Page 24 of The Sound in Silence

Besides, away from the medical centre, I slipped right into the background. The Corsettis have too much going on and I wouldn’t be a bother to ask them to learn a whole new language just for me. Even asking Della felt like I’d burden her. Besides, I got the sense, it’d reactivate her determination to “fix” me, and I’d rather not deal with that. So sign language became yet another skill I have but never use.

I nod, now curious why Sebastian is asking.

He pushes off the counter, lifting his hands into the air. Throwing a crooked smile, he murmurs, “Don’t make fun if I’m no good.” Then his hands move up to his forehead by his ear, and swoops out.

Hi.

In sign language.

My mouth gapes open. Sebastian knows sign language. Or at least enough to greet me.

His hand rests on his chest and he lightly taps it.

My.

His index and middle fingers on both hands come together, and he taps them against one another in an X sign, facing down.

Name.

And then he spells out every letter of his name with the correct corresponding sign. Mostly, correct anyway. Some rickety, some close enough I understand.

At the end of it, I only have one question, which I sign back to him.How do you know sign language?

He watches intently, his brows dipping, then chuckles, slightly nervous. “Sorry, understanding is more challenging for me. Could you do that again but slower?” When I do, he answers, “Oh, my seven-year-old nephew was born deaf, so a lot of my family took the time to learn it.”

That’s sweet. Slowly and so he can catch it, I sign,Is that why you were chosen to guard me?

He shakes his head. “Mr. Rossi isn’t aware of my nephew. No one here is. I don’t talk about them much. It was a happy coincidence, but I figured I’d let you know in case it’s easier, or better, for you if you’d like to sign instead. Can’t promise I won’t need your help sometimes, but it’s another option. Up to you, of course, Mrs. Ro—Ariella.”

Thank you,I reply with my hands.

Maybe, just maybe, it won’t be so terrible here.

Erico

Exhaustion keeps me passed out until late morning. Even then, by the time I get up right before noon, it doesn’t feel like enough sleep. My eyes are still heavy, my body weighted. It was the most restless sleep I’ve had in a long time.

No matter, since I’m only in Vegas for a couple of days, I shouldn’t be switching my sleep schedule up too much. When I reach for my phone, there’s a few texts waiting, but the latest being from Sebastian gains all my attention.

Sebastian

Started a tour of the mansion. It started raining into the afternoon so she didn’t get to see the property or backyard yet. Tomorrow maybe. She wanted to go back to your room to rest.

Somehow, I don’t believe she’s simply resting, but the fact she’s left the room at all, on only her first day of her new life, is enough. It speaks a little to her tenaciousness, which for some fucking reason, appeases me.

Instead of responding, I toss my phone to the side and get ready for the day. I dress quickly and head down to the car waiting for me.

Responding only answers the eagerness within me, rather than ignoring the feeling of needing to know about my wife. The facts I am aware of isn’t enough. I already feel, deep down, if it was Aurora in Ariella’s place, the details her family would have provided me would have been sufficient. But what Nico passed along about Ariella isn’t enough.

Which brings me to an email that was delivered while I was asleep. From the few men I’ve had running background checks on her. I want to knoweverything, right down to the hospital her mother birthed her inside.

As I’m driven to one of theFamigliabars that’s been chosen for the quarterly meeting, I read over the details they’ve so far found, my stomach clenching with the first fact. The anniversary of her mother’s death is in a week. Fuck.

Instantly, I’m at a loss. If Ariella’s upset that day—and rightly so—I won’t know how to console her. Now that I think about it, I’veneversoothed someone about a death. Plus, she may not want my support, being that I’m practically a stranger to her. Worse, because by the time the anniversary comes around, I’ll have only been back home with her for a matter of days, if that.

Fucking Christ.

I keep reading, the second line becoming just as intriguing as the first.

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