Page 89 of The Sound in Silence

“Stay in the car,” I order. “Just for a second.” The crowd here isn’t known for being stellar people.

Caladin cuts me off before I can reach her side, a hand coming up to block my way. “Hey,” he lowers his voice to a murmur I barely hear over the crowd, “while we’re alone. I looked into the accident like you asked. Corsetti gave me access to Stefano De Falco’s phone records. I didn’t think he’d be dumb enough to contact the driver directly, and I was right. One number came up the most, and the owner went by the name Gage. Same mercenary that Rafael Corsetti warned me about. Said he was the leader of some gang, but he and his brother killed all their men. Anyway, so I had Gage’s phone records pulled, looking into everyone he’s ever called, seeing who’s alive and dead. Two are still alive. And one…one’s credit card records showed on the date of the accident, he booked a car rental. So I had the rental place’s systems hacked.” Caladin pauses, rolling his lips together as his eyes dart to Ariella who, shockingly, remained in the car. “He rented out a white van on that day. Not sure how he got out of the manslaughter charge, but it doesn’t matter anymore because we found him, man. We’re tracking him, and Corsetti’s hunting his ass as I speak. We’ll have him soon.”

And this is why Caladin is my best tracker. No one else would have been able to put all that togetherandfind him. His news might be the second-best thing to happen to me this week, next to fucking my wife.

I slap him on the arm as I continue to Ariella’s side. “Thanks. We’ll talk more later. Let me know when you get him.”

Keeping myself at an angle, I let Ariella out of the car, readjusting her dress after she stands before the slithering fuckers around us see anything. But first, I back her into the car, crowding her.

“Kiss for good luck?”

Smiling, she gives me a kiss so heated, my cock demands bending her over the car right this instance.

“What do I get if I win?”

Her eyes flick between us, staring meaningfully at my waist. Her look can mean numerous things but as long as it ends with both of us naked, I don’t give a fuck. She lifts her hands between us and signs slowly. I think I make the sentence out correctly, and if I do, then there’s no way in hell I’m losing this race, but still, I verify.

“I win and you’ll tie me up?”

She nods, smirking.

“And if I lose?”

Nothing, she replies with her hands.

Grinning, I pull her away from the car so I can shut the door, while still using my body to block her from everyone.

“Custom says I talk to my opponent. Share a few words. More bets will be made. Give the crowd a show I don’t actually care for, and then we begin. And once again,sirena, stay fucking close.” I squeeze her hand, emphasizing my next words. “I’m not releasing you so don’t bother trying.”

She nods again, this time her expression serious, and sticks tight to my arm, her other hand even coming down on top of mine. It comforts me, her touch. Provides a strength I didn’t realize I was missing.

Caladin takes her in, and whistles low. “My, oh my, Mrs. Rossi, you look like an absolute doll. Remind me to send whoever designed that dress a raise because it’s well-deserved.” Casting a wink my way, the asshole adds, “If Erico isn’t giving you what you want, come find me.”

Throwing more weight into my step, I shove my shoulder into his as I pass him, shutting him up with anoofbut still, he only chortles, completely aware of the pointless jealousy he’s provoking in me.

The sky cracks, lightning threatening to crash down. For now, it backs my annoyance for my cousin.

Despite Caladin’s joke, he takes up Ariella’s left side, winking at her before his expression shifts into one that’s serious and deadly. The one that says not to piss him off. The trio of us walk toward the crowd as a large fucker shoves through it.

Blake Anders.

“Anders,” I greet, wiping the shit-eating grin off his face. Every time we race, I win, so I don’t know why he bothers.

His eyes dive to the woman clinging to my arm and rakes her body in a way too slow and leisurely for my liking. One more second and he’ll lose his eyes, and then he’ll definitely lose the race. “Who’s she? Tell me she’s the loser’s prize. Because if so, I won’t even bother turning on my car. You can have this one if I get her.”

Ariella presses close to me and while every word from his disgusting mouth has me wanting to murder him, I’m glad she comprehends why I don’t want her wandering freely.

“This is theFamiglia’snewest queen and if you don’t show some fucking respect, Anders, you deal with me. You might be a gang’s ringleader, but I rule the fucking country. This ismycity.Mydrugs you’re dealing. Don’t forget that.”

His eyes narrow into slits that do nothing for me. This is his game. He lords over his own minions so much, he forgets his place sometimes. Racing him is always good because it’s a reminder of where he belongs in the hierarchy. The bottom.

“Right.” His voice grates, his arms crossing over his chest like he’s aiming to make a statement. “Word did spread, yeah, that you gained a new whore by your side. Surprised you haven’t killed her yet. She seems a little gentle for you, Rossi.”

“He’s trying to get beneath your skin,” Caladin murmurs. “Don’t let him. In fact—” He cuts himself off as he strides toward the observing crowd, his arms rising, his voice booming with unclear words. Either way, he gains the crowd’s attention and after the show, money starts flying. Words and threats, curses and dares, all about the race. For good measure, he slaps Anders’ shoulder, knocking him back into the crowd of admirers.

With him gone for the moment, Ariella looks at me, her eyes a bit wider. Good. So she sees that life with me isn’t all mansions and swimming pools.

Having her here, a bright flash of white amongst so much black and leather, makes me want to bundle her up and return home, to her safe bubble, where none of this exists. Yet at the same time, I want to release her hand and watch her claim her place in the underground’s throne as theFamiglia’s queen. I’m a crime lord and she’s a crime lord’s wife, and with the chance, I bet she’d fucking excel at dealing with even a fraction of what I do.

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