Page 75 of The Sound in Silence

Erico reaches for me and tucks an arm around me. I curl into him, breathing in his scent. Two weeks ago, I never would have believed Erico Rossi would be my safety net. When I assumed he’d drown me in this life, he’s been the one keeping my head above the waves.

Gia joins her husband, scanning the room, her expression almost nervous. “Son, what—what are you doing? That was an unfortunate mishap, but you don’t need to leave over it.”

He stops in his tracks, turning slowly to his parents. “Theonlything protecting your asses right now is the blood we share. You don’t think I’m smart enough to see through the bullshit charade that was? You invited them here when I’ve made my stance explicitly clear. Mother agrees to keep Ariella company the moment we arrive so you, Father, can pull me into some backdoor meeting. ThenconvenientlyVanessa finds her way to my wife’s side.”

Gia scans the crowd again and speaks low, even though everyone in the room is so attuned to the family drama laid out in front of them, they probably still hear her. “Erico, enough. We’ll discuss this later.”

“Yeah,” he agrees, surprising me, “we will discuss this later. Another day, another month, another fucking year. For now, we’re done.” He grasps my hand, but instead of pulling me toward the door, he faces the crowd. “Thank you all for coming. This is my wife, Ariella. She’s your queen and you’ll all fucking treat her as such. If you don’t, hopefully today is a display of what will happen.”

And then we’re gone, outside in another breath, and he immediately gestures to the valet who rushes to the side of the building to retrieve his car.

The moment we’re alone, Erico cups my face, smashing his lips to mine in a rough, possessive kiss I’m all too happy to accept.Ifthere were any leftover doubts from Vanessa’s words, his mouth removes them.

“God, Ariella. Do I even want to know how that happened?”

Probably not. But what’s most relieving is that he didn’t immediately ask for the story inside. He took my side and asked questions later.

Like an equal partnership.

I lift my phone between us and shoot him a text, mentioning all the things Vanessa said to me. For the first time, Erico glares at the phone, as though annoyed I’m unable to use my voice.

When his dings, he quickly reads my message, cursing, and glares down the dark road. “Fucking bitch. I’ll hunt her down so she can pay for every single thing she said.”

Don’t.I shake my head, holding onto his lapel just as his car arrives. The valet hands over the keys and Erico helps me into the car. The short drive goes quicker than our trip here, and glancing at the speedometer proves why. Not a terrifying speed, but certainly an energy to get us home quicker.

He abandons the car in front of the house and helps me out, his hand stroking over the one I slapped Vanessa with. “Sore?”

I shake my head. Not anymore.

“Let’s get you inside and into bed.”

Erico

Once Ariella showers and is in bed, she stares expectantly at me because I mentioned on the drive home I’d provide an explanation of what happened tonight. She deserves it, and I want to give it.

This night, while suspected would be shitty, turned out so much worse. Now I’m on the verge of war with the Bratva and at odds with my snake of a father.

I take a seat on the edge of the bed, leaning on the post and start. “A few days before our wedding, my father came to me with a different proposition. One that would have us aligned with the Russian Bratva by marrying Vanessa Volkov. Father never completely liked my deal with the Corsettis, so when Nico offered you in Aurora’s stead, he saw this as the Corsettis getting away with treachery, now twice in one lifetime.”

Her expression lowers and I can all but see the thoughts racing in her head. The self-doubts returning.

“I denied him right then and there. Said I’d honour the deal Nico and I made originally, and then the revised one with you.”

Why?she mouths.

“For the same reason I agreed to wed you, Ariella. From the moment we met, I was intrigued. As I’ve said in the past, I couldn’t deny your offer and already made up my mind—we both did. What my father proposed could be profitable for theFamiglia, but I wanted you instead.”

Her ocean-coloured eyes soften, melting away some of those doubts.

“He was adamant though. Determined to gain the Bratva. After we married, I figured he’d drop it considering—” I lift my left hand, using my thumb to spin my wedding band, finishing my sentence with the action. “Tonight was a complete surprise. The moment I saw Ursin approach, I knew it wasn’t over. Rather than argue in front of everyone, I figured it’d be safer to hear them out.” Little did I know how wrong I was. “Fuck, Ariella, I’m sorry.”

She shakes her head, her brows dipping. Her mouth opens and shuts twice before she retrieves her phone.

Ariella

What happened wasn’t your fault.

It was, but I won’t waste time arguing.

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