Page 28 of The Silence Lies

I reach the group of socialites, where my father holds his hand out for me to join him.

“Governor, meet my daughter.”

My eyes slide to a man who looks around the same age as my father. He could probably shake a few years if it weren’t for the permanent tan and leathery looking skin. His salt and pepper hair is slicked back, his lips parting as he smiles to display a few gold crowns.

“Your father has told me so much about you,” he states, taking my hand to shake.

“All good, I hope?”

My father laughs as he presses a hand to my back. It’s a possessive move, a warning not to mess this up. The action is a clear move of power; I might have taken his position, but he’s still in charge.

“This is Governor D’Angelo. A good friend, better ally.” I don’t miss the wink my father gives the man in front of me. It sends a chill crawling up my spine because I know exactly what his words mean.

If my father has the Governor in his pocket, it means I need to keep up appearances to receive the same treatment. Having someone of political power on your side is only good for so many things. But that can easily be taken away.

“Serafina,” D’Angelo husks. “How is your dancing?” He gestures to the dance floor at the back of the room, where music plays gracefully in the background.

My father nudges me gently, forcing me to control the scowl determined to make an appearance. This is the Governor giving me a way in, an opening to build an alliance. I’d be an idiot not to accept.

“I think I can keep up,” I say with a smile.

Without hesitation, D’Angelo takes my hand and guides me through the room. I feel the eyes watching us as we take position, the Governor spinning me into his hold. He leads the way, gently turning and swaying.

“So, how long have you known my father?”

The Governor pins me with a cautious stare before answering, “We go way back. He helped me get into office…”

“And you help him with the rest.” I don’t know how much this man knows about my family’s business, but I’m wary enough to tread carefully.

“You’re smart. I like that.” D’Angelo nods, pulling me closer to him. I can tell by the way D’Angelo’s eyes scour over my body that he doesn’t appreciate my brains at all. Men like him don’t have the capacity to care about those things. Men like D’Angelo prefer beauty over brains, something that makes him stand out in a good way. Someone who makes him look desirable. I know, I’ve done my research. The Governor has had three wives, and two of those were younger than me.

“Your father has left quite a legacy,” the Governor states as we sway to the gentle music.

“He did,” I agree. I don’t need a reminder of the work I need to do to fix the mess I’m in, and I certainly don’t need the Governor to put his two cents in.

I’m more determined than ever to prove what I can do, and if I need to schmooze with politicians to do that, so be it.

“I would say it’s some big shoes to fill, but I can already tell you will do well.” His eyes linger on my chest, unashamedly. “And of course, I’ll honor the agreement set with your father.”

I wish I could say I was happy to hear those words, but with the way he keeps looking at me, I’m increasingly aware of his intentions. His hands are creeping further south the longer we talk. I can already tell where this is going, and as my eyes dart around the room, nobody is watching anymore. It’s like this moment was designed, planned for the Governor to have this very conversation with me. Only, his intentions are becoming clearer the longer we dance.

“I don’t need anything,” I state, not missing the suggestion in his tone. I hesitate to ask, but I need to know. I need to prepare myself for what I know is coming. “You’re in office now, what do you need from me?”

“It’s not what I need, my dear. You need a way to import freely, correct?” He’s referring to the drugs and weapons my family imports. It’s the family’s income; something I’m not too proud about, but you can’t choose family, I guess. He tilts his head, eyes finally meeting mine. “So, let’s make this work, for both of us.”

The Governor spins me, and as I turn, my eyes lock onto Giovanni. Thankfully, he’s not too far away but he’s already taking slow steps towards us in preparation. I shake my head, almost imperceptibly. It’s enough for my bodyguard to slow his pace, watching carefully from a short distance.

“I scratch your back, you scratch mine.” The Governor smiles at me, his lips turned up in cocky fashion. I try to push away, but he’s got me pinned against him. I frown, because that’s all I can do. Showing too much emotion will show my cards, but I can’t fight the confusion and anger bubbling beneath the surface.

He spins me around once more, yanking me close to his body. My back presses to his chest, and almost immediately I feel the hardness. “I’ll take great pleasure in giving you whatever you want, my dear.” He rasps in my ear. If it were anyone else, I would probably find it sexy. But nothing about this man screams sex appeal.

I resist the urge to push away, to grimace at the sleaziness of his words. Instead, I focus on Giovanni’s gaze. It keeps us both in place, at least until I give him the signal.

“I’ll give you the same warning I gave your father, Bianchi. Fuck me over, and you’ll wish you were dead.”

Steeling my emotions, I stiffen my posture. Anger threatens to boil, while Luca’s words echo in the back of my mind.

Nobody talks to a Bianchi like this. I am a leader, and I need to prove that I won’t take any shit.

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