Page 113 of The Sound in Silence

What is…?

Sleep takes me.

* * *

The rumble beneath me slowly draws me from sleep. I blink open my heavy lids and stare at leather. Leather and light, and even warmth as the sun beats through the car windows and blankets my form, contradicting the chill consuming my nerves.

What the fuck? Giadruggedme.

Even thinking it has my head thumping lightly, the signs of a headache downright annoying. I groan, pressing my hand to my forehead, hoping the pressure eases the thump as I push into a sitting position, to orient myself. A mound of hair falls in my face, and I move it aside, scanning my surroundings.

A car. The outside is houses and a waterfront, so I don’t think we’re very far from the mansion.

Directly across from me are two people. Gia smirks before her gaze shifts out the window, as though not having any more time for me. By her side, Erico’s father stares, a hardened look in his eyes.

The moment I focus on him, he speaks. “If someone had told me a regular woman from Montreal would destroy my family, I would have laughed in their face. But that’s what is happening, Ariella, and what needs to stop.”

His words barely register before the car takes a sharp turn. My balance rocks, my palms keeping me upright. Still dizzy from them drugging me, still trying to make sense of how I’d gotten from my music room to a vehicle.

“Luckily,” his drawl continues, “my son agreed. We all know he requires an equal woman by his side, and you’re not it.”

Of course, I’m not. I’ve never been good enough for him.

I shake my head of the thoughts. Of the old worries returning once again.

Erico agreed. Why wouldn’t he?

No! He wouldn’t do this.

No. I don’t believe their lies. It’s alllies. Erico has said and proved otherwise. All they’re trying to do is create confusion. The old me would have latched onto their words, and they would have formulated all sorts of self-doubt, but no more.

No more. I have to get out of here.

The car’s driving too quickly, promising death even if I were able to leap from it. My mouth opens.Where are we?I try to ask, only for nothing to come out.Come on, brain! If you’re going to begin functioning, now’s the time to.

Gia faces me, her red lipstick forming a bold circle as she fake-pouts. “Still can’t talk, hm? Such a shame. It’s unfortunate that low-life street racer didn’t succeed in wiping you out.” She pauses, glancing at her husband. “It’s amusing Erico thought we were never aware of what our own son was up to. Street racing. A nasty habit that can end so horribly, so quickly.”

You could have killed your son too.They were so desperate to get rid of me…I’d be more shocked at the revelation if my head wasn’t still so fuzzy.

“Perfect timing,” Erico’s father announces.

I follow the trajectory of his gaze, catching the road we’re turning onto. Lined with trees, a massive cement ground, and the ocean beyond. A single, white plane is in the centre of it.

Shit.

Gia smiles at the same time the realization hits. They’re sending me away. To Montreal? Or somewhere Erico won’t find me?

Maybe he orchestrated this.

No! He didn’t.He didn’t and he wouldn’t. He has no idea where I am—no idea how to find me.

The car jerks to a stop a little ways away from the plane. I scan the airfield, seeking escape. If I run, how far will I make it before Erico’s parents track me down?

The plane’s stairs lower and a man appears, followed by two huge guys dressed in cargo pants and leather coats. Guards, presumably, which makes the other man very important. He descends the steps and I glance at the Rossis, who haven’t moved. No one does while he approaches the vehicle and I try to make out the man’s features. The eel-like grin, the dark hair, pale skin looking like a corpse himself.

I recognize him. Ursin Volkov from the Russian Bratva. The man who caused all the drama with Erico at our party.

Fuck.

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