“So it’s over?” I asked Joe after shaking the last guest’s hand as they walked out of Angel and Thomas’s house.

We had to do everything as if Thomas had really passed. After the burial, all of the members of the family were invited back to Angel’s home for a meal. I never understood why, though. Why did the grieving family have to feed everyone for coming to say good-bye?

“It is.” He kissed the top of my head. “Thomas said based on intel and the death of Cowboy, we’re in the clear.”

“For now,” I mumbled and buried my face in his shirt.

“Forever.” He stroked my hair softly, soothing me.

“We’re Gallos. Trouble seems to find us.” I smiled into his chest.

“Look who’s alive,” James said when Thomas walked through the back door.

“You’d miss me if I wasn’t here, buddy.”

“I would, asshole.” James smiled at him.

“Who wants a beer? I could fucking use one after a day like today.” Thomas headed toward the kitchen and whistled.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” Angel covered her mouth and ran from the room.

My heart ached for her. Even though it was a lie, I couldn’t imagine seeing Joe in a coffin.

“I’m going to go check on her, baby.” I touched his cheek, running my fingers against the tiny stubble that had started to form.

“I’ll be here waiting. We can leave when you’re ready.”

“Let’s stay a while. I think everyone needs some family time.” I patted him on the chest, holding his hand as I walked away until distance separated us.

“Angel,” I whispered and pushed open her bedroom door to find her in a ball on the bed. “Oh, sweetie.” Lying down next to her, I pushed her hair away from her face. “Everything is okay, sweetheart.”

“I couldn’t breathe all day, Suz.” She turned on her back and stretched out. “I just kept picturing him in that casket for real. I don’t know what I’d do without him.” Her eyes roamed around the ceiling and she started to hyperventilate.

I grabbed her hand, squeezing it. “He’s fine, Angel. Relax.”

“I was so close to losing him. More than once, we’ve almost been torn apart. My heart couldn’t survive without him.” Tears started to trickle down her cheeks, plopping onto the bedspread.

“I can’t imagine losing Joe either. Somehow, other people survive when they lose the love of their life.”

“I’d die of a broken heart,” she whispered, wiping her face with the back of her fingers.

“We’d help you through it. We’re all going to be there sometime.” I frowned. I’d probably die of a broken heart too. Joe was more than just my husband—he was my everything. “We’d make it through it for our kids.” I turned on my back and stared up at the ceiling, watching the fan as it turned.

“Angel,” Thomas said from the doorway. “Are you okay, baby?”

“I’ll let you two talk,” I said, scooting off the bed.

Thomas smiled as I walked past him and whispered, “Thanks.”

“We’re doing shots, Suzy Q. Want one?” Izzy held up the bottle of tequila and smirked.

My stomach turned at the thought of getting wasted, especially on tequila. “No, I’m good.”

“You’re never any fun.” She poured another round before pushing them across the counter to everyone else.

“I have infants to take care of when I get home,” I told her, feeling like a party pooper.

“I’ll give you a pass this once.”

I’d probably had fifty passes over the years.

“Let’s do a toast.” Anthony held his shot glass in the air and waited. I grabbed a bottle of water and joined everyone with my bottle high above my head. “To the Gallos, one kick-ass family that even a gunshot doesn’t stop.”

Mia cleared her throat and grinned. “Gunshots, punches, and everything else, but don’t mention a vasectomy without them scurrying away like little rats.” She raised her glass higher.

“Salute,” everyone murmured, not willing to make a comment after that.

“What a bullshit day,” Anthony said, pulling a stool up to the counter and making himself comfortable.

Max stood behind him with her arms wrapped around his neck. “I kept waiting for Thomas to move and hear someone in the church scream.” She laughed, nuzzling her face into his neck.

“That would’ve been kick-ass,” Anthony said, turning his face to kiss her forehead.

Izzy leaned on the counter and wound her fingers with James’s. “Don’t ever make me go through that.”

He grinned. “I have it in my will that you’re to be buried with me like the slaves in Egypt. You’re coming to the afterlife with me, baby.”

She punched him in the gut and he hunched over. “Bull-fuckin’-shit.”

He laughed and held his stomach. “I thought you’d love the idea.”

I giggled and glanced over at Joe, who was digging his fingers into his eyes.

“Where did Ma and Pop go?” Thomas asked as he walked back into the kitchen with Angel under his arm.

“They were exhausted and headed home,” Izzy told him and picked up the bottle of tequila again. “Shot?”

“I think I’ll stay sober tonight.”

Izzy’s mouth fell open and she gawked at Thomas. “Why?”

“Just fuckin’ with ya. Pour me a shot.” He laughed and nudged Izzy in the shoulder.

“Christ, you scared me.”

There was a low hum in the kitchen as everyone stood around chatting like it was normal. Everybody seemed to forget that we had a funeral today…one for Thomas. Fake or not, that shit was scary as fuck.

In true Gallo fashion, they went on as if it were another day.