Sturniolo Tower (Matt Sturniolo)

12. Pieces

I stood with Matt's hand in mine, Nick standing on the other side of him.

We were all dressed in black. For a late November, it's warmer than usual but cold enough to send shivers down my back.

My heart broke, not just for Matt but for the divided family that couldn't come together to pay their late respects to Logan. He may not have been the best guy, he had his concerns and ill doing with the world, but everyone deserves to be surrounded by family when they're lowered into the ground.

As I look between the four of us, Matt, Nick, the priest and me, I took a deep breath and realised in life, you get what you give and sometimes it's not enough. I know Logan gave more than you deserve four people saying goodbye to him. I couldn't imagine a life that was just me. Logan didn't even get to find the love of his life...he didn't have time to reconnect with his family.

I winced at the sound of Matt sniffing away tears. I let go of his hand, letting him hug his brother. I can assume regret is to blame for the tears being shed today. It wasn't their fault, they were all at dead end roads.

The priest said a few words and prayers before the silence permeates the air around us, nothing but the howling of the wind and the leaves rustling around us.

Matt's arm wrapped around me and he pulled me closer to him. I feel him hold me closer than usual, using the cold as an excuse, but I know better. I'm his safety blanket, through thick and thin.

***

While my hand is on Matt's arm, I felt him tense. He said something under his breath as I see someone come into view, walking towards us. He was dressed in black suit pants, a white shirt and a black jacket. Despite the tragedy, someone else showing up to pay respects made me happy.

The closer the unknown man got, the more I felt Matt tense. "Matt" the guy approached, holding his hand out to Matt, but Matt rejected him.

The man dropped his hand and sighed. "Matt-"

"No" Matt shook his head.

It's unusual for Matt to be like this with people unless it had to do with business. I can sense the tension, but I didn't know what it was.

"Nick" the man looked at Matt's brother.

I was confused when I saw Nick somewhat sink behind Matt. I've never seen him do that, he usually has words with people but not today. "Don't talk to him, he doesn't want anything to do with you" Matt spat at him. "Y/N, go with Nick to the car" I looked at Nick and he nodded, signalling to leave them be.

"Y/N-"

I felt the blood run through my veins and my nerves spasm at the touch of the unknown man. I hated being touched by anyone unless I knew them. It shakes me to my core, especially since the day I was shoved into an ally.

"Don't fucking touch her" Matt spat, making me jump in my skin. My heart raced as I pulled away from the strange man.

Matt stood in between me and the man, with dark eyes. "Don't think you're wanted here. Touch her again and I swear you'll be buried next to him. Don't touch either of them"

The man cleared his throat. "You seem to forget who you're talking to"

"You touch my wife again, it'll be your funeral next" Matt said, trying to keep himself composed. "Matt, go to the car with Nick" Matt said again, gesturing to the car. I looked at Matt, trying to figure out his next move. His jaw was clenched, I knew to listen to him. "Go, he won't touch you"

The walk back to the car was a quiet one, our shoes tapped on the gravel as Nick and I pull our jackets more around our bodies.

While walking to the car, I noticed some of the headstones. Most of them were cracked and withered.