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“Yeah? And I hope you’re not there because I’ll ignore you again.” Sarcastic laughter sprang from his mouth, and I rolled my eyes and looked back at my parents, who were watching our exchange.
A tiny curve was etched on my mother’s lips, and she mouthed I love you. Tears streamed down my face, and my father nodded, his way of greeting me.
“At this time, you may come up in a line to say your final goodbyes,” the officiant said from behind me.
Row by row, the family dropped their roses on the casket and said their piece. I remained standing in my spot when a calming balm of warmth settled over me. I turned my head to look behind me, by the line of waiting cars near the gathering of trees, to the headstones further in the distance.
No one was visible to me, but I felt his presence – Dominic.
I couldn’t explain why I knew he was there, or why I knew he’d been at the campus award ceremony, or why I felt him when I was grocery shopping, but I was sure he lurked nearby. Why he remained hidden from me still puzzled me at this very moment.
I heard footsteps approaching me, and I turned to see Uncle Dexter. He sighed, opened his arms, and pulled me in for a hug. “It’s just me and you now.”
I embraced him and pulled back. “It’s been me and you for a long time, Uncle Dexter.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry I don’t come around often enough.”
“You’re busy. I understand.”
“It’s no excuse. I’ll try to change that.”
“Don’t worry about it. It appears I’ll be busy soon, too.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“I’m…” I sighed and rubbed my temples. “Grandpa wants me to, to…”
Uncle Dexter’s frown deepened and he shook his head. “What does that son of a bitch want now?”
I felt a stress headache start pounding as I recalled the argument with my grandfather—the don of the Niccolò Cartel.
“What does that mean? I have a life now. You can’t just pull me out of it.”
“I can and I will. Now get in the car, and don’t make me repeat myself.”
“No. I have something to do. Next time, call first, and we can schedule an appointment.”
“Get in the car, or I’ll have that boy toy you’ve been messing around with nailed to a stake!”
My eyes widened, and I shook with anger. I didn’t believe Dominic was the type who could be taken down quickly, so while I wanted to call my grandfather’s bluff, I knew Riccardo Niccolò was the type to do what he said.
Gritting my teeth, I opened the back door, climbed inside, and slammed the door as the driver drove off.
“Is it that bad?”
I blinked from my thoughts and focused on Uncle Dexter. Nodding, I sighed. “Unfortunately, it is.”
He grimaced. “Tell me what it is, and I’ll tell Riccardo to go to hell.”
I managed a half-smile. “Thanks, but I don’t want you involved.”
“Why? I’m not afraid of your grandfather. He’s not the only one who has connections.”
I laughed lightly. “I don’t think there’s anything the armed forces can do in this situation, Uncle Dexter.”
“I beg to differ.”
I rubbed my lips together. My peripheral vision caught sight of the guard, ushering my mom and dad forward to get their final view of their brother.
