Page 90 of The Silence Lies

“It’s not a thing,” I snap, causing Matteo to step back. “It’s just…” My gaze shifts to Luca who is climbing over a fallen tree, one of the guards carrying the girl is close behind him.

“It’s a thing, man.” Matteo smiles at me.

The guy is always smiling. Having the twins around is always like having two sides of the same coin. One is serious and structured, the other is free-spirited and fun. While I like having them around, Matteo is the last person I want to talk to about who Sera sleeps with. I don’t want to add more people to the list.

“You need to stop that shit,” Matteo mutters, nudging past me and grabbing hold of a branch as he climbs down the hill.

“What shit?” I growl, following after him.

Matteo turns to me. In the dark, with only the shadows cast by the moonlight, I see his knowing smile point out every fucking silent thought of mine. “First of all,” he huffs, turning back down the hill. “Bianchi is our leader. You really fucked up there, talking to her like a nobody.”

Cazzo. I did do that.

Any other leader would have made an example of me. Not Sera, though. She took my shit, accepted it, and let each syllable burn her like I had intended. For that alone, I should be cast aside. I don’t deserve to be in the same room as Bianchi, let alone continue as her second in command.

“Secondly,” Matteo continues. “So what if she slept with Fontana? She slept with you too, right?”

“Right.”

Matteo stops beside another obscure tree, the darkness covering us entirely. “So what if she wants Fontana? She wants you, too.”

I don’t know what he’s getting at exactly, but his words are starting to ignite a curiosity I didn’t think I had until now.

“Sharing isn’t so bad,” Matteo states.

I frown. Even though he can’t see my expression, I’m betting he can sense my confusion. “I’m not like that, Matty. Threesomes just aren’t me.”

“Nobody said anything about threesomes, you dumbass. Sera wants you both. She wants to explore you both. So let her.”

“And then what?” I huff. “Watch her get fucked by another guy? A guy who wanted her head on a plate not that long ago?”

“You’re such a drama queen,” Matteo scoffs. “Luca never wanted her head, he was in a bad place after his father’s death. He doesn’t have anyone else but us now. Did it ever occur to you that his initial feelings for Bianchi might have been clouded?”

Matteo’s words hit me deep. I didn’t realize Luca had nobody else. I knew his mother wasn’t around, but I didn’t really think of the consequences he found himself in after Don Fontana was killed. That still doesn’t excuse him, and a deeper part of me still wonders if he’s playing a game. People don’t just move past revenge and decide they want to sleep with the enemy. Do they?

“I suppose you’re going to tell me he’s a changed man?”

Matteo laughs, just as the convoy comes into view. We’re still concealed by the trees, but we’re a step closer to getting back. “Fontana is still Fontana. But I’ve seen how he looks at Sera. He’s not playing a game or trying to hurt her. I think he actually likes her. I know that’s not something you want to hear, but it should fill you with some relief that he’s not going to hurt the same person you care about because that’s really what this is all about, isn’t it?”

In some way, Matteo is right. It’s not just the fact I feel betrayed about her wanting someone else. I don’t want her to get hurt. I can’t control Luca, but I can control what I say and do.

Realization hits me like a fucking brick because I did exactly what I was afraid Luca would do to her.

“Cazzo,” I murmur.

“Yeah,” Matteo chuckles, clapping me on the back for good measure. “I will say Luca was right about one thing. You’ve been sitting on the sidelines for so long that you feel insecure. You shouldn’t though. Sera is woman enough to tell you what she wants, so I say fucking own it! Besides…” he nods towards his twin brother, “Sharing can be fun.”

“You’ve done it before?”

Matteo’s beaming grin is just about visible through the dark night. “Once. And it wasn’t as bad as you might think. Just think of it as a competition.”

“A competition?” Isn’t that exactly what Sera told me it wasn’t?

“Yeah,” Matteo smirks. “If all else fails, see who can get her off more times.”

I slump down on my couch, flicking the TV on.

After the conversation with Matteo and the silent ride back to Bianchi’s, I made a swift retreat. We left Zeke’s daughter with Sera, ignoring the fact she wanted a debrief on what happened tonight. But I needed to wash up and get the stench of blood and dirt off my skin. The debrief will have to wait.

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