Chapter 3The Don Broke His Vows. I Broke His Rules

Bianca's mother, Carla Conti, stood at the chapel entrance, looking perfectly healthy, with a white lily in her hand.

She lowered her head and reached to place the flower beside my father's urn.

I stared at her, filled with hatred.

"Get away from him!"

I snatched the lily from her hand and flung it to the floor.

"Who told you you could come here?"

She looked hurt and apologetic.

"I'm so sorry. I had no idea Bianca had told Dante I was sick. And I certainly never imagined he'd take your father's doctor off his case to treat me."

I was furious. Neither she nor her daughter would leave me alone.

"So what, then? You came to gloat? To make sure I know you survived while my father didn't? You're just as shameless as your daughter."

Carla stared at me, her face reddening. She clearly hadn't expected me to call her out.

"Mom!"

Bianca came through the door, pale and unsteady, and hurried to support her mother.

It took a long moment for Carla to catch her breath.

Bianca turned to me, eyes rimmed red.

"Audrey. My mother came in good faith to pay her respects. Don't you think you're being cruel? She's old enough to be your mother. How can you talk to her like that?"

Dante stood behind her. His men stopped just inside the chapel doors as his gaze settled on me.

"Audrey. Apologize. I won't ask twice."

I looked up, stunned.

"What did you say?"

He stood facing me, with an arm around each woman.

"Bianca heard today was your father's funeral. She hurt her arm in the accident and she still begged me to bring her so she could say goodbye. And this is how you repay her kindness?"

For a moment, I couldn't speak.

"Kindness?"

"They came with me. You will show them respect," Dante said.

I took a breath, disgusted with all three of them.

"Then take them with you and get out. This is my father's funeral."

Bianca's tears spilled instantly. "Fine. I shouldn't have come. Mom, let's go."

Mother and daughter leaned on each other and walked out.

Dante held my gaze, plainly expecting me to take it back. I didn't.

"When did you turn so vicious?"

Then he followed them, pulling Bianca against his chest and wiping her tears with his thumb.

"Shh. Don't cry. You'll only make yourself feel worse. Audrey's just like that. Ignore her."

I watched the three of them walk away.

Only then did I let myself cry. Tears fell onto the lily at my feet, and I wiped my face with the back of my hand.

After the service, I went with the procession to the cemetery and laid my father to rest beside my mother. I lit candles and placed white roses at their graves.

"At least you two have each other again."

I traced my fingers over their photos. "Mom, Dad. I'm really on my own now."

Footsteps approached behind me.

Dante had brought bourbon. He poured a little onto the ground at my father's grave.

"Rest in peace, sir."

He crouched beside me.

"I'm not going to argue with you at your father's grave. Bianca and her mother have gone back to the hospital. Later, let's take them some flowers and go apologize."

In the quiet of the cemetery, I finally gave up on him.

I shut my eyes.

"No."

He started to speak, but I cut him off, my voice perfectly steady.

"When this is over, in three days, we're getting divorced."