My shoulders lift in a light shrug. “Might make her laugh.”
“Might make her cringe with secondhand embarrassment,” he counters.
He’s such a delight.
I’d tell him to wish me luck, but he wouldn’t.
Nico and I aren’t as close as I am with Jade or Remo. But we have a sort of unspoken bond. He’s not an emotional orsentimental guy, but he’s protective of family. I think because I was the youngest before Jade showed up, he’s always been silently looking out for me. So, when I decided I was going to do something reckless tonight, he was the first person who came to mind to be my reinforcement.
I can feel my grouchy brother’s eyes on my back as I make my way across the reception area. What is normally home of the most exclusive mafia college in the western hemisphere is now a luxury venue, at least for the weekend. The familiar secluded island has been transformed into some kind of fairy tale, forest paradise for the wedding. Empire Academy land has never looked so…cozy.
It’s rare for the space to be used for anything other than Academy semesters and events, but with enough money and connections, anything is possible. Jade and Dmitri met here, and it was important enough for her to get married here that our eldest brother Apollo made it happen. As if he needed to do anything else to make him look fucking perfect.
When I’ve made it to my destination, I’m not surprised to be met with an icy welcome. Anton Morozov doesn’t offer a warm look, or a greeting of any kind for that matter. But from what my new brother-in-law Ivan has told me, his father isn’t exactly a warm and welcoming kind of man.
He’s a Russian Pakhan through and through. But if he’s attempting to intimidate me with his cold stare, he’s out of luck. My own brother just gave me the same treatment only moments ago, and Nico’s the scariest person I know. He could skin someone alive without breaking a sweat. He’d do it just for the fun of it—and removing skin isn’t as easy as it might sound.
Anton is sitting next to his younger brothers Lev and Mikhail Morozov, the two men sharing his disdainful glare. But they aren’t who I’m here to see. I’m looking for the pretty little blondesitting between her uncles. The girl who hasn’t left her father’s side for a second since arriving on the island.
Not to meet my sister, not to say hi to her brothers, not even to excuse herself to the bathroom or to look around the venue. She’s been completely elusive and almost entirely silent from what I’ve seen. But I’m not deterred.
Grinning happily, I greet the table with a wide smile and a small nod.
“Hello, Anya,” I say, ignoring the men and addressing her directly. Her eyes go wide and round, lips parting in genuine shock. “I’m Matteo, Jade’s favorite brother. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
For a moment, it feels like the whole world goes silent. And then I hear, “H-hi.”
Pride probably too great for simply getting a response bursts in my chest and I light up, my smile even more genuine than before.
“Are you having a good time?”
She opens her mouth and closes it again, like she isn’t sure what she wants to respond. That’s okay, I know she’s shy. Probably nervous as hell, too.
“Is there a reason you’re speaking to my daughter, Moretti?” Anton rumbles, hands balling up into tight fists on the tabletop.
“Not a small talk guy, then?” I joke. “That’s okay, I’m not either. I’ll get to the point.” Turning back to meet his daughter’s eyes, I soften my gaze. “Would you like to dance?”
“Absolutely no?—”
Anton’s quick attempt at a denial is cut off as I pull out a pair of silver handcuffs from my back pocket. All three Russian mobsters blink at me with incredulous expressions. They watch me like I’m transforming into a unicorn with sparkly fur and purple eyes as I take the cuffs and lock both of my wrists into the metal constraints.
Once again, I ignore the men to speak with Anya directly. The mafia princess doesn’t look scared, and she doesn’t need them answering for her unless she asks them to. They haven’t said anything to respond to anyway.
“Now, I know being handcuffed isn’t exactly enough reassurance that you’re safe with me—we are strangers after all. So, I’d like to ask that your father and uncles keep their…aimon me while we dance. That is, if you’d like to? I promise, I won’t lay a hand on you.”
Asking Anya Morozov to dance with me is brave, in-laws or not. She’s been through more than anyone should in a lifetime, especially at such a young age. But her brothers are family now, and I know Jade wishes Anya felt comfortable being a part of that family too.
Even if she didn’t, I think I’d still find myself drawn to the Russian princess with sad eyes and golden blonde hair. She’s beautiful, of course, but she also has this poised and gentle energy that’s hard to ignore.
Turning to her father, Anya worries her bottom lip, looking almost hopeful. Her eyes are glimmering under the warm twinkly lights above us, and I can see her silently speaking with them. Imploring her father.
Jade warned us all before coming here that Anya would be in attendance. That she didn’t touch men, and that she would likely keep to herself. Dmitri and Ivan haven’t been able to be alone with her or really even speak to her since she was found after the worst night of her life.
My little sister looked so fucking sad when she explained the situation, and everyone understood why. Jade wants to love everyone, and I know more than anything she’s hoping Anya will want to be her sister one day. But she won’t push. She won’t even attempt, not until Anya is ready.
Me, on the other hand. I’m not one of her brothers. I didn’t see her covered in blood and broken. I’m not married to someone who did. So maybe, just maybe, I have a shot at being the one to bridge the gap. And if not, I have a shot at being her friend—and that would be enough. I could always use more friends.
Something tells me that Anya could use one too.
