Page 63 of Beneath the Shadows

“I’m having some work done downstairs,” I explain, heading for the door. “I’m turning one of the old spaces into a soundproof dungeon.”

This is just the first step in a much bigger plan. Even though I trust Dante with my life, I can’t tell him everything. It’s safer this way. If things go south, he can’t be implicated if he doesn’t know anything.

Dante raises an eyebrow. “A dungeon? I didn’t think you were into that kind of thing.”

“It’s not for me,” I say with a smirk. “I’m sick of Valentino using our meeting room for his shit. This will keep him, and anyone else who needs it, out of the way.”

Dante chuckles, shaking his head. “Well, as long as it keeps Val’s dick out of our work space, I’m all for it.”

For now, he’ll think this is about keeping Val out of the meeting room, and that’s exactly how it needs to stay.

“That’s the plan,” I reply as we walk into the bar area.

The contractor, a burly man, is chatting with the bartender. He stands when we approach.

“Mr. Luciano?” he asks, extending a hand.

“Antonio is fine,” I say, shaking his hand. “Thanks for coming on short notice.”

“No problem,” he replies.

“Let’s take a look at the space,” I offer.

We head downstairs, the noise from the restaurant above fading as we move deeper into the cool, dimly lit basement. The walls are lined with old bricks. We eventually reach the dug-out space, an unfinished room with potential.

“This is it,” I say, gesturing around.

The contractor looks around, impressed. “I’ve heard rumors about Philadelphia’s underground tunnels, but I thought they were nothing more than urban legend.”

Philly’s underground tunnels had been whispered about for generations—secret passageways used for everything from hiding revolutionaries to sheltering runaway slaves.

“The tunnels are real, but we’ve made sure ours are no longer connected to the main system.” I turn back to the task at hand. “I want this space fully soundproofed and outfitted with everything we talked about.”

The contractor makes notes on his clipboard. “It’ll take a few weeks, but we’ll get it done.”

“Good,” I reply, crossing my arms. “And I don’t need to remind you about the NDA.”

“Of course not,” he assures me. “I’ve got three trusted men working with me, and your attorney already had them sign.”

“I know,” I say, keeping my tone even.

He glances at the room. “Mind if I grab a few measurements?”

“Go ahead,” I say, stepping aside.

As he starts working, Dante leans in, his voice low. “You really think this will keep Val out of trouble?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “But it’s a start.”

Even in its unfinished state, I can already see the room for what it will become—something far darker than anyone else realizes. It’s more than just a space for indulgence. I keep the thought buried deep, just like the secrets that will soon fill these walls. It’s the first step, the foundation of something much bigger.

And when the moment arrives, these walls will bear silent witness to the fate that awaits Valentino.

Antonio

Tonight’s supposed to be a celebration—a party in my honor. The restaurant is closed for the private event, filled with our long-time associates including Draco Moretti and his top men. But the real tension comes from the unfamiliar faces—Giovanni DeLuca and Emilio Salazar, dangerous men with deadly ambitions.

Valentino’s confident that the evening will go off without a hitch. But in a room full of power, egos, and shifting alliances, control is only one misstep away from disaster.

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