Page 68 of The Silence Lies

Serafina

The car roars to life as Luca pumps the gas. Tires screech and dust picks up behind us as we make our way down the drive and through the gates of my estate. With the sun blazing down on us, I’m thankful for the blacked-out windows of Luca’s Maserati—and yes, I’m impressed with the car, too.

We ride in silence as Luca drives us toward the Bay. I can’t deny that I’m still a little nervous about this plan. The last time we ventured out this far, our convoy was taken out. This time, there are no cars following us. There’s nobody else with us, it’s just me and Luca.

Hold up.

There are no cars following us.

I glance at Luca, who’s wearing the same expression as I am; a look of relief relaxing his features as he smiles back at me. The man is utterly beautiful when he smiles, I wish he would do it more. The world needs to see Luca’s softness, his vulnerability. He’s ethereal and gentle when he shows this side of him, but I’m certain I’m the only one who gets to see the real Luca.

Before I can open my mouth to say anything, his phone rings through the speaker.

“We have a tail,” Levi rushes out.

My pulse instantly picks up. I look to Luca for some form of comfort but he’s far too calm and collected to spare me the attention.

“Just following?” Luca clarifies, picking up speed.

“For now.”

“Good.” Luca turns us around a sharp corner expertly, sliding his palm against mine and locking fingers with me. “Take the long route, make it look like you’re trying to lose them.”

“Got it. Where are you?”

“We’ve just left.”

I squeeze Luca’s hand, allowing the warmth of his palm to calm my jittery nerves. The thought of Levi and Giovanni in danger doesn’t sit well with me. There’s nothing I can do about it from this car, but I really hope the other night doesn’t repeat itself.

“How’s Bianchi?”

My attention snaps back to Levi’s voice. A wave of heat mixed with confusing shame washes over me. “I’m here,” I answer, clearing my throat. “I’m fine.”

“Good. Stay safe, Beautiful.”

“I will. Fontana’s got me covered.” I glance at Luca, and the serene look he had is now replaced with a tension I don’t really understand. He was fine a minute ago, and now he’s retreating.

Luca slides his hand out of mine, placing it on the steering wheel as he maneuvers the car down the hill. He doesn’t have to say anything for me to know something is wrong. He probably won’t tell me, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to try and find out.

Levi and I say goodbye, and then the dead dial tone pierces through the silence. Luca’s hands grip the steering wheel until his knuckles whiten, his eyes focusing ahead of him as if looking at me would turn him to stone.

“What’s wrong?” I frown, resting my hand on his leg. It’s a poor attempt at comfort, but right now, I don’t really know what else I should do. We had the perfect moment between us earlier, and now his sudden mood change is stinking up the car.

“Nothing,” he snaps.

Liar.

I take in his features; the way his brow furrows and his jaw clenches. I’ve seen that look before; it’s the same one he gave me after we first kissed, when Raf was giving us an update on what he found out about The Vultures. He thinks I didn’t see how he watched me, but I did. It bothered him that Levi was so close to me. I hazard a guess that it has something to do with Levi, again. He tensed up as soon as Levi mentioned me.

I observe him a little longer, the silence drawing us into its murky depths. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Luca.”

He relaxes slightly. A sigh parts his lips before he glances at me for a brief moment. It’s only long enough for me to see the confusion in his gaze. “I guess I’m just trying to understand what’s going on.”

It’s not the first admission by him, but it is one that makes me wonder if he’s finally opening up to me. Luca is always so closed off from everything that even that first kiss took me by surprise. Even now, he’s warring with indecision.

“Talk to me,” I urge.

Luca takes another corner, the road finally opening up as the city comes into view. “You and Levi,” he sighs. “Are you a thing?”

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