Page 12 of Hidden Empire

Stripping out of my clothes, I toss them aside and find an unused washcloth and loofa under the sink. It takes me a few seconds to figure out the water controls, but once I get it, steaming hot water begins to pour from the overhead spout. The spray is thick and lavish, massaging my hand as I dip it into the water to test the temperature. It’s so warm that goosebumps crawl up my arm, and my body heats.

Stepping inside, I’m overcome with the most comforting warmth.

So this is what heaven is like.

Chapter 5

Jade

Ithought I might not be able to fall asleep after such a wild day of ups and downs, but the shower—the best of my entire life—was practically a lullaby and warm milk. I sunk into my bed with newly clean skin, my hair wrapped in a soft towel, and my body swimming in Matteo’s borrowed clothes.

It didn’t take long to doze off, so I didn’t even look through the TV options. I slept hard and well, only waking up when the sun shined too brightly through my windows. I wasn’t even disoriented, sitting up with all of my memories from last night firmly in place. I couldn’t forget about it if I tried, and I certainly would not.

There’s a small clock that tells me it’s nine in the morning, several hours later than I would typically be allowed to sleep in. School starts at eight, but I’m hardly going to point that out to anyone. I could never step foot in that place again, and I would be more than content.

My towel fell off of my head at some point during the night, so I carefully brush through my hair with my fingers, finding not a single knot to detangle. Thanks to Matteo’s conditioner, my normally dry waves are hydrated and silky smooth.

A knock gently taps against my door, drawing my eye.

“Yes?” I call out, unsure how to answer.

“It’s me,” Matteo’s familiar voice responds. “You good if I come in?”

Sitting with my legs crossed in bed, I rub my eyes. “Yeah!”

Not waiting a second longer, he opens the door and steps inside. “Up so early?” he asks. He hasn’t got on a shirt, and his hair is a bit mused so I assume he’s just woken up as well.

“Checking up on me so early?” I counter, smiling.

“Of course,” he says easily. “Did you sleep okay?”

Fantastically. “Yeah, it was good.”

He nods in approval. “Good. I can take you down to breakfast in a bit if you want. Everyone except Emilio came back, he had to fly home last night.”

I try not to frown, attempting to place Emilio’s face with his name. I think he’s one of the twins, though I’m really not sure.

Matteo cocks his head at me. “Whatcha thinking, sis?” I have to hide a smile, hearing him call me that. He keeps using it so freely and confidently—happily.

“There’s so many of you,” I admit shyly. “I feel like I need a diagram to study, or I’ll never remember who’s who.”

His smile morphs into a full-blown smirk. “I can help you out with that,” Matteo declares, rubbing his hands together. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

“I—”

He doesn’t wait for me to get a word in, leaving my new room in a hurry. Maybe two minutes pass before he’s returned, thick black paper and gold Sharpies in hand.

Without invitation, he jumps onto my bed on his stomach, making himself comfortable before beginning to write. Moretti Family Tree.

“You don’t have to,” I say quietly, spinning on my butt to face him while he works. “I mean, if you’re busy, I’d get it.”

He snorts. “Nah, nothing better to do right now. Gotta educate my little sister. Now, pay attention, yeah?” His lighthearted tone makes my chest deflate. He wants to be here.

I nod in reply. “Okay.”

Matteo grins. “Good! So first,” he starts, drawing the first gold line. “We have Dad—well, Dante, our Capo. Your Capo now too. He’s in charge of the entire Outfit—our organization.”

“The mafia,” I conclude.

---