Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Vincenzo

It was an extravagant sight. From the window of the SUV I could see more flowers, chairs, and people than most events I'd been to.

Sean's and Aine's caskets were being carried in after Fred arrived, so there was an empty space in the middle of all the people.

I faced Fred. "Are you ready?"

"Sure."

I tilted my head and smirked upon seeing who was standing by the SUVs like lethal guards of support: Christopher and Snow Manos; Bill and Mace; Black and his husband, Quill; Poe and Phin Hart; Riordan and Teddy Darcy; and the deadly three—as I'd come to call them—Lee, Ginger, and Jones. They were all there waiting for Fred. Simon and Rush were closer to where Fred would be sitting. Haven Hart was ready to make it clear to anyone watching that Fred had their full support and protection and at that moment, I knew my decision to become allies with them was sound.

"Look at them," Fred whispered.

"They are here for you; let's not keep them waiting. It's a good wall of security to have." I opened the door and stepped out first.

I wasn't sure if any of them knew who I was, but none of them even glanced at me. Every single one of them intently stared at the redheaded man who followed behind me.

Christoper stepped forward and clasped Fred's hand. "I'm so sorry, Fred."

"Thanks."

One by one they offered their condolences, and with them and my people encompassing Fred, we walked over to where he'd be sitting.

Aiden slipped off to the side and moved toward three men. Men I was well aware were Finn, Rowan, and Oscar.

As Fred took his seat and people came up to him one after another to say their "I'm sorries," I kept my eyes on Aiden and Fred's lieutenants.

They were having a conversation, Oscar was gesticulating, and the four of them often regarded us.

"A bit unorthodox that his lieutenants wouldn't come over to pay their respects to their boss immediately, isn't it?" Zion spoke softly in my ear.

"Very."

Fred sat in the middle seat in the front. While everyone else was in a circle around the setup, his seat and three others, which were taken by Christopher on one side and Poe on the other and Black beside Poe, were in a row all their own.

Finally, Finn, Rowan, and Oscar came over to pay their respects, and I wondered if they thought the seats beside Fred were supposed to be for them.

Snow and the others were behind them and I, along with the rest of my people, were scattered throughout the space.

I was as close to Fred as I could get and as I perused every inch and every guest, I noticed Aiden coming up beside me.

"I thought I was going to be sitting beside Fred."

Yes, that had been the original plan, but I wasn't about to step on toes and make the heads of Haven Hart move.

"You were instructed not to leave Fred's side, yet there you were, talking with Fred's lieutenants, who paid no mind to their boss until it was convenient for them. Did you think Christopher or any of them were going to leave him exposed?"

Aiden's jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed. "I was dealing with them so Fred didn't have to. Unforeseen circumstances, Vincenzo."

I turned my body so I gave Aiden my full attention, trusting Zion and my exercitus to watch Fred.

"It wasn't unforeseen that they'd be here, Aiden." I cocked my head. "Let's make something very clear, and then I expect you to piss off and do your job. I don't trust you. There are more holes in your theories than there are in a strainer. You're trying to direct us in every direction that doesn't lead us to the lieutenants. I'd ask you why that is, but I'd suspect you'd lie."

Aiden's nostrils flared and he was about to speak, but I barreled on. "I will figure it out and that, Aiden, should be what keeps you up at night. Now scurry off and pretend to give a shit about Fred."

I turned my body, no longer giving him my attention, and saw Zion watching me. I subtly shook my head, and he went back to surveying the area.

Music began to play and if Aiden had been planning to retort, he'd lost his chance. He moved over to the chairs and took one that was beside Jones.

I watched from along the path leading to the decorated area. Sean's and Aine's caskets were being carried. I wasn't sure who the pallbearers were but from what I gathered, Fred believed them to be the best for the job.

Sean's casket was dark wood, and Aine's was ivory—both radiant and yet showing the contrast in the types of people they were.

I glanced at Fred, who had placed sunglasses over his eyes. He'd forgone his black-rimmed glasses in favor of contacts and I had to admit, while I loved him in glasses, he gave the appearance of stone without them.

Once the caskets made it to their spots, the pallbearers stepped away and, one by one, shook Fred's hand.

The pastor began, but I tuned out his words. I scanned the entire area, stopping every few seconds on Fred, who hadn't even flinched. The only indication that he was struggling were his clenched fists on his thighs.

Aiden was staring at the grass at his feet, and part of me wondered if he couldn't bear to look at the caskets. Was it because of the guilt he had contributing to their deaths, or was it grief?

Once the pastor concluded, Fred stood. He'd explained that he'd be expected to say a few words, so this wasn't a surprise.

He stood beside the pastor, pulled his sunglasses from his face, and tucked them into his pocket before meeting every gaze head on.

"My father wasn't a good man."

Well, that's one way to start. Judging by the subtle gasps, nobody had been expecting that.

"My uncle Sean was the one to show me what being a human being was. It was he who made sure my homework was done and upon my acceptance into college, he was the one to buy me a drink and congratulate me. He was more of a father to me than my biological one."

A bird crowed in the distance but other than that, everyone was silent.

"Aine was a bright light in this shitty world. She laughed with me…and sometimes at me. She taught me not to take life so seriously, and she was a born leader. She was my best friend, and she never failed to make me smile when I had nothing to be happy about."

As I stared at Fred, I could see how hard it was for him to keep his composure. I doubted anyone else noticed how he was a swift breeze away from falling apart. He'd grown up hiding his feelings and unfortunately, he was really good at it.

"The night they were brutally taken away from me, Aine was preparing to see the world. She was leaving this life behind to make memories, to fall in love, to move on." He turned toward his family, who were congregated together.

"She was going to be something somewhere in this world where she was appreciated."

Damn .

"My uncle was proud of her, and you could see it in his face as she described her destinations. Then he put his arm around me and promised he wouldn't leave my side."

His head fell forward for a moment—no tears, just gathering himself, I assumed. After a breath he looked up, and there was a fire burning in those pale eyes I hadn't seen before.

"He didn't break his promise; it was torn from him. Aine's dreams bled out on the pavement beside her father and me. And I wouldn't be here right now if my uncle Sean hadn't sacrificed himself for me."

He took a deep breath, his gaze wandering over each person…even me.

"And no matter what it entails, I will make whoever is responsible meet the same fate." He smirked and, like the sarcastic brat he was, said, "Amen," and sat back down.