Page 17 of The Sound in Silence

I swipe them all away and open my messaging app regardless, finding the thread I’ve yet to delete even knowing I should. If Della or even Nico knew about who I’ve been trying to reach, they’d be pissed.

I begin typing:

Hey. You won’t respond because you haven’t to all the other messages I’ve sent, but stuff’s changed in the past few days. I’m married. I volunteered for this, to take the place of Aurora Corsetti in her engagement to Erico Rossi from New York. Stupid, right? This is me letting you know, and I’d love to get your opinion on how dumb I am. When I should be running away from this lifestyle, I did exactly as Della did and married right into it. I miss you. I hope you’re safe and okay, and again, I know you won’t respond. You probably don’t even have your phone anymore. But I continue to message on the slim chance one day you’ll answer. Anyway…yeah.

That one gets delivered and it’ll remain unread, as did the previous dozen. Scrolling up, I reread everything I’ve typed over the past few weeks. The check-ins. The updates about progress within Corsetti’s household. The begging and pleading.

My thumb strokes over the top of my screen, right where her name is.

Yasmine De Falco.

Erico

Contrary to what I said to Ariella, I don’t leave the mansion right away. First, I check in with Carlotta to give a few instructions over the kinds of food Ariella enjoys, which I’m only aware of because Nico gained a report from Della at my request.

Then I head to my office for a private conversation with Sebastian. I won’t be here for long, so I don’t bother getting comfortable, and instead perch on the edge of my desk as he enters, stress tightening his face.

Sebastian has been inducted into theFamigliafor three years now and has proven himself to be a proficient, useful soldier. Meaning, he obeys orders really fucking easily. At twenty-five, I chose him thinking it might be nice for Ariella to have someone closer to her age, to ease her into her life here, but based on the appreciation in her gaze earlier when I introduced them, I’m second-guessing my choice.

“Sir,” he greets, stopping halfway through the room. His hands fuse behind his back.

“Thanks for coming.” I keep my voice smooth and eased. “I’ll be heading to Vegas right away. Not sure how long I’ll be gone. It’s for the quarterly meeting, but you’ve heard how these go. Once there, more shit gets brought up and the next thing I know, days will pass.” If I didn’t enjoy them so much, I’d despise attending. They’re a pain, a task, but there’s a sign of strength in them. A symbol of my control. “While I’m gone, ensure Ariella leaves her room.”

According to Nico, she’s a quiet woman who enjoyed hiding often in her room. In his house, I can understand why she would, but despite mine being new to her, she’ll be alone for the next few days; therefore, there’s little excuse for her to hide. Iwanther to emerge and become familiar with the property because it’ll only save her future pain.

“Got it.”

“And you will inform me when she does.”

He nods again, his throat moving with his hard swallow. Perhaps, in that motion, he’s hiding his true feelings about my request. Not that my own are any different. There is no plausible reason for wanting to know what she does in her day. Maybe it’s guilt, but something nags at me towantto know.

There’s also no reason I put her in my room. With my wedding to Aurora approaching at the end of the month, I had a suite across the house set aside. The very room I initially was going to re-assign to Ariella, but the moment she walked down the aisle toward me was the moment I changed my mind. Once again, there’s no exact reasoning behind my actions besides a blatant desire to see her in my bed, my silk sheets hugging her body.

With the moment re-imbedding into my mind, the rest of the ceremony does too. Today felt fuckingreal. The dress she was in made a statement: that despite walking into a loveless marriage, she created something realistic. Her family made her an aisle for her to walk down.

A part of her wanted what happened today. The same part that led her to volunteer for it.

When I wasn’t gazing at her, I was studying Nico and Lorenzo, seeking some sign that this was a ploy on their part, but found only guilt on both men’s faces. It made me feel better about accepting her offer and declining Father’s. Lorenzo stared at Ariella with respect and Nico a mix of respect and guilt, and when he slid to me, wariness. No one in that room wanted the wedding…except Ariella.

Her reasoning is elusive. Confusing, since all she’s done tonight is look at me like I’d eat her alive. The second we entered my bedroom, she kept staring at the bed, and it’s obvious where her mind was.

It was where mine had gone too. On the activities that happen between a man and wife on their wedding night.

What I couldn’t figure out is if it was fear or longing she felt. There was a flicker of disappointment in her eyes when I announced leaving for Vegas, but it cleared for relief.

I’m puzzled over her confusing emotions and in my role, that is bad. Reading people is simple. Necessary too. But my elusive wife is confounding.

Which makes her dangerous.

“Sir, are you okay?”

I blink, coming back to the present, to my office with Sebastian. See, dangerous. Just thinking about her distracts me.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Let me know what she fills her days with.”

“Do you want her to be aware of my presence or remain hidden?”

I hesitate, once again re-living the look in her eyes when she met him. Not that I believe Sebastian will act upon anything, even if I saw the same appreciation reflected in his. He knows better because he’s aware of the consequences. But still, I don’t like this doubt.

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