Page 57 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream
“What are you thinking? We go underground?”
I shake my head. “Bait. We draw him out.”
“Go on.”
I stop and focus mygaze out of the window. We’re in Arrow’s apartment looking over the city I’ve grown to love. I came here to track down the very man who’s in hiding right now. I found him five years ago and since then I’ve built my own army to take over key streets and districts. And we’ve been closing in on his turf.
My father has been off the grid for over a decade, but Aldo Ajello has continued to make his name in small-time petty crime. He always was a miniscule man with a massive ego.
My plan has long been to take him down and pay him back for all the shit he put me through as a kid alongside my deadbeat dad. I know my adopted name has been circulating, but thus far I’ve kept my face out of the action, so he isn’t aware that Leonardo Bernadi Jr. is the man behind the dwindling of his poor excuse for an empire. And since I love surprising people, the situation couldn’t have reached a more perfect pinnacle.
“I’ve been invited to the Mayor’s gala next week.”
“Ah,” Arrow nods. “To discuss your generous donation to the M.I.T.? Genius move, that was. Will Governor Grayson be there?”
Governor Grayson is the reason I’m going. I’m planning to pitch him my plans for developing the empty units in the south of the city into a state of the art technology facility that will not only be of use to the city, but it will also advance my plans to make this alliance as lucrative as possible.
“Yeah. I expect the calculated five per cent boost in employment figures will get his attention.”
“You know the press will be there, right?”
“I’m counting on it. A photo of me alongside Grayson in theGlobeis sure to draw out the old man.”
Arrow rubs his hands together. “I love how you’re not just a pretty face.”
I ignore him. “I’ve been anonymously seeding stories about the gangs for weeks, so Ajello will have his eyes glued to the headlines. When he sees me standing beside the governor, he won’t be able to resist getting together for old times’ sake.”
“I have just one question.” Arrow dips his head and narrows his eyes. “What makes you think the governor will accept an introduction to you?”
I don’t need to answer really. Not when my arched brow and conspiratorial smile should say it all, but I answer anyway because I like how the words taste on my tongue. “My wife.”
“Fuck.” Arrow wipes a knuckle over his mouth. “I never thought I’d say this but married life suits you. It’s made you even more cut-throat if that’s possible. More calculating. Is she giving you tips?”
I start walking to the door, mainly because I have shit to do, but also because I don’t want to face too many questions about Serafina just yet. I haven’t seen my new wife in two weeks. It was a deliberate move but I don’t particularly want anyone knowing that—not even Arrow. She needs time to heal and that won’t happen if I’m hanging around asking her every two seconds how she’s doing. She hates me, and she has every right to. She hates herself and she doesn’t deserveto. She won’t entertain a good thought about me until she can entertain a good thought about herself.
She may not like it, but she needs help. She needs professionals who can support her healing. And she needs space. Despite the fact her body consumed my caress, her mind hates me. She won’t get well with me in the way. As much as I can’t bear to leave her only in the hands of Viola and Dr Novak, it’s for the best. And Ionlywant the best for her.
“Come on…” Arrow’s voice follows me. “It’s the pillow talk isn’t it? She’s feeding ideas into you when you’re mid-fuck. It’s okay, brother, as long as her ideas remain scandalously on point, I don’t care how she does it.”
I reach the door and turn around, my voice coming out gruff. “No comment.”
His lips form a smirk which disappears as the door closes and I make my way to the waiting car. Once inside, I make a call. It’s the same call I make every day, several times.
Viola answers. “Signor Corioni.”
“How is she?”
“A little better,” she replies. “Fewer tears at least.”
“Eating?”
“Yes. That is something shedoesenjoy. Chef Alessandro is very pleased with himself.”
“Training?”
“Some light cardio, a few weights. Mainly stretches and breathing. I think it relaxes her.”
“Good. The therapies?” There’s a pause. “Viola?”
