Page 133 of The Silence Lies

My heart starts to pick up its pace. I’m searching for the right words, words that Sera won’t hate, but somehow, I can’t find them. I guess I shouldn’t feel so ashamed since she was there while Levi was on his knees, but it still conjures up a feeling of unease that this dynamic we have could all go sideways in a split second.

“After Gio was shot.”

Sera’s eyes widen on me.

“It happened once!” Levi finally speaks up.

“Twice,” I correct.

“Twice?”

We both nod at Sera. A part of me is glad that it’s out in the open. I don’t like the idea of keeping anything from her, not since she’s always been open with us about each other. But a part of me still wants it hidden away. I’m not gay. I don’t like guys.

“After our argument, and then again down at the marina,” I supply, noticing the look of confusion on her face.

“Well, I didn’t see that coming,” she mutters.

My eyes move to my lap. I tangle my hands, stretching, relaxing, squeezing, over and over again. “Trust me. I don’t think anyone did.”

As if she senses my worries, Sera leans forward and tangles her fingers with mine. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I don’t even know where to start when it comes to answering that. Sera has been open with us about everything, and here we are, hiding what happened like we’re ashamed. The truth is, I’m not ashamed at all. But I’m not going to sit in silence and deny that it doesn’t scare the shit out of me. Admitting what happened means admitting I like Levi. It means admitting to my own vulnerability. I’m Luca Fontana, Enforcer to the Bianchi family. I don’t have room for vulnerability, but Levi has somehow squeezed through the very tiny cracks of my being, breaking down the wall I never knew existed. It cements the kiss, the feelings stirring underneath the surface. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.

“I feel like saying it out loud means admitting we betrayed you.”

Sera drops to her knees in front of me, cupping my cheeks. She brushes the tip of her nose against mine, and that one simple touch dissolves all the worry I’ve been feeling. “I don’t feel betrayed,” she reassures. “I promise.”

My eyes snap to meet hers, but the trepidation in her features melts away the fear constricting my chest.

“Can I be honest with you both?” She averts her gaze to Levi, who leans forward.

Our knees brush against each other, my heartbeat skipping slightly. We’ve been closer than this before, but something about the tension simmering between all three of us right now has me on edge.

“I think it’s kind of hot.” She bites down on her bottom lip, tempting me to lean forward and tug it out. I don’t, though. My hand grips hers so fiercely that it’s the only strength I can muster through this strange conversation.

“Oh it was,” Levi teases, surprising me when he rests his hand on my thigh.

“Hmm…” Sera leans back, looking at both of us. “You guys don’t need to hide anything from me, okay? What we have here, it works, and I’d like to think that if we want more, then we can be open about that.”

“But another woman is out of the question?” Levi taunts, grabbing Sera by the waist and yanking her down on our laps.

She laughs and writhes as Levi digs his fingers into her ribs, the musical sound making me smile. It’s not just Sera’s laugh, but Levi’s too. It’s all so carefree and effortless that I have a hard time tuning it out. I used to be such a hard-ass, a moody son-of-a-bitch with a complex, but in the space of just a few months, I’ve found more of my real self in them than in my entire existence.

“Yes, Marchese. If you bring another woman into the mix, I’ll take the bitch down myself.”

“Threats from the leader, Marchese,” I chuckle, grabbing her feet and pinning her down onto the couch. “We should really follow orders.”

“Orders, yes,” Levi agrees, shifting so that his body is alongside Sera’s. “Threats… hmm… I don’t know.”

Sera is breathless beneath Levi, her eyes alight with desire as she bites down on her lip. “Don’t worry, Dolcezza.” I crawl over her body, positioning myself between her thighs. “I won’t be bringing another woman into this. No other woman could hold a candle to you.”

Her breath stutters as I lean down and kiss her. For once, I let her take control, just for a moment before I dive my tongue into her mouth, exploring it so intricately that even Levi gasps.

“Fuck, why is it so damn hot to watch?” he rasps.

Sera sits up, leaning back on her elbows. Her cheeks are rosy, her lips swollen from our kiss, but glistening with the remnants of it. “It’s hot to watch you both as well,” she smiles.

Levi turns to me, a brow raised in what I perceive to be expectation—or maybe it’s hope.

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