Of course, she could relate to my aversion to frequent, sympathetic calls at a time like this. She was like that, too.
“Yeah. Bye.”
“Bye,” she answered just before the screen went dark.
I rose to my feet, dropping my phone on the bed.
It was time to go say goodbye to my only brother.
**********
Smoothing down the fabric of my black dress, I got into the back seat of the waiting car. The viscose material was a soft comfort, but the dress wasn’t the typical, low-key funeral style.The sleeves were large puffs, and there was no cleavage, but the low back gave it an undeniable sultry touch. Even the wide bow that covered the lower back area did nothing to conceal it. It was totally my style, just that today wasn’t a party. Thankfully, my hair came down to my lower waist; I wasn’t in the mood for an updo, so I just wore a black hat over it with wine red lipstick as the only iota of color in my ensemble.
Not that I was one to talk. I had asked my tailor to just choose the most reasonable option.
“Isabella,” my dad stated, his face blank as he got into the car beside me.
“Dad,” I answered, turning to partially face him.
He was dressed in his usual black suit and pants with a white shirt. His black bow tie was the only ceremonious addition.
“Giovanni’s death is painful for us all,” he uttered.
Where is this headed?
“So, I wouldn’t want you to overreact or draw any type of attention to yourself.”
“Why would I overreact? I don’t understand what you’re driving at, Dad.”
He let out a short sigh like he was tired of a very long conversation.
“Just be calm and focus on the funeral. I don’t want you to utter a word if the Lobanovs show up.”
“Nah, that’s not happening. That’s so not happening,” I negated, turning to completely face him. “The Lobanov Bratvakilled Giovanni. They probably did it to send a message. I won’t sit still if they come within an inch of me. And, when this whole funeral affair is over, I’ll find out all about the hit that killed him and punish whoever was responsible.”
Surprisingly, he didn’t say anything.
“Mikhail is the executioner of the Lobanov brothers. I’d bet my all that he killed Giovanni. I’ll get to the root of it and make him regret it. Nothing can stop me.”
My dad’s lack of expression was the direct opposite of the fury I was trying to subdue. If anything, he looked lost.
It was similar to the way he’d been acting lately. Detached. Undecipherable.
I’d be lying if I said his reaction wasn’t confusing.
But his silence must mean he agreed with me that the Lobanov Bratva killed Giovanni.
**********
The funeral had gone smoothly, so far. The sermon wasn’t verbose, and the few friends of Giovanni’s that attended didn’t venture into tear-inducing comments. In an hour, the funeral had ended, and we were walking towards the graveside.
As the glinting casket was lowered into the grave, I couldn’t help the hopeless whimper that left my lips at the thought of never seeing my brother again. I wrapped my hands around my middle as I swallowed my tears.
I’ll avenge you, Giovanni. Even if it’s the last thing I do.
I turned, and my eyes landed on the proudly smirking, pale face of none other than Mikhail Lobanov. All my paintransformed into anger as his suited-up form approached, flanked by his soldiers.
“Marco,” he uttered, making me realize my dad was beside me. “Please accept our condolences.”
