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As I stared at Fred, I could see how hard it was for him to keep his composure. I doubted anyone else noticed how he was a swift breeze away from falling apart. He’d grown up hiding his feelings and unfortunately, he was really good at it.
“The night they were brutally taken away from me, Aine was preparing to see the world. She was leaving this life behind to make memories, to fall in love, to move on.” He turned toward his family, who were congregated together.
“She was going to be something somewhere in this world where she was appreciated.”
Damn.
“My uncle was proud of her, and you could see it in his face as she described her destinations. Then he put his arm around me and promised he wouldn’t leave my side.”
His head fell forward for a moment—no tears, just gathering himself, I assumed. After a breath he looked up, and there was a fire burning in those pale eyes I hadn’t seen before.
“He didn’t break his promise; it was torn from him. Aine’s dreams bled out on the pavement beside her father and me. And I wouldn’t be here right now if my uncle Sean hadn’t sacrificed himself for me.”
He took a deep breath, his gaze wandering over each person…even me.
“And no matter what it entails, I will make whoever is responsible meet the same fate.” He smirked and, like the sarcastic brat he was, said, “Amen,” and sat back down.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Fred
My insides were vibrating. I hoped the fear I felt brewing in my body came off more as vicious anger, because these vultures could smell vulnerability.
The repast was going to be at Uncle Sean’s and Aine’s favorite restaurant. The private room had been booked, and everyone had pretty much left the cemetery…except me. Aiden stood by the car on the pathway, and as much as I wished Vincenzo and Zion would have also gone to the restaurant, I wasn’t fool enough to think being here alone with only my driver was a smart decision.
I stood between the caskets. They’d be lowered down after I left, but I needed this time with them.
“I’m so sorry.” I whispered, my voice cracking. “This was never supposed to happen, and I’ve failed you both so horribly.” My throat clogged, and my vision became watery.
“You were the two people in my life who meant everything to me. You stood by me when everyone else either turned their backs or let me suffer. You loved me unconditionally, and protected me not just physically but with words, hugs, promises, and love.” I hiccupped and was sure Vincenzo could hear me but he wasn’t facing me, giving me the illusion of privacy.
“I’m all alone, Uncle Sean and Aine, and I’m terrified. I feel raw, and all I want to do is hide under the blankets and cry forever until I’ve depleted myself of everything keeping me alive and be with you both…” I sniffled. “I know that’s not healthy and if either of you were here, I’d have gotten smacked upside the head.”
As discreetly as possible, I wiped my cheeks. “Aine, you’d make me promise to live for you. Sean, you’d tell me to never even blink in their presence but allow myself to feel my emotions the moment I closed my door at night. I will do all those things for you guys.”
I leaned first over Uncle Sean’s casket and gently kissed the cold wood, then did the same to Aine’s.
“I will deliver whoever did this to you; you have my word on that.”
I took a few deep breaths, making sure my face was dry and my heartbeat calmed, before turning around and beelining it to the SUV.
While Molly’s was my favorite, I couldn’t have the repast there after Uncle Sean and Aine had been murdered out front. Teresa’s was their favorite, so it made sense to have it there.
I’d tuned out the blanketed condolences; I was a machine set on rinse and repeat. “Thank you for being here. They were wonderful people. They’ll be missed.”
Once I was done talking to someone, another body would take their place. I wanted to scream.
“Drink.” A tumbler filled with amber liquor was thrust before me. I followed the arm it was attached to and was met with ice-blue eyes, white hair, and an impressive, quirked brow.
“Thanks, Snow.”
“Honestly, I’d let yourself get drunk. Go sit in one of those ugly velvet chairs in the corner and imbibe.”
The chairs weren’t that ugly. Teresa, who owned the restaurant, didn’t skimp, and I was sure just one of them cost over a thousand dollars.
“I can’t let my guard down.” I sipped the drink, relishing the burn as I swallowed.
“If you think anyone would dare do a thing with all of us here, you’re losing your mind. We’ll keep an eye out.”
