Concede (The Diamond Empire Book 1) by Kathy Coopmans (bts book recommendations .TXT) 📕

down my face. The muscles in my chin tremble, and I look toward the sky, knowing he’s up there. Hoping the sins of the other three have been forgiven. That Steven isn’t up there alone. I know it sounds foolish. I just have to believe they are with him.

Turning my head, I take a stuttering breath and watch the white puffs evaporate in the air. My knees buckle at Danika’s name inside a heart. David’s the same.

“I still can’t believe they are gone. The headstones are beautiful, Victoria. They fit them perfectly.”

Heart hammering, I smile softly, rotate enough to block my face from the cold, steady wind, and give my attention to the woman standing at my side. The woman who took time out of her day to meet me regardless of the blizzard conditions. The woman who often calls to check on me.

Alina Diamond. My mother’s lifelong best friend.

After Amber left Buttercup Bakery the other day, I called to see if Alina had time to talk face to face. I came so close to telling her about Amber, then decided against it. I’m not getting involved in whatever she and Diesel do. I have faith they will work it out. Besides, it’ll stress Alina out more. Place her in the middle, and I won’t be the one to do that.

I didn’t expect Alina and I would meet today, nor did I expect it to be here of all places. She wanted to come with me, and now that I’m here, I’m glad she’s the one here with me. Losing Mom and the others is just as hard on her as my dad, me, and brothers.

She’s the person I felt I could turn to, the one that would tell me the truth regarding my fear whether I want to hear it or not—a woman with the kindest soul. A straight shooter, and once upon a time, walked in my shoes.

Alina loved her family while growing up, but she hated they were mafia. So much so, she was estranged from her parents for ten years. And now look at her, she’s the queen of our empire.

In her sixties and doesn’t look a day past forty. Her blondish gray hair is shoulder length and cut into a straight-edged bob. Her eyes always remind me of the blue in a perfect spring sky.

Bright.

We’ve been standing here for half an hour or so, with a dozen guards spread out around us, along with Theo, while I’ve spilled my guts out all over the freshly fallen snow.

“Thank you. It feels strange seeing their names. It so, I don’t know. Final. I haven’t looked at Mom’s yet. I’m not ready.” I feel another round of tears coming.

I let them fall. They sting my cold face as much as my heart.

It’s not just seeing her name on the stone. Dad wanted his on it too, and the thought of seeing both names is enough to break the still weak seams I’m trying hard to stitch back together.

“Hey, you don’t have to look today, tomorrow, or the next. You do it when you’re ready. Your mother understands. Trust me every day; it’ll get better, I promise. My words won’t help the loss, but I’d never lie to you. They are all at peace, Victoria. You don’t have to let them go either. In fact, it’s quite liberating to sit and talk. I talk with my parents and brother all the time. Sometimes, I can hear my mother giving me advice. Deidre will always be with you. All of them will,” she says as she moves in front of me and wipes away my tears.

“I will never let them go. I just miss them so much.”

“I know you do, and you always will. Acknowledging you don’t have to let them go means your halfway to finding your inner peace. You’ll get to the rest, Victoria. In all the ways that make the rest of your life worth living. I’m glad you called me. For you to tell me what you did, and trust me with it, means something to me. I will never replace Deidre Hughes. She’s one of a kind. A rare gem, but I’ll be the pillar of strength for whatever and whenever you need.”

Yes, my mother was rare.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I’d do anything for you. I’ve always thought you to be more like your mother than I think you realize. More than just your looks. Don’t ever forget that even in the darkest times.”

Alina tucks several strands of my hair underneath my hat that will just fall out again. It’s something my mother would have done.

It has me smiling through the tears. Hearing her say I take after Mom eases my sorrow-filled spirit. People always said I look like her—the shape of our faces and eyes. I pride myself on being strong like her in some ways. There are ways I’m not, though. Ways I need to get a grip on if things are going to progress further with Seth.

It’s real with him. Almost too hard to put into words. But when things happen like early this morning when Seth left the bed, I worry myself to tears. He was quiet, but I found myself tossing, turning, and chewing my nails. He still wasn’t back when Theo picked me up from work and took me home so I could grab this coat and warmer boots.

Not knowing where he is causes dread to slide down my spine like an icy chill.

I feel so childish talking with Alina about it. Although we need to get back on track, so we aren’t standing out here freezing. Besides, it’ll be dark soon.

“I shouldn’t say this first, except I’m hoping you take it to heart, and it helps with everything else I’m going to say. Sometimes others observe things we don’t always see. You and Seth, well, your mother saw something between you two. Once she told me, I saw it. Your body would stiffen when he walked into the