Page 173 of Hidden Empire
Narrowing his eyes, Matteo flicks Ivan on the shoulder. “What’d she do?”
“You don’t want to know,” he tells him, hiding a smile.
“Uhh, yes, I do,” Matteo refutes, almost insulted.
“Okay,” Ivan replies, shrugging. “Jade’s happy because my brother finally fucked her while you were gone, and she’s been waiting for it since he got here.”
“Ivan,” I squeak.
“Oh, gross.” My brother scrunches up his nose.
“You didn’t have to hear it,” Ivan tacks on.
“Even more gross,” Matteo protests. “You suck, man.”
Dmitri kisses the side of my temple, giving me and Ivan both a plate of strawberries drizzled with chocolate. I smile at him gratefully, continuing to listen to our brothers’ squabble.
“You see,” Ivan continues, nodding to an uncomfortable Matteo. “He’s learning not to be nosy one bit of TMI at a time.”
Huffing, Matteo takes the seat next to Ivan while glaring at him. “If you’re trying to train me, treats would be appreciated.”
Eyes rolling, Ivan drops one of his chocolate strawberries into my brother’s open palm. “There, happy?”
Matteo snatches up the offering and tosses it into his mouth. “Much better.”
“I’d call you a good boy for eating your treat, but talking with your mouth full isn’t very well-mannered of you.”
“My mouth definitely isn’t full, and you can still call me a good boy.”
Okay, wow. Since when do these two playfully banter?
Dmitri and I share a look, but he’s less interested in them and more interested in kissing me. When our lips part, I sigh happily.
This is everything I need.
Chapter 48
Dmitri
Armani and Apollo Moretti have decided to interrogate me. I’m honestly surprised it’s taken them this long to pull something like this. Offering me a drink under the pretense of separating me from my wife to pry is a smart move, even if it’s quite predictable. At least their booze selection is impressive. If I’m going to have a glass, I want it to be a good one. I’ll just double-brush my teeth before climbing into bed later.
Jade wanted to go to sleep early tonight, still worn out from the stellar fuck fest we engaged in today, but as much of a workout as it was, I couldn’t go to bed at seven if I tried. Ivan is with her, though, working on his laptop while she sleeps unless she’s convinced him to hold her. Either way, she’s safe, and I’m just a few floors away.
I’m also not tied to a chair and being poked and prodded with weapons for information, but I’m being grilled about my history and my intentions nonetheless.
I thought I made myself clear before, but I don’t mind continuing to prove myself. Jade deserves people who care about her well-being enough to sit me down and investigate me. I’ll continue to answer their questions without complaint.
Nico is here as well, but I’ve already gained his approval. Honestly, I think he might just be here for the drinks, though he refuses to get drunk until we have the Karina situation handled for good. With him casually sitting nearby and Anatoly standing in the corner—on guard even though I haven’t asked him to be—Apollo and Armani attempt to invade my mind with their words rather than their fists.
“How many women were you with before Jade?” Armani demands.
He’s mostly stuck to questions with a similar context; who I was before Jade. Apollo on the other hand, he’s more interested in who I plan to be now that I have Jade.
Swirling the gin in my glass, I level Armani with a look. “I didn’t count.”
The tattooed man scowls in response. “Isn’t that just fucking lovely.”
Nico snorts, showing interest in our conversation for the first time tonight. “Armani, I’m not sure you should be the one judging body counts.”