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I looked behind me and saw Eli staring at us. He mouthedAre you okay?
I nodded in return.
“Is he your guard dog?”
I smiled. “He’s my friend. He’s from the Gold family, Eli Gold.”
“One of Brandon’s sons.” She tilted her head as she stared at him. “I can see that. And you two are friends?”
I nodded. “More than that.” But that was all I was going to say about it. Despite what she said, I didn’t know this woman from Adam.
Hera stayed for about thirty minutes. Then people kept coming into the house, wanting to express their condolences, and she caught my attention and smiled.
“Well, its’s time for me to go.” She smiled, taking me in. She kissed me on the forehead and leaned in close. “After everyone leaves, try to get some rest. I’ll be back later to check on you when things are quieter.”
It looked like Hera was going to walk past Eli, but instead, she stopped and whispered something in his ear. He smiled and nodded.
I missed my father. It was funny how you could know that something was coming and then still be so shocked when it happened. We knew he was going to die but… I didn’t know what I was thinking.
Eli stayed with me in the days after my father’s death, but he had to go back to work, and I had things that I needed to prepare for the opening.
Lenny, surprisingly, was still alive. So I told Nate to call a meeting and tell every male in the family that they needed to bring their wife or girlfriend to the meeting. Later that night, the men and their partners stuffed themselves into our—my—home.
“I know you all are wondering why I brought you here tonight.”
Scattered murmurs rose from the crowd.
“I want to thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and kind words during this difficult time.” I let out a deep breath. “I was going to do this days ago but—anyway. I need to do it now before I run out of time.”
I nodded at Nate, who stood in front of the double doors to the dining room. He returned my nod and he and Joe opened the doors. There were three men on the other side of the door. Two large men stood behind Lenny.
The gasps were loud. Lenny whimpered. His eyes wet with tears. The flesh beneath where his skin had been was slowly turning black. Probably from infection, but that didn’t matter.
“Everyone, Lenny. Lenny, everyone.”
He whimpered again and I almost felt sorry for him. He looked so pathetic. The pained expression on his face made it seem like it hurt him to breathe. Hurt him to stand.
“You skinned him?” I knew it was Anthony’s voice. I couldn’t figure out why he phrased it as a question when it was clear that was exactly what happened.
“Yes, I did. I wanted to show you all something.” I looked into the eyes of every man in the room. “If any man is accused of rape in this family and the woman can prove it, this is what will happen. I will skin you alive, roll you in a mound of salt, and leave your ass on the side of the road somewhere for the buzzards to eat. Am I clear?”
Silence.
“The Don asked you a question.” Nate’s voice was deafening, breaking the silence.
Those who didn’t outright say yes either murmured their agreement or nodded their heads, their eyes never leaving Lenny.
“Good.” I smiled sweetly, clasping my hands. “All of you may go home now. Thank you for coming.”
I didn’t have to repeat myself. They all rushed to the foyer and out the front door as quickly as their feet could carry them. It was almost comical. I glanced at Lenny; his legs were shaking as tears streamed down his face.
“Nate, put him out of his misery, but not in the house.”
