Page 41 of The Silence Lies

We’re chest to chest now; closer than before. With my hands on his shoulders, and his firmly around my waist, it’s the first time I’ve actually felt carefree in a while. It’s liberating; to feel free from the burden of my position, free from the judgment of others. Inadvertently, I’ve been drawn into living in the moment, heeding my own words with Luca.

“You know,” I say, slowly reaching for his jawline. “I think I prefer the rugged look on you.”

A smile flits on Luca’s face. It’s there for barely a second, before it disappears. His gaze roams down my face, along my neck and shoulders. The delicate touch of his fingertips drawing lines up my back stokes a fire within. “I like this dress on you,” he comments, bringing his fingers up to slip beneath the strap of my dress, toying with it. “You wear it well.”

Our movements seem to stop. His words only fuel the fire inside me, and I can’t wait to hear more.

My pulse races as we lock eyes, a battle between lust and sensibility warring inside of me. With every second that passes, I feel the intensity of his gaze, those blue eyes drawing me into the depths. My gaze scours his perfect features, the smooth skin and sharp jawline until my eyes land on his mouth.

For a moment, I wonder what it would be like—What it would feel like to kiss him.

Would it be soft? Would it be demanding? Would it be just as consuming as Levi’s kiss was?

“You guys look cute together!”

I jump back slightly at the sound of Levi’s voice, not realizing how close to Luca I really was.

“We were just dancing,” I admonish, though deep down I’m kind of yearning for more. I shouldn’t feel like that, though. I’ve already crossed the line with Levi, and I don’t even know what that is right now.

“Hey!” Levi’s hand presses firmly against the base of my spine, urging me closer to Luca. “I don’t have a problem with it.” He smirks.

“Then stop ruining it,” Luca snaps playfully, twisting me away from Levi.

“I wish I could, but Greco has agreed to see you, Sera.”

Merda. This is it.

Panic sets in; my mouth is suddenly dry and my heart rate picks up speed.

Luca grabs my hands, a soft smile lifting those plump lips. “Deep breath.” He nods at me, “You’ve got this.”

I’ve got this.

I roll my shoulders back as Giovanni appears by my side. With all three men surrounding me, Levi guides us out of the hall and down a corridor. The walls are decorated in red and gold, the colors of royalty. Greco always did consider himself high class, but we all know the truth. Any member of the Mafia can pretend, but nobody can buy their way to the top.

We finally reach a door where two of Greco’s men stand guard on either side. One holds his hand up to us, signaling for my men to wait out here. I can feel the tension rolling off their shoulders. While Levi’s fists clench in front of me, I can feel Luca’s anger lacing his hot breath at the back of my neck.

“I’ll be okay,” I assure them, stepping past Levi. “I’ll shout if I need you.”

Giovanni nods, accepting my order. I wish I could say the same for the other two who are locked in a staring contest with Greco’s guards. But I don’t have time to placate them. I just want to get this over with, preferably without a scratch on me. Today has already gone smoother than I thought. With Luciano and his brother arriving, I half expected another brawl like last week, but it appears they’re choosing to forgo brute force in favor of heavy intimidation tactics, staring me down whenever they can.

A shiver runs through me as I push those thoughts to the back of my mind and enter the room.

Greco sits behind a delicate white desk with gold trimming. I can only assume it belongs to the wedding planner because I have to fight the laughter bubbling beneath the surface at how out of place the man behind it looks.

“I trust there is a good reason why you asked to meet with me today?” Greco asks, peeling one leg over the other. Apparently, he’s attempting intimidation tactics of his own. He leans back in the tiny chair, linking his fingers at his chest.

In all honesty, I thought I would be more nervous. Since stepping through the door though, I’ve felt nothing but helplessness coming from the man who seems to hold every single card. He’s sought after, and he knows it. It’s what makes the man so difficult to contact. He avoids everybody, even the Elders. The only reason he has gotten away with it for so long is because he’s trusted. I presume that whatever Luca has on him will be a stark contradiction to that, but the less I know, the better.

“Well, you are a hard man to reach on the best of days. I trust there’s a reason you would be avoiding your leader?” I smirk, using the same tactics.

I take a seat in front of him, perching elegantly and confidently.

“What makes you think I am avoiding you? I have businesses to run, an empire to rule.”

His nonchalance irritates me, like an itch I can’t scratch.

“And yet you still answer to me.” The words spill calm and confidently. There’s no mistaking the authority I’m adopting, even though I’m concealing the slight tremble of my hands. “Or have you forgotten?”

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