Page 12 of Fractured Empire

“No one asked for your opinion,” she snaps, cheeks tinting red. “And besides, Katya isn’t looking for a husband. Why would she step in to take the one I want? She wouldn’t do that to me. Right, babe?”

“I—”

“She might not have a choice,” Ares interrupts. “If our Overlord is offered a deal for her, he may not be able to turn it down. Friendliness between our families only goes so far. Marriages and shared blood through heirs? That’s where the true power lies.”

“My marriage would do the same as hers!” Chloe insists with a hiss. “We’re both daughters of The Gods. Our fathers are both high-ranking⁠—”

“Hers is the highest ranking,” Ares cuts in, smirking. I swear nothing makes him happier than riling people up. “And she wants children, don’t you, Katya? She’ll give him another blonde little baby or two for everyone to adore over. Would you? Could you sacrifice your body changing, giving birth, and raising three kids?”

“I could have a baby,” she snarls. “I’d be a great mother!”

“Maybe,” he acquiesces. “But could you love his babies as much as you love your own? Could you treat them all equally and share your time with three demanding little creatures while also enjoying all the things you hold dear? How would a shopping spree go with three kids clinging to you, I wonder?”

“You’re a prick, Ares.” My friend curls up a lip. “You don’t know me if you think I can’t do anything I put my mind to.”

He’s unaffected by her tone, merely lifting a brow. “But can you do it without being miserable?”

“My happiness is none of your concern. If Daddy has his way, I’ll get a shot with Leon. And if I get a shot, I’m going to bag him.”

“Daddy,” Ares snorts mockingly. “Will you call your new husband that, if he asks?”

“Can we please stop talking about the man who just lost his wife this way?” I ask, stomach twisting in knots. “I don’t like⁠—”

“Ugh, you’re too good for humanity,” Chloe cuts in, sighing and patting me on the shoulder. “Honestly, no man deserves you. Let alone a made one. You should marry a woman, or I don’t know, a saint or something.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I mutter with a half-hearted smile. “I’m a regular person, just like you. I just find my joy in being nice, while you find yours being⁠—”

“A badass bitch,” she fills in, grinning wide. “That’s why we’re such a good pair, my dear. Now, I’ve interrupted your solitude for long enough. I need to go start game planning with Daddy. If I can dig my claws into that man I will.” Shooting a glare at my stepbrother, she adds, “And I won’t have you judging me for wanting to marry the highest quality man available when I have to marry one of them against my will either way. Especially while you bury yourself in every available hooker within fifty miles, you self-obsessed little twat.”

Despite the tongue lashing, Ares looks oddly pleased. “Do give me some credit, Chloe. It’s at least a hundred miles.”

She scoffs, strutting toward the door and sneering at him as she exits the room. “You smell like a walking STD.”

“You’re smelling me now?” he drawls, following her out.

“Goodbye to you too,” I mumble, shaking my head.

Looking back down at my shiny black grand piano, I sigh and tip my head back to groan. The music has officially left me, and I should be in bed at any rate. I don’t do well with a lack of sleep, especially when Gaia sneaks into my room and wakes me up at an ungodly hour.

But when I finally make it to my room and lay my head down to sleep, I can’t fight the wave of restlessness that takes over me. I can’t stop my brain from lingering on Leon Moretti and his sons, wondering how they’re sleeping tonight knowing their wife and mother will never wake up from her last night’s rest.

It doesn’t feel fair, and I hope their loss doesn’t haunt them for as long as my father’s has haunted mine. Although, none of them are responsible for her death. They didn’t kill her, so maybe they won’t live each day with the memory of her feeling not only grief, but guilt.

Chapter Five

Dante

There are many things I’ve done as a man, as a Capo, and as a father. Many things that have worked out, and even some that have failed utterly. But nothing has been quite like matching my son Leon with Cleo.

I can’t in good conscience say the union failed completely. My grandsons are not the result of failure, and I’d never allow anyone to argue differently. Bastian and Leo Moretti are welcome little blessings in all of our lives, and perfect additions to the family. Leo with his beaming personality, and Bastian with his reserved manners and quiet kindness. They would never be a part of our lives if Leon didn’t marry Cleo.

We also may not be burying their mother so soon if I had made different decisions.

A hidden terminal illness was something I could have never predicted. Something that now that I’m aware of it, makes me feel downright murderous. In all my years of experience, my son’s predicament is a situation like I’ve never seen. We were lied to, kept in the dark, and frankly, betrayed. Signing a marriage contract under false pretenses while hiding vital information that could sway the deal is an offense that only someone with a death wish would risk.

Whether they wish for it or not, death is coming for Cleo’s parents. It’s up to Leon to determine when and how, but I know he’ll agree with my assessment. Those people deserve to die, not only for deceiving me and my son, but for putting their only daughter through something so diabolical. As far as I’m aware, my son’s departed wife didn’t beg him to spare her parents with her last breaths, nor in the weeks leading up to her end. If she wanted them to be granted mercy, she would have asked for it.

Either she assumed her wish wouldn’t be obeyed, or she didn’t care if her mother and father were punished for their traitorous actions. If it were up to me, I’d give them to Nico to torture. He’d enjoy the gift, and I’d sleep soundly knowing that the disgusting excuse for parents were dealt with accordingly. I can’t imagine doing anything even close to what they did, especially not to my daughter.