”
But mostly Yordan. He doesn’t have to say it for me to read between the lines. My brother is the surviving male heir to a dangerous traitor. He was always meant to be killed in revenge. Always meant to be made an example of. But I didn’t let it happen, and I never would.
“Do they know where we are?” I ask, voice cracking.
“No,” Apollo answers, without a hint of doubt in his response.
“They’re looking, but they are entirely off track.
I only wanted to tell you so that you heard it from me.
The last thing I need is for you to think you’re unsafe here and have you bolt in the middle of the night, taking Yordan with you. ”
“Should we worry about them catching our trail, Apollo?” My eyes are pleading as I look up at him. “Please don’t lie to me.”
“If there’s something to worry about, I will inform you. I will move you both myself before they get within a hundred miles of this place. You are safe, Rayna. Both of you are under my protection. Tell me you understand.”
A bit of my worry seems to calm, and I let out a held breath.
“Do you promise?”
“I do,” he confirms. “Tell me that you understand, Rayna. I’ve shown you that I can keep you both safe and cared for. Say you believe me.”
“I…” I swallow hard. “I believe you, Apollo. But can we not tell Yordan about this? At least for now?”
He looks down at me, eyes searching for the truth in my expression.
“Fine,” he says eventually. He moves to grab the door handle and I stop him, capturing his wrist.
“Apollo?”
“Yes?”
“Please don’t make me regret this.”