Page 52 of Savage Ambition

“Don’t worry about that. Seeing you grow up as a normal teenager makes everything worthwhile.”

He fell silent for a few moments. “But Father won’t be happy if I tell him I’m not interested.”

“Let me handle him. Focus on being fifteen. When you’re older, maybe you can work at the family business someday if that’s what you want.”

It was an empty promise. I’d never let Raphael become an employee for the Gennaro family, not even after I destroyed Salvatore and took control. He deserved better.

“But I feel so worthless sometimes,” he complained. “You work so hard for my sake.”

“Because I’m your older brother. It’s my responsibility to take care of you. Your youth is precious, Raphael. Please don’t be in such a hurry to grow up.”

He nodded, the excitement fading from his expression. “Okay. If it’s that important to you.”

“It is.” Relief washed through me at the temporary reprieve. I’d take whatever time I could get. “Besides, these agnolotti prove you have talents far beyond filing paperwork. Maybe you should consider culinary school instead.”

That earned me a small smile. “You think I’m that good?”

“You have potential, with a few more lessons, of course,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood. I picked up my fork again. “Finish your dinner before it gets cold. All that hard work deserves to be appreciated.”

We returned to safer topics as he told me more about his debate team and a movie he had seen. His innocent enthusiasm was a healing balm to my battered soul that had weathered so many storms for his safety.

As we cleaned up after dinner, Raphael turned to me. “Dante?”

“Yes?”

“I love you.” His voice was quiet but firm. “I know I don’t say it enough, but I do.”

In my world of calculated transactions and forced performances, Raphael’s adoration was the only genuine thing that remained.

“I love you, too,” I replied, the words coming easily despite the cameras watching us. “More than life itself.”

His smile returned. “The agnolotti was better than anything we could have ordered in.”

“Next time, I’ll teach you how to make tortellini. They’re trickier, but worth the effort.”

“Another difficult preparation with a satisfying result?”

I ruffled his hair. “The best things always are.”

My phone vibrated with a message from Salvatore reminding me that my visit was almost over. He expected me at the brothel within the hour for a special client. I sent an acknowledgment, then pocketed my phone. The last few minutes with Raphael were mine. “Unfortunately, I have to head out soon. I have an early class tomorrow.”

Disappointment flickered across his face. “Will you be able to visit this weekend?”

“I don’t think I’ll have a business trip, so I can hopefully spend more time with you.” Because of Salvatore’s capricious punishments, I had learned early on to never make firm promises. It was the fastest way to guarantee he’d turned me into a liar.

Raphael gave me a tight hug. “Thanks for dinner. And for the cooking lesson.”

“Anytime.” I hugged him back, treasuring the moment with my brother safe in my arms. “I’ll talk to Father about that movie with Matteo.”

“You don’t have to. It’s not a big deal.”

“It is to me.” We walked over to the elevator. “You deserve normal teenage experiences, Raphael. Call me tomorrow after school, okay?”

“I will,” he promised, raising a hand in farewell.

The last thing I saw before the doors closed was his genuine smile.

As I descended toward the waiting car that would take me to Gennaro Corporation, I straightened my spine and hardened my expression. Dragon, the brothel’s most valuable asset, needed to report for duty.