Page 63 of The Sound in Silence

I hate it.

Hate Mom.

Hate myself.

Hate Stefano.

But appreciate Erico more than words can say because my heart was nearly ripped open when he revealed gaining permission from Nico to take me to Mom’s gravesite. Something I’d never done yet; something, I didn’t even do when living with Della, but Erico’s making it possible.

The plane takes another sharp turn and angles its nose up as it descends to the ground, landing with a thud and speeding to a slowing roll and eventually a stop altogether. Through the window at Erico’s back, I spot us parking beside the Corsetti plane, which is indicative by the plain white body and single black stripe on the wing.

Jack, who was seated toward the front of the plane, stands and assists the pilot in opening the door. Erico offers me his hand, which I give him, using his strength more than I thought I’d need to get me up.

He wraps an arm around my waist and hauls me to the open door, where the late morning sun is streaming through. I’m thankful for yesterday for an entire other reason now. How would today go with my walls still strongly erected, without letting him support me?

Erico walks down the metal steps first, his fingers still linked with mine as I officially re-enter my home city as another. The rules are different. I’m technically wed to an ex-enemy of the city’s crime lord. There’s protocols in place that even I must follow. The first being, getting into the car Nico sent for us, as he is now in control of how I go about my own city.

Once my feet touch the tarmac, Erico releases me. Immediately, I reach for him, but he steps out of the way just as a body barrels into me, staggering me back two steps as I fight for balance. Blonde hair fills my mouth as my older sister yanks me into a tight hug.

“God, you have no idea how much I miss you, Ariella. Life isn’t the same without you around.”

Except she doesn’t need me. She’s found a new family. Nico’s parents respect her, and Aurora can be a replacement sister, plus she has one of our ex-stepsisters, Rozelyn, here. Even Rafael, Nico’s younger brother, can be another sibling to her. He has the younger brother annoying energy vibe, so it works.

Della releases me from her hug to study my face in her usual manner with her eyes sliding into slits. Not sure what—if—she spots anything, but it has her quickly throwing a glare toward Erico, who’s standing beside Nico and a black town car. Probably the same one I’ve driven in numerous times.

She whispers, “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I think…better than okay. At least, I’m getting there.

“You better be telling me the truth. If he’s doinganythingyou don’t like, let me know. I’ll get Nico on it.”

With a meaningful look involving a sad smile, I remind her, “You know as well as I do, that’s not how this works. Erico could be beating me to near-death every night and Nico’s hands would be tied.”

The example was meant to be the extreme, and her cheeks go paler than normal. “Maybe so, but I’d send him to war over you, Ariella, and you know I fucking would.”

She would, which is the issue. “He’s treating me well, Della. Don’t worry.”

The next look she gives is for Erico rather than me. A warning one as we approach him and Nico.

Nico tips his head toward me. “Mrs. Rossi, I hope you’re enjoying your new home.”

Della reacts the same time I do—with a small squeak. It’s the reminder I’m no longer his sister-in-law. Well, I’m notonlyhis sister-in-law now; I’m the wife of an ally.

I smile my greeting, which he accepts, stepping aside to gesture for Della and I to climb into the car. As I follow my sister into the vehicle, Nico points for Jack to sit up front with the driver. In the car, Della takes my hand into both of hers and angles herself into me, purposely keeping the men away. Based on the look she gives Erico after he sits beside Nico, she’s still blaming him for taking me away.

Patting the back of her hand, I shake my head, silently telling her to stop being mean.It’s fine,I mouth to her right as the car starts moving.

We leave the airfield and drive straight into the city. The trip is silent. Della leaning into me while the men work on their phones. With every building, every vehicle, every highway exit we pass, the reality of this trip becomes more obvious. Less ignorable. I’m not visiting my sister. We’re visiting our mother. Ourdeadmother.

Hold it in, hold it in, hold it in.

I don’t know how I’ll manage.

When the driver pulls in front of the cemetery, my first thought is how lovely it is. The late summer breeze knocks through the trees surrounding the block’s worth of property. The grey stones in the middle of the wrought-iron fence seem fitting, like it’s appropriate they have such a pretty piece of land to call home. At least Stefano did this much—gave Mom a decent resting place.

Nico gets out of the car first, followed by Erico. Della releases me to exit behind them, and then it’s my turn.

I feel stuck.

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