Page 85 of The High Priestess

He keeps it there as we head to the SUV, and when he opens the passenger door, his eyes scan the area while I climb into the cab.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly while he walks around the back of the SUV. He gets in behind the steering wheel and starts the engine before asking, “What’s the address?”

I dig my phone out of my handbag and quickly unlock the screen so I can show him the message I received from Santiago earlier tonight.

Knight nods. “Got it.”

The drive to the cemetery is too quiet, the silence working on my nerves. My thoughts turn to my family, and my mood grows somber as my grief pushes to the surface.

By the time Knight brings the SUV to a stop, I feel like climbing onto his lap and crying my heart out. Instead, I shove the door open and climb out of the vehicle.

Knight comes around the front of the SUV and places his hand on my lower back again. We walk through the graves, searching for my family, then he says, “Over there.”

He guides me past two rows to an area with six fresh graves. There aren’t any headstones yet.

There are only little plaques to indicate who is who, and I have to move closer to read the details.

George Dimitrou. Vasaliki Dimitrou.

In my grief and with everything that’s happened, I haven’t thought much about my aunt and uncle, and it makes me feel guilty.

I take a couple of steps to read the other plaques.

Ilias Dimitrou.

Oh, Mpampà, if only you hadn’t been so adamant about starting a war with the bratva.

Ana Dimitrou.

Mamá.

My chin starts to quiver, and my heart clenches painfully in my chest.

You were the best mother. It was such an honor to be your daughter.

I’ll never again hear her tell me she’s proud of me.

A sob bursts over my lips as I glance at the next plaque.

Kiki Dimitrou.

Mischievous Kiki. Never thought I’d miss the day of you pranking one of us.

Eleni Dimitrou.

I fold my arms around myself as the tears stream down my face.

I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.

The heartache becomes excruciating, and I let out a devastating cry.

Knight’s arms wrap around me, and he pulls me against his chest. Standing between my family’s graves, I mourn the loss I’ll never truly recover from.

When it’s time to leave, I pull my phone from my handbag and open a chat with the rest of the alliance.

Cassia: I’m going to make the bratva an offer they can’t refuse in order to avoid further bloodshed.

As I walk toward the car, I don’t wait long for the first response to come through.

---