Page 17 of Hidden Empire

Chapter 6

Jade

Martha is the first person in the crowded dining room to notice our arrival. She immediately floats to us, walking straight up to me and beginning to fuss.

“How are you, darling girl? Did you sleep well?”

“Man, you get a long-lost daughter, and suddenly I’m chopped liver,” Matteo complains, patting Dad on the back before maneuvering around Martha to get to the table.

“I slept great, thank you,” I tell her, feeling a little self-conscious next to her. She’s fully dressed for the day, and I’m swimming in men’s clothes. Everyone else seems to be dressed as well. Some of them in suits, the others in casual dress. I fit in more with a shirtless Matteo than anyone else.

“What do you like for breakfast?” she inquires, turning toward the fully-stocked table. Just from a quick look, I can see several different kinds of pancakes and toppings, eggs, fruits, hash browns, meats, yogurts, juices, and more. “If it’s not here, I can make you something special.”

I don’t even normally eat breakfast unless there’s free stuff at school. “I can definitely find something,” I say quickly. “I might actually have a hard time choosing, everything looks amazing.”

Her smile lights up at that like I’ve just given her the greatest of all compliments. “You are a good girl,” she says approvingly. “Such lovely manners.”

“Martha,” a new, deep voice speaks, stealing my attention. “You’re hogging the girl.”

Without hesitation, she smacks the newcomer with a dish towel, and he grins. “You are an impatient boy.”

“Only you could see my old ugly face and call me a boy,” he replies fondly.

She mutters about his insolence and walks away to attend to the table. The man is certainly not ugly, nor does he look old, and I think I know exactly who he is.

Uncle Cesar looks more like Leon than he does Dante or Apollo. His dark blonde hair is brushed back, styled neatly, and his suit is impressive for a breakfast outfit. I don’t really know designer suits, but I imagine this is what one would look like.

“My niece,” he greets, opening his arms but remaining still. He’s giving me the option to receive the hug or not.

“Hi, Uncle Cesar,” I greet softly, walking into his embrace. His warm welcome is lovely, and he smells like cloves.

“Heard of me already have you? Excellent.” Uncle chuckles lightly, pulling back to look at my face. “She looks just like you, fratello,” he tells his brother, pride in his tone.

Dad agrees with a nod, soft eyes scanning me.

“Don’t worry, Uncle, I told her about you,” Matteo chimes in before stuffing a bit of waffle into his mouth. “Gave her a whole family tree and everything.”

“Is that right?” Uncle Cesar asks, amused.

“Yep,” he agrees, swallowing his food. “Wouldn’t expect her to keep up with all eight thousand of us without one.”

“Smart,” he agrees, ignoring the exaggeration.

“Don’t sound too surprised, Uncle, you’ll bruise his ego,” Nico—I think—drawls, dropping into a chair next to his twin.

“Nothing can bruise Matteo’s ego,” Apollo argues. “Diseases don’t bruise.”

Matteo glares at him in return. “Look, everybody, Apollo’s sunshiny personality has decided to grace us with its presence before noon. Quick, someone feed the grouch before he combusts.”

“Ignore their antics,” Uncle Cesar advises. “You’ll get used to it.”

It doesn’t bother me as it is.

“Come,” he gestures toward the table. “Let’s eat before your brothers make everything disappear.”

I can’t imagine every bit of food on the table being eaten today. Although, I suppose I shouldn’t underestimate how much food nine grown men can consume. I’ve seen jocks at lunch devour two or three portions and still be hungry afterward. Maybe they eat this much every day. I hope this isn’t something Martha did just to make me feel welcome. It looks like a ton of work went into it.

Dante takes the head of the table with Leon and Apollo on either side of him. Uncle Cesar takes the other end of the table closer to Matteo. I sit there, too, finding it the most comfortable place to settle into.

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