Chapter 509 – The Gathering (1)


    It had been a long week for both Ang and Gael.


    Because of Perry''s absence in the KMH office, people—even outside of thepany—were already noticing his disappearance and spections began. It was harder on Malia, considering she was his fiancée, so she received looks whenever she passed.


    About the same time that Perry disappeared, the De Lucas began making little movements against Perry''s assets outside of New York. They were hoping to divide his attention which would weaken his stance in KMH, and then eventually drive him out of New York. The De Lucas were only in the first phase and Perry was already missing. Gael and Giovanni enjoyed the reign in KMH, wishing Perry would nevere back. They were still cautious, just in case the man decided to jump back in—which was why they had to keep their ns in motion.


    Gael was busier at work and on Thursday, they had their fallen soldiers'' funeral. Meanwhile, Ang had been spending time with Gael''s family, giving support and offering help during Uncle Pietro''s wake and organizing the funeral with Sebastian, Aurora, and other family members so that Val could grieve her father properly.


    When Saturday came, everyone paused their busy lives and dedicated the whole afternoon and evening for Uncle Pietro''s funeral and repast. Ang knew that there were going to be a lot of people attending the funeral, given he was once a ranked leader in the family and was apparently a people person.


    She didn''t really know him much and only had casual greetings whenever Gael brought her to Nonna''s for Sunday dinners. He was a quiet man and always had a smile on his face despite looking frail due to his sickness.


    But when she arrived at the church with Gael, she was surprised to see that it overflowed with mourners. "I didn''t expect there''d be this many people…" she muttered, mostly to herself, as they walked into the church, hand in hand.


    "I kind of expected this," Gael said in a low voice so only she could hear. "My father is great with numbers…and business strategies. But Uncle Pietro knew a lot of people—the big ones. Hiswork was so huge, it opened so many opportunities for us." He sighed, his jaw tensing. "I still can''t believe he''s gone even though we had been preparing for it for a long time."


    Ang rubbed his arm infort, understanding what he wasn''t saying. They all suffered from that tragic nightst week that took his sick uncle''s life. It was devastating.


    They took their seats on the second-row pew from the front, just behind Alessandro and Aurora, thetter sitting next to Val. A few minutester, Giovanni arrived and took the space next to Alessandro, his back rigid as he stared at the casket. Giovanni adjusted his sunsses up his nose and lowered his head. This had been the most somber Ang had seen him since.


    Sebastian sat to Gael''s right, his knees bouncing up and down, and the muscles on his jaw tight. Ang had seen him looking cool-headed throughout the week, but this vibe he emitted at that moment felt quite dangerous.


    She was about to lean in and ask if she could get him something—obviously not medication, that would be stupid—but before she could, Gael mped a hand on Sebastian''s knee and almost instantly, Sebastian visibly rxed. Gael didn''t remove his hand as he watched his younger brother take deep breaths several times. Only when Sebastian nodded did Gael lift his hand off him.


    Then Gael spoke Italian to his brother in a stern voice that got thetter scoffing. "Alright! I. Got. It." Sebastian gritted out, but he seemed less agitated after that. It made her wonder what all of that was about.


    Ang caught a whiff of citrus and floral just as Gabrie sat to her left. The two women air-kissed, and then Mariano lightly nodded to Ang in greeting. As Ang settled back in ce, she subtly nced sideways when she noticed a small movement and noticed Mariano taking Gabrie''s hand in his.


    From where she observed, it seemed as though the couple had gone past their earlier misunderstanding. Everyone in the De Luca family needed someone to lean on and Ang would be there for Gael whenever he needed her.


    The consigliere walked up to the front pew and whispered to Alessandro. Thetter turned his head as if to check something and was about to stand when Gael ced a hand on his shoulder, saying, "I got this."


    Gael then pressed a kiss on Ang''s temple and headed towards the door where Ang could now see a few more groups of people had arrived. Scary-looking and intimidating people.


    "Who are those?" she whispered to Gabrie who had also taken a nce back.


    "I''m not sure about the others… But I think the ones on the right are Japanese and the ones on the left are Chinese." Although she only mentioned their nationalities, it was enough for Ang to know that she meant the Yakuza and the Triad.


    Gael led the Yakuzas to the left of the church, behind a group of Italians whom Ang learned were from the Council. And then he led the Triad to the right, a few rows behind Ang and the De Luca family. Just then, another group came. This time, Ang didn''t have to ask who they were because she immediately recognized the intimidating old man in the center. Matvey Novikov.


    She faced front, not willing to make eye contact with her grandfather. The Russians were seated on the right side too, behind the Triad. And then Gael came back next to her, cing an arm around her protectively.


    There were so many crime families in the church—it felt like a convention of criminal organizations. It was now clear to Ang that Pietro De Luca, although she didn''t get to know him well, was a big loss in their world. And these people came to see him onest time to pay their respects.


    It was strangely amazing.


    While the service ran, Ang could feel eyes on her. She wasn''t sure if it was merely the feeling of uneasiness because there were crime lords all around her or the fact that her grandfather was just a few rows behind.


    She was aware of the possibility of him showing up that day, but she wasn''t prepared to be in the same room as him when she learned that after the burial, the Russians were also expected at the repast where it was more exclusive.


    Feeling dreadful, Ang tried to brush away the fear inkling in her gut and focused on giving her support to the De Luca family.. Throughout the entire funeral service and the burial ceremony, Gael was right next to her, making her feel safe…despite the watchful eyes she felt drilling on her head the moment her grandfather stepped into the church.