Page 101 of Beneath the Shadows

She glares at me with barely restrained fury. "Protect me? By kidnapping me and dragging me back to Philadelphia? That’s not protection, Antonio. That’s imprisonment."

"I know it feels that way," I say quietly, trying to reach her through the wall she’s put up. "I’m asking you to trust me.”

“At one time, I thought you might be different.” She lets out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "What a fool I was. You’re no different than Val and my father. I hate you for this.” She turns on her heel and gets back into the car, slamming the door.

I watch her go, my chest tight with the weight of her words. She’ll never see it from my perspective—not now, at least. She hates me for taking away the freedom she fought so hard to claim. And she’s right to feel that way. But what she doesn’t understand, what I don’t know if she’ll ever see, is that I’m nothing like Valentino or Draco.

To them, Alessia’s nothing more than a pawn, a tool to broker power. But to me, she’s always been so much more. I’m not doing this to control her. I’m doing it to protect her from the dangers lurking in the shadows—dangers she doesn’t see.

I don’t give a damn if the Moretti’s remain our allies. Myfamigliawields enough control in Philadelphia to ensure Draco and his organization are nothing if he isn’t aligned with us. However, if I don’t go along with Draco’s demands, I fear he’ll take Alessia and give her to someone who won’t care about her passions. Someone who’ll use her and hurt her—who’ll break her spirit. I’d never forgive myself if that happened.

Dante returns, carrying a bag in one hand. He gives me a pointed look. “Get yourself something to eat. I’ll stay with her.”

Inside the store, I grab a box of granola bars—something I’ve seen Alessia snacking on before. I don’t know if she’ll actually eat them or throw them back in my face, but it’s a small gesture I hope she’ll accept. As I make my way through the aisles, I try to shake the image of her storming away, the words she hurled at me echoing in my mind. The way she looked at me like I was no better than the men who’ve hurt her.

At the self-serve coffee station, I fill three cups, the aroma a brief distraction from the ache tightening in my chest. Alessia will never see this marriage as anything but a betrayal. I’ll prove that I’m different. Somehow, I’ll make her see this isn’t about power or domination—this is about keeping her safe and giving her the life she deserves.

Even if she hates me for it.

After paying, I step outside to find Alessia leaning against the SUV, her arms crossed. My eyes fall to the curve of her chest, the way her T-shirt clings to her body. To the swell of her breasts, the way they rise and fall with each angry breath she takes. For a brief moment, I’m drawn in by something I have no right to be focusing on. I quickly correct myself.

Dante stands next to her, his posture relaxed, as if he’s completely unaffected by the tension radiating from her. I can tell from his expression that he thinks I should tell her everything now.

I hand Dante his coffee without a word, then offer one to Alessia. She doesn’t even look at me, just stares straight ahead, ignoring the cup like it’s poison.

“Alessia,” I say softly, trying to get her to look at me. “Don’t be so stubborn. I’m not your enemy.”

When she turns, her gaze is icy. “You sure about that?”

“It’s only coffee,” I reply, holding the cup out to her again.

Her eyes flicker to the cup, then back to me, suspicion still clouding her expression. “And what? I’m supposed to believe this makes everything okay?”

I shrug, keeping my tone light. “For now, yeah.”

She hesitates for a moment, then sighs, taking the cup from my hand. “Fine,” she mutters, her voice barely above a whisper. “But this doesn’t change anything.”

“I know,” I say, relieved she’s at least willing to accept this small gesture. “But it’s a start.”

She doesn’t respond, just turns away again, but this time, she takes a sip of the coffee. It’s a small victory, but I’ll take it.

“We should get back on the road,” Dante says.

Alessia climbs into the backseat without a word, her movements stiff. I slide in beside her as Dante starts the engine, and we merge back onto the highway. Silence fills the car, thick with the weight of unspoken words. I know the truth I need to reveal will shatter whatever fragile peace remains.

But the truth is, I can’t hold it off forever.

Alessia

We’ve been driving for so long that I’ve lost track of time. The highway stretches ahead, endless, swallowing the last pieces of my freedom. I rest my head against the window, but no matter how hard I try to blink them back, the tears come, silently slipping down my cheeks.

There’s no winning this, no escaping it. I’m trapped, just like I’ve always been.

“What’s wrong?” Antonio’s voice breaks through the silence.

I don’t respond. I can’t. The walls I’ve built are cracking, and if I say anything, they’ll shatter completely. But I need this—one small piece of closure before everything is ripped away from me. Slowly, I turn my head, wiping my eyes on the back of my hand.

“Did you bring my phone?”

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