Page 81 of Deathless & Divided

“Dad,” Adriano said, grabbing his father’s arm. “Stop.”

“Don’t, Adriano,” Riley mumbled, pulling away.

Lily couldn’t help but notice how the people seemed divided. The DeLucas stood on the sidelines closer to the boss. The Conti family gathered behind a hurting Riley. Most of the Rossi family was scattered between the two.

Her air lodged in her throat as she recognized what was happening. What little bond there actually was between these people were being ripped apart because of one murder. How many other murders had they experienced? How many other people had lost their lives and they barely blinked about it?

What was so different about this one?

“Was it worth it?” Riley asked again. “Just to teach that useless piece of shit you call a grandson a lesson? Was it worth my wife’s life, Terrance?”

A disgusting grin curved Joel Trentini’s mouth as he regarded Riley. “Oh, don’t worry. I learned my lesson well.”

Terrance scowled. “Joel, enough.”

Lily stilled, coldness washing over her.

“Retribution,” Evelina said lowly.

It made a hell of a lot more sense, now.

Riley waved at the church doors leading out to the front steps. “Get out. Leave. You’re not welcome here; not to grieve with my family or give your false remorse and apologies. They mean nothing—nothing. Leave!”

“Riley, just listen to me and think about this,” Terrance started to say, sadness clouding his features.

“Leave!”

The funeral lasted longer than Lily thought possible. Through the entire service, she stayed beside Evelina to give her friend what comfort and support she could. Damian sat at Lily’s other side in the pew, quiet as usual. Once the final blessings had been said and the casket was free to move to make its way to the cemetery, Evelina and Lily separated for the first time all day.

Lily made sure to keep an eye on her grieving friend. Damian leaned against the brick wall of the church, still and stoic. Without realizing it throughout the day, Lily was only now coming to understand that while she had been Evelina’s cornerstone, Damian had been hers.

“Sad day,” Damian said.

“It’s always sad when someone dies for nothing, Damian.”

“It’s never for nothing. It always means something to someone.”

He had a point. Even still, Lily had a hard time correlating Mia Conti’s unfortunate end to something worthy or honorable.

“That was quite a show earlier,” Lily said, nodding subtly at Riley Conti as he passed with his son and daughter at his side.

“They’ve been best friends for years,” Damian said.

Lily watched the crowd of mourners separate for the pallbearers as they walked the casket to the hearse. “Who?”

“The boss and Riley. Hell, as far as I understand, Riley was the first person Terrance moved higher in the Outfit after he took his seat.”

“Huh.”

“It’s strange,” Damian said. “Seeing them fight like that, I mean.”

“He’s angry,” Lily replied. “Maybe he’ll calm down.”

“But maybe he won’t.”

“People are picking sides,” she whispered, still gazing over the crowd. “I noticed that.”

“It’s inevitable.”