Page 83 of Beautiful Vows

I fight the urge to glance over my shoulder. Instead, I take out my sunglasses from my purse, cover my eyes and then I scan the crowd gathered around the grave, trying to appear casual.

Everyone looks the same. An ocean of black-clad mourners swims together, faces half-hidden behind veils and dark sunglasses. But somewhere among them, I swear I can feel eyes boring into me, adding to my growing unease.

Rafe must sense my discomfort because he shifts slightly closer, his arm brushing against mine. The subtle contact grounds me, reminding me I have my men now.

Dante grips my shoulders, letting me know no-one will get through him. And on my other side, Cade’s eyes flick across the gathered crowd. Does he feel the same thing as I do?

Who could be watching us? Is it just paranoia, or the result of my new life?

After the coffin is lowered into the ground, the priest invites the mourners to step forward and toss handfuls of dirt onto the coffin. I don’t move. Instead, I watch everyone else.

My back shackles as I watch a man reach into his pocket. My hand takes the grip of the gun strapped to my thigh. I wore a dress for this reason. There’s enough fabric for me to twist the gun underneath and shoot a person.

But when the man takes out a yellow rose and throws it on Helena’s coffin, I let out a relieved breath.

Mourners approach Dominic. One by one, people offer their condolences, their voices an indistinct murmur against the backdrop of rustling leaves and distant traffic.

He stands tall despite his grief, the silver in his hair catching the late afternoon sunlight. His face is a mask of composure.

“I’m going to talk to my father,” Dante whispers in my ear.

I nod and watch him stroll toward him.

As the last mourner steps away, Dominic turns to Dante. There’s an exchange of words. There’s a sudden change in Dominic’s demeanor. It’s unmistakable, and there is a visible tension in the line of his shoulders.

Dante stands back from him.

“Come to the car with me.” I read Dominic’s lips as he speaks to Dante.

“No, everything has changed.” Dante responds.

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“Talk to me in the car. Not here.”

“Let’s go,” Rafe says as we follow Dante to Dominic’s limousine.

“Get in,” Dominic says.

Dante shakes his head. “We’re in one car.”

“Give the keys to Luigi. He’ll take the car to the wake. I need to talk to all of you.”

Cade hands Dante’s car keys to Dominic, who calls over one of his men, hands him the keys and tells him to follow us.

“Please get in.”

Inside the car, I take my seat next to Amara and Milly as Dante sits next to his father. Rafe and Cade sit opposite me.

Dominic reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring. Even from where I sit, I can see the intricate design, the symbol of the Syndicate. Five rings, standing for each family in power. I wonder why it isn’t six rings.

He holds it out to Dante. “My work is done. It’s your time.”

Dante’s hesitation is visible, his hand half-raised but not reaching for the ring. “I told you I don’t want it any longer. I need to protect Lia and my children and I’ll do that better not having to think about de Luca family responsibilities.”

His words hang in the air. We never discussed this.

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