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“Let’s get through the funeral. Afterward, we’ll see where we all stand.” I stood, took a step and placed my hand on his shoulder. “You’re the only family I have left, Aiden. We have to stick together.”
He covered my hand with his and shot me a soft smile. “I got you, Fred.”
“I know you do.”
The plan was for Vincenzo and Lex Talionis to act as security at the funeral. Aiden had made sure to let my lieutenants know that due to the possibility of the Bleeding Angels or another street gang being sent out to take me down, the more security I had, the better—and these guys weren’t familiar to anyone here.
That appeased Finn and the others, and they even praised me for my smart thinking. Fools. I was smarter than them, but they just didn’t know it.
Aiden had planted the perfect amount of false security, making the family believe I thought them all innocent and their hands clean. This was vital in finding out who was responsible.
My black Armani suit fit perfectly. Coupled with a crisp white shirt and black tie, I was good to go. I descended the stairs to find everyone waiting for me in the foyer. Vincenzo looked impeccable in Valentino. His hair was smoothed back and tucked behind his ears. His perfect five-o’clock shadow finished off the whole aesthetic, and if I hadn’t known he was an elite killer, I’d have sworn he was a model.
“Everybody ready?” I asked as I smoothed my hands over my suit jacket.
“As we’ll ever be.” Aiden offered me a small smile.
“We follow your lead, Fred, remember that. Treat us how you would any security for yourself.” Vincenzo repeated what I already knew.
“I will. Let’s go. As much as I’ve dreaded this, I also couldn’t miss it for anything.”
This act we had to all play would start the second that front door opened and end after we were all tucked away at nightfall.
I had to address returning to my house but until I knew more, I recognized that Vincenzo was right and it wasn’t safe.
Uncle Sean had been a fairly religious man, but he’d so often said that he didn’t support organized religion. I was able to pay a priest to do me a favor—shocking to no one—and perform a service in the large garden near the Brennan plot. Fortunately, it was a beautiful day. The downside was that we were out in the open, making it a little more difficult to keep me safe.
Our procession consisted of four SUVs and while a bit overkill, it was on purpose. They all needed to know that I was alive, I was strong, and I wasn’t going anywhere. They may have taken out the only two people who meant anything in the world to me, but they wouldn’t see me crack. No, all they’d managed to do was unleash a beast that had lain dormant in my soul all these years.
Every single one of them would pay. And when I found the head of the snake, I’d cut it right off.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Vincenzo
It was an extravagant sight. From the window of the SUV I could see more flowers, chairs, and people than most events I’d been to.
Sean’s and Aine’s caskets were being carried in after Fred arrived, so there was an empty space in the middle of all the people.
I faced Fred. “Are you ready?”
“Sure.”
I tilted my head and smirked upon seeing who was standing by the SUVs like lethal guards of support: Christopher and Snow Manos; Bill and Mace; Black and his husband, Quill; Poe and Phin Hart; Riordan and Teddy Darcy; and the deadly three—as I’d come to call them—Lee, Ginger, and Jones. They were all there waiting for Fred. Simon and Rush were closer to where Fred would be sitting. Haven Hart was ready to make it clear to anyone watching that Fred had their full support and protection and at that moment, I knew my decision to become allies with them was sound.
“Look at them,” Fred whispered.
“They are here for you; let’s not keep them waiting. It’s a good wall of security to have.” I opened the door and stepped out first.
I wasn’t sure if any of them knew who I was, but none of them even glanced at me. Every single one of them intently stared at the redheaded man who followed behind me.
Christoper stepped forward and clasped Fred’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Fred.”
“Thanks.”
One by one they offered their condolences, and with them and my people encompassing Fred, we walked over to where he’d be sitting.
Aiden slipped off to the side and moved toward three men. Men I was well aware were Finn, Rowan, and Oscar.
