Page 106 of Vow of Silence

“Nothing like that.” Arseni turns, lifting the drink to mask the lower half of his face. He barely wets his lips.

“Interesting.”

The echoing thud of the front door, as it closes, saves the Russian fuck from coming up with more lies.

Petey’s husky voice cuts through the foyer. “Every time,” he barks. “Every fucking time I come here, it goddamn rains. I’m sick of this weather.” He emerges at the door and stalls. “Shit. Sorry, Boss.”

Papa waves him in and gestures for a seat. “I didn’t warn you.”

Ourconsigliereeyes the older man as he passes Arseni, suspicion in his furrowed brow. I let Petey settle and then cross the room, patting him on the shoulder on my way to the liquor cabinet. He’ll need to be half-drunk to tolerate this as well.

“What’s this about?”

Papa leans forward and sets his elbows to his knees, hands clasped together. “We pulled in one of those street-level fucks, and Benito was able to make him sing.”

“Okay.” Petey raises his eyebrows, casting a cautionary glance at Arseni.

Thepakhancontinues to make love to the lip of his drink, assessing the potential threats in the room.

What a luxury it must be to see it coming. To know what you’re up against when you look evil in the eye.

How fucking unprepared was I when the blade lifted to my mouth.

“The boss’s name is Romulus,” my father explains. “I’m not expecting you to remember, or even know, Roman mythology. So, in summary, it’s the name of the guy who built Rome after killing his brother for the honor.”

“Fuck,” Pietro breathes. “Are you saying?—“

“Yes.” It’s all my father needs to say.

The men stare at one another, silent conversation being held while Arseni considers taking a seat.

I pass Petey a whiskey.

“Where to next?” He gives me a nod in thanks as I return to my spot by the fire.

“We lay it all out and see what picture the pieces make for us,” Papa answers.

Pietro’s gaze shifts to thepakhan. “Why’s he here?”

“Because,” my father says, rising from his seat. “He’s going to give us some of those pesky edge pieces. The ones that help pull it all together.”

“You love talking about puzzles, don’t you?” Arseni bitches, shoulders stiffening as my father approaches.

Papa slaps his palms to the man’s upper arms, caging him in his hold. “Why not, when you’re the most intriguing one of all?”

The door to the foyer clicks shut.

Arseni’s head swings around, his throat bobbing when Manny assumes his position guarding the exit.

“Tell me,friend,” Papa sneers. “Why do youneedyour daughter in my house? Huh? What’s the real reason you needed this union to happen?”

Arseni sets the drink down on a nearby table and draws a deep breath. “I told you the truth when I said it was for her protection.” He pats his breast pocket and then frowns. “Don’t suppose I could ask for a cigarette?”

Petey rises and moves to the liquor cabinet, pulling open a slim drawer. He throws an unopened packet across the room, swiftly followed by a box of matches.

Arseni catches both and then nods. “Appreciated.” His hands tremble. Barely. But enough that he takes three goes at tearing the pack open.

“If you could smoke beside the fireplace,” Papa instructs. “Saves getting ash through the carpet.”

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