Page 151 of Hidden Empire

I need to brainstorm how to approach speaking with him sometime soon because I can’t handle the bickering for much longer. All I want is peace and distractions until I have the love of my life back. When Dmitri comes home, he can deal with the squabbling. He’d be happy to, I’m sure.

My trusty guard flashes a vicious smile in return. “Not a challenge, a guarantee.” Ivan gives a sweep of his gaze to the room. “I haven’t fallen into a deep sleep since before I could walk and talk. Asleep or not, no one gets to Jade while my heart beats, it’s as simple as that.”

“Cocky,” Cassio notes. “Considering you’re eighteen years old and a buck fifty soaking wet.”

“Rich,” Ivan shoots back. “Considering you’re closer to thirty than you are twenty and still think that size matters when the smallest blade can rip open throats just as well as a sword, and a 9mm will kill you just as dead as any other round.”

The two of them stare at each other, letting their perspective insults land. Men are so snappy with each other sometimes, I swear. Like, can we just chill out for a moment, please?

Holding in a huff of annoyance, I look at my dad. “Can we just go to bed now? It’s been a really long day.”

My father looks between Ivan and me reluctantly. “Fine.”

God, I love these stubborn men. Kissing my father’s cheek, I say goodnight to the rest of the table and lead Ivan upstairs.

After brushing our teeth, Ivan changes into a pair of sweats and a cut-off t-shirt, and we decide to put the TV on low and get into bed. We already showered earlier before changing, Ivan using Apollo’s bathroom quickly and me using mine. All there’s left to do is try to relax. We can deal with the stress of the day tomorrow.

“Sorry about all of that,” I say nervously, climbing under the covers next to him. “I don’t get why they’re so weird about you.”

Ivan chuckles, shaking his head and pulling me into a cuddle. My head rests on his chest, his arms wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

“They think we’re fucking,” he points out. “Or at least, they think we want to.”

I frown a little. “We aren’t, and we don’t.”

“No, but they’re not out of their minds to assume it. Most humans are inherently sexual beings. Friendships like ours aren’t common.”

Sighing, I flutter my eyes closed. “That’s sad, isn’t it?”

“Maybe for them,” Ivan hums. “But I don’t really care about anyone else’s relationships, and they shouldn’t care about mine.”

“Do you think Dmitri will be gone for long?” I can’t help but ask.

“I’m not sure, Jade,” he answers honestly. “We’re going to have to take this a day at a time. I’m going to do my best to keep you happy, but I swear to you, Dmitri is going to do whatever it takes to get back to you.”

“One day at a time?” I echo.

Even with my eyes closed I can feel his head dip in a nod.

I think I can handle that.

Chapter 40

Jade

One day turns into two, two turns to four, and four bleeds right into seven. Seven days without a word from Dmitri, but thankfully, I’ve got Ivan. He’s the best at keeping me busy. Going swimming with me for hours, watching movies with me, and helping Martha and me in the kitchen. I couldn’t be more grateful for him.

Like right now, he’s just quietly watching TV while I decide whether or not I want to fully wake up from this mid-day nap. Naps have become a bit of a requirement for me, especially with activity-filled days, I get tired easily. My stomach has started to push out more too, which helps me feel more content. Without Dmitri, I like knowing that I have my Ivan and my babies.

Thinking I could go for a snack, I decide to start opening my eyes when a voice makes me freeze. “I’m supposed to believe you’re not in love with my daughter when you hold her and look at her like that?”

I hold still, keeping my breathing in pace so that he doesn’t realize I’m awake. A talk could be good for Ivan and my dad. There’s obvious friction between them, and I know it’s not just because he’s my future husband’s brother. We’re very touchy, and Dante Moretti doesn’t like seeing anyone with their hands on me.

And Ivan doesn’t trust my father fully. He hasn’t said it, but I know it. He doesn’t trust made men as far as he can throw them. With everything that’s happened to me in the past, he’s wary about trusting anyone with me—even my own flesh and blood. I just wish he’d realize that Dante feels the same way about him—untrusting in the name of protecting me.

“Are we still talking about this?” Ivan responds, keeping his voice to a low level. He might believe I’m asleep, or he might be helping me remain stealthy. Either way, I’m grateful because I need to hear this.

“You’re on my couch with my daughter literally on top of you,” Dad deadpans. “The only reason we’re not doing way more than talking is for her sake.”

---