Page 158 of The Silent War

Luca pushed his door open.

Vivienne’s smile faltered when she saw him coming. She knew what that look meant. He didn’t ask permission. He took Emilia’s hand, and guided her toward the car.

Her eyes widened when she saw me waiting. Surprised. Not unhappy. That eased the tension in my chest.

She slid in between us. My arm was already open. I pulled her to my side.

Her fingers brushed across my knuckles. “What happened?”

I shook my head. “Nothing you need to worry about. How’s the headache?”

“I’m fine,” she said.

Liar.

She sat straighter, turned toward Luca. Slipped her hand into his. He started massaging her palm, thumb circling the soft center like he could press the tension out.

Her voice softened. “How was your day?”

The question was habit, not curiosity. She was looking at us, but she wasn’t here. Not in her head.

Then her phone buzzed. The vibration rattled against her clutch. Her eyes flicked down. Alexander.

Every muscle in my body tightened. It took everything I had not to demand what he wanted. Tear the phone out of her hands and crush it.

But she didn’t check it.

“What are we having for dinner?” she asked instead.

Something in me eased, just enough to breathe.

“Something at home,” I said. “We’ll order in.”

Her exhale was quick, almost a laugh. “Thank god. I thought I’d have to stay in this dress longer.”

Luca’s lips twitched up. “We’ll take you out of it.”

She dropped against his side, “Good.”

“Miss our shirts, baby?” I moved my hand to her thigh, tracing her leg.

Her head turned. She nodded once. The smallest smile ghosted across her lips.

I leaned forward. Careful as I pulled the pins from her hair. One by one, I set them aside. Her blonde fell soft, loose, framing her face the way it should always be. I stroked my thumb across her cheek.

She gently took my hand and kissed my knuckles.

We just had to earn her trust back for her to tell us what was going on in her head.

And when I found out what it was that was stealing our girls attention from us, I’d do what I’m good at.

Kill it.

Chapter Forty-Seven

EMILIA

I was still staring at my phone. At Alexander reply after I begged him to talk to me.