Page 135 of Hidden Empire

“There’s a movie theater here?” I squeak, fully floored by the massive set-up.

Old but still in good shape, couches and recliners are spaced out along the wood floors, facing a huge projector screen. The title page for Coyote Ugly is already up, and the faintest smell of Cola and popcorn floats around the air. There’s a big basket of blankets as well, sitting off to the side for anyone to grab.

Matteo crosses his arms, unimpressed. “He knows your favorite movie?”

“I know her blood type, too,” Ivan jokes.

I laugh. “I don’t even know my blood type.”

When my brother doesn’t laugh, too, I pout.

“Come on, Matteo, there’s an underground theater here, literally hidden under a pool. Don’t ruin it by being pouty.”

“Fine,” he relents. “But we’re sitting together, and I’m not sharing my popcorn.”

I grin. “Deal.”

Chapter 35

Dmitri

With Jade’s youngest brother sufficiently appeased after meeting Ivan and watching a movie in the Morozov’s secret cellar, my girl can breathe a little easier again. She seemed to think it went as well as can be expected, and Ivan agrees.

Unfortunately, her newfound relief is about to meet another stressor. I’ve called a midnight meeting with the Lord of Empire Academy, and she has to be there for it. We’ll start our walk there in just a few minutes.

“I wish we could just stay here,” she whispers, her nose dragging up the side of my neck. “We could have so much more fun.”

“Tempress,” I chide.

If this meeting were about anything other than Jade’s safety, I would also rather stay here and worship her. Unfortunately, some things are more pressing than sex. Even really good, never felt like this before, sex.

“Am I motivating you to make this go by quickly?” my Krasotka asks, her voice dipping into that sultry tone I love so much.

I already want this to go quickly. I want permission to kill the woman who tried to have a grown man drag my pregnant wife into a sparring match. I don’t care if we haven’t said our vows yet, once the two pink lines appeared on that test, Jade became my wife. The ceremony is more of a formality than anything at this point. And if a man can’t kill someone threatening his wife and unborn child, justice is dead.

“I’m not sure how long it will take, baby.”

“Bummer,” she murmurs. “Have you seen the Lord before?”

“Yes, I know him.”

He’s a walking power-trip, but he’s good enough at his job. He has a flare for putting on a show, but unfortunately, I don’t think this instructor did enough to warrant an execution. Fuck if I’m not going to aim for one, though.

“Is he scary?”

Will? Is William scary?

Maybe if you consider the people backing him up, sure. But he’s just a regular man with mediocre capabilities. I sort of can’t blame him for it. Why should he know how to kill the way I know how to kill when his snipers will just blast through anyone who tries to attack him.

I suppose being ‘untouchable’ can make people fear you. But Jade has nothing to fear from him.

“No,” I say confidently. “He won’t scare you.”

“Okay, good,” she replies, allowing her shoulders to relax.

Pressing a kiss to her forehead, I ask, “You ready for this, Krasotka?”

When she nods, we grab Ivan and leave.

---