Page 49 of The Sound in Silence

I nod, because what else is there to do? At the very least, he answers my curiosity. Ideally, sleep will have already claimed me by the time he comes to bed. It’s strange for a man who claims to want to lead separate lives to also want to share a bedroom when there’s other rooms in this massive place.

Appearances? Who’s the show exactly for? Not his staff, considering they’d be paid to keep quiet.

After my final bite of pasta, I manage a deep, calming breath, though it does little for my mood. I dismiss myself by standing and don’t look toward him. Erico doesn’t speak, and I slip from the dining room.

Erico

Ariella escapes the dining room, leaving me with a sudden urge to chase her. I’m smart enough not to entertain my desires and remain seated, hand clenching my fork for something to focus my strength on thatisn’tspreading her legs on our bed, licking my dessert from her cunt.

The moment I taste her cunt will be the moment I lose control completely, which is why I can’t. How easy would it be to become obsessed with her? To be so would be unhealthy and distracting.

Already, by staying here and not heading back to the city is a horrible idea that invites further issues.

Growing up, I didn’t have the same loving parents as those others my age did. Caladin’s parents, before their deaths, were so utterly in love with one another and it always amazed me how the two brothers—my father and Caladin’s—could enter their unions with completely different stances. Once, despising how Mother and Father basically ignored one another, I vowed to use my aunt and uncle as an example for my future marriage instead. But that was when I was an optimistic teenager. The longer my training, the more I realized what being my father truly meant for theFamiglia, and the better I understood his stance on marriage. Loving Mother would have distracted him. He gained my utter respect for doing what he needed to.

That’sthe stance I’m following. Falling deeper into theFamigliameans doing right by them. Now more than ever.

Already, she’d have a target on her back if any of my enemies learned I was married. Simply being my wife puts her in danger, but if I loved her…if they knew I had a weakness…we’d both be fucked. And that’sherdeath, but if she cared for me and I died; if a stray gunshot made her a widow, I’d leave this earth by shattering her heart and soul. Even I’m not that selfish.

Focus. That’s how to be a proficient Boss.

When Aurora Corsetti’s hand in marriage was offered, given her strange upbringing away from her family, she seemed like an easy option. She’d be independent and perhaps happy to be left alone, given it was how she was raised. She’d be the ideal mafia wife.

With Ariella, that’s not the case. Perhaps because I met her while engaged to someone else, Iallowedmyself to be intrigued. To let the façade slip out of unbridled interest. Then finding myself wed to the very woman who sparked the intrigue, I was doomed before this began.

It takes Carlotta entering the dining room to clear away our empty dishes to break my stare with the doorway. After thanking her for the delicious meal, I go to my office for my meeting with Sebastian. Learning sign language is counterintuitive; finding a new communication strategy for the woman I require distance from isn’t wise.

Still, when I spot the young soldier leaning beside my office door, I welcome him inside, ordering him to sit instead of going away.

Sebastian perches on the edge of his chair as he watches me take my own seat. He’s obviously still tense from earlier, uncertain, but he’ll realize in time, teaching me to speak to her in alternative means is enough of an apology from him.

“Teach me the basics. We’ll go from there.”

“The alphabet will be good. When in doubt, you could spell what you want to say.”

“Proceed then.”

* * *

Over an hour later, my head is packed full of all the signs for the alphabet, as well as the gestures to greet someone. Hello, I’ve memorized. The letters, maybe half of them.

“Thank you, Sebastian. I’ll text you when I have time for another lesson.”

“Sounds good.” Sebastian leaves my office unscathed, his steps quickening by the door. He’s a patient teacher, and in another life, one where he didn’t induct himself into the crime, territory battles, and weapon and drug deals, he’d be a good school teacher. He’s also a damn good solider from a great and loyal line of men, so I’d never offer him an out. Not that I think he’d take it.

Alone again, I pick up my phone, glancing over the text message received only moments ago.

Caladin

10pm. Rio’s bored and he’s betting 10k on this.

Racing is the second-best feeling in the world and when I can, I drive in every event, every bet. Rio’s races aren’t as often anymore since he nearly got caught and thrown in jail, so he’s scared to attract the law’s attention again. He won’t because when I learned of his arrest, one phone call got him free, and the police are aware not to touch him again. Rio always brings in the best drivers, creating races with the highest stakes, and I can’t have my only form of entertainment locked away. Once, I debated bringing Rio in, making him my staff, meaning theFamigliawould get a cut of the profits, but I actually enjoy participating in somethingnotin my control.

I’ve won almost every race too.

The offer is extremely tempting since it’s been a while since Rio hosted a race. Ten thousand dollars is chump change compared to the Rossi fortune, but nonetheless, useful and easy cash.

Me

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