Page 84 of Vow of Silence

Because that’s all my family’s love is—devotion, just not for one another.

Their love is not without reason, selfless, or given freely. It comes at a price. That of loyalty to the institution on which we build this crooked empire. It’s the single-minded focus of people too fucking afraid to discover what life outside the protection of the Family entails.

It’s a collective of people afraid they won’thavea life if they dare bend the rules too far.

A collective of people that doesn’t include my uncle.

I toss my napkin on the table with a swift hand and push from my chair. Mother hesitates in her mutilation of a peach and raises her brow. I bow, giving thanks for the meal, and force a smile on my face as I move away from the farce.

The scrape of a second chair precedes footsteps echoing my own into the house.

“You can’t fucking wait long enough to let me eat, can you?” Dion snaps. “Do you want Mama and Papa questioning why we’re so agitated?”

I press my lips together, grimacing as I rip my phone out.

I’ve hidden my anger for ten fucking years. You can’t get through one goddamn meal, and I’M to blame?

“Fuck you. You’ve had ten years to get your head around this. Excuse me if a part of me still battles with the truth of why you can’t talk.” He glances behind him as though expecting either or both of our parents to appear. “What are your plans after this?”

I chuckle, lifting an eyebrow.Sure you want to know?It’s barely been hours since I saw my fiancé last, and still, I have a burning need to satiate.

After I spill some blood.

Dion sighs, patting his pockets. “I’ve got to head into town. Walk out with me.” He pulls the key fob for his car out, glances at it, and then shoves it back into the pocket of his tailored slacks. “I’m concerned, Benny.” Dion heads toward the main foyer.

I wait until he glances back at where I still stand and gesture to where Mama and Papa sit outside, then shrug.Aren’t you going to say goodbye?

“They’ll be fine.”

I roll my eyes, jaw hard, and dart toward the patio. My parents lift their heads as I hastily approach, curious. I put ahand on my father’s shoulder and gently squeeze, his expression relaxing when he nods.

Mother tilts her head to receive the kiss I press on her cheek. “Have a wonderful day, Benito.”

“We’ll meet again later, yeah?” Papa gestures to the unresolved prenup.

I nod and then jog back through to where Dion waits with mild irritation etching his brow.

Yesterday was a wake-up call. I’ve been content to leave with the assumption I’ll return until now. But after the visit to that house going fucking ass up—after the fear Nastasya would get hurt—I’m reminded that the luxury of a return isn’t always guaranteed. The same as I can’t be assured that those I care about will be there to return to. If any of us are to call this day our last, I’d rather it happen without anyone doubting they’re loved and respected.

Even if that love is the same tainted obligation that I bitched about earlier.

“Good now?” Dion asks.

I nod, gesturing for him to lead the way.

He presses his fingers to his temple before dropping his hands in front of his stomach, fisting one inside the other. “I didn’t sleep much last night,” he states low and level as we pass through the grand doors leading out to the driveway. “I couldn’t stop thinking about it. About everything.” He glances at me as though to check I understand. “Knowing this reframes so fucking much of my life.Ourlives.”

I hitch an eyebrow when he glances my way.You wanna tell me something I don’t know?

“Ignazio’s been quiet since the marriage was announced,” he declares. “Other than dinner, I don’t think he’s been back here to see Papa.”

Not unusual.I narrow my gaze and tilt my head a little.What are you saying?

Dion shrugs. “Who knows what else the fucker’s up to? Who he’s talking to? You pulled up last night, dropped yet another fucking bombshell on me by saying he’s the one who organized the hit, and now…” He sighs, halting his progress toward our cars. “You see the similarities, right?”

Between what?

I hold his gaze and raise an eyebrow as I show him my phone.

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