Page 35 of The Sound of Silence

“Before I call him, I should probably mention one thing. This might sound weird, but I’m pretty sure the job would be off the books. I hope that’s not a concern for you.”

Off the books!

Derek had no idea how much that meant to me. I couldn’t have planned it better myself. Still, I needed to make sure I wasn’t stepping into something shady simply because it was convenient.

“Is there a reason I should be worried about it?”

“Nah. Christopher is a good guy. I have no idea why he does it that way,” Derek admitted with a shrug. Then he laughed and shook his head. “The day my sister married an Italian was the day I stopped asking questions. I’ve seen enough episodes of the Sopranos to know better. I hope that’s okay.”

I didn’t care if his brother-in-law was Al Capone himself, so long as the job kept me off the radar. An excited smile spread across my face.

“Then it’s a yes—definitely yes! This is great! Oh my gosh, I could kiss you right now!” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I was mortified. Derek’s eyebrow shot to the ceiling and my cheeks flamed twenty shades of red. Trying to adapt a calmer disposition, so I didn’t seem so embarrassingly desperate, I smiled awkwardly and explained my overzealousness. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been struggling with trying to find work and this couldn’t have come at a better time.”

“Don’t sweat it,” he assured, flashing me a crooked smile that made my insides flutter.

To my surprise, Derek pulled his phone from his pocket. I didn’t think he’d actually call his brother-in-law right at that moment. As he dialed the phone, I practically bounced with anticipation and silently prayed for Christopher to answer the call.

“Chris! Hey, man! Are you still looking for a waitress at the restaurant?” There was a brief pause before Derek smiled and gave me a thumbs up. “Good, because I have the perfect girl for you.”

15

Derek

Icouldn’t stop thinking about Val for the rest of the day. After I’d taken Maisie for her evening walk, I paced my apartment and tried to put together the pieces of the puzzle. The problem was, I didn’t know where the damn pieces fit because I couldn’t see the whole picture.

I’d given her an opportunity to reveal her real name but she didn’t take it. That only added further confirmation to my theory about her hiding. Whatever her reasons, I would go along with it for however long she needed me to. In fact, I’d already committed to taking it one step further. I would help keep her secret safe—which is why I mentioned the job at Camilla’s.

I knew Christopher would keep an eye on her if I told him I thought she was in danger and I could count on him to be discreet. That’s also why I found myself jumping on the ‘A’ train to Little Italy at nine o’clock at night. I wanted to talk to him in person about Val.

Thirty-five minutes later, I got off at the Canal Street Station and headed southeast toward Mulberry Street. The dinner crowd at Camilla’s should be winding down at this hour. Hopefully, that meant my sister had gone home for the night and I could chat with Christopher without her nosing around in my business. She’d want to know every little detail, and there was no way I could explain the whole situation with Val when I barely understood it myself.

Camilla’s was quiet when I entered. Andrea Bocelli’sCon te partirocould be heard playing softly overhead and only a few corner tables were occupied, the lingering patrons clearly making the most of the authentic atmosphere the place had to offer. My sister and her husband only served Italy’s best cuisine in their restaurant, an old-fashioned Roman trattoria reimagined and brought to life in a modern city. Every time I came here and smelled the delicious, mouthwatering aroma of garlic and fresh bread wafting from the kitchen, I felt a surge of pride for all they’d accomplished.

“Derek! It’s late for you to be coming by,” Christopher greeted when he saw me approaching the mosaic tiled bar.

“Hey, Chris.”

“Have a seat.” He motioned to one of the wrought iron bar stools. “You hungry? I can have Antonio whip you up a bit of linguine with clam sauce, just how you like it.”

I shook my head and smiled. If I ate pasta every time Christopher offered it to me, I’d go back to that chubby kid in middle school in a matter of weeks.

“Nah, I’m good. Thanks though. Is Isabella around?”

“You just missed her. She took off about twenty minutes ago.”

I suppressed a sigh of relief to hear my sister had already left for the night.

“That’s alright. I wanted to talk to you alone anyway.”

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Don’t look at me like that. I mean, I love my sister but you know how she can be. I just don’t want to play twenty questions with her right now.”

“The only time Isabella peppers you with questions is if there’s a girl involved,” he pointed out. When I didn’t answer, he leaned against the doorjamb to the kitchen, crossed his arms, and gave me a knowing nod. “So, this is about a girl.”

“Sort of. It’s the girl I called you about earlier, the one who needs a job.”

“I gotta admit, I was a little surprised. You’re not a big believer in calling in favors and usually keep friends separate from business matters. The phone call was out of character for you so I knew something had to be up.” Christopher went behind the bar and ducked down below the counter. I could hear the clinking of glass, and when he stood, he had a couple of old fashioned lowball glasses and a bottle of Sambuca in hand. After pouring us both a drink, he slid a glass across the bar toward me.

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