Page 22 of Fractured Empire

Of course it did.

Rumors like that could be more destructive than you’d expect.

“I think I remember that,” Colton says distantly. “I must have brushed it off in my memory because it’s ridiculous. The two of you only looked alike because Cesar looked like a dirty blonde Dante, and you look like your dad with your mom’s hair. It’s a lot lighter, it wouldn’t make sense that it came from Cesar.”

Hearing his assessment, and the way he talks about it as if it’s so obvious that I’m my father’s son makes my heart begin to warm. I’ve been hearing muted whispers about my parentage for as long as I can remember. Dad even did a DNA test, just so that I could never let the words get to me. He didn’t want me to take any of the nasty rumors to heart, but sometimes it was difficult to look different than the rest of my brothers.

“Yeah,” I mutter, clearing my throat. “It doesn’t matter now anyway. No one dares utter those thoughts now that he’s gone. If they got caught with the Capo’s dead brother’s name on their lips while saying anything other than praises, they’d be right to fear for their lives.”

“Amen.” Armani bangs a hand on the table once.

“Well, if you change your mind about going out, you’ll have to let us know,” Colton says, nodding to Armani. “I’ll never hear the end of it from this one if you go out on your own. He’ll be pouting about it until the end of time.”

“I won’t change my mind,” I say before my brother can gripe about being called out by his friend. “I’ll be getting married again soon enough as it is.”

“You will?” they both sputter.

Dipping my head in agreement, I set my drink down and wipe the condensation on my jeans. “The boys need a motherly figure, and Cleo wanted them to have it as soon as possible. I could use the help, and Rayna can’t stay here forever. Leo would never want her to go if she’s here long enough. He gets attached easily.”

“Shit, man,” Armani says, blowing out a long breath as he rakes a hand through his hair. “That’s…fuck, you’re stronger than I am. I don’t think I’d be able to jump into another marriage after the first one turned out so⁠—”

“So fucking disastrously?” I finish for him.

“Yeah,” he agrees bluntly. “You’re not letting Dad just pick someone out this time, are you? Not that I blame him for what happened with Cleo, but it might be tempting fate to try the same thing twice.”

“I don’t blame him either,” I reply honestly. “But no, he’s not just going to pick someone out. We’re going to have interviews and choose someone together. Someone nice, healthy, and smart. Someone who will be a good mother, but also a good friend to the boys. I don’t know how the transition is going to work yet, so we’ll see if it’s a terrible idea eventually.”

There’s a silence that follows my explanation.

“I think it’s great,” Colton declares suddenly. “If I didn’t have my mother growing up, I’d be an entirely different person. With my dad working so much, and having almost no soft edges to him, I’d probably be the kind of man that I fucking hate. It’s a sacrifice to put your kids’ needs first, but one that I doubt you’ll regret in the long run.”’

“Damn, bro.” Armani looks at him, eyes wide. “That was deep as fuck.”

It may sound like a sarcastic, teasing sentence to some, but Colton and I both know that he’s being sincere.

“Thank you, Colton.” Nodding at the man, I pick up my drink once again. “I just want to give them the best life I can. And if I put myself on the back burner for now to do it, it’ll still be worth it.”

We share a small smile, and the conversation reverts back to less intense topics as the drinks continue to flow. It’s far too late into the evening—well, morning—when I stumble back to my room. I should drink some water, or eat some bread to soak up the booze and make waking up in several hours less painful, but I’m too tired to even consider it fully.

Kicking my shoes off by my bedroom door, I remember to lock it behind me in case the boys try to burst in at the crack of dawn when they wake up. Apollo and Rayna already promised to be up and ready to take care of them in the morning in case I need to sleep it off. Pulling my shirt over my head, I nearly trip over my feet and reach for my belt. Once only my boxers remain, I flip on my fan to help with my burning hot skin.

Flopping down in my bed with a groan, I drag a hand down my face and wince. All that talk of hooking up and finding relief with a random woman has been playing on my mind since the topic came up. I still hate the idea of meaninglessly fucking someone, but God, I know it would feel good in the moment.

To kiss someone who wanted it, to feel and squeeze a woman’s soft hips and smell the scent of her skin while exploring her body…it might just be worth the regret I would feel after. My dick twitches at the thought, fully on board with being touched and taken care of. I can’t remember the last time someone other than myself touched my poor, neglected cock, and it was far too long ago.

“I will take a cold shower,” I threaten, looking down at the bulge tenting my boxer briefs. Grimacing, I shake my head and take a deep breath. “Get it together, Leon.”

Not wanting to encourage my body’s needs and desires by jerking off to the thought of a hot and heavy hookup, I roll over and bury my head into my pillow. I know that if I go to sleep now, I’ll wake up and feel like myself again in the morning. I’m good at burying my wants and needs, but doing so while drunk adds a whole new obstacle.

Loss of inhibition.

Chapter Ten

Katya

It doesn’t take long before it becomes official. Chloe was right.

Dante Moretti sent out invitations yesterday for a meeting of potential matches for his son Leon. Not only was she selected as a possible candidate, but so was I. The news came from my mother this time, rather than my friend. Dante reached out to my stepfather directly, as he’s the head of my family—and the head of the organization I’m affiliated with. There was no contact made to me personally, since it would be considered wildly inappropriate, and even insulting to Linus.