Fire Between Lies
1239 Words
Though I didn't regret it, the wine cellar had been a blunder. Even while her lips spewed falsehoods, I could still taste her on my tongue and sense how her body melted against mine.
I departed her before losing control. But I was unable to sleep.
The next morning, I stood on the third-floor balcony seeing the estate awaken. The guards switched shifts. The maids never looked you in the eye and moved silently. Built on blood and stillness, the Visconti estate was a castle.
Just like me.
You're flirting with danger.
I spun around.
Rafe Morelli, Silvano's advisor. And a serpent.
"She's off-limits," he said, harsh and arrogant. Except if you're suicidal.
I grinned coldly. Good morning to you as well, Rafe.
Silvano has faith in you. Don't spoil that.
I came closer. Did you track me last night?
His jaw moved. Many others have eyes.
I moved closer. Touching her, even looking at her incorrectly will cause me to cut those eyeballs out. Gradually.
He remained unflinching. That made him a threat.
With a sneer, he walked off. I mentally noted Rafe would be an issue.
Later that day, I discovered Rory in the rose garden appearing to enjoy herself under the gaze of the other mob women. Though her smile was phony, her eyes searched for me. Her breath caught as they located me.
She didn’t think I was looking. Still, I always was.
I waited till she passed away. I then followed.
Eventually, we found ourselves in the east wing. She turned the corner—and ran right into me.
"God—Angelo!" she gasped.
I seized her waist. You aren't very skilled at sneaking off.
"I wasn’t sneaking. I just wanted air."
I walked her back till her back struck the wall. "Liar."
She gazed up at me, breast quickening. What motivates you to act this way?
Because you still make me feel under my skin. And I believe you still sense me as well.
You went.
"I had no choice."
You vanished.
To save you.
Her voice broke. Did you believe I wanted to be protected? You think this—she waved her hand about—this engagement to your uncle is what I wanted?
You believe it is what I also want?
So why are we even here?
I gave her a kiss.
Difficult.
She dissolved.
Her hands seized my shirt as though she were drowning. Tasting every lie and every truth she would not speak, I pushed her against the wall.
Then she ended the kiss.
"Someone's coming," she hissed.
I moved back just as Silvano’s words resonated around the corner.
"Rory? There you are."
She adjusted her clothes, breathing hard. I entered the darkness.
I was only... losing track, she added, her voice calm.
Silvano kissed her cheek. "Come. I want to show you something."
She glanced at me once over her shoulder.
Then she was gone.
That night, I met my contact in the city. Former enforcer Leo Vega became a whistleblower. He owed me a favor.
"You found something?"
Leo pushed a folder over the bar. This union? It's more than familial pride. Your uncle is concealing something. Accounts offshore. An agreement with a person known as The Serpent.
Who is that?
Leo shrugged his shoulders. Name is unknown. But fatal. Whoever they are, they want Rory married into their family. Quick.
I unzipped the folder. It was more terrible than I had imagined. Agreements. Wires. Menaces.
Someone was pushing Silvano.
That meant Rory was a pawn.
Or bait.
I came back to the estate soon after midnight. The guards were drowsy. The corridors are dark.
I discovered her at the library, perusing a book she wasn't actually reading.
"Couldn't sleep?" I inquired.
Startled, she glanced up. How did you—
You always come here when sleep eludes you.
She became milder. I assumed you had forgotten.
Not ever.
I sat next to her. She shut the book.
Angelo, what now?
We learn who is controlling things. Then we burn them.
What if they set us first ablaze?
Then we burn more brightly.
She chuckled, gently and sadly. You always spoke like a film villain.
You always enjoyed it.
She gazed at me. Genuinely examined.
Still, do you love me?
I didn't respond verbally. I kissed her like the world was ending.
Because maybe, it was.
And then... Bang!
A gunshot.
We sprang up. I dragged her behind me.
The estate’s alarms blared to life. Guards screamed. Someone was yelling in Italian.
I hurried to the hallway.
Blood.
One of Silvano’s men was on the ground. Dead.
And next to his corpse...
A burn mark on the marble floor.
A serpent.
The Serpent was present.
I looked at Rory. She looked white.
She said, "What does it mean?"
I balled my hands into fists.
That indicates we are out of time.
"You kissed her. Again. Didn’t you?"
From the shadows of my study, Luca's voice sliced with indignation as keen as a knife.
I said nothing. Not using language. Not at this time.
I poured two glasses of scotch, gave him one, and rested against the fireplace.
He passed on the drink.
Angelo. You promised. You promised you'd leave her alone.
You thought that?
He chuckled bitterly. Silvano will find out, you know.
I drank the scotch in one gulp. He already has doubts.
Luca moved forward, his eyes gleaming with rage. So why are you still alive?
Because I am his blood, I retorted. He believes I'm still faithful.
He looked at me. You are?
That hit harder than it should’ve.
I glanced aside. I used to be. One time.
The silence between us turned cold.
Two hours later, I found myself at the east wing of the estate. Rory's chamber. I knew the guards cycled at midnight.
I slid past them. Simple.
I touched it once. She opened the door like she’d been waiting.
Her eyes were wide, lips parted. Barefoot in a silk robe revealing everything. Not from me.
You should not be here, she said softly.
"Too late now."
She moved aside.
I intervened.
She was on me the instant the door snapped shut. Perhaps I was on her instead.
It didn't matter to me. All I knew was that our mouths met as if we were starved. As though this kiss may be the last.
Her fingers knotted in my shirt, mine in her hair, we slammed into the wall. Her groan set my blood on fire.
Angelo,
Repeat it.
Angelo...
I kissed her more forcefully.
Then she drew back.
"I need to know something."
Everything.
Her gaze was intense. Were you aware? Nine years back. When you disappeared. Did you know they would come for my father?"
That inquiry tore my heart apart.
Indeed.
Her hand shot across my face. The slap echoed.
I let her go. I earned it.
"You knew? You knew they would ruin him and still abandoned me?
"They threatened your life. They said if I stayed, you'd be next."
You let me rot among them, then?
Not at all. I departed to save you.
She pushed me back. You let me go like livestock.
That hurt a lot.
I returned for you.
"Too late. I’m already engaged."
"To a corpse in a tailored suit."
"To a man who’s not afraid to burn the world for his family."
For you, I would set the stars ablaze.
She stopped.
- Writer
