Page 16 of The Silence Lies

I wish I could assure her, tell her something to ease the worry. But all I have is worry of my own. I do believe she can do this. I do believe she can lead the Bianchi family and avenge her best friend’s death, but I can’t be the one to aid her in that quest. It’s not in my job description.

Just like she expects, I remain silent. She’s imbibed too much to take note of my reaction, but she does notice the club starting to liven up with staff and visitors wandering around. It’s only a matter of hours before this place is overcrowded, and I can’t risk Sera safety.

I stand abruptly, gesturing with an outstretched hand for Sera to come with me. She takes it without complaint, sliding out of the booth with her fingers twined with mine. She doesn’t let go as we walk through the club, and I’m content with that. I just can’t figure out why.

I expect Sera to tear away as soon as we get to the car parked outside, but she doesn’t. She lingers, staring at the shiny black paint like it’s showing her exactly what she doesn’t want to see. She squeezes my hand, but I don’t know her well enough to know what that means, so I just step forward. I open the car door, and wait until she’s inside and belted before closing it. She’s quiet, and remains that way throughout the ride through the city, until we’re at her complex in the hills above Iris Bay. When I look in the mirror, she’s fast asleep. Her face is a depiction of beauty and exhaustion blended into a hot mess. I can’t seem to tear my gaze away from her. Her lips are pouty, swollen and red from too much alcohol. Her cheeks are rosy too, while her long dark lashes fan out delicately.

I’m instantly reminded of my daughter, of what I lost. The thought has my knuckles whitening and I clench the steering wheel. It’s hard to focus when you have constant reminders of your past, of the emptiness your future holds. It’s difficult to remain calm when the world is so clearly fighting against you. I sense that must be how Sera feels, or felt before she drank herself to sleep.

My chest feels heavy as I push out of the driver’s side and open her door. Despite Sera’s weightlessness, I feel the pang of guilt and suffering gnaw at me from inside. The gravity of my situation grows deeper the more I focus on it. I shake my head, making my way through Sera’s home. I can’t think about anything else right now. I can’t afford to. I need to focus on my job.

When I reach Sera’s room, I carefully place her on the bed. It’s early, but she needs the rest. I’ve only been here a few days, but it’s long enough to know she isn’t sleeping properly. I’ve overheard the conversations between Levi and Sera about it, too.

I do a sweep of the room, the usual routine to make sure we don’t have any unwanted guests. I check the bathroom, ensure the windows are locked, and then I head out.

“Gio,” she sighs, eyes closed.

I freeze, turning to see her still curled up where I left her. Her eyes are shut, but there’s a frown marring her beautiful features. She’s hypnotic. I could get lost forever watching her sleep. She has that ethereal quality about her, like she’s not meant for this place. I see so many similarities between her and…

Sera sighs, snapping me from my memories.

I step closer, tugging the blanket over her body. I stop when she grabs my wrist. It’s a delicate touch, but one that has my heart racing.

“Who are you?” she breathes out. She doesn’t expect an answer, at least not in the way a sober person would. She seems to drift off to sleep, and I use that moment to make my way downstairs and into the living room, ensuring every door is closed.

The moment I sit down to relax, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I know who it is before I’ve even looked at the screen, my gut churning at the prospect of yet another uncomfortable conversation.

Right on time.

“Hello,” I answer abruptly.

“How are you, Giovanni?,” the voice sneers. I have to grit my teeth to avoid snapping back. I’ve never liked these calls.

“I’m fine, thank you.” I glance at the staircase. “What do you want?”

“I don’t need a reason to call you, do I?”

“Clearly not.” My fist clenches in my lap.

“Do you have anything to update me on?”

“Nothing of use to you, no.” It’s supposed to come out more confidently than it does, but the situation has my voice cracking under pressure.

“Fair enough. Speak soon.”

The line goes dead. All I’m left with is the bitter tone of an ended call and my thoughts, my feelings warring with one another.

Levi

I stretch my legs out in front of me, my knees clicking under the strain. Sounds gross but boy does it feel good.

"I hate it when you do that,” Serafina mutters as she sifts through paperwork.

“But there’s so many other things you like about me, right?”

She grunts something inaudible. She still seems to be in a bad mood which I feel partially to blame for. I thought she might have spent the weekend getting over the little argument we had with Luca, which is why I didn’t bother her with the news I have. Evidently, her mood still lingers like a dark cloud.

The thing is, she’s blowing this all out of proportion. We’re all going to be at the wedding. Luca, Giovanni, and myself. Not to mention the Ferrante brothers. She has enough protection to stop anything from happening to her, but she refuses to use her authority to get the one thing we need.

---