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My chest heaves, and warmth fills my eyes. Next, I’m sobbing. They’re the first tears I’ve shed for Mama. I could have cried every night alone in the dark, but they wouldn’t come.
Kieran pulls me against his chest and strokes my hair. “Let it go, bella. I’m here.”
His heart pounds, and I know why I’m cryingnowand not before, far away from here. Mama needed to see this. Even if she’s in the ether and can see everything. The moment is more powerful here. She knows I’m okay.
I’m okay…
Looking at the ground, the mound of dirt, I feel dizzy. “No. I… I don’t want this.”
“Don’t want what, bella?” Kieran holds my face, terror in his eyes as if I mean him. Our marriage.
“To be buried. To be in a box. Your… Your Norah had the right idea. Please. Please don’t bury me.”
Kieran turns pale. “Honestly, Isabella, if I have to bury you, too, I’m slitting my throat, and then they can burn us together.”
His words shock me, but I see the point. My God, the man might have to bury two… A fiancée and a wife. But he loved her. He doesn’t love me. Maybe it will still hurt either way.
The tension breaks, and he just holds me under the gray October sky. When I shiver from the cold, Kieran takes off his jacket and drops it around my shoulders.
“Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome, wife.”
“What made you think to bring me here?”
“Lachlan went to Waylon’s burial a few days ago.”
“You didn’t go?”
“No. I couldn’t send the message that I would pay my respects to a bodyguard and not the mother of my wife.Youare worth putting aside my agony.” This is so hard for him to be here, but he’s doing it for me.
“Let’s go. Life is for the living.”
“Aye.”
We turn and a man in a suit stands there. Kieran shoves me behind him and pulls his gun.
“Whoa, sir.” The man shows his empty hands. “I’m the Director of Family Services. My assistant mentioned you were here visiting Mrs. Parisi’s site. I’m here to offer any assistance.”
“Wait, I remember you,” I say, loosening from Kieran’s hold. “It’s okay.”
Kieran lowers his gun. “I can never be too careful when it comes to protecting my wife.”
“Agreed.” He nods. “Can I offer any additional assistance? I have expedited your mother’s engraving, ma’am.”
“Thank you,” I say softly and look around. “My father told me he’d have Mama’s favorite flower planted when the ground is settled and grass sod put down.”
The man cocks his head. “I’m not aware of that request.”
My throat tightens. “Can you check?”
“Absolutely.” He takes his phone out of his suit jacket and walks away.
“Bella?” Kieran touches my face, noticing my strained throat muscles.
“He just left her here. Henevercared about her. He can’t even follow her last wishes.”
Kieran holds me and I sense the man has walked back toward us.
