Chapter 9
SILAS
"What's the problem, Gianni?" I groaned. "I was in the middle of something important." A cocky smile spread across my face as I remembered Rainey's naked body.
Tough girl. But I will break. In fact, I'm already breaking her.
"Don't stare at me like that." I rolled my eyes at Gianni's stern gaze. "Tell me what the problem is." I took a puff from my pipe before brushing my hand through my hair.
"The Black Titans."
My ear itched the moment he mentioned that name.
"What about them?" I asked, my interest suddenly piqued.
"They know about Bella now, I mean Rainey."
I took the blueprint from him and looked through it.
"We have to stop them from reaching the south, or they might cause chaos—more than we ever thought possible."
I scoffed. "You think we can stop The Black Titans from coming here? Gianni, that's impossible."
"I know it won't be easy, but we just have to do our best. We've been trying to distract them for years now. We can always move forward."
"You think it was easy sitting and watching Rainey from afar, doing nothing? It took me so many years to realize she was a gem. I can't lose her now." I shook my head. "The Black Titans are smarter than we give them credit for. The distraction was only possible because Alessandro allowed it."
"I'm only giving advice," Gianni pressed. "We might lose everything, Capo—the blood key, the hidden child…."
I turned to look at him, eyebrows raised as my nose flared. "We just have to send an appeal."
"Beg him to step aside?" Gianni scoffed as he took a step back. "That's impossible, Silas."
I paused, staring straight into his eyes.
Gianni only addressed me by my name when he was serious and worried.
I snarled, "You can't dictate what I do, Gianni. I've come this far because I'm smart and capable. Rainey is one step I have to climb to succeed. Once I find the blood key, it's finished."
"Silas…."
"I don't care who the hell the Black Titans are. I'll always act. Even if they come for Rainey and I lose her, getting that key makes it worth it."
"You said it two minutes ago," Gianni started, anger in his voice. "You said she mattered, and now you're taking back your words? Quit doing drugs, Bro."
I let out a deep sigh, teeth clenched as I drew in the air.
What the hell am I doing? My anger's gotten the best of me.
I've worked all my life to get Rainey in my custody. I can't lose her now. Not ever.
"The Blood key is useless without her. She's the main deal. Protect her. And the Black Titans? We'll handle whatever mess they've got coming."
"Leave," I hissed. "I'll figure something out."
"You better," he replied.
My fists clenched as I watched him walk away.
Gianni seemed to know more than I did, and if not for him, this estate would be crumbling.
It sucks.
I'm his boss, but it doesn't feel like it.
Gianni's always been smarter—since we were teens.
Father knew I'd screw things up, which is why he put Gianni by my side.
Maybe it would've been better if he'd overseen this gang. Ain't I just some petty loser?
"Why do you look so disturbed, my boy?"
I groaned, looking up to see Lydia. Lydia had worked here even before my father died.
She's been my caretaker since childhood, and she still treats me like the kid I was back then.
"You know I hate it when you call me that, Lydia," I said, taking the glass of juice from her.
"My boy..." she repeated.
"Lydia?" I shot her a stern look, but with her cute smile, my anger quickly faded.
"Calm down, Silas. Give that to me." She took the pipe. "You smoke too much these days; it's unhealthy. I found some marijuana in your room."
"You searched my room?"
"I was just doing laundry when I saw leftovers," she said casually, patting my shoulder. "I know you're going through a tough time, but you need to take it easy on yourself."
I nodded, a fake smile in place. "You don't understand, Lydia. My dignity's about to be stripped away further. I can't allow this."
"There's always a way out," she said softly, her warm smile almost convincing me. But it's not that simple.
"The enemy isn't easing up, and I don't want to lose—even though it looks like I will."
"Silas." Lydia stepped closer, holding my face in her small, warm palms. "Do you know why I call you my perfect boy? Because I've always known you're strong. You're capable, but you don't have to be so hard on yourself," she said kindly.
"I am not the perfect one, Lydia. Gianni is. He knows how to handle everything. He's just too much for me, and I feel like an ant compared to him. Being the Capo is just a title; I am nothing without Gianni.
Lydia sighed before taking my hand in hers. I hate it when she's like this; it breaks me when she sees my pain.
"You and Gianni have been inseparable since childhood. You're just like rice cake and sugar. Imagine eating a rice cake without sugar. It's tasteless."
"Exactly." I bit my lips hard. "Gianni is the sugar in it. I'm just the rice cake—the useless one when there's no sugar, no Gianni."
"That's not what I meant. I mean you two are here to help each other. That's why your father put Gianni here?"
"Thank you, Lydia. You're my hope." I gave her a small smile before walking away. I was furious right now, and if I argue with her, I might do something I don't want to do. I didn't want to hurt Lydia. She's always been there for me.
I went back to my room and found Rainey squatting before my safe. My brows widened when I saw the papers in her hands.
"What do you think you're doing?" I snatched the file from her before pushing her aside. "What guts do you have to go through my things? Don't you know what privacy means? And hell, did you know how to break the lock?"
She snorted. "I didn't break it. You left it unlocked, and I just thought of feeding my eyes."
I hissed. "You don't feed your eyes with my stuff, Rainey. It's outrightly wrong!"
"Yeah, I know." She forced a small smile as she moved closer to me. "But do you know what's more wrong? It's you hiding the truth from me, but hey, no qualms." She fake giggled. "I found out."