Page 94 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream
“People are wary of me, but they trust you. I threaten—you influence.”
I try to read between the lines to get to his vision. “So, I use these events to lobby for better funding, better outcomes, while you use the same platform to advance your agenda and that of my brother-in-law?”
A smile pulls at his lips. “That’s one way of looking at it.”
“What’s the other way?” I’m not entirely comfortable with the sensation but butterflies have picked up excitedly in my gut.
“The other way,” he starts, drifting his fingers down my arm, lighting up every nerve ending from here to the cluster between my legs, “is that we each get our heart’s desire. You change lives. I protect ours. Maybe we advance an agenda greater than just mine. Maybe we could both get what we want, while building a legacy all of our own.”
I can’t help the smile that lights up my face. “Is it terrible that I think that’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard?”
He says nothing, but sips his champagne, resting his gaze on me over the rim of his flute.
I lie back against the pillow and stare at the ceiling. I think about him as a small boy, learning how to survive on the streets, dealing devices on the black market. Andabout the possibility that if I lean into this, use his world to better mine, we could actually build something amazing together.
“Think about it,” he says, lightly. “And as soon as you’re ready, I’ll put you in touch with some useful connections.” There’s no question over if I’ll be ready, only when, and I have a feeling it will be sooner rather than later.
I don’t get a chance to dwell on the idea for too long, because Andreas’ phone rings and a frown pulls on his brow.
He lifts the cell to his ear. “Tony?”
My breath catches.Papa?
“Sure, she’s right here.”
Andreas hands me the phone and watches me closely.
“Hi, Papa? Is everything okay?” My father rarely calls after seven p.m.
“Everything’s fine,” he assures me. “But I’m calling to invite you home for a day. It’s been too long since I had all my girls around me and I miss you.”
I frown and glance up at Andreas. This doesn’t sound like Papa. Usually, being in a room with four rowdy young women is enough to send him to the port with a hip flask.
“Okay, of course. When?”
He suggests a day in a week’s time, reassures me again that everything is fine, then hangs up, leaving me to stare at my husband in confusion.
“What was that about?” Andreas asks.
I shake my head. “I have absolutely no idea. But it won’t be long before we find out.”
Serafina
The house smells the same when I walk through the door with Andreas’ hand in mine. It smells like comfort and sisterhood, but with an undertone that only distance can point to—grief.
I hadn’t realized how much sadness is contained within these four walls. My sessions with Dr. Nowak have cleared so much fog I’m seeing many things in a completely new light.
When Papa called a week ago asking me to come home, he wouldn’t be drawn on why, only stating that he’d asked each of us four sisters. Of course, the second I hung up I called Trilby and Tess. They were equally perplexed by the sudden request but had changed plans to accommodate it anyway. I thought Bambi might’ve had more intel seeing as shestill sees Papa most days, living under the same roof and all, but she was none the wiser too.
I’ve been in a mild state of anxiety ever since, which is annoying as seeing all my family together again should be a cause for celebration. And for the first time since we got married, I actuallywantmy husband to be in the same room with us all.
I’ve wondered if Papa is sick, but neither Bambi nor Allegra—those closest to Papa—have noticed anything that might suggest he’s unwell. I’ve wondered if maybe he’s selling the house. It would sadden me, as it still houses such fond memories of Mama, but I understand that with three of us practically flown the nest, there isn’t the need for so much space.
We walk hand-in-hand to the living room, where Tess and Trilby are chatting at a million miles per hour and Bambi is curled on a chair staring glumly at her phone. Allegra bustles back and forth with trays of soft drinks, lowballs and bottles of various different malt whiskeys. The sound of Benito’s voice filters through from the kitchen. Andreas bends down and plants a warm kiss to my lips before heading in that direction.
Tess looks over at him, warily. She still doesn’t trust her boyfriend’s brother despite my attempts to assure her I’m okay. More than okay, actually.
“How was the trip?” Allegra says, wrapping her arms around me.
