“Grazie, Papà. I’ll send over something nice for you.” Luciano hung up, shifted his gaze out the tinted window.
I don’t miss that life.
Luciano called his assistant. “Put together a gift bag for Carlo Garibaldi. Include a black suit from my Infinity collection, black loafers, and a pair of slippers.”
“Two black dress shirts?”
“Yes. Have I sent him a gold chain with a crucifix?”
“I’ll check. Please hold.”
Luciano appreciated that Dominic kept excellent records.
“No crucifix. You sent him a gold Rolex two years ago.”
“When can you send everything?”
“Tomorrow, Saturday latest.”
“Take the weekend off,” Luciano said. “If not tomorrow, Monday. Have it couriered to his restaurant.”
“Yes, sir. Anything else?”
Stuart pulled in to the cemetery, and the noose tightened around Luciano’s neck.
“No,” Luciano replied. “Thank you, Dominic. Enjoy your weekend.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Stuart stopped the sedan at the top of the hill. Luciano exited, walked over to the Santini family plots and stared out over the well-kept lawns. The location was perfect. His great-grandfather had seen to that. First, he paid his respects to his G-pa, Elsa’s beloved husband.
The name SANTINI was carved into the black granite headstone.
“G-pa, I’m looking after Elsa for you,” Luciano said. “We all are. She misses you, but I entertain her with my stories… most of ‘em true.” He glanced out at the errant hawk flying overhead. “I met a woman.” He shook his head, but the image of Simone wouldn’t leave. “What should I do?”
Seconds passed. No answer came, so he moved on to the next grave, also with the name SANTINI engraved into the headstone.
Luciano dropped to one knee, brushed away a few errant leaves. “I miss you, Linda.” Thoughts of his beloved wife filled him with sadness. Though the memories should have comforted him, he felt alone, the best part of his life taken from him.
“I’m so sorry, my love.”
After a long moment, he moved to the next grave. “Hello, my angel. Are you playing in heaven today?” He kissed his finger, pressed it to the headstone. “Daddy loves you so much. I miss our story time. I miss our father-daughter dancing. You were the best little dancer.” Tears pricked his eyes. The emotion churned in him, the loss gutting him. It never got any easier. Never. “I love you Caterina.”
He shifted to the next gravesite.
“Hey, big guy.” Luciano ran a hand over the headstone. “Are you taking care of your mama and your baby sister? I feel your presence, Marco. I feel you with me. Always. I love you, son.”
Agonizing sorrow ripped through him.
A tear slid down his cheek as he moved back to his wife’s headstone. “Linda, I can’t find him, but I’ll never stop looking. Ti amo.”
He bowed his head. “Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of my family. They were my entire world. I miss them, but I know your plan is bigger than my insignificant one. They were my greatest joy.” He paused. “Please watch over my living family, especially Elsa, and even Willie Boy. Help Simone through this difficult time. Forgive me for committing the ultimate sin. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” He crossed himself and rose.
A gust blew the swirling leaves past him. He shoved his windblown hair into place as he made his way back to the sedan, parked on the side of the cemetery road.
It never gets any easier.
SIMONE
