Page 141 of Hidden Empire

My knees give out entirely, but Ivan keeps me off the ground, holding me tightly. Apollo struts out of the plane and heads directly for the commotion, eyes hidden by dark designer shades. My brother is here, oh thank god. He’ll fix this, I know he will.

Still keeping me pinned against him, Ivan moves us closer but reminds me to remain quiet, shushing me against my hairline. None of my other brothers are with him, but Apollo isn’t alone. By the plane, two men remain, standing guard, whilst another two trail behind my eldest brother.

“Moretti,” the Lord of Empire greets him cautiously. “We weren’t expecting you.”

“I thought not,” Apollo replies, eyeing the man. Without offering him another word, Apollo turns his attention to Dmitri. “Get up, this inquisition is over.”

My heart leaps as he gets to his feet, stuttering when the executioner flashes his knife. His threatening gesture isn’t received well, drawing the attention of my brother’s men. “Unless you’d like for the last breath of your life to occur today,” Apollo warns, his words hard and lethal. “I suggest you stand down.”

The Lord’s stare hardens on Apollo. “Why, pray tell, do you believe you can advise my men?”

“I’ve got your evidence,” my brother informs him. “And frankly, I don’t have time for the ridiculous show you’re trying to put on. The accused crime isn’t even one that warrants a death penalty, and you have an executioner here? Spare me the dramatics, Will.”

I blink back tears, letting my brother’s calm radiate my way. Dmitri can’t be killed for whatever this is about, and that’s all I need to latch on to. He’s going to be okay, Apollo is going to make sure of it.

“What evidence could you possibly have for me, Moretti?” The Lord—whose name is apparently Will—asks, emphasizing the use of our last name. He knows his name is Apollo, but he’s actively avoiding using it. Likely as a rebuttal to Apollo’s use of his name. It appears The Lord of Empire isn’t fond of personal connections.

“You’re accusing Mr. Morozov of unlawfully coming and going from Empire, but the only evidence you have is a misinformed tip and grainy photos shot from a moving boat. Dmitri’s absence from school grounds on the accused date was sanctioned, and I have the paperwork to prove it.”

“Do you?” the Lord asks, interest peaked. He no longer seems salty about Apollo’s arrival but almost excited about what he has in store for him. Ivan has said this man likes to be entertained, and he may not have been exaggerating.

“Dmitri Morozov can’t be punished for leaving the grounds on the accused date because he left for an accepted reason.”

“Holy shit,” Ivan whispers. I look back to find a light switching behind his eyes.

“What, what, what?” I rush out, terrified about what he’s just put together.

“There’s only two acceptable ways to leave without notifying anyone when you’ve been caught. Death in the immediate family, or… fuck, he’s really going to do it.”

“What!” I demand, breathing heavily.

“We settled our negotiation on the day the accused was spotted,” Apollo informs cryptically, handing a thick stack of papers to Will. “These things need to be handled in person, as you well know. Contracts signed in blood and all that.”

Contracts signed in blood. What? The only contracts signed in blood are arranged marriages. I’ve never been more thankful for Apollo’s genius.

“A marriage.” The Lord chuckles, scanning the documents. “Clever. Any reason for the rush?”

Apollo sighs. “Why else does one rush a marriage? True love and the creation of heirs. If you’ll excuse me, my brother-in-law and I have business to discuss. Consider this meeting a dismissal of my sister from all future classes. The Outfit no longer trusts Empire Academy with its women. You understand, don’t you, Will?”

The Lord stiffens, but Apollo doesn’t give him another opportunity to speak. He leads Dmitri away from the scene and directs Ivan with the tip of his head. Without needing anything more, Ivan ushers me away, too, following the pair of them toward where his plane is parked.

Chapter 37

Dmitri

The only reason I’m not shaking with anger right now is because I have to remain calm for Jade’s sake. I could kill William where he stands for scaring her the way he did. Her screaming my name with that desperate plea is going to ring in my head on a loop for the rest of my fucking life. I never want to hear that again.

Before Ivan can catch up with Jade’s brother and me, I look him dead in the eye. “Thank you,” I say without wavering.

I’m a secure enough man to give credit where credit is due. Apollo used contacts to know what was going to happen today, of that much, I’m sure. I know what he did wasn’t for me, but I’m not thanking him for me, I’m thanking him for Jade.

“You’ve got an enemy to deal with,” Apollo replies. “I don’t know who is trying to get you killed, but I know it’s not the same people trying to separate you from Jade.”

How he’s sure, I don’t know, but I’m inclined to believe it. Whoever is after Jade wants her separated from her family, they don’t want me kicked off the island, let alone dead. I can’t believe Will brought out a fucking executioner for some shady pictures. Was he hoping I’d admit to something more? Fat chance.

“I have an idea,” I share, jaw clenching. “It’ll be dealt with, but Jade and Ivan need to go with you. We think Kim and Bruce, or maybe someone else, is trying to have her married off, making her vulnerable by pulling her away from your family. You need to make sure she’s constantly surrounded?—”

“Trust me, I’m already aware,” he drawls, interrupting. “She’ll be safe.”

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