Page 132 of Beneath the Shadows

"How's the show?" he answers, his tone casual.

"Alessia’s gone," I growl, my voice tight with fury. "He took her."

“Dammit,” Dante snaps. “How long ago?”

“Maybe twenty minutes. I need every available man on this. Now.”

"I’m already on it,” he replies, his voice turning hard and businesslike. “I just sent a message to our men. I’m on my way.”

“There’s another one of those damn notes,” I clench my jaw, fury rising. “He’s taunting me.”

“Don’t touch the paper. Eric’s on his way,” Dante instructs. “He’ll have our tech team enhance it. Hopefully they can pull some fingerprints. Anything that’ll give us a lead.” Dante’s voice crackles through the phone. “We’ll find her, Antonio.”

My hands are trembling as I shove the phone into my pocket, trying not to let the panic spiral. How the hell did I let this happen? I should’ve been watching her, should’ve been more vigilant. Dammit. Why didn’t I see this coming. How could I have been so blind, so careless?

Instead, I was too busy soaking up the pride of her success, letting myself feel some small sense of victory in her happiness, like an arrogant fool.

I promised to protect her. Now she’s gone. He took her and I’m standing here like an idiot, scrambling to play catch-up as every precious second slips through my fingers.

A surge of anger rises, hot and fierce. I want to lash out, to destroy something, anything but I know that won't help Alessia. It won't bring her back any faster. Right now, I need to remain focused and channel my anger into finding her.

Racing back to the gallery, I pull aside the men Dante stationed at the party. My voice is a low hiss as I explain, "Alessia’s been taken. Keep your eyes open and cover the exits while I clear the gallery.”

Understanding the gravity of the situation, they immediately disperse through the crowd and get into position. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what comes next. Stepping to the front of the gallery, I address the guests, my voice cutting through the noise.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” I say, and the room falls silent, confused faces turning toward me. “Unfortunately, we need to end tonight’s event early due to a building emergency. Please exit the gallery calmly and quickly. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”

The crowd stirs, muttering in confusion, but they begin to file out. As the room empties, I try calling Draco, ready to demand Alessia’s return. The call doesn’t go through—his number’s been disconnected. I try Alessia’s phone next, but it goes straight to voicemail.

“Dammit.”

“Boss,” Luis calls. I spin around to find him gripping Ophelia by the arm. “We caught her trying to leave with the guests,” he says, his tone grim.

My blood turns cold. “Why were you running?” I demand, my voice sharp. “What do you know about my wife’s disappearance?”

Her face crumbles, her voice trembling with fear. “Alessia’s brother came by the gallery earlier this week. He told me you were holding her against her will and that he was desperate to save her.”

“He offered me a substantial amount of money to help him,” she cries. “My gallery’s on the brink of bankruptcy. I thought I was helping her.”

I step closer, my fists clenched. “Alessia doesn’t have a brother.”

Tears well in her eyes as she stammers, “I swear, I thought I was helping her.”

My patience snaps. “Because of you, Alessia’s in real danger. Do you even realize what you’ve done?”

Ophelia sobs, pleading for forgiveness. “I didn’t know—please, I didn’t know.”

“Take her to the holding room beneath the restaurant,” I order, my voice icy. “I’ll deal with her later.”

As they drag her away, her frantic pleas echo through the now-empty gallery. "Please, Antonio. Don’t kill me. I didn’t know. I swear."

"Wait," I command, striding across the room with purpose. I stop inches from her face, my eyes cold, my voice low and venomous. "You better pray I find Alessia unharmed. Because if I don’t, you'll be begging me for death."

The weight of my fury is suffocating. I close my eyes, forcing myself to breathe.

“I’m coming for you,tesoro,” I whisper into the silent room, praying to whoever will listen—just let me get to her in time.

Alessia

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