Page 96 of The Silence Lies

“What’s the verdict?”

“You can either get a new gun, or a new spring. It’s up to you.”

I raise a brow at him. Is he really asking me which of the two options I want to go with? I’ll take the easiest one anytime, but somehow, I don’t think Matteo is going to take it easy on me. He’s always so carefree, joking around. But something about the malfunctioning gun has gotten to him.

With a sigh, he pushes away from the table, turning on his heel. “Get it cleaned, Fontana!” he shouts over his shoulder before heading towards the house.

I leave the question about his mood lingering in the back of my mind until I see Levi approaching. He passes Matteo on his way out, eyeing me warily. After last night, Levi seems less like a moody teenager and more like someone who just got laid. I feel like we might be riding the same high, though I don’t feel like we’re in the same boat entirely.

And I get why.

He’s not that bad, just misunderstood. He’s been pining after a girl for the better part of two decades and I’ve pretty much steamrolled over his chances to have her for himself.

I’d feel bad if it weren’t for the fact Sera wants us both. I’m on board with it, too. She’s the reason I haven’t thought about my father in weeks. She fills my mind in other ways, with other things. Where she was once the one I blamed for my father’s death, now I’m blaming her for the reason I want to carry on his name.

“Where’s Sera?” Levi asks, sliding into the seat opposite me.

“She’s taking the girl back to the marina.”

“Alone?” he scowls.

I roll my eyes. Does he really think that she’s that stupid? That I would still be here if she was alone? “She’s with Gio and Marco, dumbass.”

His jaw ticks over at the insult. It’s clear he’s trying to reign his anger in—probably being wary, especially after Sera’s visit. She assured me Levi was willing to put his differences aside, and he seems to be handling that better than I thought. Though, the only issue he should really be getting a handle on is the logistics of this situation.

“She’ll be back soon,” I provide, noticing his leg bouncing nervously.

He flicks his head toward the gun parts scattered across the table. “Problem?”

“Keeps jamming. Matty says it’s time for a new gun.”

Levi acknowledges my answer, picking up the magazine clip and examining it in silence. “I suppose we’d better talk about this thing with Sera.”

“If you want?”

Levi huffs. I can already tell the guy hasn’t planned this conversation out. He seems like the type of guy to worry about those things later on, opting for acting first. He places the magazine back onto the table, twining his fingers together. “I can’t say I want to, but it’ll make Sera happy to know we’re… okay, and that’s all I care about.”

“Same.”

“I have no interest in anything else. Got it?”

I nod, suppressing the smirk that is aching to reveal itself. “Agreed. Anything else you want to add?” I tease. “We can set a schedule up if you like? You can have her on the days with ’T’ in.”

“Fongoul,” he sneers playfully. “I’ll leave that shit up to Bianchi. I’m pretty sure it’s not just the to-and-fro she wants.”

“Well, just so we’re clear, if you touch me with your dick…” I tug my pocket knife out and flip it open. “I’ll cut it off.”

Levi laughs deeply, reaching his hand out to me. “Ditto.”

I’m about to shake hands with the guy when Sera steps out of the backdoor. She’s wearing a smile on her face that tells me she’s been up to mischief—that or she’s planning something. Either way, I can’t say I’m put off by it when she looks so good in that pantsuit. I don’t know what it is, but when she acts all business-like, I kind of want to just rip her clothes off and fuck her dirty. I know she’d like that. Sera has a deepness that Levi can only dream to touch. He won’t have gotten near to the darkness that I know lurks inside of Sera. He’s too scared of hurting her.

Not me. That night we first fucked was only the beginning. Asking her to trust me was only the start of this. I want to see what else turns her on. I want to know what makes her tick and how dirty she can be.

“Are my boys making up?” she smiles as she reaches us.

I snap out of my train of thought when she uses that term of endearment. I can categorically say we are anything but boys.

Ignoring my eyeroll, Sera kisses me on the cheek, then turns to Levi to do the same. She watches us both warily, probably wanting to know what we’ve been out here talking about.

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