Page 10 of From the Ashes

Bishop steps up beside me and takes my hand, and I squeeze his in return.

I don’t feel any more ready to parade my relationship with the four of them in front of the city’s underworld than I was last night, but I need their strength more than ever.

There are hundreds of people staring at us as we move up the aisle, Bishop clutching my hand while Crew, Kaos, and Kovu cover our backs. I tried to convince Crew to stay home, but at this point, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he didn’t listen.

We take our seats at the front, and I keep my eyes forward on the two coffins that hover just above their respective six-foot-deep holes. When I was asked to plan their funeral, I gave most of the responsibility to Bonnie, my new assistant who used to work for my dad, but I was adamant they be buried in a different cemetery from my parents. I don’t want Michael and Scott anywhere near them, even if every other De Marco is buried there.

There’s a mask I’m expected to display today, but I don’t know if I can pretend to be sad they’re dead. They tried to have me killed, and they weren’t even smart enough to try to cover it up.

But there are members of each of the other four families here, and therefore I have to pretend I’m upset by their deaths.

I readjust my sunglasses, ensuring they’re in place to hide my tearless eyes.

Much like last night, Bishop and Crew take a seat on either side of me, with Kovu and Kaos on either side of them, putting me at the center of them.

Bishop drops a hand to my thigh while Crew takes one of my hands in his, keeping their eyes trained in the same place mine are.

I swallow heavily as the minister takes his place between the coffins.

“We’re gathered here today to celebrate the lives of Michael and Scott De Marco. A father and son who were taken from us too soon.”

He goes on to talk about the lives they led and how they helped our community. It’s a load of bullshit. They never did a thing for the people of the community apart from turning their noses down on them, and so I tune him out.

I enjoy the sun on the bare skin of my arms, something I’ve been sorely missing recently, and I make a note to myself to enjoy more of.

“Camilla De Marco has chosen to say a few words about her beloved uncle and cousin.”

The sound of my own name snaps me out of my own mind, and when I stand, I feel the loss of Crew and Bishop immediately.

I can do this, I tell myself.

When I step to the place the minister was standing just a moment ago and turn around, my stomach flips at the sight of the crowd looking up at me, expecting a heartfelt eulogy.

“Thank you all for coming today to celebrate the lives of my uncle and cousin.” I pause and drag my lips between my teeth, forcing emotion that doesn’t exist into my voice. “As you can imagine, this is a terribly difficult time for myself, having just lost my father a couple of months ago, so I’m going to keep this brief.

“Michael and Scott were both a huge part of my life, and after my mother died, they did everything they could to help raise me, and I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without them.”

Not a complete lie. I wouldn’t be half as strong as I am if it weren’t for them constantly undermining me, underestimating me, and trying to take the job I was born to do.

“I’ll miss my uncle’s ability to make everyone in the room smile and my cousin’s innate drive to succeed, always making sure I went above and beyond to succeed myself.”

Another glance around the rows of people, some of whom are wiping their cheeks as if something I’ve said has been touching, but it’s all a twist on the truth.

I get through the rest of my eulogy, even taking the time to sniffle and wipe away a fake tear from beneath my glasses before moving back to my seat.

Bishop and Crew each place a hand on my thigh as soon as I’m settled, and for what’s left of the funeral, I just enjoy their presence and their touch.

When it comes time to lower the coffins, Kovu steps in front of Bishop and takes my hand, guiding me toward the two solid oak coffins. Bonnie did a beautiful job with the funeral, and I remind myself to send her some flowers to thank her for all she’s done. Hell, she needs a raise after dealing with these two assholes for the time I was out of action.

I take the two white roses that are offered to me in my free hand and place them beside the assortment atop each of the coffins with my head bowed.

By the time all five of us have done the same, there’s a line of people waiting to give me their condolences, but each of them eye my men like they’re not sure what to make of their presence. If only they knew the one holding my hand was responsible for both their deaths.

I force down the chuckle that tries to escape my throat, and Crew gives me a pointed look to behave.

Noah and Leroy Thorne are the first to greet me, each giving me a kiss on either cheek before taking a step back. “We were very sorry to hear about your loss, Camilla.” Leroy gives me a kind smile that I return. Our families have never been enemies, and I’d almost go so far as to say he was friends with my dad behind closed doors, which only makes me more eager for the next generation of leaders to take over, and I’m the first step of that.

“Thank you so much for coming. They’ll both be missed,” I say, but I don’t miss the knowing look Noah gives me. Every single member of the five families knew Michael and Scott were a waste of space even at the best of times.

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