Page 78 of Vow of Silence

And here it goes… I shake my head.No, he wasn’t.

“What do you mean? He didn’t return until two days after you were brought home like that.”

I would have steered clear of the carnage, too. I lock gazes with my brother, trusting his intelligence and common sense to win over.Figure out what I’m trying to tell you, brother.He leans back slowly, extending one arm across his seat. Still, his eyes stay fixed on me where I sit on the floor before him, arms slung around my knees.

“You’re saying he was here the whole time?”

I nod carefully.

“The night that happened to you.”

One firm dip of my head.

He swallows—his Adam’s apple as pronounced as the sound. “Benito. Are you trying to fucking tell me that our uncle took your tongue?”

I suck a deep breath and give the final drop of my chin.

Even with my eyes closed, I recognize the scrape of his feet as he rises from the chair. “I want you to tell me again, Benny.”

I look up at my younger brother, regretting that I’ve brought fear and confusion to his eyes.

“Did our uncle, Ignazio, cut out your fucking tongue?” he asks, voice shaking with his pain.

Up, down. Up, down.

Yes.

TWENTY-NINE

Nastasya

I’m outside.

Phone fisted in my hand, I swing my bedroom door open and immediately lock gazes with Ivan. He stands opposite my door, thick arms folded over his chest, shoulders resting against the filigree wallpaper.

“I’m curious,” I start, leaning a shoulder casually against my doorframe. “Which do you prefer?”

He raises an eyebrow, drawing my focus to a fine scar that runs through its tail end.

“Hunting and murdering strangers? Or babysitting me?”

“They are not strangers.” His expression remains neutral. As though he dares me to take another step without him.

“Comforting.” I tip my head. “You didn’t answer my question, though.”

“The answer is not relevant.”

“I never said it was.” I push upright. “I’m merely curious if this is a holiday for you or as torturous as it is for me.”

He pushes off the wall, arms falling to his sides. “I do as I am told.” Ivan shrugs. “I have no feelings on either option.”

Right…“Why did you step between Papa and me?”

His eyes narrow the slightest fraction. “I am told to protect you. He did not tell me who from.”

The guy’s a fucking Universal Soldier, I swear. Robotic. Cold. Probably sleeps in one of those cryogenic tank things, too. “Don’t follow me.” I turn toward the stairs.

His subtle footfalls shadow me.

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