Chapter Two- Buddha #3
“You know I can’t let you do something stupid on your own without me being there.
This is definitely about to be a suicide mission, but I’m with you.
Besides, I gotta get my crazy-ass, lying-ass baby momma from outta there, wherever she is,” he cracked as he walked toward the entrance.
We both laughed as we walked through the door with the security close behind us.
As expected, Lorenzo’s funeral was small.
It was safe to say we were the only family Lorenzo knew.
I sat at the back, away from everyone else; Snow walked to the front and took a seat next to Tomasso.
Dior, who was seated next to Sofia, turned and looked back at me.
She signaled for me to come closer, but I just shook my head. I was fine where I was seated.
The service was short and to the point; I sat and stared at the coffin that held Lorenzo’s body.
I remembered the last thing we did together was kill that lame ass, Jeremy.
I would also never forget his words of wisdom when I told him I was getting soft because of Dior.
My chest began to feel so heavy as those memories flooded my head.
Placing my elbows on my knees, I bent my head as grief suddenly overcame me.
I closed my eyes as I took deep, steady breaths, trying to calm the urge to cry.
I shed tears only twice in my entire life.
The first time I had some sort of weird anxiety attack about a month after Edwardo kidnapped me.
I woke up in the middle of the night after a dream of being captured again, cold-sweating.
I cried that night more out of anger than anything else.
The second time I cried was a couple of weeks ago.
I lay awake in the guest bedroom and looked at Lotus’s bed, which she used to sleep on.
The next thing I knew, silent tears rolled down my cheeks.
I don’t think there would be a third time that could make me cry again. I had to suck up the way I was feeling.
Suddenly, I felt someone sit next to me, and a gentle hand was now resting on my lower back, rubbing back and forth.
Opening my eyes, I kept my head down as I looked at Dior’s high heels.
She said nothing as she comforted me. Her presence alone made an incredible difference.
It was very odd, but I felt safe and loved.
The remainder of the service went by, and then it was time to view the body.
“I’ll give you the time that you need. I’ll be outside waiting,” Dior said before she tenderly held my face and kissed my cheek. Saying nothing else, she got up and walked away. I waited until everyone viewed Lorenzo’s body before I got up.
I ground my jaw when I saw his face. They did their best to try and hide the single gunshot wound in his forehead with makeup. Taking a deep breath, I touched his cold chest through the black Versace suit he wore.
“I’ll find out who did this. Riposa in pace, amico mio (rest in peace, my friend).”
As soon as I walked outside, my steps came to a halt immediately. Standing out front, patiently waiting for me was Tomasso. My mother stood next to him.
“How long do you plan on avoiding me, my figlio (son),” Tomasso said, giving me a weak smile before he reached up and grabbed both sides of my face.
“Who said I was avoiding you?” I asked him, putting on a brave face as I looked him in the eyes for the first time since the incident.
“Because I know my son. Lorenzo was a good man; I know you will miss him. As will I, but we must discuss the elephant in the room, Buddha.” I know what he meant. Not once have I spoken to him about Francesco and Luca. He knew his pussy of a stepbrother double-crossed him.
“We’ve given you enough time. We need you and Snow at the main house when we leave here. It’s time to discuss the next move, Phillipe,” my mother said. I looked at my parents and knew I had to do something I didn’t really enjoy. I had to open up to them, even if just a little.
“I’ll be there. Let me help you back to your car, Tomasso.” I said, doing something I’d never done since he got out of the hospital. Taking my father by the hand, I cautiously led him to the waiting SUV. I waited until he had climbed in before I turned to leave, but my mother stopped me.
“Hey,” she held my hands in her own. “I love you. It’s time for you to come back. Let all the hurt and pain go and come back.” Her voice cracked with emotion. I knew what she meant, but it wasn’t time yet.
“I will, I promise I will…eventually,” I replied, before kissing the top of her head.
Saying nothing else, I walked in the direction of Dior’s Mercedes.
Snow, Sofia, and Dior stood next to the car talking.
Everyone got quiet as I made my way over to them.
Taking the cigarette my brother offered me, I placed it to my lips and exhaled a white cloud into the air.
“We gotta go to the main house,” I told him, handing him the cigarette back.
“I hear you. Let’s go, Sofia,” Snow said before he and my sister walked off.
“Are you alright?” Dior asked, coming over to where I was standing.
“Something like that. Let’s go,” I managed a weak smile before I opened the passenger door. I was sitting in the front this time. Lorenzo was about to be put to rest, and now it was time to make those pay for fucking with me and my family.