Page 45 of The Sound in Silence

How does he know sign language?

They’ve been talking in a code I don’t understand. They have a connection while I’m left on the sidelines.

And I don’t know how to feel about that, other than my body’s reaction—knotted and tense with flashes of death coursing through my mind—telling me I feelsomethingabout this. Something not positive either…

Death would be too kind for the young soldier who gazed at her like she was his sun. A fuckingsirena. Meant to lure men in with her striking hair, inquisitive eyes, and flawless body. She did precisely that when I met her at Nico’s party, and Sebastian’s fallen into her trap, putting us all where we presently are.

Initially, I planned on only dropping in to see her and by tonight, I’d be back in my Manhattan condo until the next time I felt like visiting. When I felt it suitable to reconnect with her in person, but now leaving seems impossible. Not only because she’ll be alone with Sebastian again, but gazing down at her…I don’twantto.

I entered the pool with the intention of showing her exactly what it means to be my wife. What I’m allowed totake, until I got close to her and the reminder of who I am. What I won’t be to her had me pausing. The thought of traumatizing her further, in different ways, has me sick to my fucking stomach so I had to cool that unwelcome possessive feeling that had me craving to claim her. To bend her over the edge of the pool and slam deep inside her cunt, using what I had already purchased. What is rightfullymine. What, after dealing with my father and Vegas, Ineed.

Catching her without her goddamn ring on only shoots another wave of fury through my bones. It’s the only emotion I’ve felt since arriving home, and it’s getting tiresome, but she makes it impossible to not be angry. We both agreed to this union, but at first chance, she discards the symbol of our connection.

Fuck. That.

Logically, she could have simply removed it for swimming, but it’s the dead look in her eyes suggesting otherwise.

Hauling her away from the pool’s siding, I drag her toward the stairs, wrenching her along with me. As I rise from the water, it pours off me in a heavy downfall, slashing against the cement and soaking it instantly. Climbing into the pool nearly fully dressed may not have been my finest moment, but it was a necessity to prove a point.

With the last shred of my sanity, I head for the lounge chairs and release her only to wrap her in the towel. I tell myself it’s to ensure she doesn’t drip water everywhere, but really, it’s to ensure she’s warm in the air-conditioned mansion.

“Go.” I gesture toward the back door after retrieving my phone, watch, and wallet from where I’ve discarded them on one of the lounge chairs. “Lead me to wherever you hid your fucking ring.”

If she threw it in the ocean behind us, I’ll murder something. Not her—never her. But something. Someone.

She passes me, her spine stiff, and heads right through the mansion’s back entrance, passing Carlotta cleaning the kitchen. A quick sweep of the immediate area finds it scarce of Sebastian, so at least he’s still clinging to some instinct.

Ariella heads down the stretch of the house, into the front foyer, and immediately up the stairs. Her steps are mechanical and stiff and she never glances behind her, to check if I’m following. As we approach our bedroom, some of my nerves unwind. If it’s in here, it’s safe.

Inside the room, I scan the unmade bed, and for some reason, it brings a smile to my face, knowing that’s where she’s been sleeping. It’s a fleeting smile though, since the second she heads for the room’s far corner, it’s gone. She crouches, presumably retrieving her ring.

It meant so little, she tossed it away like garbage.

I should be pissed, except I’m not. Instead, there’s another emotion I feel so infrequently, but I’m…sad.

She returns to my side, the jewellery pinched between two fingers, and I snatch it from her, taking her left hand in the same movement and jamming it onto her fourth finger.

“This stays here from now on. I see it gone again, and I’ll solder it to your hand. Don’t test me.”

With a pinched expression, she rips her hand away and turns toward the bed, partially climbing on it as she reaches for something in the centre. Her position stretches out her body, water abandoning her swimsuit to instead cling to the bedspread. When she stands, she’s holding her phone.

Which explains why my text messages and calls went unanswered. I likely sent them after she began swimming. I can’t be pissed about that any longer. Sebastian still has shit to answer for though.

Without looking at me, she types on it, and my phone pings almost instantly.

Ariella

Awfully angry and possessive of a man who wants nothing to do with me and this marriage.

Is that what this is about? I wouldn’t have wed her if I didn’t want the marriage.

I’m about to answer when another message comes through.

Ariella

I wasn’t the wife you were supposed to have, and I get it. Your role demands other things. Like you said, we’ll get you an heir, and that’ll be it. Therefore, inside the house, if we’re not going to act like a couple, what’s the point?

My mouth runs dry with no response while she regurgitates what I already said to her. Of course, she’s questioning my willingness, because I’ve stated as such. I should walk away and use this. Let the understanding of our marriage truly set in for us both. Officially begin it now, since leaving right after the ceremony was confusing on all levels.

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