Chapter 123

Jean

The soft pelts of raindrops against our umbrellas drown the pastor’s soft words. The sudden presence of rain makes me believe that the universe mourns with our family.

Twelve people. Today, we bury twelve people who sacrificed their lives for the sake of many. Today, we honor them.

“Thank you for this,” I whisper, looping my arm with Dante’s resting my head on his arm. The closeness provides me comfort. Dante hums in response, but I know he too is emotional about this service.

The service is beautiful. Despite the sudden rain, the fresh scent of flowers didn’t get washed away. Elegant arrangements of lilies and white daisies adorn the burial ground. Even with less than a dozen of us present, each family member’s eulogies were beautifully written.

I admit I had something more barbaric in mind when I first thought of mafia family funerals, but I was pleasantly surprised to know that this is their norm. It’s not uncommon to lose members with such a dangerous job. As Daveed once told