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Today, I convinced Tyler to come with me to pick up some things for our first themed party at Luxe. Ever since Jade told me about overhearing their conversation, I had been avoiding the topic of Giovanna with Tyler as much as possible. But now that we were alone, I couldn’t resist asking him about their past.
“Hey man,” he said from the passenger seat before I could bring up the topic.
“Yeah?”
“Do you think we can stop by Mila’s grave while we’re out?” he asked. “Today’s her birthday and those flowers in the back are for her. I plan to take the kids after school, but I kinda want a minute to myself with her if that’s cool?”
“Of course,” I veered left at the rotary, circling back around to the cemetery.
“Thanks,” he muttered, “I just figure I’ll leave her flowers while alone so I can focus on the kids in case they start to cry, you know?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “I’ll get out and watch your back while you have your moment.” I pulled into the small cemetery parking lot, winding around to park as close to the Prescott plot as I could, since she was buried close by.
“Cool,” he sighed.
I couldn’t tell if he was trying to fight back his emotions or if each day was getting easier for him. He didn’t bring her up to us much and the times he did; he was more composed these days.
After parking and getting out, I closed the door, waltzing to the front of my Escalade. Leaning against the grill, I watched as he meandered to her grave, then kneeled in front of her headstone. The surroundings were quiet and still, the only sound being the distant chirping of birds. As he spent time with her, I took a moment to scan the grounds, my gaze eventually landing on Vito’s grave.
Giovanna was in charge of his estate and had chosen to bury him in Boston instead of among his criminal associates. She wanted a peaceful resting place for him where she could visit him whenever she needed to. I hadn’t seen it in person yet since the headstone had been placed, so I strolled through the rows of gravestones, careful not to disturb anyone. It felt eerie to be walking through a cemetery around people I didn’t know, but I wanted to pay my respects to Vito as well.
Standing in front of a massive black headstone, I slid my hands into my pockets and let out a heavy sigh. “I’m so sorry, man,” I muttered. “We had no idea.”
“He’s not over there,” a voice echoed from the other side of the headstone.
Startled, I took a step to the side and peered around it. “Gia!”
“Yep.” She stood, brushing off her dark blue jeans before wiping away tears with her jacket sleeve. “His head is over here.” Her voice cracked as she spoke. “But it doesn’t really matter now, does it?”
I strode toward her. “Gia, listen, I’m so sorry?—”
She leaped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around my waist. “I’m not mad at any of you,” she sobbed into my chest. “I’m just angry at Luca.” After a moment, she stepped back and wiped her eyes. “I was born into this life. I knew that one day he might be taken out like this. It’s something we all fear when we’re part of the family. To be honest, he would’ve killed Mr. Knight had the situation been reversed.”
“Why didn’t you call any of us back?” I asked.
“I thought Mr. Knight might come after me next,” she admitted with a sniffle. “I was scared.” She looked up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “And he was still my dad, so I needed time to grieve.”
“Understandable about that part, but Ian’s not mad at you at all.” I sighed. “He feels like shit. You can come back when you’re ready.”
She nibbled her bottom lip for a moment. “I don’t think I’m going back.”
I arched a brow.
“Tyler and I kinda?—”
“I know.”
Her eyes widened. “You do? Ugh! I’m sorry! I wanted to tell you guys but… well, I didn’t.”
“You don’t have to cover for Ty,” I chuckled. “Jade overheard the whole thing that night you guys were talking in the office.”
“God,” she scoffed. “Well, now you get why I can’t return.”
Tyler appeared from the other side of the grave, the leaves rustling under his feet, causing Giovanna to jump in surprise. “You belong there.”
“Tyler!” she exhaled. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“Today’s Mila’s birthday,” He glanced back over his shoulder. “I was delivering some flowers, but I saw him over here talking to you.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright,” he reassured her with a gentle smile. He nestled his hands deep in the pockets of his black coat.
She nervously bit her bottom lip before continuing. “Are you going to be okay if I return, though?”
He paused for a moment before nodding again. “Time will tell, but regardless, you belong there. We both do.”
