Page 110 of Wrathful King
“But not impossible,” Manuel added. “The Omertà will be happy you’re staying in Italy.”
“We prefer Italy to be your main residence,” Enrico added as if they were in any position to demand anything. They all knew he had obligations to the Yakuza too and couldn’t do that exclusively from Italy. Papà told me that Amon was revered among the Omertà and Yakuza leaders. He held a prestigious position of power at the top, having clawed himself up from the rubble. The proof was in the number of people who attended the vote today.
While Amon was busy with the underworld, I kept busy with my fashion designs. I was finally getting back to it, and I had been thinking about launching my product line with Amon’s help. Of course, I learned he’d been buying out all my designs and selling them in his luxury hotels and casinos. He definitely kick-started it all, though he didn’t let me give him any credit.
“It will be hard to find a place with acreage,” Amon remarked wryly. He wanted space around us and no prying eyes.
“Or without snakes,” I added with a shiver.
After a few more minutes of discussion, Manuel and Enrico departed.
Amon’s arm hooked around me. “Did you see your sister?”
I nodded, smiling softly. “She looks well.”
“She does,” he agreed.
“Why won’t they come out here?” I asked. Dante was coming for the funeral but he made it clear he wouldn’t be staying. He was only attending because Hana meant so much to him, although he didn’t seem overly upset. However, Amon made it known that Dante was excellent at hiding his emotions. It was a result of their upbringing.
“Let’s give him until summer,” he murmured, kissing my forehead. “Then we’ll go to him and demand answers. Rain or shine, heaven or hell, the four of us are spending the warmer months together.”
Summer was only a few months away. I could last that long.
39
REINA
The burial ceremony was short. Only Amon, Papà, Dante, and I attended the funeral. Ironically, it was in the same cemetery as my mamma’s.
The spring rain drizzled and gray clouds wept, as though in mourning for the departed souls.
It was time to let go of the past and focus on the here and now. On the future. Thanks to our parents, I found the man who not only saved me but also loved me. Unconditionally. He gave me my beautiful, imperfect fairy tale.
Life wasn’t perfect; it never would be. But as long as I had Amon by my side, I knew all the ups and downs would be worth it.
“We therefore commit this body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.”
His mother was cremated. She practiced Japanese customs and Amon wanted to honor them—and her—in her death. He hoped Hana would find peace here, buried close to where we’d put roots down. Blending Shinto beliefs, Buddhism, and classical Eastern Philosophy, the Japanese had an ethereal practice of honoring deceased loved ones with a ceremonial cremation practice known askotsuage, which consisted of close family members performing a unique ritual with the cremated remains. Amon and Dante led the ceremony.
I wished Phoenix were here, but we’d be visiting her soon. Dante claimed it wastheirhoneymoon phase and they wouldn’t share that time with anyone. Fair enough.
With Dante and Amon on either side of me, I couldn’t help but slide my hands into theirs and squeeze gently, offering comfort. The looks on their faces twisted my heart.
Dante’s dark blue eyes met mine and we exchanged a hundred unspoken words. Amon told him what Hana had done, and although we agreed not to tell Dante it was at my expense, he came to the conclusion himself.
“Does this mean you forgive me?” he inquired, his voice low. Papà shot him a glare. He was furious he’d eloped with Phoenix and robbed him of his chance to walk her down the aisle.
“For kidnapping my sister, no. For everything else, yes.”
He let out a sigh, but the corners of his lips betrayed him. “You’re tough.”
I rolled my eyes. “There is one way you can remedy it all.” His eyebrows shot up to his hairline, but before he could get excited, I added, “Have a wedding ceremony so Papà can walk Phoenix down the aisle.”
My eyes flitted to my papà who looked lost standing next to Amon, staring at the gravesite that now held two wives he’d had to bury. I wondered if he questioned whether he’d truly known them at all.
We might have all started off on the wrong foot, but I knew that our future was ours to craft. Not our parents’. Not the underworld’s. Ours.
Letting go of Dante’s hand, I pressed a kiss to Amon’s cheek. “Are you doing okay?”
