Page 111 of Beneath the Shadows

Talking to my mom always brings a sense of clarity. As I walk across the street, hope takes root—just enough to make me believe that, despite everything, I might find a way to make this work.

* * *

The house across the street, the one Alessia shared with Valentino, is a reminder of the nightmares that still haunt her. Stepping inside, the walls seem to press in, as if they’ve absorbed every moment of darkness that unfolded here. I make a mental note to have it torn down—erase every trace of what happened within these walls.

I sit behind Vigo’s desk, rifling through drawers, searching for her identification cards. The papers are scattered, meaningless. My mind is a battlefield, torn between wanting to protect Alessia and the inevitable truth that I’m too dark, too damaged—someone like me has no place making promises to someone like her.

I’ll never raise a hand to her like he did, but that doesn’t mean I won’t hurt her. I’m no saint. There will come a day when, despite my best intentions, she’ll get hurt. It might be a harsh word spoken in anger or a decision made in haste.

My life is unpredictable and dangerous—that’s the scariest part. I pick up my phone and text Dante.

Me:I need more guards on my house and Alessia.

Dante:I doubled the number last night.

I grit my teeth. Why is he choosing now to argue? I hit his contact and wait for him to pick up.

“I gave you an order. Why the fuck do you think you can question it?” I bark as soon as the call connects.

“Woah, calm down,” Dante replies. “If you need more men, I’ll make it happen.”

“I’m sorry,” I mutter and drop my head into my free hand. “Draco’s threats have me on edge.”

“I get it. I’ll put more men on it.”

“Alessia cannot be harmed. She’s been through enough.”

“We’ll keep her safe, Antonio. You have my word.”

We finish the call, and I set the phone down on the desk.

I was raised in this world, the one where getting my hands dirty wasn’t just expected, it was required. I’ve faced danger more times than I can count, stared down the barrel of a gun, but never felt true fear—until now.

Because this is different. I’m not afraid of bullets or blood. I’m afraid that no matter how hard I try, I won’t be able to keep my darkness from seeping into Alessia’s life. That I’ll fail her in ways I can’t take back. I’ll see the pain in her eyes and know it was me who put it there.

But despite everything, I’m a selfish bastard. I want Alessia more than I’ve wanted anything in my life. I want to protect her, yes—but I also want to keep her. No matter the cost.

And that, more than anything, is the real danger.

Alessia

Once I gather my composure, I go back up to my bedroom and take a hot shower. The water scalds my skin burning away the fog left behind from everything that’s happened.

After I’m dressed and my hair’s dry, I decide to take Antonio up on his offer to leave the house. He encouraged me to visit the gallery so that’s what I intend to do.

I unzip the suitcase, expecting to find the camera tucked between my things. But as I pull out the clothes, hastily thrown in without a second thought, unease crawls up my spine. My hands move faster, tossing aside the tangled mess of fabric. Where is it?

No camera.

Antonio or Dante must’ve packed the bag, and there’s no way they would’ve known to look for it. Of course they didn’t grab it. My pulse races as the realization sinks in. It’s gone.

The loss hits me hard, leaving me dizzy and breathless. That camera was everything—my refuge, my tether to the dreams I barely let myself hold on to. Rosie gave it to me when she found out how much I loved photography. It belonged to her late husband. I’ve treasured it ever since, knowing how much it meant to her.

And now, it’s gone.

I check my wallet, but there’s only fifty dollars inside. Nowhere near enough to replace it. My only hope is that Ophelia has sold some of the photos I sent her a couple of weeks ago and that she hasn’t sent the money to Alabama yet.

Just as I’m about to lose it completely, the doorbell rings. The sudden sound jolts me out of my spiraling thoughts, and I head downstairs to see who’s here.

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