Page 64 of Savage Empire
“Oh?”
“Yordan’s tutor is a couple days early.” Apollo watches me closely, trying to catch any reaction I may have to this news. “He’ll be here in a few minutes to meet you. This was the best time.”
No one askedmeif this was the best time.
But I suppose I can’t be upset. I did want to meet this tutor before he interacted with my brother, and it’s not exactly like I’m busy.
“You really think he’ll be helpful to Yordan? You trust him?”
“I do,” Apollo confirms, not a hint of hesitation in his tone. “I know him well, and he’s the best option. He’ll keep up with Yordan’s education and keep him safe in the process. If I were to leave my children in anyone’s care outside of this family, it would likely be Javier.”
“Not Adrian?” I lift a brow.
Apollo huffs, almost cracking a smile. “I trust Adrian with my life, I don’t trust his wife to not steal my children away as her own. She’s the loving and greedy sort. My children will be adorable, and she imprints on cute things. They’ve got a litter of pets to prove it.”
I have to fight a smile. “So confident your kids will be cute?”
“With the right mother, I’m sure.”
My stomach gives a painful twist. “I wasn’t aware you were seeing anyone. Send her my condolences.”
He makes a noise in the back of his throat that I swear sounds like a chuckle. “There’s no mother yet, Rayna. Save your condolences for now.”
Yet.
For now.
Does that mean he has someone in mind?
Why do I even care?
A loud knock shakes me out of my stupor, and Apollo steps back. “That’ll be him. I’ll get it.”
“Thanks,” I say, furthering the distance between us by heading for the stairs. “I’ll call Yordan down.”
Bellowing up the stairs, I remind my brother about his dessert waiting and tell him his guest has arrived. Seconds later,footsteps stampede down the steps, all three men coming at my call.
“Dessert, you say?” Elio asks, smiling wide. “Don’t mind if I do.”
Armani is much less stressed as he steps onto the main floor. “Your closet wasn’t that bad. I shaped her right up for you though.”
“Thank you,” I reply with a small laugh. “How would I have lived with the state of it before your help?”
“Honestly, I have no idea,” he agrees seriously.
“Javier is here?” Yordan bursts out excitedly.
“Apollo’s just letting him in now.”
The four of us make the small walk into the kitchen, finding two people waiting. One familiar face, and the other completely new.
“Yordan, Rayna,” Apollo says, nodding to the man at his side. “This is Javier Cabrera, friend of the family.”
“Please, call me Javi.”
Javier Cabrera—Javi—ishandsome.With deep hazel eyes, a sharp jaw, and glowing sun-kissed skin, his features are almost striking. His dark facial hair is trimmed, framing his face perfectly. The top of his head is shaved down too, shortened all the way into a buzzcut. He’s tall, around Apollo’s height, but his body isn’t as muscular in some ways. He’s toned, and strong, but not bulky.
“Javier,” Armani greets in a grumble.
