Page 50 of Fractured Empire

Looking up from him, my breath catches. Standing a few feet away, Leon watches my exchange with his son, his intense blue eyes zeroed in on me. He’s wearing a black suit, just like his son’s, and with one look to his right, I find Bastian donning the same outfit. They look like the perfect little family, but the adorable detail of matching suits isn’t what steals my breath. It’s Leon, and Leon alone, who claims responsibility for that.

He’s beautiful.

Hot, actually.

Tempting…maybe something even more sultry.

From behind Gaia and I, my mother coughs softly, interrupting my daze pointedly. I feel my face flush before the embarrassment of being caught staring at my fiancé can even fully hit me.

“Thank you for joining us,” Leon says, taking the responsibility of speaking from me.

Smiling in relief, I dip my head at him before looking back down to address Leo. “Would you like to show us to our seats, little love?”

Shoulders straightening with the weight of duty, he bobs his head and reaches up to take my hand. “I show you. You sitting next to Daddy and Gee-ahh.”

“Gaia,” my little sister corrects with a giggle.

“Yes, you,” Leo agrees, proud of himself.

“Adela, Linus,” Leon greets, meeting them halfway across the room. “Your seats are right here. We’ve ordered a variety of dishes to share that should be ready any moment, but please feel free to request any other food you’d like. The chefs can make just about anything.”

“Thank you,” my mother replies, stepping closer to him. “I’m sure everything you’ve picked out will be lovely. Our youngest may put in a request, though. I have to warn you, if you give her the freedom to demand something, she’ll take it.”

My soon-to-be husband chuckles. “It’s no problem, I assure you. Some of my brothers are just the same.”

“Speaking of brothers,” Linus rumbles. “Have you heard from my son? I believe he’s been swept away by some of your lot.”

“I texted Nico to send him up just a few minutes ago,” Leon tells him with a small wince. “If he isn’t here in a bit, I’ll send someone to escort him. Some of my more responsible brothers have been keeping an eye on them though. There shouldn’t be anything to worry about where Ares is concerned.”

Linus grunts. “That would be a first.”

Gaia settles into her seat for approximately two seconds before calling out to our mother. “Mama, you get to sit next to me and Papa.”

Leon has my little sister between me and our mom, and Linus on the other side of our mother at one of the ends of the table. Next to him, they leave an open seat for Ares. Leo and Bastian sit across from Gaia and me, while Leon takes the other head of the table, right next to me. It’s a good seating arrangement, even if being so close to my fiancé makes me feel a little gooey inside.

I’m not sure when I started to have a hard time looking at Leon without feeling taken aback by his looks, but it feels like a new development. Attraction has always been there, yes. But now, it refuses to be ignored.

“What would everyone like to drink?”

Leon’s question is answered lightning fast by both Leo and Gaia, the two of them requesting chocolate milk so quickly that I have to cover my mouth to stop from giggling. My little sister may be a fashionista, a trickster, and a bit of a drama queen, but she’s still a child.

Their requests are easily met, as are the rest of ours. White wine for my mother, water with lemon for Bastian and I, and red wine for Linus and Leon. Water is placed in the empty chair’s spot for Ares, but I’m sure he’ll order whatever he wants when he arrives. He has no qualms about making his desires known.

Gaia is quick to start peppering my future children with questions about themselves as her parents watch on in amusement. Leon though, he takes the opportunity to scooch closer to me and lower his voice to ask a question of his own.

“Do you not drink?”

The sound of his low tone makes my forearms pebble with goosebumps.

I shake my head, lowering my voice to reply. “Not much. I’m picky with what I like, I’m afraid. A lot of it tastes terrible.” I feel my nose scrunch in the middle as I think of all the cocktails Ares has tried and failed to get me to enjoy.

He chuckles softly, the sound hitting me right in the gut.

“It’s an acquired taste, certainly. I don’t drink very much either, unless one of my brothers or sisters insists on taking care of the boys for a night so I can indulge in more than one glass.”

“How very responsible,” I reply almost teasingly. Biting my lip, I add, “I’m nervous to meet all of them.”

“You shouldn’t be,” he declares seriously. “My sisters will be nothing but kind to you. They’ll eventually try to induct you into their little sisterhood cult-like bond they have, but they mean well. My brothers are easy to get along with. As soon as you’re family, they’ll treat you as such.”