Page 142 of Beneath the Shadows

Me:The hospital. That fucker beat her.

Enzo:How bad?

Me:She was unconscious and barely breathing when I found her. They won’t let me see her.

Enzo:What about Draco?

Me:Dante has him. I gave the order.

Enzo:What do you need?

Me:A cleanup crew at the warehouse.

My mind sharpens as I assume the role I know best. Capo. Business. Order.

Enzo:Done.

Me:And a lawyer. Someone’s going to start asking questions soon.

Enzo:Already on it. Guards are en route. Focus on Alessia. I’ll handle the rest.

Me:Thank you.

The door swings open again. Liam returns with a wheelchair. “Ready to get those ribs checked?” he asks with a wry smile.

I look at the wheelchair, then back at him. “No,” I say flatly, shaking my head. “I’m not using that.”

Liam raises an eyebrow, clearly used to stubborn patients. “You’re telling me you’d rather limp across the hospital in pain instead of sitting for a few minutes? I gotta admit, I’m impressed by your commitment to making life difficult.”

“I’m walking,” I reply, standing up slowly. The sharp ache in my ribs makes me wince, but I push through it.

Liam chuckles, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Alright, your call. Just don’t tell my boss I didn’t offer the luxury option.”

As we head to radiology, Liam lowers his voice. “They’re still running tests on Alessia, but right now, she’s stable.”

Stable.The word sticks in my mind, offering a sliver of hope. “Thank you.”

The X-rays are agony, each breath a knife twisting in my chest. After what feels like an eternity, I’m returned to my room. Liam pulls up my scans.

“Good news,” he says, almost surprised. “Your ribs aren’t broken. Just bruised.”

“Lucky me,” I mutter as my phone buzzes again.

“I need a few minutes,” I say, already connecting the call.

He nods, not saying anything, but I catch the knowing look in his eyes. He recognizes me. “Take your time,” he says, as he steps out of the room.

I bring the phone to my ear. “Dante,” I say, my voice low.

“Draco’s dead.”

“Did he suffer?”

“Yes. His end wasn’t painless.”

“Good,” I reply, my voice cold. “Where’s the body?”

“It’s in a deep, dark place where he’ll never be found.”

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