CHAPTER 67 - ARIANNA
CHAPTER
Arianna
WITH IT BEING common knowledge within the London underworld that I killed my brother, some may wonder why it’s expected I should attend his funeral.
Because that’s what Italians do. At least, that’s what the families I know do.
It’s fucked up, granted, but that’s just how it is - a bit like the rest of my life has been. But not quite so any longer.
I glance at Red sitting next to me on the hard church pew.
His big hand encloses mine, and his muscular thigh presses against my leg in this cramped row.
I enjoy being squashed next to him - my husband - the man whose proximity reminds me I’m not alone and living a life offering me the opportunity of actually having one, rather than being a mere spectator.
It’s a strange, inbuilt and old tradition in Italian and English firms such as ours, that in the event of a funeral, representatives from all firms, including rivals and sworn enemies, come along to pay their fake respects to the deceased. It’s something I’ve never got my head around.
And this time, I’m the killer present at the funeral of a man I’ve murdered - my own flesh and blood.
I toss my long black hair over my shoulder. There’s no remorse. Matteo ceased to mean anything to me a long time ago. Staring at the expensive walnut casket sitting on a mount at the front of St Bartholemew’s church, I feel nothing.
The vicar drones on, but I’m not listening. Instead, I wonder if Papà and Mother ever opened that metal chest delivered to their door and saw what was left of their twisted son? Or whether they left that for the undertaker they pay to remain on my father’s books - or rather, my books now.
Visualizing Matteo’s decomposing figure within the coffin with stumps for fingers, a slack, smashed jaw and missing teeth, a chuckle bubbles at the back of my throat.
Red squeezes my hand. “You okay?”
Pulling myself together, I nod and glance at Maria on the other side of me. I’m okay, but she is not. Her tear-stained face is white and pinched - an abject portrait of misery.
Papà and mother sit several rows in front with faceless others in between. Short of his acknowledgement of me as we filed in for the service, there has been nothing else. Mother blanked me and they both blanked Maria. It’s probably that which has hit her the hardest.
Aside from Red, the only representatives from the Batemans are Cal and a man from the second tier called Rob. The brothers aren’t here, but Dario is - Matteo’s defector that Red told me about.
I know Dario’s family of old, and his coming to see Red is something to think about; something that can perhaps work to our mutual benefit. There are also Galvatore men here - some of which are now mine, but there’s no sign of Luca or any who jumped ship.
I think Red hoped some might show their faces, but they wouldn’t be that stupid, would they?
I scan the congregation again. There are plenty of people I don’t recognize, so maybe there are some here? How would I know?
Red squeezes my thigh, and with dismay, I realize everyone is standing. “He’s finishing up now,” he whispers.
“Let us commend Matteo to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer...”
I fixate on the crucifix on the altar, thinking my brother will need more than mercy if he wants to avoid traveling south right now.
“God our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and entered into glory...”
As the vicar continues, I want to leave. It’s getting claustrophobic. I have to get out of here. Someone is wailing. I think it’s my mother.
“Confident of his victory and claiming his promises, we entrust Matteo to your mercy...”
Oh, please shut up, I think, my feet fidgeting. Red drops his hand and moves his arm around my waist, where I lean into him gratefully.
“In the name of Jesus our Lord, who died and is alive and reigns with you, now and forever...”
I hear myself mumble, “Amen”, like expected while Maria’s sobs get louder. The organ cranks up, and six men file past, ready to take the coffin to the graveyard.
I glance at Red, who winks, knowing I can barely contain my enthusiasm. Once Matteo is lowered into the earth, he really is gone. I missed witnessing this with Roberto, but I’m not missing this for anything.