Page 14 of The Sound in Silence

My first immediate thought is to deny his claim because this isn’t my home.

But then my inner voice reminds me,It is since the moment you sent that text to Nico.

My second thought is how much nicer Erico’s mansion is compared to Nico’s. The Corsetti mansion is beautiful in an old-fashioned, dark brick, castle-y kind of way, but Erico’s home is downright gorgeous in its modernity. Cut lines, glass windows making up many walls, and yet, I can’t make anything out through the windows, telling me they’re one-way. And likely bulletproof too, given its occupants.

“It was recently redone,” Erico states, gesturing out the car window. “It used to look similar to the Corsetti mansion, a style my parents really enjoyed, but I like to be able to see the ocean easily.”

An oceanfront property? Once we hit the sign advertising this as being the Hamptons, it’s no different than most of the other houses we’ve passed. Yet, I don’t taper my glee with another dream coming true: to live by the water. It’s an expensive one I long realized I’d never have. The fantasy of writing music in a large room overlooking the ocean often kept my mind busy.

You have that now. But you shoved yourself onto a man who already owned that life. This isn’t an accomplishment.

Any of the excitement making my chest lighter moments ago evaporates in a blink.

Erico climbs out of the back seat and stretches his hand for me to take. I ignore it, instead standing on my own, staring around the wide-open space. The massive property with neatly trimmed grass and the salty scent of the waterrightthere. It’s visible over the land, against the skyline of the house. Just a couple inches of dark blue, but still, present.

Erico gestures toward the front entrance. “Come. You’ll get a tour tomorrow.”

Tomorrow. Right. It’s our wedding night.

Fuck.

That’s the traditional activity, right? Erico put his ring on my finger and now he gets to fuck his vows into me. Consummate the marriage and begin impregnating me.

Based on the sealing kiss of our wedding vows and his overall demeanor, I suspect he fucks well. So many years have passed since the last time I’ve had sex that I’m sure I’m all dried up now. Hell, his kiss today was the first moment of intimacy in a while. Perhaps that’s why it felt so good; it was simply my body reacting to cravings finally being met.

But this feels wrong, and my feet are grounded to the driveway. Having sex tonight crosses something off on his wedding checklist, rather than him wanting it—cravingme.

Does that matter?That little voice slips into the cracks of my true feelings with that consideration.

After a second, Erico shoots me an annoyed look and returns to my side, taking my wrist to tug me. His hand feels the same as the ring circling my finger—entrapping and permanent.

He only releases me once we’re inside the building, when he pulls me to a stop in front of two people who couldn’t be more different from one another. One an elderly, stout woman. Her dark hair is done up in a tight bun and her light blue, summer dress falls nearly to her ankles. She immediately throws me a welcoming smile that eases some of the tightness inside my chest.

Beside her is—I blink.Holy hotness. A guy—a man. He doesn’t look much older than me, but he’s standing pin straight, dressed in a black suit, his hands behind his back, his legs slightly spread. Based on his demeanor, and my knowledge of the Corsetti household, I suspect he’s a guard. He watches me, and dare I say it, an appreciation courses through his blue eyes. His blond hair is tucked behind his ears, perfectly groomed.

I look from him to my new husband, whose intense gaze bores into me. The stranger and him are nearly complete opposites as well. While Erico is dark, the stranger is light. Both might be dressed in a suit, but they wear them differently. Erico emits an angry vibe while friendliness radiates from the stranger.

Being mute means observing people, becoming familiar with people’s tells, their attitudes, their vibes, all based on their stance, expression, and projection of self.

Erico clears his throat and gestures to the woman. “This is Carlotta. She’s my housekeeper and can give you a tour of the grounds tomorrow. Any questions about the house, she’ll be able to assist.”

Why not you?

Idiot, because he’s already stated what life will be like.Two separate lives fused beneath one, miserable household and the vows that bind us.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Carlotta smiles warmly.

“And this is Sebastian.” Erico motions to the suited stranger, whose grin expands with the introduction. “I’ve assigned him to be your bodyguard. He will be around the mansion when you are here, will drive you anywhere you wish to go, and will accompany you to those places. I’m sure you’ve pieced together that my role comes with enemies, so Sebastian will ensure none of them get near you.”

“Happy to be of service, ma’am,” Sebastian says, his hand stretching toward mine to shake.

Not a fan ofma’amas a moniker, but we’ll get to that another time. I take his hand, which is so much larger than mine, in a quick shake. When Erico makes a noise, I drop it, his warmth quickly evaporating away, and I instead nod a final greeting.

“For now,” Erico cuts in, “I’ll show you to our room.”

Ourroom. At least, he’s not forcing me to sleep separate from him. That counts for something, right? With his body beside me, my head and heart can be tricked into thinking this is a normal marriage.

Erico leads me toward the twin staircases that curve up the side of the wall to the upstairs level. We take the right side, but my gaze wanders the higher up we ascend.

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