Chapter 11
SILAS
The revelation shook Rainey to her core. I could feel her fear and pain—the pain of feeling deceived, but with me, it pierced even more.
Papà never believed in me, and the past twenty-eight years of my life have been spent pushing, struggling, and trying not to disappoint him, but it felt as though my efforts weren't enough.
Useless—he would call it. Do more, Silas. I'm not impressed, he would say. Maybe if I had another son, it would've been better. You're not what I want.
Well, he was right. I was known for messing up everything, and when I did, Gianni cleaned up my mess.
Even though he didn't boast about being more capable than I am, I felt he was rubbing it in my face by doing everything right, and Father was always there to praise him and scold me.
Desperation led my father to surrogacy. Since mom only gave birth to me before they got divorced when I was 14, he needed another child from another woman.
He didn't care if it was a boy or a girl. He just wanted someone who could promise a future, someone who wasn't me, the black sheep of the family.
I left the room to sit by the poolside, one glass in hand, but no pipe. I just wanted to focus on thinking about the best way for everything to work out without involving Gianni, which, without diving too deep, I already knew was impossible.
He was more like my backbone than just a second-in-command.
I had already spent two hours staring blankly into the air. It was high time I made myself useful and became the leader this Mafia gang needed, but a way to improve myself didn't seem to be coming.
I felt like I would always be hidden in Gianni's shadow forever.
"Silas." A soft, cracked voice called from behind me, and I didn't need to turn around before I knew it was Rainey.
"Here to taunt me?" I chuckled, sipping from my glass. "Don't even start, Tequila. I'm not ready to listen."
"Why did my mom run away?" she began, sniffing in tears. "Why didn't Caleb fight to win me back when she took me to dad?"
I scoffed, "Father knew what he was doing. Yes, he wanted to run and claim you back, but he ultimately decided against it. Guess he wanted someone raised outside of the gang." I turned to face her. "He was only buying time; he knew you would come back here anyway. Winning you back was my responsibility."
"You made my life miserable, Silas." she sobbed.
"I didn't," I said, "Elisabeth started it, she thrust you into misery, and your father, Fabio, wrapped it all up."
"I guess I can't call him dad anymore; he isn't even my biological father, and hearing the atrocities you claimed he had committed makes me wonder."
"There are no claims, Rainey." I stood, moving closer to her. "I know it's hard for you to believe because Fabio painted himself as a perfect man—an angel, but the truth is, he killed Elisabeth, he killed your mother."
"Argh!" she screamed, her veins popping. "Stop," she breathed. "I don't want to hear it, not anymore."
I nodded, "Fine, I won't push you."
I raised a brow when she grabbed the bottle of wine sitting by the bench. "What are you doing?"
She didn't say anything, just kept gulping down the liquid.
I chuckled when I saw her squeeze her face; the wine was strong—too strong for a beginner like her to handle.
The drinking went on for minutes. I didn't stop her or say anything. She probably needed it.
Her heart must be so heavy by now; I can't blame her for wanting to get drunk. It's just another way to forget her sorrow, at least for a little while, without sinking into it.
Tch, I shook my head as I watched her stagger. This lady. "I guess you've had enough already." But when I tried to take the bottle from her, she yanked my hand away.
"I'm okay."
I scoffed, "You're not okay. You're drunk."
She pouted. "I know when I'm drunk. Right now, I'm as sober as a judge. Just let me… let me have this. You don't have to boss me around every time."
"No", I declined. "If I let you keep drinking and staggering around like that, you might fall into the pool."
Loud laughter burst from her throat.
"I don't care if I die. How dare he lie to me? I trusted him, and this is what I get? Betrayal? Wasn't I worth knowing the truth?" She kept rambling.
"Come on", I finally snatched the bottle from her and set it down. "You're so drunk right now, it's crazy to see you behave this way. You need to get some sleep. Come here."
She grabbed my shirt before I could hold her hand.
"These lips..." Her fingertips traced them. "This is injustice." She gave a childish pout. "How dare you look so handsome and… yummy?" Now, she pulled me even closer, her body pressed firmly against mine.
"Kiss me, Silas." That gentle whisper, filled with desperation, came. "I want to know what it feels like to kiss doom again."
"I can be anything but a pervert who takes advantage of women when they're drunk and wasted.'
She smiled, hitting my chest. "Since when did you start caring about morals? I must say, I'm impressed.'
"Stop spouting nonsense and let me take you—"
She cut in. "Take me to your bed, Silas. I know I acted all dramatic and stubborn last time, but now, I'm ready for your ruin."
You—"
"Are you going to refuse because we're step-siblings?"
"No, I'm going to say no because you're so drunk right now and you need to be tucked in bed."
"No," she cackled, "I just want you, nothing but you. I want to know what sin is like. I had my first kiss with you, and now I want my first thrust from you, too. Want to hear good news? I'm just some untouched, innocent virgin, Silas. Have you ever tasted one?"
"God." I rubbed my forehead as a migraine set in. I'm sure she would regret all of this once she sobered up.
"Listen, Rainey."
"No," she screamed, giggling annoyingly. "Do you want to see my boobs? They aren't as big as you'd want, but I'm sure you'd like what you see. I want to show you again."
Before I could stop her, she was naked, slipping my shirt off herself with ease.
She wouldn't be doing this if she weren't drunk. It didn't take her so easily to pull off her dress the other time.
"This is temptation," I muttered, trying my best not to look, but I couldn't help it.