Page 182 of Hidden Empire

He leaves with the first wave of guests, leaving mostly family behind as we start the burial service. I cry, of course, but I’m able to keep myself from sobbing uncontrollably as Matteo holds my hand. A few tears leak from his eyes as well, but he doesn’t let them stay long, wiping them away with the back of his shirt sleeves.

Uncle Cesar has a plot right next to Isobel and Angel’s shared grave. I didn’t even know it existed on the property, but it does. Their headstones are matching. While Isobel’s says Loving Mother and Son, Uncle Cesar’s reads Brother, Uncle, Friend.

After the casket is lowered, flowers are thrown, and the dirt is all settled into place, Dmitri kisses my head, taking me from Matteo.

“Nico and I have something for you, baby. Can you stay strong for me?”

Not knowing what he could mean, I agree automatically. “Always.”

Just then, Nico walks toward us. He’d been skipping the funeral to watch from the roof, or at least I thought he had. But he’s currently directing a bunch of guards, carrying what looks like another coffin.

Relief and tragedy strike me all at once. “You found them, didn’t you?”

“We did,” he confirms, squeezing my arms. Nico must have tortured the original burial location out of Karina. His abilities have never really scared me, but now I have a reason to be grateful for them. “They’re at peace now, Jade. I think we should bury them with the rest of your family, don’t you?”

My lips wobble, but I nod rapidly. “Yes.”

“Does my dad know?”

Dmitri dips his head sadly. “When we dug them up, we couldn’t deny him the right to see them. But Jade, trust me when I tell you, don’t ask me to look in the casket, okay? They’re bones, baby, it’s been too many years. You’ll never unsee it if you look.”

“I trust you,” I rasp, resting my head on his chest.

He lets out a relieved breath and holds me tighter.

We watch on as the guards work like machines, digging up space for my mother and my twin. I don’t know if someone asks him to help or if he volunteers, but Colton pulls off his hat and jacket, grabbing a shovel to help shape the rectangular plot.

Nico comes over, pressing the first kiss he’s ever given me to the side of my face. “Do you want to say anything?”

“I can’t,” I admit. If I say anything, I’ll break down.

“That’s okay,” he replies immediately. “Talk to them whenever you’re ready. They’ll be here. Cassio visits with Isobel and Angel all the time.”

I nod, sniffing back the emotion clogging my throat. “Thank you?—”

“Don’t,” he says automatically. “Don’t thank me for this.”

I thank him silently anyway. I’m never not going to be grateful for Nico.

“If you ever need,” he hesitates, “a twin to talk to, you know you can come to me?”

I can’t even reply, choosing to squeeze the hell out of him instead. He wraps his arms around me, too, not even flinching when Matteo embraces both of us, getting in on the action.

Once the casket is good and buried, I watch as a custom headstone is lowered into place. A shaky gasp leaves my lips when I notice… they gave him a name. The beautiful marble stone reads Kimberly and Sage Moretti. Mother. Son and Brother.

“Did Dad pick that?” I ask, voice shaking.

“He did,” Nico confirms.

He named him after a shade of green too. Not an Italian name like the rest of my brothers have. But something that matches mine. Either he truly meant that Kimberly didn’t hate the color, or he’s going to great lengths to help me love my name in spite of the turmoil surrounding it.

I have to go see, and I do, pushing past the crowd of family to find him with Mila in his arms, watching numbly as the dust begins to settle. She’s wearing the sweetest little baby dress, white instead of black.

“I love you so much,” I murmur, tucking myself into his side.

“I love you too, sweetheart,” he returns, his voice breaking.

My little niece doesn’t pick up on the somber mood, reaching out to grab some of my hair and pulling it to her mouth to chew on.

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