Page 19 of The Silence Lies

Sera contemplates it for a moment, eyes sliding to the paperwork in front of her briefly. Unfortunately, those documents on her desk aren’t going to give her the answer she’s looking for.

“Maybe the less we know the better, for now?” I interject. It is my job after all to advise Sera, and right now, she needs my support. “Can you assure us that just the mention of a secret getting out is enough to sway Don Greco?”

“Categorically.” Luca nods at me. “He definitely won’t want this getting out.”

“Do we need to ask where you got this dirt from?” Sera chimes in.

“Probably the less you know the better, right?” He tilts his chin at her, a taunting smile curling his lips.

Whatever Luca knows, however he knows it, it’s going to be dangerous. I can already sense the impending doom that is about to explode in our faces if we don’t play this right.

“Donna Bianchi,” I say, turning to her. It’s the fact I’ve used her formal title so effortlessly that seems to grab her attention the most. “I think we should do it. Ask Greco to side with us, if he doesn’t, use what Luca has on him.”

“But what if he asks me to elaborate.”

“Jesus Christ, Sera!” Luca stands up. “You!” He points a finger at her, “are Donna Bianchi. You lead this Mafia. The old bastards are too caught up in their own ways to expect this. Use it to your advantage! Use your fucking position to your advantage!”

“Whoa! Calm down, Fontana!” I bark. “Remember who you’re talking to.”

Luca takes a deep breath, darting his gaze over to Giovanni. “We need them, Sera. We need the Grecos before the Verdis go after them too.”

“Fine! If you’re certain there is no other way, then I’ll do it.” She points to all three of us as she continues, “But I want you all there with me, got it? If shit goes sideways, we get out of there right away.”

“Got it,” Luca and I say in unison. Giovanni on the other hand just nods obediently.

The room settles, but the tension is still palpable. I don’t like the feral look in Luca’s eye that seems to be directed at Sera, and I certainly don’t like the way his fists are scrunched up. Still, he takes a few steps towards the door, says his goodbyes and then leaves.

“Fold,” Marco Ferrante sighs, placing his cards onto the table.

“Raise,” Luca murmurs, sliding more poker chips into the center. The asshole looks far too cocky for my liking. I’m still trying to work out his tells, but the man plays poker to an entirely different level. I thought I had him all worked out but then he switches up his tactics and before I know it, I’m down two-thousand bucks.

I look down at my cards, then at the center where the five-card flop is laid out; king of spades, queen of hearts, nine of diamonds, nine of clubs and eight of hearts. I have a full house with my queen of diamonds and nine of spades.

Luca sits back in his chair, taking a long pull from his beer bottle. He’s unwavering, not a single sign that would tell me he’s bluffing. His almost blonde hair gives him that innocent look about him, his blue eyes locked onto mine as we continue our stare-off.

“You guys going to fuck or fold?” Matteo snorts beside me, taking a drag of his cigarette.

“Call,” I nod, sliding my chips across the table.

Sera hisses mockingly beside me, and I don’t know how I didn’t notice her presence before now.

“You come to be my good luck charm?”

She chews on her lip. She has changed into a more eye-catching ensemble. She still wears her blazer jacket, but she’s no longer wearing her blouse. It gives me a great view of the perfect tits, pressed together by the lapels of her jacket. Her legs are on full display, only covered by matching shorts.

“Looks like you might need more than luck.”

“Is that so?” I growl, inspecting my cards.

She laughs at my level of concentration.

Luca is almost glaring at me. I’m not sure if he’s trying to work out my angle in this poker game or figuring out what's going on between Sera and I. Nothing, right now. But I’ll have my way soon enough, I just need to break her down a little. She’s clearly still torn over what happened today, so I’ll give her time to process it all. I wonder if that’s what he can sense.

Luca, on the other hand, looks like he’s about to chew through his jaw. I know the look of a man possessed by the green monster, Enzo wore it a lot.

“What’s the pot?” Sera asks, pouring herself a glass of champagne.

“Six,” Marco replies, eyeing us warily.

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