Page 133 of Tragic Empire
Taking a deep breath, I find my center in Cassio’s eyes. Just one look at that man and I feel like I’m on top of the world.
“We’re both brunettes,” I note first, smiling as the crowd titters in response. “We value the same things—namely kindness, honesty, strength, family, and trust. We’ve both secretly developed an obsession for zombie films after Matteo’s insistence upon them.”
I hear the youngest Moretti brother’s burst of laughter in response, and grin as I continue, “Neither of us enjoy music older than the seventies, we both detest Brussels sprouts, and we’d both rather spend a day in the house with family than go out. Not to mention our shared appreciation for our half-dressed husbands post work-out.”
Jade’s face flushes, and I snicker at the collective groan of our brothers.
Steering away from the humor, I take a deep breath. “But most notably, the thing Jade and I have in common is that Dante Moretti saved us,” I say, choking back the emotion creeping up my throat and looking at the man in question. “He knew neither of us well enough to do the incredible things he did, and yet he leapt at the chance to take care of us both. For Jade, because she was his blood. He knew it as soon as he saw her. And for me, simply because his daughter called me her friend.”
Do not cry, do not cry, do not cry.
“The world knows Dante Moretti as a ruthless Capo. An Italian man with a long legacy and immense power, a man known for greatness and strength. He is, of course, all of these things. But Dante’s greatest strength isn’t the men he has at his back, it isn’t the money in his bank, or the countless connections he’s forged in blood and gold. It’s his unflinching ability to take care of his own. Dante Moretti is first and foremost, a father of the utmost excellence.”
My lips tremble as I look at him, the man who’s come to be a true father to me. “He takes care of his children. He didn’t just mold his boys into men, he showed them love, tenderness, and respect in a world that is full of the opposite. Through Dante, Jade and I both gained not only a father, but a force of brothers to guide and protect us. We found friendship in each other and in them, we found our husbands—even if Jade wasn’t supposed to be looking for one of those.”
Dmitri smirks, holding back a laugh.
“I apologize that this speech has gone a bit long,” I note with a nervous smile. “I just couldn’t possibly say what Jade means to me—what this family means to me—in only a few short lines. So, I’d like to propose a toast, not only to the happy couple, but to the Moretti-Morozov families. I can’t wait to share the rest of this life with all of you.”
Jade thrusts her glass into the air.
“Cheers,” I say, tipping my champagne toward her.
“Cheers,” the crowd echoes.
I excuse myself and take a few centering breaths.
That went really well,I think.
Before I can rush off to find Cassio and demand he be honest about my performance, I come across the most adorable sight.
Anatoly is holding Isobella while she tries not to doze off on his chest. She’s tired from such an exciting day, the poor thing. I’m sure someone will take her to bed soon, probably Melani and Emilio when they take Mila up. And little Leo is practically glued to the guard’s side, fisting his pant leg into his small hand and leaning against the solid man.
“Awww, Anatoly,” I gush, getting a fierce case of cuteness aggression. I just want to squeeze something small and fluffy, but settle for getting closer to the adorable sight. “Leo has had a lot of trouble with men, especially large ones. I’m so happy that he likes you!”
The big guy flushes a bit and shrugs a shoulder, trying to remain nonchalant. “He sees small baby girl safe in my arms. He knows I am not a threat if little baby Isobella does not cry while I hold.”
“Toly,” Leo babbles, tugging his pant leg.
“Oh my gosh.” I clutch my chest and breathe out. “He calls youToly,that is absolutely precious.”
“Name is mouthful, not easy for small child,” he replies with another shrug. Anatoly is a tough nut to crack, always so kind but so distant. I can’t complain though, he’d push a moving train off its track if it meant keeping my niece and nephew safe.
“Any chance you have an Italian twin?” Leon inquires, joining our small group. “We could use a trustworthy guard around the house but Leo here is still struggling with English.”
“Da, da, da,” Leo says excitedly, rushing to his adoptive father’s side. “Toly, baby.”
“Yes, Anatoly is holding the baby, very good,” Leon says right before repeating the same sentence in Italian for his son. Leo smiles bright in response and tucks himself into the side of Leon’s legs.
“So, no brother?” Leon asks with a chuckle. “And I doubt I could bribe you away from Jade and Dmitri?—”
“Not on your life, Brother,” Jade cuts in, still glowing from the joy of the day. “You’d have to pull Anatoly out of my cold dead hands; he’s family now. But if you want a quality guard, I bet Apollo can find you one that he trusts.”
“Apollo can do anything,” I agree with a bright smile.
“And he wants us all to know it,” Leon comments, a bit of bitterness in his tone, but it’s mostly teasing. “I’ll work with him on it. Having two boys running around now is going to be a lot.”
“Are Bastian and Leon getting along?” Jade asks, softly pinching Isobella’s little cheeks.
