Page 108 of Beneath the Shadows

A spark of the connection we once had. It’s barely there, but it’s enough to give me hope that somewhere deep down, she remembers.

Alessia

Antonio’s offering me freedom, but why? There’s no way he’d give me any sort of independence without wanting something in return. I know better than to trust that easily. Still, I’m not stupid. I’ll take what I can get while I figure out his angle.

But first, I need answers.

I watch him as he loads the dishwasher, my mind racing. “Why are you watching my father’s house?” I ask, keeping my voice steady.

Antonio’s shoulders sag slightly, and for a moment, I expect him to lash out or avoid the question. But he doesn’t. He takes his time drying his hands, then turns to face me, leaning against the counter. “Draco’s the reason I went to find you,” he starts carefully, each word measured. “He was trying to reach you, but you weren’t answering his calls or texts. He said he was worried about your safety.”

A bitter laugh escapes before I can stop it. “That would be a first.” My father has never cared about my well-being. Hisconcernhas always been about control.

Antonio’s expression hardens, but he presses on. “He was also concerned about the alliance between our families after Valentino’s death.”

I narrow my eyes, the pieces falling into place. “That’s why you married me?” My fists clench at my sides.

“Yes,” he confesses, meeting my glare head-on. “But there’s more.” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “Last night, after you went to bed, Draco called again.”

Rising to my feet, I begin to pace as I wait for him to continue.

“He knew where you were the whole time, Alessia. He had you followed, and he used me to bring you back.” His voice drops, but I catch a flash of something on his face—fear, maybe, though he tries to hide it. “And then he told me he’s promised you to someone else.”

My heart stumbles, and I freeze, the blood draining from my face. The words hang in the air like a death sentence. My father’s always been ruthless, but hearing Antonio confirm that he was planning to hand me over to someone else is too much, even for him.

“When Draco found out we were married, he lost it,” Antonio continues, his gaze never leaving mine. “He threatened to take you by force.”

Nausea twists in my stomach, mixing with deep-seated fear. I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. “So, what happens now?”

“It changes nothing about what I promised you,” Antonio says, his tone unwavering. “You’re still free to live your life, Alessia.”

“That’s incredibly generous of you,” I snap, my anger flaring up again. “You say I’m free, but you’re still forcing me to stay married to you? You won’t let me go?”

“No, I’ll never let you go,” he says without hesitation. His eyes lock onto mine, filled with a determination that makes my heart pound for reasons I don’t fully understand. “But I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe and to make sure you’re happy.”

“Happy?” I scoff, shaking my head in disbelief. “I’ll never be happy as long as you’re forcing me to stay here.”

He flinches, just barely, but I catch it. And for a split second, I think I see pain in his eyes, but he quickly hides it behind that wall of control. “Maybe not,” he concedes quietly. “But I’ll make damn sure you’re safe. Draco won’t touch you. I won’t allow anyone to harm you.”

The air feels too thick, the room suddenly too small. Fear creeps in at the edges of my mind—fear of my father, of what he might do, and the fear of being trapped in this marriage forever. Antonio’s words echo in my head,I’ll never let you go.

“Why should I trust you? You left me. You said I wasn’t worth fighting for.”

“There’s no reason you should,” Antonio replies lifting his hand and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek. “But I’ll do whatever it takes to earn it back. This time, you have my word—and I’ll prove it, every single day, as long as it takes.”

I want to scream and push him away, to accuse him of being no different than my father or Valentino.

But I can’t.

His voice carries so much sincerity that it rattles me. My mind scrambles for a reason to dismiss his words. A reason to not believe him.

“You say that now. But what happens when you decide I’m just another pawn in your game? What happens when you realize I’m not worth the trouble?”

His expression softens, his gaze deepening with something almost tender. “You’re not a pawn,tesoro. You never were.”

Tesoro.The word hangs between us, unfamiliar and unexpected, a term of endearment he’s never used before. It catches me off guard, and I hate the way hope blooms in my chest, unbidden and unwelcome.

“Then what am I, Antonio?” I snap, stepping back to create distance between us. “A prize? A responsibility? Something to conquer?”

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