Page 88 of The Sound in Silence

I chuckle, thinking of her tenacity. “You’d be surprised how expressive she is.”

“You’re okay with it? Given her past—”

“You think I want to?” I interrupt harshly. “You know what’s there. Who’s there. The kinds of people attending these things. Focusing on the race is one thing, but having her around all those dirty fuckers will be a whole extra task. But she has this damn hold on me, cuz, I can’t help but grant her this, even though I also want to keep her here, locked away for safety.” Still an option… “She won’t leave my side, and everyone will know better than to fuck with her. I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in an asshole’s skull if he looks at her wrong.”

“Plus, I’ll be there.”

“Yeah,” I agree, though I have no intention of requiring his support. “It’s a one-time thing. She thinks she can handle this, and you know what, maybe she can. Maybe we’re all too careful with her. She knows herself, her past. She’s smart, Caladin. She wouldn’t have asked for this if she didn’t think she was ready.”

“Whipped,” he comments with amusement. “Fine, whatever. Just get here soon. The sky’s getting dark, but as long as the rain stays away for another few hours, we’re good. Anyway, I just got home from the gym. See you two soon.”

Click.And right on time because then the mansion’s front door opens and Ariella bounds down the stairs, coming to a stop right in front of me where I’m perched on my hood.

“Fucking Christ, you’re going to get me killed.”

In a less-than-shocking turnout, she ignored my suggested outfit completely and is instead wearing a white dress. High on the thigh, and a scooped neck, her arms bare. Between it, and her hair in gentle waves around her, she’s a contrast to the darkness, which I suppose is a positive thing. Her lips are a bright red, matching her hair, her eyes shadowed with dark makeup. Her feet are encased in black ballet flats.

She looks so damn innocent. Delicious.

And if it wasn’t for the mischievous look in her eyes, I’d believe sheisinnocent.

I push off the hood to bring her between my legs. “My god, did younotsee the clothes I laid out for you?”

She rolls her eyes and brings her phone between us, types, and then turns so the screen faces me.

Do I look like someone who’ll be told what to wear?

“You will if you don’t want people to die.” She tilts her head, so I add, “When we arrive, you stick to my side. No exceptions. The moment you attempt to stray, I’ll throw your ass in this car and we’re coming home. Where we’re going, there’s criminals, and I won’t take a chance with you.” Even if they know not to fuck with me.

Slowly, a smirk stretches her red lips. She’s adorable in a sexy way and I admire her as she signs something, which means it’s a simple statement. All day, she’s been talking more and more with her hands, sticking to easy sentences, which I’m grateful of, and I’ve been replying when I can. Even when I’m wrong, the smile she gives me for every attempt is worth a thousand failures.

You’re suddenly possessive.

“I was always possessive.” I line her hips up with mine, my hands fingering the edge of her dress. “I now have a reason to show it.” Shoving away from the car entirely, I walk her to the passenger seat and hold open the door.

Once we’re both inside, my hand rests on her thigh. With her position, her dress has ridden up, and now, I don’t care about the outfit she’s chosen. In fact, I love it. My fingers dig into her thighs, instructing her to remain still.

It’s with one hand, I take us down the road and off our property at a speed that would get me pulled over by the cops, if it isn’t for the recognizable plates on this car.

The near-three-hour drive back into the city is long and has me wondering if I should bring her to my condo sometime. It’d be much more convenient to have her closer to my work than way out here, but then she’d lose the pool and her music room, which occupies so much of her days, so as quick as the idea comes, I shove it away.

Besides, the drive goes a bit quicker than normal at my speed, and I continue to shoot more questions her way, picking apart everything I’ve yet to know about her. The questions are only a short blip of the trip; most of it’s in silence, giving me a chance to think and focus on the road.

My hand on her thigh is two-fold: for my own selfish pleasures, but to also feel for any stiffening in her body or sudden changes. She handles the drive well, and I catch her even smiling a few times.

While I ignore how fuckingrightthis is. Once, when I was an idealistic child, I pictured whoever I’d find myself shackled to also enjoying my own hobbies. Back then, they were much safer. Back then was before I realized how exhausting a marriage could be and chased the kind my parents had. But this…this is right, and though many instincts demand I turn around and return Ariella to our bed, safe inside the mansion where I can stick a hundred guards at the door, there’s a selfish eagerness to have her with me.

Once we make it to the city, I weave between traffic and listen for any changes in her breathing, but she remains calm and seemingly unaffected. Gazing out the window like we’re going for a casual, leisurely Sunday drive rather than speeding through a city at eleven at night, until finally reaching the long Brooklyn road often used for racing. Cops enjoy breaking the races up but once they notice plates, they leave us alone.

I slow as we approach, warning her yet again, “Stay close. Caladin will be here too. He’s the only other person allowed near you.”

At the start of the next road, I’m halted by a thick crowd. They mingle, shouting with beer bottles lifted in the air. The smell of cigarettes and weed sneak through the car’s filters. At the sight of my car, a few turn, screaming unknown, drunken statements.

I park beside the only other car here. A Subaru WRX that, based on the number of add-on lights strung to the outside of the car, the owner spends more time making it look good than managing what’s beneath the hood.

Easy win.

Easier because I recognize the vehicle. Which means, I know who I’m racing even before Caladin breaks through the crowds to report my contender.

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