Page 153 of Hidden Empire

“They’re with Dmitri,” Ivan explains, shocking even me.

I look over to see Apollo crossing his arms in disbelief and my father’s fists clenched at his sides.

“Better start explaining before he has Uncle Cesar put you in an interrogation chair,” Apollo advises.

Ivan sees that I’m awake and kisses the top of my head before standing up and running a hand down his face. “Nico and Dmitri have a working relationship, and they have for years.”

“The off-campus thing?” I blurt out, trying to figure out what Ivan is implying.

My father takes a calculated step forward, meant to intimidate. “What off-campus thing?”

Ivan nods. “Dmitri gets in and out of Empire, and Nico goes with him.”

“That’s not possible,” Apollo argues.

“It is,” Ivan disagrees. “Our family has been doing it since the place was founded.”

“That’s why they have things to sell,” I surmise for them quickly. “Dmitri brings it all in.” I didn’t know Nico went with him, though.

Dad is growing more impatient by the second. “What does my son have to do with this?”

“As I’m sure you’re aware, Nico has a bit of a craving for violence. Going with Dmitri, he gets to exercise it to the extreme level he can’t on campus.”

He leaves to kill people, I realize.

Oh, Nico.

“And Armani?” Apollo asks. “You’re assuming he’s with them.”

Ivan lets out a bitter laugh. “Dmitri left to take care of a threat against him—therefore potentially against Jade—and you think it’s plausible that Armani didn’t force himself into that mission?”

“Can we confirm this?” my father asks, looking to Apollo.

“Capo, there’s someone at the gate claiming to be here for Jade and Ivan,” a guard interrupts, swiftly coming into the room with us.

“Who is it?” Dad barks out.

“Says his name is Anatoly Petrov.”

“Anatoly!” I cheer, jumping to my feet. I’m about to run out to the gate myself when Ivan catches me around the waist.

“What?” I complain, wiggling in his hold. “He probably knows something!”

“If it’s really him,” Ivan says cautiously, keeping me in his arms. “Use that big beautiful brain to remember that there are people who want you dead, eager girl.”

“Anatoly is our friend,” I tell my dad. “He’s protected me before, and I trust him. If it’s him, let him in. Dmitri probably sent him.”

There’s a moment of hesitation before Dante executes an order as Capo. “Bring him in, cautiously.”

“Without hurting him,” I add, threateningly eyeing the guard.

He nods in confirmation and disappears back out of the house.

Directing his question to Ivan, my father asks, “You trust this guy?”

His answer is immediate and confident. “He’s young, but he’s one of our best. He’s incapacitated several people for simply making comments about Jade, without her even being there. He isn’t a threat to her or your family.”

“Aw, I didn’t know that,” I gush, smiling to myself. “What a sweetie.”