Page 51 of Beneath the Shadows

“I know,” Dante’s voice is rough with emotion. “We’ll make him pay for this. But right now, you need to get out of there. Rico turned on your father, and we don’t know who else might be involved. You’re not safe.”

“I don’t give a damn about safe,” I growl, my grief turning to rage. “I want blood.”

“We will,” Dante promises, his voice steady, though laced with pain. “But not like this. Marco wouldn’t want you getting yourself killed in a fit of blind rage.”

His words hit me hard. I take a breath and force myself to stay grounded. “Fine,” I manage through clenched teeth. “But Dante, I swear—Valentino will pay for this. Every single one of them will.”

“We’ll make it happen,” Dante replies, his voice unwavering. “I’m coming to get you.”

The reality of my father’s death crashes into me like a tidal wave, and I collapse to the floor in the hallway. Valentino—my cousin, the man I’ve spent my life protecting, betrayed me. Every time he asked for my loyalty, I gave it willingly. And this is how he repays me? He killed my father.

But this isn’t over. Not even close.

I will avenge my father’s death.

I will take down Valentino and anyone who stands with him.

They will all pay.

Antonio

Valentino’s phone rings, each tone stoking the anger simmering beneath my calm. When it finally connects, I don’t give him a chance to speak. “My father called.”

I keep my voice steady, gauging his reaction. I know he’s behind this, but I need to hear it in his tone, feel the shift in his words. If he thinks I suspect him, he’ll run or fortify his defenses. No, I need him to believe I’m still on his side. Let him feel secure in his lies.

When he least expects it, I’ll make my move.

“Is there a problem?” he asks, his voice calm and controlled—too controlled.

“Rico left the planned route, so I sent Dante and a team to track them down and make sure nothing was wrong,” I explain, keeping my tone even.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Rico shot my father. He’s dead,” I say flatly, letting the words land like a hammer.

“No,” he roars, his tone shattering the pretense of calm. “And Rico?”

“I gave Dante the order to kill him,” I respond, my voice colder than I intend.

Valentino falls silent for a beat, then growls, “Someone must’ve turned him. One of the other families. Don’t worry. I’ll find out who’s behind this attack.”

“This is war, Vigo,” I say, the word war hanging in the air between us like a promise. “Whoever did this must pay.”

“Of course, cousin,” he replies, his voice smoothing out again. Too smooth. “I’ll wrap up this meeting and meet you at the hotel.”

“I’m not staying,” I tell him. “Dante’s on his way back to pick me up. I need to go home and tell my mother and Cecilia. I want extra guards on them until we find out who’s responsible.”

“I’ll assign a few men,” Valentino offers.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll choose the men,” I say. “Cecilia needs to be comfortable with whoever’s around.” And I need to be certain of where their loyalties lie.

“You’re right. I didn’t consider that,” Valentino concedes.

The elevator dings open. Dante steps out and I wrap up the call quickly. “He’s here, now. I’ll speak with you later.”

Dante approaches me, his expression grim. “Anton,” he says quietly. “I’m so sorry.”

“Valentino will pay for what he did,” I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper, venom dripping from every word. “But for now, I’ll wait him out. He’ll be expecting retaliation, so I need to play along, make him think I believe this was a hit from an opposing family.” I pull my shoulders back and stand straighter. “I’ll give him no reason to doubt my loyalty.”

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