Page 11 of Fractured Empire

She pouts. “You’re no fun, but I don’t care. There hasn’t been something this big for years! Leon Moretti’s wife died yesterday. Isn’t that amazing?”

My mouth drops open at the news and her insane question that followed.

“Amazing? How could the news of someone’s death be amazing? She…Leon and her have children, don’t they?” Two boys, if I remember correctly. “They just lost their mother and you think that news is amazing?”

Leon lost a wife, too. But everyone knows that their marriage was not a love match. The two of them have never displayed an ounce of affection in public together, and the rumor mill may lie, but it’s known for some truths. The second eldest Moretti has lived in a loveless marriage for years, and it’s been newsworthy for one very important reason. Even in that loveless marriage, there have been zero reports of him sleeping with other women. Or her sleeping with other men, for that matter.

Affairs in arranged marriages are fairly common on the man’s side, but it’s not unheard of for the woman to have lovers either. Depending on her husband, stepping out on the marriage can be discreetly allowed, or expressly forbidden. Some men will fuck whoever they want, whenever they want, but as soon as his wife tries to do the same, he’ll kill her and her lovers.

Chloe’s excitement falters, but it doesn’t take long for her to lift her chin and shake off my opinion. “Of course it’s sad for them, but this is incredible news for plenty of other people. There hasn’t been an eligible bachelor at his rank and status for years, Katya. Don’t you get it? He’s an Underboss, and he’ll need a new wife. Even if he doesn’t pick me—and I really fucking hope he does—some other girl around our age will get the chance to have a Moretti husband. She won’t have to worry about being thrown to some wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing soldier or a man from a violent, lesser family. It’s like finding out the prince of a small and noble country is looking for a suitable bride, babe. That’s something to celebrate.”

I don’t know how to reply to her lack of empathy for the family that just lost a member, but Chloe has always had a strange outlook on life when it comes to these things. I’ve told myself not to judge her for it. She doesn’t know the loss of someone close to her, of someone she’s loved. But we also live in an odd world. Death is to be expected, and dwelling on it can be difficult.

“Is he even looking for a bride?” I ask doubtfully, crinkling my nose. “She died yesterday. It’s a bit soon to be planning another wedding.”

“Pshhh.” She waves a dismissive hand. “Of course he hasn’t announced that he’s looking yet. Her death hasn’t even been formally announced. But in a few weeks or months from now? He’ll be looking and I’ll be ready.”

“He won’t pick you.”

The sound of my stepbrother’s voice startles me so badly that I actually jump out of my seat this time.

“Ares!” I hiss, finding him casually leaning against the wall by the door. He’s in a crumbled suit, and his dark hair is an absolute mess. I’m guessing he was at one of the Gabris casinos entertaining a horde of women while winning money he doesn’t need when he got the call to come home. “How long have you been there?”

He scoffs. “I let your little friend in, and she was too excited to notice that I came in as well. You two aren’t very entertaining, you know? I’ve been getting bored.”

I’m about to reprimand him for eavesdropping when Chloe puts her hands on her hips and steps in his direction, scowling. “What do you mean he won’t pick me? Why shouldn’t he? I’m hot, rich, from a good family, and younger than him. I’m perfect.”

Something about my best friend? She has enough confidence for both of us. It’s one of the things that drew us together all those years ago. She found me at my first dinner party as Linus’ stepdaughter, took my arm in hers, and declared I was going to be her new best friend. She liked my hair, and my dress, and I liked that she was standing tall in a room full of murderers, thieves, and millionaires. She can walk into any room like she owns it.

“You’re terrible with kids,” Ares points out as if it’s obvious.

“I am not,” she denies hotly.

“You run away from Gaia anytime she’s less than perfectly clean.”

“She gets sticky,” Chloe defends, nose scrunching up. “She got pancake syrup on my Prada skirt, and put Hello Kitty stickers on my Jimmy Choos!”

“She’s six,” Ares drawls, rolling his eyes. “Leon’s sons are five and four, they’ll be just as messy, if not more so. You think he wants a wife who scurries away from them anytime they get near her while they’re eating, or coloring, or running around in the mud?”

My friend frowns, contemplating. “Surely he has a nanny⁠—”

“Nope,” Ares replies with a grin. “Morettis raise their own, sweetheart. He doesn’t even live with the horde of the rest of them, so there won’t be any brothers around to help you take care of the kids either. You’d be all on your own.”

Not one to be told she can’t do something, Chloe lifts her chin. “I could do it. For the right man? I can do anything. He has enough money to buy me new clothes when the rugrats ruin mine.”

“Do you ever get bored of living in your world of delusion?”

“Do you ever get bored of acting like you know everything?”

“Can you two stop?” I ask with a groan, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I feel horrible talking about this. You didn’t even say how she died. Was it an accident or an attack or⁠—”

“She was sick,” Ares tells me, looking almost softened by my concern. “Huntington’s disease, I believe. Something her family failed to mention before marriage negotiations, no doubt. Meaning the Morettis most certainly will be looking for a replacement wife from them.”

“Her poor kids,” I mumble, looking down sadly. “She was so young.”

“That’s life,” Chloe quips darkly. “People die.”

“And that’s why Katya has a million times better chance of marrying Leon Moretti than you ever will. She’s empathetic and compassionate. You’re cynical and brash. Kids adore her, and she’s a natural with them. You’d tolerate them at best.”