Page 36 of The Sound in Silence

My fist tightens on the desk, seconds away from ending up in his face if he doesn’t answer directly. “Perhaps you’re right, Father. Maybe you stepped down much too early because in case you’ve forgotten the past hour, you gave up your rights to hide shit from me.I’mBoss now.”

In a burst, he jumps to his feet, his palms shoving into my chest, creating a force of distance between us. “Son, first lesson to leadership: if you want to play the game, play it fucking right. You’ve been Boss for two-point-five seconds. Those men,” he gestures to the door and the bar beyond, “are much more loyal to me than you. I haveyearson you, boy, so be fucking careful how you talk to me.”

“The capos maybe, but not the soldiers.” I cross my arms, lifting my chin as I stare down at my aging father. “And firepower is tougher than a bunch of old assholes arguing.”

Father tips his head, almost like agreeing with me and then abruptly switches the topic. “How’s your marriage?”

Even the thought of Ariella passing through my father’s head makes me cold. “None of your business.”

“You can’t hide your mute bride away forever, you know. It’s like your mother said. She has to meet everyone eventually.”

“I know,” I bite out. “I’ve had other focuses, in case you’ve forgotten.”

We end up in a stand-off, and previous experiences with him already deem he won’t let up until he believes he’s won. So I walk away without glancing behind me.

“Go retire, Father, and if your insane plans with the Bratva involve double crossing me, you’re fucking done. I’ll prove exactly how effective all your training is.”

Ariella

The piano changes a lot.

It clears the dim clouds that were devouring me and gives me something to do for the remainder of the day. At some point, I retrieved my notebook, despising how tainted it now felt, knowing Erico had read my private emotions, displayed through song. Even Della has never seen the book in its entirety.

But I spent the whole day testing out one of my original songs, trialling all the notes I theorized would work over the years. Carlotta eventually delivered food to my new music room, which I ate, and I made further plans with Sebastian to finish our tour tomorrow.

Even the dark, little voice managed to remain quieter than usual. Except, I know it’s only a matter of time before something triggers it back.

I also finally respond to my sister’s messages, telling her thanks and that I’d call her tomorrow.

By the time I retire to my new room, I feelokay. Okay as I can be, but that was Erico’s plan after all. Drag me from this room with the temptation of something better.

I spend an extra long time in the shower, noting how it’s even more grand than the one I had in the Corsetti mansion. The whole bathroom seems larger, the tile a shade of blue rather than plain white.

I’ve been comparing this place to Nico’s house a lot today, and in every way, Erico’s surpasses it.

I slide into the centre of the bed, noting how much space is around me. A king-sized mattress compared to my queen at Nico’s, but there, I slept alone. The space beside my body taunts me. It knows here, I’ll eventually be sharing this spot.

Not sure how I feel about it.

Vvvvvv.

My phone vibrates against the bedside table and I retrieve it, wondering who’d possibly be calling me this time of night.

Erico.

Through a video call again.

I could ignore it and claim I was already asleep if he asks. Or I could respond and what—talk?

What do I want?

I rest the phone down and lean away, but as fast as I avoid the device, I’m snatching it up again, tapping the answer button before the call dies and I lose this chance.

Erico fills my screen, and I catch his shoulders lowering. Relief that I picked up?

“Twice in one day,” he murmurs. “I’d hoped you were still awake.”

Why?I emphasize my lip movements with a head tilt so he catches the question.

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