CARINA

26: TOO CLOSE

Mackenzie's POV

THE funeral reception was over now and whilst many people have left there were still a lot of people here. Stefano was really influential indeed. I sat quietly and watched as people gave their condolences and left

"You seem lonely" Ambra came to sit by me

"How's your leg?" I asked and she nodded gently "I don't know anyone so it's quite normal to be alone"

"But you know me, Elerra and mom. Not forgetting, my brother is your husband so you should start introducing yourself to people. Everyone is still curious about who my brother's wife is" she nudged me in the ribs

"I don't think I want to do that" I've seen news about it but they seem to have come to the conclusion that Kimberly would without doubt be his wife "How're you?" I asked wanting to change the subject

"About my dad?" she asked and I bobbed my head "I was sad when I first knew he was dead"

"And now?"

"Now, I just feel normal. My dad and I never had a strong relationship, considering my mom left with us when Elerra was seventeen and I was barely nine years" she shrugged and rubbed her hand on the clutches "He was always busy with work and I only started to see more of him after he got sick but we still didn't get to have that connection"

"I get it"

"It's good you're here, I can just talk to you until everyone leaves. I don't like people" I laughed because that's exactly what Dante would say

My eyes immediately went to the large crowd trying to look for him. Everyone was in black so it was hard to spot him. If it was any other day, I would take less than a second to find him because whereas everyone wore colorful clothes, he would prefer to be in black

And he always looks hot in them

"There you two are" Elerra approached us and took a seat too "I'm fucking exhausted"

"Mom is going to scold you for cussing at dad's funeral reception"

"Mom's not going to find since she's not here to know" Elerra sticked out her tongue "Oh yeah Kenzie, why aren't you with my brother? You're supposed to be with your husband and comfort him" she winked at me

"Exactly what I was telling her"

"He's fine for now. I'll just talk to him at home" I finished and I saw a surprise look on their faces

"Ouuu" they both said simultaneously and I got embarrassed from how they interpreted it

"I didn't mean it like that...I meant talk to him, literally"

"You don't have to be shy. It's normal for husband and wife to..." Ambra brought her two forefingers together to meet "...talk"

"How do you know such things Ambra?" Elerra asked

"I'm almost seventeen and not seven" Ambra rolled her eyes and Elerra pushed her head lightly

"There he is" I looked to the direction Elerra was pointing. Dante was standing away from the crowd with Kimberly at his side. I should have known he wouldn't want to be around the crowd but why was she always with him? And she was standing close to him

Too close

"You look perturbed" Elerra whispered to me

"No umm I'm fine" I cleared my throat

"You don't have to worry about her. I don't think there's going to be anything between them...again"

"Again?" I asked