Page 36 of Hidden Empire

As much as I want to fire off more questions, I refrain. Another slight subject change should keep me in the clear of any and all suspicion. Fingers crossed.

“So who’s the biggest group that doesn’t come to Empire?”

Matteo hums, thinking about it. “Triad, probably. They’re a Chinese syndicate, but they don’t trust Empire with information about them or their safety.”

My shoulders stiffen. “They don’t think it’s safe?”

Rolling his eyes, he pats my hand. “It’s more than safe for you here. You have a bunch of people looking out for you.”

“But?”

“But their suspicion isn’t entirely unfounded,” he admits. “The rules are good ones, and to this day, they’ve been effective. However, there is technically nothing but the threat of death and despair keeping everyone in line. You make an enemy mad enough, and the threat of death isn’t going to stop them from coming to Empire to take you out.”

Gulp.

“And they’re typically a faceless organization because it makes them stealthier. Plus, they train from a young age. So, while Empire is a great tool, it’s sort of pointless for them. More risk than reward.”

Smart.

“A lot of Empire is American-based groups,” Armani adds thoughtfully. “Even the Brits have some kind of foothold here, mainly in New York City, which is a shared territory. The triad does a lot more overseas than in the States. America is full of security, and if you don’t have the cops in your pocket, you’ll learn that very quickly.”

“Makes sense.” I think. “Now my brain hurts a bit.”

“Information overload,” Matteo chuckles. “Don’t try so hard to learn everything at once. By the time the semester is over, most of it will be memorized.”

Biting my lip, I hide a smile. “You also think I’ll be in love by the end of the semester. You’ve got high hopes for me, dude.”

“Not hopes,” he corrects. “If I could keep you single until you’re forty, I would.”

“What if I want babies?” I taunt, flicking his arm. “Forty is too late.”

“Fine, thirty-nine,” he negotiates, and I laugh into my hand.

“You’re a goof.”

“Hey, Armani,” a deep and smooth voice calls out, grabbing the attention of our whole family. I find the smiling face of Colton Wyatt heading toward our table. “You coming out tonight? The first night party is at the old building again, and—hey, who’s this?”

Colton’s eyes are right on me as he asks, caught off guard by my unfamiliar face as it seems. He’s got very handsome features up close, but the cowboy is not nearly as exciting or alluring as Dmitri is to me.

Matteo wraps an arm around my shoulders, tugging me closer to him while still in my seat. “She’s off limits,” he answers, voice serious and not very friendly.

A husky laugh leaves the newcomer. “Testy, testy,” he drawls, a southern accent decorating each word he lets out. “So the rumors are true then, there’s a new Moretti.”

“There’s rumors?” I grimace, twisting my lips to the side.

“Oh, nothing too serious,” he assures me.

“You know I’m not going,” Armani interrupts, answering Colton’s original inquiry. “None of us are.”

The man groans. “So boring.”

“Parties are boring,” Matteo argues. “We’re a wholesome family.”

Okay, he’s definitely being sarcastic. Matteo loves a party, well, if he throws it. Maybe that’s the difference for him.

“Whatever you say, man.” Colton looks over his shoulder like he might leave when Armani speaks again, giving me a grin as he does.

“Hey, Colton, what do you know about gay cowboys?”