A Bloody Kingdom (Ruthless People 4)

I was younger than they were when I lost both my parents.

There is a price for love. There is a price for power…and at some point we all have to pay it. That’s how it goes.

I wanted to tell her this, explain the darkness, but instead I did what all the mafia husbands had done before me: I lied and made a promise.

“I don’t know how it could have happened, but I will protect you until my last breath.” It was all I could do.

TWENTY-SEVEN

“The song is ended, but the melody lingers on…”

~ Irving Berlin

LIAM

DAY 7

It was dark out by the time we came home and my mother walked in with Wyatt because of my shoulder. He was awake but all the screaming and crying he had done at the burial had tired him out. He could barely walk straight on his own. We all walked into Ethan’s room and he just lay on the bed.

“I have something to tell you all,” my mother said, sitting down beside Wyatt as Dona crawled into the middle. It was funny; they were almost teenagers, but whenever any of them were upset, they all stayed together.

“Before your mother…passed…she asked me to read you a letter.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper. My heart started to race.

All of them sat up.

“Can I read it now?” She looked at each of them, but they didn’t answer.

“Please,” I whispered, desperately wanting to hear it.

The paper crackled as she unfolded it, and she took a deep breath before reading.

“Le mie piccoli leoni…” She paused. “Did I say that right?”

“It means my little lions.” Ethan smiled. “And no you didn’t, Nana, but it’s okay, keep reading.”

“Yes, sir.” She tapped his nose. “Le mie piccoli leoni, I’m so sorry I am not with you. I can only imagine the pain in your hearts right now, how angry and confused, but most of all sad you are. I’m sad too…because if I was a better mom I could be with you all forever. I’d watch Dona grow and date and laugh as you boys and your father became protective. I’d get to see your father try and calm me down if a woman ever tried to replace me in your hearts, Ethan and Wyatt. In my mind, there are so many happy dreams I wish were memories. I want to be with you all so badly. I never knew I could love anyone as much as I love the three of you. You all are my heart. The only moments of my life that I regret are the days I didn’t spend with you. I gave Nana many letters, letters I learned from your grandfather Sedric to write. I have a couple for each of you and when the time is right, she’ll pass them along. No, Ethan, you can’t read them now, and Wyatt and Dona, you won’t be able to find them by yourself.”

My mother paused to stare at their stunned faces. Those would be their reactions; if anyone knew them well, it would be Melody.

“Ethan, my first treasure, remember even on your worst days that you are my son and that means nothing is impossible for you. Yes, taking care of your siblings is important, even if Wyatt annoys you—”

“Hey! He’s the one that annoys me.” He sulked, sounding like himself for the first time in days.

“Let her finish,” Ethan snapped back at him.

“Yes, taking care of your siblings is important, even if Wyatt annoys you, but you also need to take care of yourself. Your happiness is important too, and yes, you should be happy. I don’t want you all moping around; that will only make me sad. Wyatt, my precious, remember you are just as good as your brother and sister. Your father has no favorites and you are important. Ethan needs his little brother, who else will watch his back? You always say Ethan’s a know-it-all—”

“I am not!” Ethan cut in this time and Wyatt grinned, sticking his tongue out.

“Know-it-alls sometimes can’t see the smaller picture, so help him see, Wyatt. Lastly my Don Don, the new queen of the castle, you have

the most important job there because boys are idiots.”

“HEY!” Both Wyatt and Ethan called out as I laughed. Of course, Mel.

“They fight because it’s easier than taking the time to talk it out and often say what they don’t mean. It will be hard, but if anyone can keep Ethan and Wyatt in check, it is you. You, Donatella, have Italian and Irish blood in your veins; prove it to them the next time they make you angry…you may even become green.” Dona giggled, wrapping her arms around her brothers, who were both still sulking. “Also Don Don, give your father a hug as often as you can. He lives for those precious seconds…don’t forget it, when you are a teenager and he’s fighting you over makeup, okay?”

“Okay,” she replied as if Melody were sitting in front them. In a way, she kinda was.