Page 18 of The Silence Lies

The air is no longer charged with electricity, but apprehension, temptation and anticipation.

We’re both panting, but neither of us make a move.

“I’m sorry,” she murmurs, covering her lips.

She’s hiding from me, and I don’t like it.

I pull her hand away, bringing it to my mouth. I press a kiss to her palm, and listen to the way she says my name so softly. “Levi, I can’t.”

“You can,” I assure her, still on my knees in front of her like I’m begging. If she asked me to, I probably would. “You can do whatever you want. You can demand whatever you want. You just have to say the words.”

“I’m your boss,” she states softly.

“So?”

“We can’t do this.” She goes to stand, but I’m too quick for her. I push her back onto her chair and cage her in between my arms.

Leaning in, I stroke the tip of her nose with mine. “Says who?”

She doesn’t say anything back to me, though.

“Tell me you didn’t feel that. Tell me you don’t want it.”

“I…” she shakes her head, denial swimming in her eyes. “I can’t…” she doesn’t finish that sentence, which leaves me reeling in uncertainty and wondering whether I just fucked up. Because what I felt was real, like I realized what connecting with a person should really feel like.

I don’t want to put her in any awkward position, but maybe I read the signs wrong.

No. She kissed me.

But looking into her doe-eyes, I’m not sure what I’m seeing anymore. Is it guilt? Shame? Regret?

I don’t have enough time to assess the situation further, though. Someone knocks on the other side of Sera’s door, causing us to jolt apart.

Giovanni steps into the office, followed by Luca who’s looking more agitated by the second. I guess he must pick up on the fact I’m feeling the same way because his eyes dart between Sera and I, probably coming up with his own assumption.

“What’s wrong?” Sera asks Luca.

“The Verdis approached the Rocco family,” he says urgently, slumping down on the couch.

“How do you know?” Sera’s gaze shoots up to meet mine. I can’t tell if it’s apprehension or something else swimming in those deep brown eyes. Whatever it is, she swallows heavily and composes herself.

Luca narrows his eyes on her, “I have my sources.”

“Should we be worried?” I ask.

“About my sources? No. About the Rocco family?” he shrugs, “doubtful. They’re still remaining impartial until we agree to some sort of truce.”

“Which will never happen,” Sera snaps.

“Agreed,” I add.

“So, we could really do with you making a decision on how you want to push forward.” Luca’s gaze halts on Sera. I don’t miss the way his attention tours her body, it’s swift, but noticeable. Especially to me.

Sera huffs, rubbing her forehead. After the pep talk I gave her before we were interrupted, I’m hoping I’ve gotten through to her. The longer she thinks about it, though, I’m not so sure.

“What exactly do you have on Don Greco,” she asks Luca. Her skepticism leaves no room for anything else. I can’t fault her for wanting to know everything before we force Greco’s hand. It’s dangerous territory after all, and attending a wedding to discuss business is highly frowned upon. Unfortunately, the Greco family is extremely difficult to get ahold of on a normal day.

“You really want to know?” Luca smirks. “Or do you want assurance that what I do have on him is enough of a threat.”

---