Code of Silence

by Tessier, Shantel

  She nods. “They have these private rooms for each sin.”

  “Sounds fun.”

  “It is by far the best club I’ve ever been to.”

  I eye her skeptically as she smooths down her dress in the floor-length mirror. She turns around and looks at her ass over her shoulder. “You’re fucking someone who works there.” It was more of a statement than a question.

  She chuckles “I am. I’ll message him before we get there, and he’ll let us in the back.”

  “It is serious?” I ask. I’ve known Emilee all my life, and I’ve never seen her fall in love with a guy. I don’t know if she just hides her emotions that well, or if she truly can just use a guy. Maybe Bones broke her.

  I hate that I’ve only ever slept with Luca, and that I can’t get over the fact I love him so much. I want to be more like her. Detached.

  She frowns. “No, it’s just a little fun”

  “What does he do at the club? What’s his name? I wanna know all about him.”

  The guy turned out to be a pretty nice guy. Not to mention gorgeous in that I’ll kick anyone’s ass kind of way. I could totally understand why he was head of security. We got to watch him in action twice that night.

  He put us up in one of the rooms with a waitress who kept the drinks flowing all night. After the club closed, we went out and ate breakfast with him. Then he drove us back to Emilee’s apartment. I went inside while he kissed her goodbye on her porch—I might have watched out the window—and then he left. We stayed up a few more hours laughing and sharing a bottle of Riesling she had until we made our way down to the closest gas station and bought a pack of cigarettes. We had only ever smoked one other time in college. For some reason, we both thought it would be a great idea to try it again.

  She didn’t care that much for it, so I put them in my suitcase. The same ones that were packed and brought here to Luca’s. We were drunk and really didn’t know what we were doing then, but I light one up every now and then.

  Keeping my eyes shut, I take another drag of the cigarette. I miss her so much and wish that she were here. Hell, I wish I could talk to her. Luca may have taken my cell away, but I found a phone in his study earlier today. I waited for Nite to stop me, but when he didn’t, I dialed her number. She didn’t answer, and I didn’t leave a voicemail. What would I say? Hey, E. I’ve been forced to marry Luca, and I wish you were here to help me through it? I just hung up.

  “What in the fuck are you doing?”

  My eyes spring open, and I jump at the sound of his voice. “Luca …”

  “Since when did you start fucking smoking?” he demands, his blue eyes narrowed on the cigarette between my fingers.

  I bring it to my lips. “I do a lot of things you don’t know about.”

  He snatches it from my fingers and puts it out on the railing.

  “Hey!”

  He grips my upper arm, pulling me from the balcony and through the open door into his bedroom. My eyes fall to the massive bed that sits up against the wall with its white comforter and burgundy sheets. And I think of how many women he’s had there, and I hate it. I hate that he makes me jealous and that he’s brought me here in the first place.

  “Let go of me.” I try yanking my arm free of his hold, but he just grips me tighter.

  He walks over to a door, yanks it open, and shoves me inside. I spin around to face him just as he shoves it closed in Nite’s face.

  Fisting my hands, I turn to see we’re in a closet. He shoulders past me, walking down the short and narrow structure, then he takes a left and disappears. Rubbing my upper arm, I follow him. I’ve always dreamed of my things being in here Now I wanna burn my shit so I don’t have to fill it. We make the turn, and it opens to a large room. The left side is full of white shelves from the floor to the ceiling. Ahead of me are different-sized cubbies with rods to hang clothes on in various sizes. It looks the same but different.

  In the middle is a silver dresser with a glass top. Running my hands over it, I smudge the glass with my fingers. We had sex on it once. It has three large drawers. Walking around the other side, I open the top drawer. It’s long but not very deep. It’s covered in black velvet, and the indentions let me know it’s for jewelry. I pause when I spot the Harry Winston three-carat emerald sitting in a platinum setting on the fifth row. It looks out of place.

  My mouth instantly goes dry, and I take a step back, shaking my head slowly. Luca reaches in and grabs the ring and turns to face me. Tears sting my eyes as he grabs my left hand. I want to punch him. Fight him. I want to tell him that it’s ugly and over the top, but it’s really all I ever wanted.

  He slides it on my finger, and a tear slides down my face. It fits perfectly, of course. He runs his finger over it before releasing my hand. It drops to my side like an anchor, the weight pulling my hand down.

  I spin around to run, but something else stops me. My stomach drops when I see the black garment bag hanging from the rack. I take a step back, but my ass hits the dresser. “Is that …?” I swallow the knot in my throat. It’s a reminder of what this truly is.

  A contract.

  This isn’t love.

  The ring. The dress. It’s all too much. Too fast. There has to be a way to stop it.

  He comes up to me and places his hands on either side of my hips. I stiffen.

  “Calm down, Haven,” he orders softly. “I can hear your heart pounding in your chest.”

  I feel it may explode.

  “This is your dress for our engagement announcement tonight.”

  That doesn’t help me. Just because it’s not a wedding dress doesn’t mean it’s not just as threatening.

  He runs his knuckles down the side of my face, smearing the single tear down my neck. He stops on my racing pulse, and I look up at him. “We can … You can call it off.” I stumble over my words. “It’s never too late.”

  He arches a brow.

  My heart pounds as my thumb runs over the platinum band of my engagement ring. “They don’t get to rule our lives. I know—”

  “They?” he interrupts me.

  Swallowing nervously, I add, “Our fathers.”

  He gives me a smile that makes the hairs on my neck stand. He opens his hand and slides it into my hair, tilting my head back in the process. I hold my breath as he bends down and whispers in my ear, “This is all my doing, Haven. Make no mistake about that. I wanted you, and now I have you. Today, tomorrow, forever.” He kisses my forehead gently. When he pulls away, I feel another tear fall. His dark eyes watch it without any remorse. “Get in the shower. You smell like cigarette smoke. And Mrs. Brown will be here in an hour to help you get ready.” With that, he exits the closet.

  The sound of the door shutting behind me has me falling to my knees.

  CHAPTER SIX

  HAVEN

  I STAND IN the middle of the ballroom at Luca’s. He stands to my right, my father to my left. They both have smiles on their faces and laugh at the stupid jokes the men say.

  I feel numb, completely and utterly numb. I’ve thought of taking one of the butter knives that the waiters carry around on their trays and stabbing myself in the chest just to see if I feel it. I wonder how long it takes a person to bleed out? Maybe my best option would be to go for a wrist. Would they be quick enough to stop me? Would they be smart enough to stop the bleeding? Most likely. Everyone knows to put pressure on a wound. But if I could cut it deep enough …

  I’ve never contemplated suicide until tonight. But I have come to a point in my life when that may be the only way out. Death has always been this black cloud hovering over us all, but at this point, it may be my saving grace.

  It’s our engagement party. The announcement of our engagement. Luca’s mansion is full of reporters, mob bosses, the Mafia, and my father’s clients. Complete strangers to me.

  Jasmine isn’t here ’cause I haven’t spoken to her. And I haven’t had a chance to try to call Emilee again. I’m all alone.

  “Haven?” L
uca growls my name in my ear and tightens his hand on my hip. He’s had me glued to his side all night, showing me off like a trophy he won. “Mr. Ronald asked you a question.”

  I blink. “I’m so sorry.” And fake a smile. I feel my face may crack due to how tight it is.

  The man with the biggest gap I’ve ever seen between his teeth looks straight at my tits. I’m not surprised. Mrs. Brown did my hair and makeup, then dressed me in a pink Chanel dress that zips up the back. It comes up high on my neck like a noose but has a keyhole front, dipping low to show off my cleavage.

  The dress Luca bought for me. I no longer have any say on how I look or what I wear.

  Luca controls me. I’m his puppet. His toy. Something to show off in a forty-thousand-dollar dress. When he saw me, he said I looked absolutely stunning. Breathtaking. It makes me look like a fucking hooker. Not that I’m judging them. Just wish I was getting something out of this.

  Mr. Ronald clears his throat, and the guy lifts his eyes from my chest. “Yes, my dear. I just wanted to congratulate you.” He holds out his right hand.

  Thoughtlessly, I reach out and shake it. “Thank you.” My voice is monotone. He says a few more words to Luca and then walks away. My shoulders instantly sag.

  “Can you be more … believable?” My father huffs, straightening his suit jacket.

  My chest tightens at his words. What did I do to deserve this? Have I made him ashamed? Is this his way of forcing me to make something of my life? Or a way to further his career? He’s very successful. I thought he and Mr. Bianchi put this together, but Luca told me earlier today that it was all him. But it has to be more than that. My father wouldn’t throw me away like I’m nothing unless he had a hand in it.

  “I need a drink,” I say, pulling away from between them.

  “Nonalcoholic,” Luca warns.

  I keep my expression blank, but I’m screaming at him on the inside. Lifting the hem of my dress off the floor, I make my way down the long hallway to the formal dining area. I pass through it to the back and look around before I push open the revolving door to the commercial-size kitchen.

  Workers run around with trays in their hands. Cooks are standing at the massive grills. And there’s an assembly line of people preparing plates. I walk through, and nobody even gives me a glance, too busy with keeping up with Luca’s demanding orders. Shoving the back door open, I walk down the long and dark narrow hallway, looking over my shoulder to make sure I’m not followed. I come to the end and turn the handle. Closing it softly behind me, I flip the light switch that I know is on the wall, which lights up the staircase and room below.

  I lift my dress once again and walk down the stairs, my heels clicking on the wood. I smile once I hit the landing. Going over to the bottles of wine, I pick the one I want and then turn to the cabinet that has a wine opener. After opening it, I don’t even bother to look for a glass. I tip back the bottle and down it like it’s a shot, not even caring that it’s warm.

  I don’t know how much time passes before I push myself up off the floor, toss the now empty bottle into the trash, and fumble up the stairs. I trip twice on my dress. Opening the door, I’m much less quiet as I make my way back down the hall and back through the kitchen to the party. No one pays me any attention, though. I’m not the reason they’re here. All four hundred people are here for Luca. For his future. For his business. I’m no one. Nothing. But that’s how women are treated in this world. The Mafia is an exclusive men’s club. The women stay home and raise the children, most of the time in a Catholic upbringing. I know nothing about the religion. I’ve never even entered a church because my parents aren’t religious. Is he going to make me do research? Or make his mother teach me? Was that mentioned in the contract that I didn’t read?

  “Haven?”

  I stop in my tracks at the sound of her voice. My mother. The woman who has successfully avoided me.

  I turn to see her approaching me in a champagne-colored sleeveless Burberry dress. Her bleach blond hair is up in a tight bun, showcasing her delicate neck and the pearls my father gave her for Christmas last year. She looks stunning, as always, and for the first time in my life, I feel nothing but hatred toward her. Where was she when my father signed my name to the contract? Where was she when Nite removed me from my parents’ house? And where has she been for the past couple of days while I’ve been a prisoner here?

  She brings her hands up to her face and gasps as she looks me up and down. “You look beautiful. Absolutely stunning.” She reaches out for my hand, but I take a stumbling step back from her. And her perfectly painted on face falls as if I hurt her feelings. “Haven, I—”

  “I don’t care,” I interrupt her, then hiccup.

  Her green eyes fall to my left hand, and she stares at the rock on my finger. She flinches as if it hurts her to see. She should put herself in my shoes, then maybe she would know how much it hurts to wear it. “Haven, please let me explain.”

  “How you let Daddy sell me?” She flinches at my slurred speech. “No thanks.”

  Her eyes dart around the room to see if anyone heard me, but I highly doubt those in attendance believe I chose this. “Haven, please …?”

  “Go home, Mother.” I turn, giving her my back. Walking out of the formal dining room, I head down the hallway to the back of his house where the bedroom I’ve been staying in is at. I have nothing to say to her. What my father did hurt, but my mother didn’t even try to save me. Not once has she tried to call me in the two days I’ve been here. That I know of. Now Luca has my phone. She let me go. And that’s a hard pill to swallow. She was supposed to protect me. Love me. Instead, she let him throw me away.

  “Haven. Well, don’t you look every bit the part of a princess.”

  I stiffen as I come face to face with Brad. He’s Bones and Grave’s father. He used to run Kingdom until his sons and their friends were old enough to take over the empire. He’s the only living member of the Three Wisemen who created Kingdom.

  His blue eyes look me up and down in a way that makes me step back. I never liked him. He’s dirty, evil just like the rest of them. He uses women. All he cares about is how much money he can make and who will fall to their knees and suck his dick.

  He leans in, giving me a smile. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell anyone that this isn’t the fairy tale you wanted.”

  Without saying a word, I narrow my eyes and shoulder past him. I just want to be alone. Locked inside my bedroom where no one can bother me. Continuing down the hallway, I come to a stop when Luca’s office door opens, and a woman steps out. Before she has a chance to see me, I duck into a nearby half bathroom, watching her through the thin crack in the door, hiding my body behind it. She runs her hands down her black form-fitting dress, shoving it down her long legs. But it doesn’t cover much. She’s dressed more for a night out on the town. Then she steps up to the large mirror that hangs on the hall and fixes her wild, bleach blond hair. It’s knotted around the crown. Like someone’s fist was in it. She opens her clutch and reapplies her crimson lipstick, before popping her lips. I look over her arms and see red marks have formed on her pale skin. Fingerprints. She looks herself over one last time and then turns.

  I move away from the door, hoping she doesn’t see me. Placing my hand over my mouth, I hold my breath so she can’t hear me as I listen for her heels on the hardwood as she passes my hiding place.

  I wait for her to walk off, and I look out the cracked door. Once I see I’m alone, I yank it open, storm down the hall, and all but kick his office door open.

  A large TV hangs on the far wall above a fireplace. Over to the right sits his desk. He has some papers scattered across the surface. I walk across the room, my heels digging into the thick black rug. I sit down and read them over. My eyes are a tad blurry from the alcohol swirling around in my system, but something catches my eyes on the third page. I recognize it. It’s the paperwork where my father signed my name. There’s a blood stain through the mi
ddle of Haven.

  This isn’t a marriage. It’s a contract signed in blood.

  I read over it, trying to comprehend it. With blurry vision, it’s hard to understand, but one word catches my attention. Heirs.

  My hands begin to shake as I blink to focus.

  The wife in question will produce three living heirs. Two of which must be sons.

  All cases after that will be up to Luca’s discretion.

  What the fuck does that mean?

  I place the papers on the desk, my head falling into my hands. My eyes drop to the small black trash can under his desk. Something catches my eye, and I pick up the small container. “What the fuck …?” I whisper.

  My blood begins to boil, and my heart pounds. I hear the lock to the adjoining bathroom click, and then Luca steps out. He comes to a stop when he spots me. My eyes immediately drop to his black slacks. His belt is undone along with his pants and his white button-down is untucked. His black-tie hangs loosely around his neck.

  “What are you doing in here?” he asks, his eyes narrowing when they drop to the papers.

  “What were you doing in here?” I snap, unable to hold my tongue.

  “Haven ….”

  “Explain this!” I shout, dumping the trashcan upside down and allowing the contents to scatter on his desk. We’ll get back to the paperwork later. Right now, we’re not even having sex, let alone having children, but he’s fucking someone. The freshly used condom falls onto the contract. Might as well mix some cum with that bloody signature. “You were just fucking her in here!” I scream.

  That’s why the blonde was in his office. She fixed herself in the mirror while he freshened up in his bathroom.

  My breath quickens, heart races, and my hands clench. I shouldn’t be mad. Or jealous. I don’t want to be his, not like this. But like my father said, the deal is done. The bloodstained signature that sits underneath the used condom proves that.

  A smirk grows across his face as if this is some kind of joke. “I left you a present.” He goes to reach into his unzipped slacks. “I know how much you like to lick me clean.”