Page 53 of Beneath the Shadows

“Power,” I say, my voice hardening. “They wanted to send a message.”

Tears stream down her face, and she clings to me, sobs wracking her body. I hold her close, my own tears mingling with hers.

“I promise you,” I whisper fiercely. “We’ll make them pay.”

Cecilia moves to sit beside us, her arm wrapping around our mother. “We’ll get through this together,” she says, though her voice trembles with uncertainty.

“I’ve made arrangements to have a guard stationed at the house,” Dante says. “And I’ll be here for anything you need,” he says, glancing briefly at Cecilia before looking back at me.

“Thank you, Dante,” my mother whispers through her tears.

Dante nods, his expression resolute. “I’ll always be here for your family.”

The room falls silent, save for the soft sound of my mother and sister’s tears.

Beneath my sorrow, the fire inside me burns hotter.

Valentino awakened his worst nightmare—a monster forged from betrayal. He’ll pay for every tear shed. Every ounce of pain. Slowly, carefully, I’ll dismantle everything he holds dear, piece by piece, until he’s trapped with no way out.

He won’t see me coming until it’s too late.

Valentino

The meeting stretched well into the night, but there was no urgency to leave. Too much was at stake, with plans unfolding, new alliances being forged, and the satisfaction of solidified control settling in.

When I pull into my driveway, I notice the lights still on at my aunt and uncle's house across the street. Antonio's car is parked out front, along with several others I recognize. I’m sure they’ve gathered after hearing about Marco’s death.

I feel nothing. Why would I, when it was my order that sealed his fate? But I know the show must go on. I’ll have to get Alessia and break the news to my mother, then make an appearance, playing the part of the grieving nephew.

As for my wife—I’m sure she’s learned her lesson after spending the day locked in the basement.

“Get up,” I order.

“Fuck you,” Alessia retorts, still defiant.

“Don’t tempt me.” I grab her arm and pull her to her feet. “Unfortunately, I don’t have time for that right now. We need to collect my mother and go to Aunt Nicki’s.”

She stiffens. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“Marco was killed tonight,” I say, my tone flat and rehearsed as if I’m reading a script I’ve prepared in my mind.

Her breath catches. “What? How?”

“He was shot on the way to our meeting.”

“How did anyone get past his guards?” she asks, her disbelief palpable.

“He didn’t have any with him.”

“How could you let him go without guards?” she snaps, her voice rising with frustration.

I whirl on her, irritation flaring. “Stop fucking questioning me.”

She presses her lips together, wisely dropping the subject, and we head for my mother’s house.

When we arrive, I let myself in and find her asleep in my father’s chair. She hasn’t slept in their bed since he died, choosing his chair instead. I find the whole thing ridiculous.

“Domenica,” Alessia says, gently shaking her shoulder.

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