Page 20 of Hidden Empire

“Oh yeah,” Matteo answers, nodding with a big grin. “Lots of zombie gore and gunfire, we’re having a straight-up wholesome bit of fun.”

The word wholesome doesn’t even feel that out of place of a description. Sure, people are being eaten alive on my TV screen, but I’m just enjoying a day with my brother. There hasn’t been an ounce of fighting or screaming or fear. It’s been nice.

“It’s great,” I agree, smiling too.

Offering a nod of understanding, he steps further into the space. “I have some unfortunate news,” our father claims carefully.

My stomach flips with anticipation. News about me?

“Did something happen?” Matteo asks, immediately concerned.

“It seems that Kim is missing,” he informs us, watching me as my throat bobs up and down. “When Officer Brian made it back to the town’s hospital, she had already fled, untreated injuries and all.”

“If she ran, it’s because she’s scared,” Matteo points out angrily. “Which likely means she didn’t bank on us hurting Jade like she said.”

“At the very least, she was unsure,” Dad agrees. “I’ve got people on the streets looking out for any whisper of her. Don’t worry, Jade, we’ll get her.”

He hesitates, and I sense it. “But?”

“But it may take a while,” he says, withholding a wince. “Her boyfriend can’t be found by his parole officer either. They think he skipped town after having his bail paid, and so I can only assume they’re together.”

I feel the color drain from my face. “B-Bruce made bail?”

There’s a dark glint in my father’s eye as his jaw ticks. “Yes, he did. Don’t worry about him, though, Jade. He can’t touch you here. Neither of them can.”

I know Bruce, and he’s like a kicked dog when he’s hurt. He’ll whine and moan and pout until he needs to fight back. For now, I’m safe from him, and I suppose that’s all I can ask.

“Okay,” I say, letting out a breath.

“I’m going to introduce you to all of the guards tonight,” Dad tells me softly. “You won’t need to remember names, but seeing faces that you will become familiar with is important. There are a lot of people here at all times that will keep the family safe. It’s important to me that you’re comfortable here.”

“You’re two doors away from the safest place on earth too,” Matteo chimes.

“I am?” I ask, confused.

“Apollo’s room has an entrance to our hidden safe room,” Dante explains. “He’ll go over that with you himself. There is one other entrance that we’ll show you as well.”

“Safe room, huh?” I look between the two of them. “Does that get used a lot?”

Matteo chuckles. “Not much, no. This house hasn’t been broken into more than a few times in my entire life. The property has been breached maybe ten times since our family has owned it. It’s more likely that the people breaking in will need a safe room than it is that any of us would be holed up inside of there.”

“But if anything goes wrong, that’s where you’ll go immediately,” Dante adds, leaving no room for argument.

Trust me, there’s no need for me to fight him on this. I will absolutely run and hide without having to be told twice. “Makes sense,” I reply easily.

Dad nods, releasing a breath. “You’re sure you like this space?” he asks, changing the subject and looking around. “There’s enough room for your things?”

I snort. “I could fit all of my things in like one corner. Trust me, there’s plenty of space.”

Immediately he looks less pleased and clears his throat with a grunt. “We’ll just have to take you shopping then.”

“Oh, no, that wasn’t me asking. I have enough?—”

Matteo laughs so loud that it startles me. “Armani is going to fill this closet whether you like it or not. You might as well be on board with it, or he’ll just get what he likes and not what you’re into.”

I don’t even know what I’m into. When you don’t have money, you really don’t get to have a style. You wear what keeps your body from being nude, and you wear it until it’s falling apart at the seams.

Dante smiles, and it’s a proud one. “My boy knows fashion.”

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