Page 66 of The Silence Lies

Sera glares at her second in command. “Then it’s a good thing I’m the one deciding, isn’t it?”

Ouch.

“Fontana,” she says, gesturing for me to continue.

“We lure them out. They’ve been hanging around Haze a lot. I figure it’s because it’s got so many weak points that it’s the easiest target.”

“Remind me to get that fixed,” she mutters to Levi.

“We’re going to head down to Haze, act like you have a meeting or something.”

“And what if they take us out before we get there?” she questions.

Levi reaches for Sera’s hand, giving it a squeeze. I observe the interaction, immediately wishing I hadn’t because all I feel is jealousy and confusion. It’s a twisted emotion, unraveling the longer I watch Sera and Levi look at each other.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he assures her.

“You won’t be there,” I answer. “Well, you won’t be in the vehicle they’ll be chasing.”

“We’ve thought of everything,” Raf adds.

“You’ll be riding with me,” I say. “Anyone who has been watching you will expect you to be with Giovanni. So we’re setting up a larger protection detail. We need to make it look like it’s you in the SUV. Hopefully, they take the bait and follow. If they do, we’ll be waiting for them at Haze.”

Sera doesn’t look too convinced about the plan, but the idea of her not being included in this isn’t something she will consider. It’s this or nothing.

“And what if they’re already at the club? You said they were scoping the place out, right?”

Raf nods in response, tapping on his laptop again. “They do hourly runs. If we time it right, we’ll miss each other. I’ve got eyes on the club and the surrounding area. I’ll give you a heads up if they show their faces.”

“That still doesn’t answer the question about them trying to take out the convoy. I don’t want any of you getting hurt.”

“We won’t,” Levi replies with conviction. “We’re prepared this time.”

And by prepared, he means the Ferrante brothers have installed a myriad of weapons and ammunition that could probably take down an army.

“Fine,” she huffs. “When do we leave?”

“If we’re all in agreement with the plan, ten minutes.” I check my watch to be sure. If we time it correctly, we’ll be able to get to Haze unscathed like Raf said.

Once everyone has confirmed their role in this plan, Raf and I pack up. Giovanni is already heading towards the convoy where five more vehicles await. It’s the perfect plan. We’ll definitely draw attention with this display and it’ll look like Sera has more protection. It’s a fucking trojan horse; drawing attention in the best negative way, so that I can get Sera to the club unseen.

Sera appears at the side of the car, Levi murmuring something to her before he joins Giovanni in the SUV. She slides into the passenger seat, her gaze focused ahead of her. Her fingers drum a little beat on the door handle, something that tells me she’s a little nervous about this plan.

“He’s going to be okay,” I assure her, watching them drive out of the courtyard. We still have ten minutes to wait. We need to leave enough time between them and us so as to avoid being tailed.

Sera’s finger-drumming stops. She shifts in her seat. “I know. I’m still allowed to worry,” she frowns. “I worry about all of you.”

“You don’t need to worry about me, Donna Bianchi.”

Sera winces at the formality. Little does she know it’s the only way I can maintain some semblance of distance from her. “Don’t do that,” she warns.

“Do what?”

Her brown eyes send daggers my way. Even past the anger I can see the hurt in them. I can’t say I like the thought of her upset, let alone me being the cause of it, but ever since that kiss, my head has been in a tailspin.

“Don’t pretend like nothing happened.”

“I already told you, it was a mistake.”

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