Page 55 of Hidden Empire
It’s the exact right thing to say because Armani finds it hilarious. “Rest assured, Matteo is the last person Dad or Apollo would trust with betrothal information.”
“Hey!” Matteo protests on principle. “I’m great with secrets.”
“Yeah, and I’m the boogeyman,” Armani drawls, not missing a beat.
Sarcasm is like the Moretti family’s favorite love language.
Ignoring their impending argument, I start to type a message to Dad.
Me
Hi Dad, I miss you! Just got my emailer now and wanted to check in. School is really nice so far. How’s everything at home?
When he doesn’t reply right away, I send one to Apollo as well.
Me
Hey big brother, miss me yet?
Unlike Dad, Apollo must be at his computer because the emailer buzzes in my hand only a handful of seconds after I hit send.
Apollo
You’ve had quite the first week, little sister.
Apollo
Seven marriage offers in nine days, you may have set some sort of record.
“What?!” I yelp, mouth hanging open.
“What?” Matteo and Armani echo at the same time, heads swinging toward me.
I shove the stupid little email device in front of their faces, wiggling it in disbelief. Matteo grabs my wrist to hold it steady, allowing them to actually read the screen.
“Seven?” Matteo clicks his tongue. “I was expecting double digits, at least ten.”
Armani is less amused. “How many of them are here?”
“I didn’t ask for names!” I exclaim, panicking a little.
“No? Then I’ll do it myself.”
He types so fast that I can only read what he’s asked after it’s already been sent.
Me
It’s Armani, who sent in offers?
“You could email him with your own device,” I mumble but watch to see what Apollo will say. I’m crossing my fingers that Dmitri didn’t do something crazy like sending in an offer for my hand. The last thing we need is my brother’s up his ass while we’re trying to sneak around.
Apollo
Most notably, Javier Cabrera, Ares Gabris, and Killian Knight. The other four I wouldn’t consider even if we were looking. Anything less than an heir won’t do.
I hold back a sigh of relief. There’s no way he wouldn’t mention the Morozov name if an offer came from them. They’re too significant, and Dmitri is an heir.
And holy shit, why is Ares on the list? I could have sworn he was already engaged. Arranged to be married to someone his father picked for strategic purposes, yes. But engaged nonetheless.