Twenty-Five
Selene
I kneel before the lush, green ground, with two side-by-side headstones at the center. On one rests Lori Lewis, the woman who lent me such a heroic protector for a spell. On the other, rests James, the man who loved her to his very end and my best friend. I place a bouquet of daisies on each grave, hoping they feel my gratitude from beyond their final resting place.
“Hi, Handsome,” I greet my departed friend. “How have you been? I have to say; the world is duller without you around. I miss your face, your laugh, and your friendship. But I have to be honest, I miss your countryfried steak and collard greens, too. Jude says I can’t pull your recipe off, no matter how hard I try.” I laugh softly. “He misses you, too. We both miss you so much, James.”
I sigh, looking up at the heavens and thinking about all the people who are no longer here. The absence of James and my mother in my life—at a time that it fell unceremoniously apart —has been a daunting experience to overcome. I wish I could have just one more hug, another loving word with them, even if only for a minute. But a part of me knows they are now in a far better place than I am, and I should seek comfort in that.
I turn to face Lori, a woman who I never had the pleasure to meet, but was a permanent fixture of my days while I lived with James.
“Take care of him Lori, and thank you for lending me your husband to help me through the worst of it all. I couldn’t have done it without him. Which I’m sure you know since he’s a talker and probably told you already what you had missed in the last years of his life. He’s a good man. One of the best I was ever fortunate enough to meet. And I know he’s at peace now that he’s by your side, the place where he always belonged. Thank you. To both of you. I’ll never forget your kindness,” I confess, and wipe the shimmering tears threatening to break loose.
I get up from my kneeled form and kiss my palm, before placing it on James’ granite stone. There were so many vile events that molded me into the woman I am today, but I’m thankful that my path somehow brought James into my life. It gives me faith to know that there is still goodness in the world—a fact I was reluctant to acknowledge until I experienced his selfless kindness. I just wish I hadn’t been the catalyst for such a precious life to be snuffed from this world.
I walk toward the cemetery gates, my chest still burdened with guilt, when I see the familiar silver Rolls Royce Phantom parked right at its entrance. Leaning on the flashy car, are the three men who hold my heart in their hands and taught me how to love in the first place. My sorrow intensifies as I take each step closer to the ones I love most, but can never have.
“You boys were never ones to be discreet,” I mock, feigning annoyance at their obvious demeanor, and desperately trying to hide my misery in such taunting words.
“Discretion is overrated.” Gio winks. “And we haven’t been boys in a while, principessa .”
“No, you haven’t, have you?” I pull at my lower lip, taking in each of my rotten man’s handsome attributes. But my wandering eyes only torture me further. If I can’t have them, then why give my frail heart more painful ammo by taking in each perfect feature? “How did you find me?” I ask, willing to deflect my troubled thoughts to the mundane.
“Jude,” Vincent replies, the name of our son so softly spoken, reminiscent of the feel of rose petals.
“You didn’t have to come all this way to see me. You could have just called,” I add evenly, not wanting any of my men to see how this unexpected visit is bittersweet to my fragile heart.
“Some things can’t be said over the phone, Red,” Dom interjects, his angel-like features so much more prominent in such a somber environment. “I see you went back to your crimson roots, babe. About time if you ask me.” He smiles, admiring my long, red locks.
“I thought it’s only fitting since I don’t have to hide anymore,” I reply, looking at the asphalt instead of meeting their appreciative gazes.
“You don’t have to hide anymore. It’s time for you came home,” Gio announces, eating up the space between us and lifting my chin to face his joyful, chocolate-brown eyes.
I furrow my brow, my heart breaking for having to cause them any more pain by rejecting them once more. But before I’m able to list all the reasons why the return to my birthplace is impossible, a determined Vincent picks up my hand and places a kiss on my wrist. His smile is so bright that it knocks the wind out of me. I have never seen such hope in his hazel eyes, nor such an ethereal grin on his lips.
“There have been some changes back in Chicago,” he adds proudly.
“Changes?” I stutter, when Dom begins to run his fingers through my hair. I’m enveloped in their loving triangle, and I’m having a hard time breathing with the abundance of love surrounding me.
“Yes. A reconstruction, if you will.” Gio laughs out with his cocky grin playing on his lips.
“What type of reconstruction?” I stutter, trying to cut the winds of hope flying in my soul.
“The type where the things you endured as a child will never be tolerated again,” Vincent states assuredly.
“But… how?”
“Vincent laid the law down on those old fuckers that wanted to keep their hold and power in the syndicate. Once they had their walking papers, we appointed new capos who shared our views on how the Outfit should proceed from now on,” Dominic adds.
“Good made men who will no longer tolerate the syndicate turning a blind eye on our so-called brothers who knock their wives and kids around. Instead, our new code will protect the defenseless and any man who even touches their kin will be punished with an iron fist,” Gio continues with a toothy grin, never once ceasing to caress my heated cheeks. “Young boys having to learn how to shoot a stronzo as part of their initiation is now forbidden, too. From now on, only the willing can enter the Outfit. The syndicate will only initiate men who are legally able to consent to a mobbed-up life. And no principessa will ever again suffer the cruelty of an arranged marriage, as this has been abolished as well. A girl can now marry whomever she fucking pleases, instead of being forced to be with someone that lines her daddy’s pockets.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe you did it,” I sob, my joyful tears bursting out at facing such a myriad of glorious emotions.
“We did that and so much more. Not only was it the right thing to do, but also because we wanted to make a home where you and Jude are safe. We love you, Selene. We love Jude. And if we need to move mountains to ensure both of your happiness, then the three of us will do whatever is necessary to get it done,” Vincent declares, his own eyes tinged with unshed tears.
My body starts to tremble with relief and overwhelming joy. My knees give way from under me, but my men hold me up, with their loving embrace and promises of a future I never let myself once dream possible. My lips become swollen with all their devotion, and I return each kiss with fevered promises of my own.
We ignore the passing mourners and continue to laugh and cry, kiss and touch, hungry for this new life to commence. We let them gawk at our four wretched souls, which are entwined and stitched together from all the turmoil and upheavals we had to overcome. But what these strangers do not realize is the miracle they are witnessing—the rebirth of a true love that no one can ever destroy.
Days of suffering and sacrifice are buried to the ground, and the doors of a new awe-inspiring life are begging to be opened. I do not want to wait for a second longer to walk through them and begin my new fate.
“Take me home. I’m ready.”