Page 95 of The Sound in Silence

I approach and whatever he’s trying to say gets louder, his shouting muffled by the cloth in his mouth. I jerk it around his neck and he sucks in three gulps of air. “Rossi—Mr. Rossi, I swear, I was coerced!”

Somehow, I knew it wouldn’t be long until he squealed. He boasts a big game for the races, but he’s certainly no mercenary. Not a criminal in that sense, which makes gaining answers more pressing.

I angle the blade until it’s pointing over his heart; a threat he won’t misunderstand. Fear will have him spewing everything, believing it’ll save his soul. “Talk. Everything you know.Now.”

He bobs his head in an almost animated way. “I was paid. Five thousand dollars showed up on my doorstep yesterday morning with a note to smash into you. Said once the job was done, I’d get another five.”

Fuck.Someone out there wants me dead then. With the speed involved in these races, whoever set this up, is aware that being shoved off the road makes death a high likelihood. The car would lose control, the buildings easy to crash into, the car flippable.

Cocking a brow, I ask, “You obeyed the directionless order when you could have brought this to me and saved your life?”

His skin pales and his eyes dart from both Caladin and me then back. He jerks in the chains, angling himself away from the knife, and tears fill his eyes. He’s a pathetic, blubbering mess. “Man, you know any animosity I feel toward ya is just for the races. Friendly competition and all. I don’t want you dead!”

“Yet you listened to the command.”

“Have you metyoupeople? If I didn’t listen to the order, I’d be dead too!”

Maybe. Or the greedy fucker wanted an easy payday and didn’t use his measly brain to think admitting the note and cash to me would have given him an even better payout. “How’d that work out for you?” With the knife, I spin it, gesturing to the warehouse. “You still ended up here.”

He jerks in the chains again, trying to skitter back, only for the metal to pin him to the spot. “Dude, let me go. I’ll give you the money, the note. I’ll hand it all over. Just let me fuckin’ go.” His tone drops to a plea, his pathetic tone nearly laughable.

“My wife was in the car,” I state with a deadly, flat tone. He’s not getting out of here—truth or otherwise—for the dangers he put her in. “There are no second chances, Anders.” I take two steps, coming within a foot of him.

“Man,” he sobs, jerking roughly again. His legs kick out, trying to hit me, but getting nowhere. “Dude, let me go. I’m sorry. You’re both alive so it worked out.”

“We wouldn’t be if you succeeded. Ifshedidn’t warn me. I’m sorry, Anders,” I say although my tone implies no empathy—nor do I feel it at all, “but to try to take her from me is an act against theFamigliaand no one survives such a betrayal.”

With a single thrust, I jam it into his heart. The skin squelches, his eyes widen before the light fades, and his body drops, slumping and jangling the chains. I release the knife’s hilt, leaving it inside his body, and wipe my hands on my pants after the cleanest death I’ve probably ever bestowed. He’s lucky.

“Didn’t drag that out at all,” Caladin murmurs, his lips pursing. “Didn’t want to take his offer up on getting the note? See if we can track whoever’s after you by handwriting.”

“Send someone to his apartment. Idiot probably left it lying around. Find his phone. Figure out everyone he’s been in contact with. It’s not a coincidence this happened last night of all times.”

Caladin’s already tapping at his phone, sending out orders. “You think they’re after Ariella.”

“Not sure. Timing’s weird. But no one knew she’d be with me. No one but you, and I know you’re not behind it.”

He shakes his head. “I’d die for you and her before I ordered your deaths. This is weird.”

Yeah,I mentally agree, instead ordering, “Get a cleaning crew in here. Dispose of him. Have the place prepared for our next guest.”

Caladin follows me out of the warehouse, his eyes narrowed and studying me. “No one’s safe from yourprotect Ariellarampage, are they? Means I should probably stay on her good side to not piss you off.”

“Do that.” I shut the warehouse door behind us, locking in the scent of death and betrayal, tainted with greed. “There’s one positive thing that came out from last night.”

“Fucking your wife against the car?” Caladin laughs. “You two were so damn obvious.”

“There’s that, but she spoke to me. Inside, when I said she warned me, she actuallywarnedme.”

Humour slips off his face, his mouth forming an O. “Your mute wife isspeakingnow?”

“I don’t know how it works, but at least to me, yeah.” Just saying it out loud, hearing her voice in my head, causes me to smile. And has my cousin punching his fist to my arm, chuckling.

“Well, good for you, man. Good forher, I guess. I’m getting this isn’t any small feat.”

“No.” For her or me. Whatever the reason she was able to speak, it was the acclimation of trust, of…something. Ofusand it’s a gift I’ll cherish every day.

He shakes his head and backs up, nearing the building again. “Well, I’ll wait here until people arrive to remove Anders’ body. Then I’m taking a couple to the border with me, if you’d like to join. Or,” he waggles his brows suggestively, “too busy wrapped up in your wife’s voice?”

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