Page 39 of Tragic Empire
The goodbyes were difficult, mostly on Jade’s end. She cried her whole face of makeup off and hugged both Ana and I multiple times before we were able to depart. She’s only been my sister for a year, but she fits into this family like she was never lost. If you didn’t know her circumstances, you would never guess that she wasn’t raised right alongside us.
And though her friendship with Ana isn’t one that’s existed for long, their bond is formidable. It’s one of the reasons I knew a blood marriage would work between Ana and myself. Father has always said that friendship is one of the key components in alliances worth forging.
Our trip into the city was fast. A private jet from Pennsylvania to New York City takes less than an hour, and most of that time was filled with uncomfortable silence. Ana curled up in one of the secluded chairs and stared out her window while Armani and Colton discussed plans with me.
We arrived at the Knight family penthouse only a few moments ago, and so far, I’m not excited about the amount of windows here. My first order of business is to ensure the security of the space, and so many points of weakness do not bode well. At least they’re bulletproof—according to Gerard.
Ending my examination of the main floor, I find Ana’s haunted eyes scanning the area like she doesn’t quite recognize it. This has been her primary home for more than two years, and she looks as if it makes her sick. I know that look, because I’vefeltthat look.
She’s devastated to be returning to a space that will no longer be home to more than half of her family. Killian may walk these floors again, but she knows that Bron, her mother and Cole never will. I remember thinking the same thing, seeing Isobel in every corner of the Moretti mansion for months after her death. Since her passing, the space has never felt the same, and I doubt it ever will. My new wife is likely realizing something similar now.
Colton and Armani work around us, silently clearing the penthouse—sweeping the place with guns and a team of Moretti guards. Ana doesn’t make a move to sit or even put down her bag of clothes from Jade. She’s frozen in the middle of her living room, staring blankly at the space.
Without prompting, I approach her and gently take her bag, setting it on the floor by her feet. She’s a bit pale and the area under eyes is dark from exhaustion. She hasn’t eaten enough in far too long, and she’s yet to fully break down after hearing the news of her mother. Holding it in won’t last much longer, and I’m prepared to get her through it, no matter how painful it will be. For both of us.
“Drink this,” I instruct, uncapping a pre-made protein drink and putting it up to her lips.
She grimaces, nose scrunching in distaste. “I don’t want to.”
Her voice is so much smaller than I’ve known it to be and it makes my heart fucking ache.
Lifting her right hand, I wrap her delicate fingers around the bottle. “I’m not going to make you eat, but I’m not going to let you get sick either. You drink this, and I won’t bother you again about food until tomorrow.”
Still, she hesitates.
“It tastes like chocolate milk, and if you drink it fast, it will be over in less than a minute. Having something in your stomach will help you sleep, too.”
Mollified by my words, she tips the drink back and swallows. Like I advised, she takes it quickly, consuming six hundred calories and nearly thirty grams of protein in less than a minute.
Ana wipes her lips with the back of her hand, narrowly missing the sleeves of her wedding dress in the process. She hasn’t changed out of the gown, but since it’s a soft fabric and not too tight, I imagine she isn’t uncomfortable. And if she wanted to get out of it, she would have. I’ve given her three different opportunities to. Before leaving the house, before boarding the flight, and once again whilst on the actual plane.
Every time, she replied with the same three words and a shake of her head.“Let them see.”
Before I can say another word, my brother and his friend come back to the main floor, our team following closely behind.
“It’s clear. No cameras, no broken windows, and the vulnerable spots are manageable with the right defenses. It’s safe here,” Armani reports. “Colton and I are going to live on the third level where Killian stays. It’s got its own kitchen and living spaces so we won’t bother you—unless you ask. Second and first floor are all yours.”
“The security team is going to meet up with Gerard now,” Colton continues. “Half of them will work with The Kings’ guards, and the other half will work stealth, keeping an eye on the building and your general area.”
I nod once, firmly. “Good work, thank you.”
“Can I go to bed now?” Ana asks, her voice so close to breaking.
Without a word, Armani and Colton dismiss themselves to go upstairs and I turn to my young bride. “Of course you can, Ana. Show me where you’d like to sleep?”
She mutely nods and begins to walk up to the second floor. Her steps are slow but not sluggish, and eventually she approaches a dark oak door, pushing it open easily.
Her room is elegant but not dramatically so. She has creamy pink walls with white crown molding and gold light fixtures—the main one being an intricate chandelier above her bed. The queen-sized mattress sits atop a dark green frame with a velvety headboard in the same color. Her blankets are a dusty pink like her walls, with different textures coming from her fluffy pillows.
She has a pink vanity covered in various beauty products, a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom, as well as a large couch that matches her headboard. I didn’t expect it to be like this, but then again, I don’t really know Ana well enough to predict her personal taste.
Like in the living room, she stands still, taking it all in.
“Do you want me to stay here tonight?” I ask softly. “There are guest rooms close by, but I don’t mind staying on your couch if it makes you feel safer.”
Ana turns, looking at me with her lips slightly parted. “Aren’t we going to…” She trails off, awkwardly looking between me and her bed.
Consummate, she means.
