Page 71 of The Sound in Silence

“God, Ariella.” I reach for her, my arm finding an easy home around her waist. “I’m seconds away from calling my mother and telling her to cancel this stupid party. What I wouldn’t give for a repeat of this morning with you in this gown.”

Eating her out on the piano is another memory I’ll re-live. Every new experience with her replacing the last. Even when I had her spread like a meal, she silently took what she wanted, what she needed, and the release her body gifted me was proof of what we can be.

Ariella shakes her head and types on her phone. She grips it like a lifeline, which I suppose it might exactly be that tonight. She’s not leaving my side though.

My own pings with her message.

Ariella

We can’t because it’ll cause drama. You’ve shielded me well but we both know what this marriage means to your role. I must step up at some point.

Once, I’d be pleased by that message, but I’m finding myself disappointed she’s becoming stronger and more confident. Not because I wish tonotsee her rise up as my queen, but rather, I’m becoming selfish where she’s concerned and want to keep her all to myself.

Reaching for her, unable to stop touching, I curl a loose tendril of hair around her ear. “I hate that you’re right. Plus, my mother will bitch to the end of eternity and no one wants that. Rain check, I suppose.”

Looping her arm through mine, I lead her to the passenger side of the car. Once she’s seated and buckled in, I join her and Caladin in the car, and we head to a night I’d rather do without.

The moment we’re off my property, Caladin leans forward, putting his face between our seats. “So. Yeah. Thanks for letting me tag along on date night.”

“Put your seat belt on,” I command, unamused.

Completely ignoring me, he utters to Ariella, “He’s no fun. All day, the bastard has me running around on an errand andthisis the thanks I get! Whatever. I’ll cab it home.”

“Trust me,” I say dryly, “the means in which you get home later isn’t even a blip on my mind.” Especially for mentioning an errand that Ariella certainly doesn’t need to know about.

The moment she picks up her phone, I know her text is for me, so when the screen on the car’s dash flashes with a message, thanks to the Bluetooth connection, we all get to read it.

Ariella

Don’t be mean. We can at least drive him home.

“Ha!” Caladin slaps my shoulder. “What she said. I like her, Erico. When you eventually force me down the aisle for whatever random alliance you decide to utilize me for, make sure the bride will be as pretty and as amusing as this one.” Then he turns his charming smile right to my wife, who meets it with her own.

Caladin’s not a threat and I know he’s only pulling this shit to get a rise out of me. So I should ignore it, but damn, he makes it impossible.

Thankfully, since the venue is so close, we quickly arrive. The rustic-style club is lit up with streamers of fairy lights going from pole to pole, wrapping the roof, and illuminating the dark area.

A red carpet is laid out…because Mother. It’s a hint of how flashy she’s made this event be. Father always appreciated her willingness to be the perfect mafia wife, but glancing at my own, I’m learning there’s numerous definitions of the wordperfect.

I park by the valet’s stall and he opens Ariella’s door, assisting her out. Caladin and I both get out, simultaneously buttoning our suits’ coats up.

Before I manage a step toward Ariella, Caladin’s arm blocks my way. “Jesus, man, I didn’t realize until witnessing you tonight. You’re downright obsessed with your wife. You’re falling for her, aren’t you?”

“Shut up,” is my mumbled reply as I push him away and join Ariella, after handing my keys off to the valet.

Caladin, still laughing, strides up the red carpet and through the double doors, giving us a peek of the chaos inside. Taking Ariella’s arm into mine, I pose us to look how everyone in there expects us to. A partnership. A Boss and his queen.

“Ready?”

She nods. But in her mind, I think she’s shaking her head no.

“Sooner this starts, the sooner we get home. Think we’ll need a long, hot shower after this.”

The moment we enter the building’s lobby, Mother is on us immediately, her pin straight hair as sharp as her delicate nerves and cat-like nails that jab in my direction. “You’re late by five minutes. Bad form considering all your men have come out for this. Some even travelling—”

Ignoring her, I pull Ariella through the next set of doors and the noise of chatter from hundreds of guests help tune my mother out. The party is the lesser of two evils at this point.

Guests turn, some tipping heads respectfully, others murmuring to one another. All their attention lands on the woman at my side. Most with curious stares, others even managing gentle smiles. That’s good. Cools my blood, knowing I won’t be fighting my own men on her behalf tonight.

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