“Snitching isn’t really my thing, Pops,” he quips with a smirk. “But I’ll keep you updated. She might not even want to talk to me after a day or two. I’ve been told that I can be a bit much.”
“He wouldn’t have called if he didn’t think she wanted to talk to you, Matteo.” I give him a firm look. “You’re not too much.”
He grins boyishly. “You have to say that, you’re my dad.”
“I don’t have to mean it, and I do.”
“Don’t make me tear up, old man.” He laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “We’ve had enough sentimental shit happening today, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps.”
I might agree with him on any other day, but today my daughter said her vows to the man she loves. Today I watched her dance and laugh, and I held her children as she floated around under twinkling lights, having the time of her life. I won’t consider any amount of emotion shared today to be too much. Jade deserves every single ounce of it, especially given how many years she went without it.
“Go enjoy the rest of the night,” I tell him, nodding back to his brother. “We have a long travel day tomorrow.”
“Those two are going to be hungover as fuck.” He happily rubs his hands together, likely thinking of his brother’s future pain. “And Apollo’s guests should prove to be interesting.”
Ah yes, the Todorov siblings. The young woman and her teenage brother who my eldest son thought prudent to claim as his own. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same, seeing what he saw on the beach just a few hours ago.
Any man who hits an innocent woman just because he can deserves worse than the death Apollo granted him. I know Nico wishes he could have properly sent him to hell, after hours of slow and excruciating torture. But Empire Academy has rules, even if the semester isn’t in session. And Apollo barely skated by those. Using the grounds to hold some sort of torture party would be pushing it too far.
“I don’t think they’ll have much to say tomorrow,” I tell him with a tilt of my head. “We’re a large bunch, and that can be intimidating.”
“I don’t think that woman is much for being intimidated,” he replies, smirking happily. “I heard she chewed Apollo right out. Iwish I saw it. Better yet, I wish someone got it on video so I could watch and rewatch it.”
Amusement vibrates in my chest. “I’m sure she was upset with her privacy being invaded and her brother helping Apollo.”
My son shrugs, still grinning. “Whatever the reason, she’s cool in my book.”
Of course she is.
I shake my head, finally picking my cigar back up. There’s never a dull moment with this family.
Myfamily.
“What you did today, you should know that I’m proud of you.”
Matteo freezes, eyes snapping back up to meet mine. “What?”
“You’re a good person, son. Better than most.”
“It was just a dance,” he says, sounding confused.
“No, it wasn’t. It was kindness, Matteo.”
Restraining himself, making an effort to make her comfortable.
“It’s not hard to be kind,” he rebuts, almost sounding upset. “I didn’t do it to be a good person. I wanted to meet her. I wanted to dance with a pretty girl and make a friend. That’s not being noble, Dad, it’s just…being.”
My lips twitch, spreading into a wide smile.
“Exactly.”
Matteo’s eyebrows jump up and he shakes his head in confusion. “Are you sure you’re not the one hitting the bottle, old man?”
I chuckle, putting out the last of my cigar.
“Good night, son.”
