Page 81 of Hidden Empire

“What did Colton want?” Armani asks before I can even sit back down.

I’m so tempted to say something sarcastic, like pretending he was asking for my hand in marriage or something. But even high, I know that’s a horrible idea.

I blink at him. “He helped me cut my cake.”

He arches a doubtful brow. “You spoke more than that.”

“He could tell I was high,” I mention, lifting a shoulder. “He wanted to make sure I didn’t get drugged or need help.”

Armani’s posture relaxes, and he nods. “Colton is good like that.”

“He seems like a good friend,” I comment, watching as Matteo starts digging into the plate of cake. “How come you guys don’t hang out more?”

Matteo chuckles around a mouthful of cake. “Daddy Levi hates Armani.”

“Colton’s dad?” I ask, my head swaying back with surprise. “What’d you do to make him hate you?”

“It’s—”

The words die on his lips, whatever explanation he’s going to offer is gone as something crashes on the other side of the cafeteria. There’s a huge breakout of sounds. Gasps, curses, chairs loudly scuffing against the ground, and, oh shit, fighting.

With tipped-over chairs, a mess of silverware and plates around the two bodies, and a crowd beginning to form, this doesn’t look good. My stomach drops as I realize who is brawling.

I blink rapidly, not believing my eyes. Ivan is kicking the shit out of some guy. Like fully beating this man into the ground, and no one is stopping him. He’s smaller than him, more lean, and obviously the shorter of the two, but it’s not even a disadvantage from what I can see. Ivan seems to know exactly how to use his size and capabilities. It doesn’t even look like he’s been hit in return.

And Colton isn’t near him anymore. In fact, he’s heading toward our table, looking at the fight over his shoulder but still moving forward. My brothers all stand, their guards going up like impenetrable shields. I stand up, too, nervously reaching for and gripping Matteo’s hand for support.

My mind is racing, and I have no idea how to act.

The need to check on Ivan is strong, but Colton looks me sternly in the eye, and I know he’s reminding me that I can’t.

We slowly migrate closer to the scene, the sound of punches snapping through the air with a sickening crunch. Matteo uses his body to shield mine, keeping me tucked behind him. I’m barely able to squeeze my gaze around his arms to watch.

The cafeteria has officially become a biohazard. Blood from the man on the ground is splattered around him, even speckling Ivan’s face and fists. It looks like something out of a horror movie, like a murder scene.

My nervous stomach flips, churning with nausea. I don’t think that large amounts of blood will ever not make me feel ill. Too many memories.

Just when I think it’s over, Ivan swings his leg back, kicking the man in the gut one last time. I swear it sounds like bones cracking, the noise harsh enough to make me flinch. Matteo tightens his hand on mine, reminding me that he’s here and I’m safe.

“You’re fucking dead,” the guy wheezes, crimson staining his teeth. “You broke the rules.” He coughs. “Russian piece of?—”

“Report me to the Lord then,” Ivan challenges, his voice dark and laced with a cold threat. “And I’ll make sure to tell him exactly why you got your ass fucking handed to you. You want him to know what you said? If he knows, her dad finds out, and then we’ll see who’s really fucking dead.”

“What did he say?” Armani asks his friend. “Did you hear it?”

“He said something about Jade being high and vulnerable,” Colton reports quietly, and I gulp. “You can assume the rest.”

“He beat him up for Jade?” Matteo questions seriously, his chest puffing up. “Why does he care about my little sister?”

“I don’t think it was about Jade specifically,” Colton lies. “Pretty sure it was the principle of it. You know the rumors about his sister.”

No, I don’t.

“Fuck, that’s right,” Matteo says, looking visibly nauseous.

I don’t have to know the rumors to know the implication. Something happened to Dmitri and Ivan’s little sister, and it was something horrible.

“Good for him, that creep deserves to fucking drown,” Remo mutters.

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