It’s a complex but relatively quick process. I need to extract the confidence and mold it into vitamin-style gummies. You take the little lemon lime-flavored treat and BOOM, confidence.
Anya
Lemon lime flavor, huh?
Matteo
The universal flavor of courage, of course.
She doesn’t respond immediately, so I take the opportunity to grab a fresh water bottle and throw in an electrolyte packet. I have a workout planned with Armani later today, and the last thing I need is him nagging me about my hydration levels. Training with him is like three workout sessions in one, but it’s more fun than just sparring with Elio or Apollo.
I’ve been working on taking my fitness more seriously again now that Jade has settled in with the kids. And apparently, Apollo has taken on the Todorov boy, Yordan, as a mentee—meaning things are going to get pretty physical around here. He’ll be retraining the Bulgarian mafia descendant who he claimed responsibility of at the wedding and molding him into a man fit to join The Outfit.
What his plans are beyond that, I have no idea. He’s moving fast though, already formally introducing Yordan to Dad yesterday at the house. Dad, who seems to think that Yordan’s older sister Rayna might be a good fit for Apollo. I think he’s just desperate to have his heir settle down.
Dad isn’t getting any younger, and if Apollo isn’t married and producing an heir of his own soon, Leon might just be thrown in his place. I’d like to think that our father wouldn’t have the heart to replace Apollo as our future Capo, but the family tradition of a married Capo is decades old and one of the few that seems unwavering.
The Outfit Capo must have a successor of his own, and if he doesn’t…Well, his brother will. Leon already has two babies, Bastian and Leo, and experience running his own sector. As an Underboss, and second eldest son, he’s the second in command. And if Apollo doesn’t make a move to change his bachelorhoodsoon, he could find himself in Leon’s home rather than running this one.
Shaking out of the thought, I gulp down the rest of my bottle and toss it in the sink. Thirst satiated, I look down to check my messages just in time.
Anya
I thought texting you would be difficult, and that I would embarrass myself and then block you to pretend it never happened.
Anya
But then you say things like courage has a universal flavor and I think I’ll be okay.
My chest feels heavier all of a sudden. Full of pride for doing this right, maybe. Keeping things lighthearted has never been difficult for me, but I definitely felt pressure where Anya is concerned. I was also afraid of saying the wrong thing and messing it all up.
Matteo
Are you saying I’m embarrassing myself, Anya? I thought we agreed on a judgment-free zone. *tongue out winky face*
Anya
You’re not embarrassing yourself. You’re just not afraid to be silly. It takes the pressure off, you know?
Anya
I didn’t expect you to be so easy to talk to.
I catch my goofy-ass smile in my phone’s reflection.
Matteo
Well, I’m glad to have surprised you. I take great pride in not being a boring stiff. That’s Apollo’s job.
Matteo
Youngest sibling privilege means no one expects me to step up and be a strict, boring-ass leader. I get to make everyone laugh.
Doesn’t come with the same respect that leadership does, but I think I’d rather be adored than respected.
Anya
I like that. Laughing is nice.
