The Artful Goddaughter Read Online Free PDF Page A

to heaven? In this family?”
    He hesitated for a second, then kept up the pace. “You’ve got a point.”
    We went in the front entrance. Uncle Vince and most of my uncles would probably go in through the underground entrance at the back. Not all funeral homes have this, but the ones in our family do. Definitely handy for avoiding the media, cops and other disagreeable types who may have grudges.
    La Dolce Vita is an Italian funeral home. Probably I should explain this. It has a big party room. Sort of like you would find at a wedding hall. Of course, they don’t call it a party room, because that wouldn’t be respectful. They call it the friends and family room.
    The party room is decorated in what Nico likes to call trashy Italian motif . It’s a tad overdone, what with the plaster columns and chubby cherubs. Souvenirs from the Coliseum in Rome may have more class.
    The party room was already rocking. No stodgy music here. Seb had been a fan of the big bands. “In the Mood” was playing through the speakers.
    â€œFrom what Sammy said, Seb was ‘in the mood’ when he had that heart attack,” Nico whispered. He helped me take off my leather jacket.
    I slapped his arm.
    â€œGina! Bella, bella !” Aunt Vera raced up to kiss me on the cheek. First right, then left.
    Aunt Grizelda launched herself at me. Then we were surrounded by kissing, hugging, laughing relatives. Uncle Vito was there with Vera. Vince was talking to Paulo in the corner. Sammy and Miriam were in fine form. Pinky, Ben…the whole Steeltown contingent.
    Pinky looked like a million bucks in a formfitting black sheath that had to be Versace. Even Aunt Vera and Miriam had new duds for their size-sixteen figures. They must have bought out every black outfit in The Hammer. Because funerals are such solemn occasions in our family and all.
    Pinky moved forward to wipe lipstick off my cheek with her thumb. “Heard Seb left you something in his will. Good for him. You go, girl.”
    When they finished with me, they moved on to Nico.
    After the onslaught, Tiff shuffled over to my right. She had come with her parents. “I’ve never been to a visitation before.”
    â€œNo?” I was surprised. We’d had a few over the years. Professional hazard.
    Tiff was dressed as Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice . “Mom didn’t think it was suitable for a young girl.” She sounded disgusted.
    â€œNo kidding. They’re much too morose.” I watched Uncle Manny demonstrate how to do a cartwheel in the center of the floor.
    Nico tch-tched.
    â€œWhere’s Pete?” said Tiff. She has a thing for Pete, but keeps it under the wire. I just know the signs.
    Pete had said he would come separately. I scanned the room. My eyes stopped at a bunch of men in the corner. Pete was standing with my cousins Luca, Anthony, Joey, young Tony and—
    â€œOh no.” I groaned.
    â€œWhat?” Nico squinted.
    I pointed.
    Yup, they were all there. Joey, Bertoni and—wait for it—that ratfaced weasel Carmine. And Pete was standing there, laughing with them. Like they were friends or something.
    â€œDon’t cause a scene, Gina,” Nico warned.
    â€œWho, me? But I’m so good at it.”
    â€œIt’s a funeral, Gina. Think of Seb,” Nico called behind me.
    Like Seb would care. Knowing him, he was already painting the angels in their birthday suits.
    I marched over. By the time I reached the testosterone circle, all eyes were on me. I stared back.
    Luca and Tony were my first cousins. I loved them to pieces. They looked suitably gorgeous, in that Italian-stallion way. The other guys were distant cousins. I was fine with keeping them distant.
    â€œGina.” Joey nodded. “Nice dress.” He stood a few inches taller than Pete’s six foot two and had a good hundred pounds on him.
    â€œThanks,” I said. “Seb always liked this one.” He liked any