Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
It’s been so quiet without you.
So much fucking silence, it’s deafening.
Mom sits down on my other side, and caged in between my parents, it feels like a noose is tightening around my neck.
Once everyone has taken their seats, Adriano glances over the family. “Is everyone ready?”
The murmur of voices sounds like a forlorn wind rustling through the air.
Adriano presses play, and the next instant, a recording of Rosie jumps onto the white screen.
A painful whimper escapes Gianna, and I reach across Dad’s lap to grab her hand. Her fingers grip mine tightly, the dull pain reminding me of the day I dug through burning rubble to find the woman I love.
Rosie’s sitting in front of the wall of monitors in her fortress, and each monitor displays footage of her. One shows where she’s sitting at the island in her parents’ kitchen, having dinner with them. Another is of everyone at a barbecue, and Rosie is grinning that playful smile that was on her face every single fucking day.
Then I see one of us during a shopping trip a while back, where she holds my arm, leaning into me.
Seeing Alessio and Raffaele on the screen, my heart squeezes. Their bodies were found scattered around the site, along with the other men who died protecting Rosie. Because they weren’t inside when the fortress blew, they weren’t incinerated.
The Cosa Nostra held their funerals first, but they waited for the inspectors to change Rosie’s status from missing to presumed dead before making arrangements for today.
Even in death, she came last.
Anger burns hot through my chest, and I clench my jaw as I shake my head.
This is bullshit. We should be out there tearing the fucking world apart looking for her.
I glance over the rest of the monitors, realizing Rosie has put together a collage of the time she spent with us, and in the background, I can hear How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding playing.
At first, I drink in the sight of Rosie, starved for any kind of interaction with her.
“Hi, everyone.” Rosie clears her throat and lifts her chin. “First and foremost, I’m so incredibly sorry for the pain and inconvenience my death is causing you, but please know, I don’t regret what I did. Not for a single second. Dying while protecting all of you is my greatest honor.” Her voice cracks, and she glances down, taking deep breaths.
Hearing her voice, my body shudders so fucking hard that Mom grips my arm while Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders.
Gianna’s grip on my hand becomes more painful, and it helps me focus on Rosie’s message.
“I know what’s going to happen next,” Rosie says. “You’re going to want revenge. Most of you are already planning how many bodies you’re going to stack on top of mine.” She shakes her head, giving us a pleading look. “Please don’t. I made my choice. Don’t waste your future trying to punish someone for it. I’m not worth losing any of you.”
Christ.
I suck in a shaky breath, and the incessant sting in my eyes increases.
“I died protecting the people I love, which means I won.” She leans forward, her beautiful face devoid of any makeup, and I devour every inch of her. “You hear me? I won. Don’t turn my victory into your tragedy.”
Fuck, I miss your voice, bella mia.
It’s been so fucking quiet without you popping up in my apartment and car. It’s like the very essence of life has been ripped out of the sky. Everything is dead without you.
“Go home,” Rosie orders. “Hold each other. Love each other. Mourn and cry all the tears, but then get up and live an epic life.” Her chin quivers, and it makes Aunt Eden sob heartbreakingly. “My life was extraordinary because of all of you. So when you think of me, don’t stand at my grave. Build a life so incredible that if there’s a way for me to see you, it will make me smile.”
What fucking grave, Rosie?
Until I see your dead body, I refuse to believe you’re dead.
“My baby,” Aunt Eden weeps, and Uncle Dario lets out an agonizing groan.
Unable to stop the tears, they escape, and I’m too fucking broken to care about wiping them away, but Mom catches them with a tissue.
“That’s how I want to be honored, not with blood and more death.” Rosie gives us a loving smile. “You have all played such a huge role in my life, but can I please have a moment alone with my parents, Gianna and Enzo?” When movement fills the pews, Rosie says, “Goodbye, my beautiful family.”
“Wait for me to come get you,” Dad whispers as he climbs to his feet. Mom presses a kiss to my cheek before also giving Gianna one on the forehead. My sister scoots closer and grips my hand again while leaning her temple against my bicep.