Page 85 of The Silence Lies

Shock freezes me in place. His outburst and admission surprises me even more than before.

“But I’m not that person anymore. What they’re doing is fucked up, and I want to make sure they pay.”

I narrow my eyes. I don’t have a clue about what he wants them to pay for, but I’m certain it’s not because of the attempt on my life or killing my best friend. I’m aware that his sister died in a shootout, but I have no idea who was behind it or how she came to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe this has Luciano’s name all over it, or maybe it’s the family?

I don’t expect him to tell me anything. In fact, I’m pretty sure the opening for me to ask questions is closed now. So we just sit in silence, staring at one another, neither of us knowing what to say.

I finish my coffee while still in the awkward company of Raf. It isn’t until I make my way to the sink to wash my mug that he finally speaks.

“I know what’s going on with you and the guys.”

I spin around, hands gripping the kitchen counter behind me. Of course Raf would have found out about Luca and Levi. Information like that gets passed around so quickly I’m surprised he hasn’t said anything before now. Then again, we’ve not really been in the company of one another for this long before.

“It’s none of your business,” I reply, swiftly turning around to clear the sink.

“No, you’re right. But I just want to say that what you want isn’t as outrageous as you think.”

“And what do you know about it?”

“Nothing,” he answers honestly. “But clearly the guys aren’t on the same page as you.”

Turning back around, I lock eyes with Raf. I don’t like the fact we’re talking about my private life so openly. He has no right to give me any opinion on the matter. Whatever is going on between me, Luca, and Levi is just that. It doesn’t involve anyone else.

As if sensing my hostility, he holds his palms in the air. “All I’m saying is, I know Luca. And if Luca and Levi are anything alike, they’re probably coming from a place of insecurity.”

Up until now, I assumed it had something to do with Levi not wanting to share. I thought his anger was because I betrayed him and what has been going on between us. It didn’t occur to me that my confident second-in-command would feel insecure.

“What exactly does he have to be insecure about?” I find myself asking. Though I still don’t like having this conversation with someone who fucked me over years ago, I find that Raf is probably the next best person to discuss this with. He knows Luca, and he’s a guy. He must have some insight for me that I can use.

“Well,” Raf chuckles. “No guy wants to share a girl with someone else. I mean, threesomes are hot, but they’re temporary. You’re talking about having a relationship with both of them, right?”

“I guess,” I answer, though I’m still wary of that term. The last time I fell into a relationship, it ended badly. Do I really want to go through that again?

Raf nods, sliding off the stool to rest a hand on my shoulder. “All I’m saying is, those guys have been raised to be the best. They’re the protector, the enforcer. They’re their own competition, they don’t need to be each other’s.”

“That’s not what this is.”

“I know,” he smiles. “But maybe it’s time you showed your loyalty to them?”

Luca

We park at the bottom of the Valley just as the sun sets. The orange and pink hues paint the picture of perfection in the sky, while we’re dealing with anything but that. Besides the fact that we’re on some sort of rescue mission to seek out a girl for a gang that tried to take our leader out, I’m still pissed about the situation I’ve found myself in with Sera.

“If you keep staring at their car like that it might burst into flames,” Marco comments from outside the open car window.

I raise a brow, facing him. “Would that be such a bad thing?”

He shrugs, not saying anything further on the subject, which I’m grateful for. Instead, he hands me an earpiece that will keep us connected with Raf.

I step out of the car, tapping it twice. “Mancini?”

“Here!” he answers almost immediately.

A drone swings over us and I salute it.

“Keep in the shadows,” Raf warns us. “Patrols are heavy.”

“Got it,” I answer, checking my weapon.

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