Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Turning to look at Stefano, I mutter, “Get comfortable, cousin. I’ll visit again tomorrow.”
Carlo reaches out and presses the button on the control for the belt, shocking the fuck out of Stefano, before leaving the room with me.
“Feel better?” I ask.
“No. I still have to bury my mother tomorrow.”
The funeral.
Tomorrow’s going to be hard on everyone.
After the viewing, we all take our seats in the cathedral and Father Parisi says some final words for Aunt Greta.
Gabriella’s sitting on my left with Mamma next to her, and I have Carlo on my right.
“Carlo would like to say something before we proceed to the cemetery,” Father Parisi announces.
Tipping my head closer to Carlo, I murmur, “You’ve got this.”
He nods as he climbs to his feet, and I watch as my second-in-charge, my best friend, and my brother walks to the front.
He clears his throat before his eyes scan over the pews that are filled with members of the Cosa Nostra.
“My mother was too good for this world,” his voice drifts over us with sorrow tightening it.
Mamma lets out a sob, and Gabriella quickly wraps her arm around her.
My women huddle together as Carlo continues, “Christ, Ma, you were supposed to grow old and give me shit about not giving you grandchildren.”
Fuck.
I suck in a deep breath as my heart bleeds for my loved ones, the loss of Aunt Greta finally sinking into my bones.
I never showed her any kind of love, but I did love her. After all, I’ve known her all my life. She was Mamma’s best friend and like a second mother to me.
I shift in my seat, my muscles tightening as I firmly shove the sorrow down so it won’t overwhelm me.
Today, I have to be strong for everyone as they mourn their loss.
Today, I have to guard Carlo like he’s guarded me for nineteen years.
“Ma, you’re the only woman I love with all my heart. No one can ever take your place. I’ll miss you teasing us, hearing you reading…” his voice breaks, and he clears his throat again.
Knowing he’s a second away from breaking down, I stand up and walk to him.
Placing my hand on his back, I lean into the microphone and say, “It was our greatest honor to be loved by Aunt Greta, and she will be missed.” I glance up and kiss my fingers. “Rest in peace, Aunt Greta.”
When I pull Carlo back to the pews, he whispers, “Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
I gesture for Gabriella to come and she helps Mamma to her feet.
“Carlo?” Mamma asks.
“I’m here,” he murmurs as he moves to her side.
She hooks her arm through his and pats his hand. “That was beautiful. You still have me, mio figlio. We’ll get through this together.”
Jesus, Mamma. You’re going to make me cry in front of all my men.
I grip Gabriella’s hand tightly as we walk down the aisle, and when we’re seated in the SUV, I let out a sigh.
Emilio and Vito get into our vehicle while Tommy and one of his best men drive with Carlo and Mamma.
“Are you okay?” Gabriella whispers.
I lean my head closer to hers. “Yes. You?”
“I’m okay as can be under the circumstances.”
The drive to the cemetery isn’t as slow as it would usually be. We don’t want to be sitting ducks behind a hearse, and soon, we’re driven through the iron gates of the cemetery before we all stop in a row.
Angelo pulls up behind our SUV, and when he, Vittoria, Tiny, and Big Ricky get out of their vehicle, I give him a chin lift.
Aunt Greta was a mafia queen so all the heads follow me to the back of the hearse, where we help Carlo pull the casket out.
I glance at Gabriella, and seeing her with Mamma, where my men surround them as they walk to the gravesite, I focus on carrying Aunt Greta to her final resting place.
We set the casket down, and I take my place between Carlo and Gabriella before Father Parisi says a few words.
When it’s time to lower the casket, Carlo steps forward, and resting his hand on the polished wood, he whispers, “You were the best mother a son could ask for. Ti voglio bene, Ma. Addio.”
We watch as the casket is lowered, and halfway through, Carlo turns around and walks away.
“Stay with Emilio and Vito,” I order Gabriella before I go after him.
When I catch up to Carlo, I hear him take a shuddering breath.
Placing my hand on his back, I say, “I’m here.”
He nods and only stops walking when we reach the SUV.
“Christ, Damiano,” he groans.
“I know.” I step closer to him, and putting my hand behind his head, I let him rest his forehead on my shoulder. “I know, brother.”
I keep an eye over our surroundings and everyone attending the funeral while Carlo takes a moment to catch his breath.