Ana
Jade
We miss you!
Attached to the message is an adorable photo of my best friend holding her babies, a huge smile on her face. Cesar is fisting her hair and trying to shove it in his mouth while Isobella is staring at the camera lens with wide eyes.
Ana
There are my three favorite people. I miss you all too. Sooo much.
Jade
I wish we could come see you! 🙁
Smiling sadly down at my phone, I silently wish for the same. Unfortunately, there’s no possible way to visit my best friend without putting her in danger. We’re not positive that whoever killed Bron and Cole are secretly plotting to appear again, or if they care about me at all, but I’m not willing to risk it.
Until Cassio and Killian decide there’s nothing to worry about, we’ll continue to play it safe. Part of me is worried that Killian will be ready to return before we’ve found the parties responsible. And what then? Do Cassio and I stay here to keep our distance from the Morettis? Do we return to his home and move in, risking all the other inhabitants with my proximity?
Sighing, I try to shake off the unnecessary overthinking. Cassio has told me to trust him to take care of it, and for my own sanity, I need to listen and believe in his assurances.
Ana
I’m counting the days 🙂
Ana
How is everyone there?
Jade
Good! Matteo caused a bit of a ruckus when he announced he wouldn’t be returning to Empire next semester. He refuses to go without me, and won’t be swayed. He wants to stay home and help me and Dmitri with the twins.
Jade
But Dad and Apollo eventually relented and agreed not to push. It’s not like Empire graduation holds that much weight in The Outfit, anyways. It’s mostly just tradition.
I smile at Matteo’s undying show of love and loyalty to Jade. And she’s right about what graduating from Empire Academy means. To some syndicates, it’s make or break. You either finish, or you’re disowned and thrown out on your arse. But to families like the Morettis, blood is more meaningful than any sort of tradition.
And it isn’t like Matteo truly needs more training to survive, he’s likely been a formidable man since his early teens. Dante Moretti isn’t the kind of man who leaves preparing his children entirely up to strangers. He would have taught them all various skills from a young age. Fighting, weapon handling, the ways of business, and more.
Ana
Good for him. Good riddance to that blasted island, I say. I wouldn’t mind never going back.
Empire isn’t all bad, but it puts me on edge. I don’t trust strangers, and at a college of any kind, you’re surrounded by them. When that college is full of mafia heirs, heiresses, and soldiers, it only adds to the possible dangers.
Jade
Well…
Jade
I hope you wouldn’t mind coming back for a wedding? Dmitri and I are thinking about having our ceremony there.
My heart leaps with an excited beat. Oh… that would be gorgeous! Empire Academy is seated on a secluded forest-like island, and the land itself is beautiful. Its black sand beaches, tall dark trees, and foggy air makes it feel more like the Pacific Northwest than any kind of tropical paradise. A wedding there would be lovely.
Not to mention significant for Jade. She would have likely never met Dmitri without attending Empire. And if she did somehow cross paths with the Russian heir one day, they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see one another intimately. Their families wouldn’t have allowed it. Dating him in secret, sneaking around the campus, that’s how their love story began, and having a wedding there would only make it all the more special.
Though they’re technically married on paper, they haven’t had an official ceremony. And of course, I would never miss my best friend’s big day. I’m getting excited jitters just thinking about it.
Ana
That’s a wonderful idea! Of course I would go back for you. You name the date and I’m there.
Jade
Phew! I was hoping you’d agree to be my maid of honor? Honestly I wanted to ask you in person with a cute little gift or something, but I’m too impatient! I’ve been itching to ask.
My cheeks pinch in a smile. God, she’s too cute.
Ana
I’d be honored, Jade. You were by my side for my wedding, and I’d love to do the same for you.
Jade
Ugh, I’m gonna cry. I’m so excited!
Jade
We don’t have a date yet, but you’ll be the first to know when we do. I’ve got to go wrestle Cesar away from Matteo, I do not trust how quiet they’re being right now!
I snort while reading the message. Matteo is probably plotting world domination with the six-month-old, talking to him like he can truly comprehend. I worry about the days when Cesar is finally able to walk and talk. He has his uncle’s love for mischief sparkling in his eyes already.
Ana
Good luck! Talk soon, xx.
I’m thinking about tossing my phone to the side when I bite my lip in contemplation, my thumb over the Instagram icon. I haven’t updated any of my socials since getting married, and I’ve been purposely avoiding them. I know news of my marriage will have gotten out—Dante asked Jade to post pictures so I didn’t have to, after all. But I haven’t sought them out, wanting to steer clear of any outside reactions.
But with how much better I’ve been feeling, and how secure Cassio has made me lately… I want to look.
Tucking my knees up, sinking deeper into the cozy living room sofa, I open the app and go to my profile. I get lost in notifications quickly. Finding unseen messages, tagged posts, comments and more. All the Moretti siblings have followed me, and Jade must have used my phone to make sure I followed back for appearances. I apparently liked her wedding post as well, which I assumed she handled for me.
I should send her flowers, or a fruit basket… or no, some kind of dessert basket. She truly thought of everything.
Scrolling through the multi-picture post from my wedding day, I feel my chest warm. Everyone looks so lovely. I wish I was more present in the moment, but I’m glad there are so many pictures to help me experience it again—without so many dreadful emotions.
Taking a screenshot of my two favorite images, I move to make my own post. The first being Cassio and I at the altar, our blue strings in place, just before our kiss. And the second, a picture of the whole family surrounding my new husband and me.
Tagging everyone, I quickly caption the photos and hold my breath as I hit post. Within seconds, likes begin to filter in and I smile, closing my screen. I don’t think I’ve ever felt such a jolt of satisfaction after uploading anything on social media before.
“Mine?” a rumbling voice asks, inches from my ear.
A gasp catches in my throat, recognizing Cassio’s scent before I even process the sound of his question. He’s leaning over the back of the couch to speak to me, and I didn’t realize he’d come home.
His phone is suddenly presented in front of me, my one-word caption on display. He must have notifications turned on for my posts, because it hasn’t even been up for a full minute.
“Mine,” I agree breathlessly. “Problem?”
His freehand glides up the back of my neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake. He rests his hand there, holding me close as his lips gently press into my temple.
“No problem, Wife,” he whispers. “The sentiment is mutual.”
My head turns, putting our mouths only millimeters from brushing. I don’t need to make the first move this time. Instead, Cassio leans in, pressing deep. The kiss steals my breath and makes my toes curl. His thumb rubs circles under the back of my hairline, making me shiver. Kissing Cassio feels unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It’s utterly consuming, and I’m not sure I ever want to stop.
His hand flexes around my nape and a whimper muffles into our kiss.
“Fuck, forza,” he groans, pulling back and dropping his forehead against mine. “I need to take a shower before dinner, and if you keep making sounds like that, it’ll need to be a cold one.”
Before I can quip that it wouldn’t need to be cold if he simply asked me to join him, he kisses me twice more. Quick smacks of his lips against mine, but they still feel wonderful.
“Never mind,” he grunts. “Just looking at your pretty little flushed face is too much. Be back in fifteen.”
A protest dies on my tongue as he rushes toward the stairs and Armani and Colton saunter into the living room, Sirius trotting happily along with them. My sweet puppy joins me, flopping his head into my lap, and I chuckle, rubbing the top of his soft head.
“We’re chopped liver as soon as he sees you.” Armani pouts. “All those runs and all those treats, and it’s like we’re invisible now.
“Smart mama’s boy,” Colton coos, playfully pushing his friend to round the sofa first. “You can’t compete with the La Jefa bond.”
Armani rolls his eyes and reaches for the telly remote. “How’s it going, pretty girl? You look happy today.”
I am happy today.
“And what’s that blush for, doll?” Colton teases, flopping down on the couch. “Your cheeks are positively rosy.”
His question only makes my face warmer, but I don’t want to hide my newfound relationship to Cassio. And I think I would feel strange gushing to Jade about kissing her brother. That has to be odd, right?
And sure, Armani is his brother as well. But brothers talk about more with each other than they do with their sisters, don’t they?
“I kissed Cassio last night,” I admit shyly. “And he kissed me again just now.”
“Oh, did you now?” Armani asks with a wicked grin. “How scandalous.”
“Was there tongue?” Colton chimes, waggling his brows.
I gape at the two men. “Neither of you seem surprised.”
Colton chuckles, rolling his eyes. “Breaking news, husband and wife share kiss. In our next top story, fork found in kitchen.”
Armani ignores his antics but asks, “Should we be? You’re married.”
“We didn’t exactly have a traditional start to this arrangement,” I answer, folding my arms. “You know that. Did you two expect this?”
The men share a look.
“I mean…” Armani rubs the back of his neck. “Ana, darling, the two of you have been sharing a bed for over a month now.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t start sucking face sooner,” Colton adds. “You’re both hot. Hot people make out, it’s simple math.”
“Math?” I ask incredulously.
“Hot wife plus hot husband equals—” he stops speaking and starts making smoochy noises.
A high-pitched laugh erupts from me before I can stop it. “You are incorrigible.”
“You love it,” Colton tosses back, grinning wide. “I’m delightful.”
Armani scoffs. “Ignore him. The point is, we’re happy for you. And for Cassio. You both deserve to find happiness together.”
Colton nods rapidly, agreeing without question. “And Cassio is a ride, girl. I want details when you finally get on that thang.”
My mouth drops open, and I watch humor light up in his eyes.
“Oh my god,” Armani groans. “No details for me, thank you.”
“What if I need advice?” I ask, nibbling on my bottom lip. “I can’t exactly ask Jade, and I was only with Cole once…”
The tattooed Moretti brother goes from a little disgusted by the idea of details to giving me a soft and encouraging smile in an instant.
“Advice I can do, pretty girl,” he says happily. “Colton just likes to taunt me about my good looking family. I don’t mind hearing details if it’s about you and my brother—and Colton keeps his fake thirsting to a minimum. Sex is as natural as it gets.”
“He would know,” Colton quips. “Armani is King of The Sluts, after all.”
The cowboy is shoved unceremoniously, and I laugh at their antics.
“Dick.”
“That’s hardly an insult. You love dick.”
“Quit talking about dick in front of my wife,” Cassio demands, returning to the living room with damp hair and dawning a dark blue set of loungewear. His arm wraps around my shoulders as he settles onto the couch, tugging me close. “What do you want for dinner?”
You.
Swallowing hard, I suggest, “Steak frites?”
Cassio nods. “Whatever you want, forza.”
All I want is him.
God, when did that happen?
