Page 139 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

“Letting the world believe it was me.”

She stroked my back with her fingers.

“You have to know by now I’d do anything for you, daddy. And honestly, it’s better this way. You’re the king. People need to see you as a leader. I might be your queen, but I would rather stand behind you than be in the spotlight.” She pulled away slightly to look up at me. “Who’s going to challenge you if they think you killed your own father for power?”

I smiled.

“There’s always someone stupid enough to think they can overthrow a king, Tinkerbell. That’s the world we live in.”

“You’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”

I leant closer, brushing my nose over hers.

“I have a kingdom and a precious queen to protect. I’ll never let them destroy us.”

“I know.”

With that, I kissed her, knowing the world had almost been set to rights. We were together. And it was all I ever needed in this life.

Forty Six

Zayn

Five of us stood beside the grave, staring down at the coffin that had been placed in it. Ari was tucked into my right side, while my brothers stood to my left. Arlo was at the end, his head bowed as the sombre mood descended over us.

A week ago, we’d taken our mother off life support. Enzo and Gil refused to be in the room when it happened, but I’d been there with Ari. We stayed with my mother until she passed. I’d sat by her bedside, holding her hand and reminding her that we all loved her dearly. I was sorry this had happened to her. And the monster who’d done it was gone. I’d like to think she heard me and it helped her in her passing.

Having Ari there with me was a blessing. She gave me the strength to say goodbye. To let my mother go. Even though I hadn’t shed any tears, I had found the process difficult. My girl had held me through it. The worst part had been falling asleep that night knowing she was gone. Even though it gave me relief knowing she was finally at peace, it didn’t stop it from hurting. Ari had given me an outlet for the pain, allowing me to use her body the way we both craved. Perhaps it was a slightly unorthodox way of dealing with grief, but I didn’t care. We all had different ways of coping. Mine was to lose myself in the woman I loved and fall asleep in her arms.

The wind ruffled Ari’s hair, drawing my attention back to the present. She’d had her braids taken out. I’d learnt she liked to change her hair often. I loved running my fingers through her wild curls and gripping them when I fucked her, so for now, she’d left it natural. It mattered not to me how she wanted to style her hair or what clothes she wore. To me, Ari was stunning no matter what. During this time of mourning, she’d wanted to make me happy and for that, I was grateful.

The service we’d had earlier in the church was family only. My aunt and cousins had been there along with several members from my deceased great uncle Nevio’s side of the family. They were at the wake while we’d opted to be here as my mother was lowered into the ground.

“Do you think she’s happy wherever she is?” Enzo asked.

“I’d like to think so,” Gil replied.

The three of us had a lot to deal with in the coming months. There was the matter of who took over the mafia side of our father’s business. I’d made it clear I was head of the family, regardless. I might not have wanted to take over from my father, but we needed to show a united front or the wolves would circle. We didn’t need more trouble right now.

“She’s at peace now, Enzo. It’s what she would have asked for if she could, to be set free,” I said. “Mamáonly ever wanted to be free of our father.”

Enzo was still struggling to come to terms with what happened to her, especially knowing she was trying to leave our father and hadn’t taken him with her. He might understand why she did it, but I could tell there was some resentment there, considering he’d only been fifteen at the time.

“I wish she’d told me.”

Gil put his hand on Enzo’s shoulder.

“You wouldn’t have been safe from him if she had. She was protecting you.”

Enzo went silent, his fist tightening around the white rose he held. Then he stepped forward and tossed it into the grave.

“Addio,Mamá,ti voglio bene.”

He turned away and walked towards where the car was parked.

“Do you think he’ll forgive her?” Gil asked.

“One day, but we need to give him time. We all need that,” I said with a shrug.

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