Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Fred

My insides were vibrating. I hoped the fear I felt brewing in my body came off more as vicious anger, because these vultures could smell vulnerability.

The repast was going to be at Uncle Sean's and Aine's favorite restaurant. The private room had been booked, and everyone had pretty much left the cemetery…except me. Aiden stood by the car on the pathway, and as much as I wished Vincenzo and Zion would have also gone to the restaurant, I wasn't fool enough to think being here alone with only my driver was a smart decision.

I stood between the caskets. They'd be lowered down after I left, but I needed this time with them.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered, my voice cracking. "This was never supposed to happen, and I've failed you both so horribly." My throat clogged, and my vision became watery.

"You were the two people in my life who meant everything to me. You stood by me when everyone else either turned their backs or let me suffer. You loved me unconditionally, and protected me not just physically but with words, hugs, promises, and love." I hiccupped and was sure Vincenzo could hear me but he wasn't facing me, giving me the illusion of privacy.

"I'm all alone, Uncle Sean and Aine, and I'm terrified. I feel raw, and all I want to do is hide under the blankets and cry forever until I've depleted myself of everything keeping me alive and be with you both…" I sniffled. "I know that's not healthy and if either of you were here, I'd have gotten smacked upside the head."

As discreetly as possible, I wiped my cheeks. "Aine, you'd make me promise to live for you. Sean, you'd tell me to never even blink in their presence but allow myself to feel my emotions the moment I closed my door at night. I will do all those things for you guys."

I leaned first over Uncle Sean's casket and gently kissed the cold wood, then did the same to Aine's.

"I will deliver whoever did this to you; you have my word on that."

I took a few deep breaths, making sure my face was dry and my heartbeat calmed, before turning around and beelining it to the SUV.

While Molly's was my favorite, I couldn't have the repast there after Uncle Sean and Aine had been murdered out front. Teresa's was their favorite, so it made sense to have it there.

I'd tuned out the blanketed condolences; I was a machine set on rinse and repeat. "Thank you for being here. They were wonderful people. They'll be missed."

Once I was done talking to someone, another body would take their place. I wanted to scream.

"Drink." A tumbler filled with amber liquor was thrust before me. I followed the arm it was attached to and was met with ice-blue eyes, white hair, and an impressive, quirked brow.

"Thanks, Snow."

"Honestly, I'd let yourself get drunk. Go sit in one of those ugly velvet chairs in the corner and imbibe."

The chairs weren't that ugly. Teresa, who owned the restaurant, didn't skimp, and I was sure just one of them cost over a thousand dollars.

"I can't let my guard down." I sipped the drink, relishing the burn as I swallowed.

"If you think anyone would dare do a thing with all of us here, you're losing your mind. We'll keep an eye out."

I wanted so much to wrap myself in those words and hide away. "Wanting to relax and trust those words and needing to only rely on myself are currently at odds with each other, Snow."

" Hmm …indeed." He eyed the people moving about, sitting, dare I say laughing. "You're certainly in the viper's nest, Fred."

"I'll find who did this."

He smirked, eyes glittering with his ever-present mischief. "I have no doubt." He inched closer and lowered his voice. "We can step in. Christopher and Simon very much want to."

I nodded. "I know, but until I know who did this, the more muscle I bring in, the more likely whoever is responsible will flee."

He tilted his head and smiled. "You've become quite the boss, Fred. Pity you don't want it."

That was an understatement. "What's funny is they killed my uncle, who was everything they wanted in a leader. Why? I'd have handed it over to him and gone back to the hospital."

Snow tugged on my suit jacket and dragged me, respectfully, over to a corner where no one was mingling.

"So you're positive it's in-house, then?"

Nodding I said, "Has to be. I think the Bleeding Angels were a setup, but someone was hired to make it appear like it was them."

"You need to focus on the shooters, Fred. Work backward on this. My bet is that whoever is responsible for the act will fold as soon as they are found out. They were probably promised money and protection. When they realize they were found, they'll fold."

It was logical. "I'm going to set up a meeting with the Bleeding Angels. I'm sure they aren't too keen on the idea that someone is framing them for a mob hit."

Snow sniffed. "I think in the end, whoever did this will wish they'd never been born."

"Oh, of that I'm sure." I bit my lip, a wave of sadness washing over me.

"What was that?" Snow asked. "You thought of something."

I surveyed the room, my gaze stopping briefly over Vincenzo, Zion, and Aiden. "I'm just afraid of what I'll uncover and if it'll…" I sighed.

"Lex Talionis? You think they're part of it?"

"No, I can't explain it, but I don't think they are."

Snow nodded. "Nor do we. It's not their way."

"Right."

"So then what is it?"

"I'll have to dole out the punishment, Snow."

Snow pursed his lips and stared at me for a second…the longest second of my life.

"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, Fred."

I closed my eyes and chuckled darkly. "It's serious if Shakespeare is quoted."

Snow grinned. "Indeed it is."

"I need to mingle, unfortunately."

Snow patted my arm. "Haven Hart is a phone call away, and if you think Poe won't have his ear to the ground listening for even a chirp, you're crazy."

"I appreciate that. It's nice to not feel so utterly alone."

Snow's expression became serious. "You're not that, never that, Fred. We're here for you and if you need reminding, I'll happily smack you to remind you."

I snickered. "So violent."

"And you'd be wise to remember that." He winked and sauntered away.