Absolute Silence

35

“That’s really exciting, Ma. I hope you’re able to connect one of these days.” Her smile faltered. “I know I’ve been a little intense lately, wanting you and Giada to visit and all. It’s just that having this all out in the open has made me a little emotional. I just want to have all my babies close for once.” I hadn’t considered how hard it would be for her to have a kid out there, let alone to have kept it a secret. Now that the truth was out, she probably had twenty years of repressed emotions bubbling to the surface. “I’d say I understand, but in all truth, I can’t imagine what it’s like. I think you’re doing an amazing job sorting through it, though. Let’s hope he reaches out. You’re not the only one who wants to meet him.” My mother’s face lit with happiness. “You really want to meet him?” “Of course! He’s my brother. I’ve never had one of those.” I was being honest but threw in the last part to be cheeky. I wasn’t sure she even heard it. She threw her arms around me and squeezed. “Thank you, Cami,” she breathed through an onslaught of emotion. “We’re family, Mama. Always.” Was it possible for me to cry twice in twenty-four hours? My sinuses appeared interested in finding out. I breathed through the burning in the back of my throat and used a smile to ward off the impending emotions when we pulled away. “Okay, enough before we ruin our makeup. Let’s grab our seats.” I ended up sitting next to Giada, which I normally preferred because she carried the conversation. Tonight, she was so preoccupied with ogling her new boyfriend that she could hardly hold a thought. “You keep staring at him like that, and I’m going to have to wipe the drool from your cheek.” I clinked our glasses together and downed the rest of my wine. “If something that scrumptious was yours, wouldn’t you want to lick the wrapping?” The salacious innuendo in her voice caught me off guard enough that I choked on my last swallow of wine, sending her into a fit of laughter. My own laughter made the coughing worse. Fortunately, someone arriving drew everyone’s attention from me, so I was able to recover without the heat of a spotlight. “Check it out,” Giada hissed next to my ear. “Filip just showed up, and he’s got a gorgeous redhead with him.” My entire body fossilized to pure stone as I lifted my gaze to the newest arrivals. There was Filip, looking positively edible, and on his arm was Liana, the seductive goddess who hated my guts. Not only had he not told me he was coming to one of my family functions but he’d also brought her. She shot me a satisfied smirk. That b***h. My mother rushed over to welcome them. I used the distraction to steady myself and school my features. The last thing I wanted was either of them seeing how profoundly they’d upset me. “Is something going on between you and Filip?” Giada asked in a hushed whisper. I did my best impression of a woman utterly confused. “We hardly know one another.” I glanced over at his sly smile as he helped his date into her seat. “Besides, look at how cocky and … and smarmy he is. He’s probably been with a different woman every night.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue. I didn’t believe a word of what I said, but between my anger and the cavalier reputation Filip had garnered, it had seemed like the right thing to say to avoid suspicion. My family knowing about Filip and me was one thing, but no way would I allow him to humiliate me in front of them. If they could see on the outside how wounded I felt on the inside, I’d be mortified. Why are you so upset? Didn’t you just tell him no commitments? Yeah, but I didn’t think he’d run out and f**k someone else. I told him I was okay with being exclusive. I let him see me cry. But you also pushed him away. You suggested the relationship may not work. Yeah, but Liana? Why did it have to be someone from the club? Now I would spend the rest of the night wondering if he was having s*x with her. She’d indicated he wasn’t as monogamous in the past as he’d implied. Had he grown frustrated with my mixed signals and moved to greener pastures? My stomach climbed to my throat about the same time as obnoxious laughter assaulted my ears from down the table. Liana tipped her head back and cackled at something Matteo had said. Was she part hyena? What the hell was up with her laugh? How could he stand that? The grating sound clawed at my ears every few minutes throughout dinner. Chinese water torture would have been less painful. I could only take so much. As soon as the dinner plates were bussed away, I placed my napkin on the table and stood. “Sofia, I’m so sorry I have to cut out early, but I told someone I’d meet up with them tonight.” I gave my cousin a hug and did my best to politely ignore the protests of my leaving. Meeting someone had been a total fabrication, but I’d needed a reason to get out of there. I couldn’t stand seeing Filip and Liana together one second longer. My feet carried me without instruction from my head, weaving through the restaurant and depositing me into a passing cab. I gave the driver the address of the club, unsure of my intent but not knowing where else to go. It seemed pathetic to lick my wounds at home alone. At the very least, I’d go to the club and have a drink. Or ten. I was growing more comfortable with the club already, walking past people openly f*****g in the main room with a mildly curious glance. I ordered a vodka tonic at the bar and had only taken my first sip when Dante joined me. “I’m not sure Filip will be in tonight, if that’s why you’re here.” “Actually, I’m on my own tonight. Just thought I’d relax for a bit after a long day.” I lifted my drink in explanation. He studied me for a drawn-out second, the weight of his stare warming me. “In that case, the Den is at your service.” He gave me a seated bow and a playful smirk.