Page 75 of Beneath the Shadows

This room, with all its macabre grandeur, will only be used once.

After tonight, it’ll be nothing more than a tomb, a monument to a life built on deceit and violence.

* * *

The Procession of Saints, a revered annual tradition, draws crowds from all over the city. Inside the restaurant, anticipation fills the air as patrons gather by the windows, eager for their glimpse of the saints as they make their way down the street. With each passing minute, the atmosphere grows more electric.

“Lena,” I call as she steps out of the kitchen.

“May I have a word with you?”

She pauses, balancing a tray. “Be right there. I just need to drop this off.”

“I’ll be in my office.”

I sit at my desk, waiting, each second stretched taut with anticipation. No one, not even Dante, knows what’s about to unfold beneath their feet. I couldn’t risk Vigo overhearing a conversation or intercepting a text message. If he found out, it would mean my life.

Lena enters moments later. “Sorry about that. What’s up?”

“Close the door.” I motion toward it with a subtle nod.

“Am I in trouble?” she asks, her voice a little strained.

“No,” I say, my tone low but firm. “Have a seat.”

She perches on the edge of a chair watching me intently.

“Valentino will be here soon. I’ll be pulling you off the floor to take care of him.”

Her knee bounces and she tenses. “I’m not feeling well today.”

“You seemed fine all morning,” I reply, keeping my gaze locked on hers.

“I don’t want to be with him,” she says quietly, almost too quietly to hear.

“Why not.”

Wordlessly, Lena stands and begins unbuttoning her blouse. My horror grows with every inch of exposed skin. As the scars between her breasts come into view, I spot the crude carving of the wordwhore, and a sick churn twists in my stomach.

“What the fuck,” I say, the words slipping out as my fists clench. “Valentino did this to you?”

She nods, her eyes avoiding mine.

“Close your shirt,” I say, struggling to maintain my composure as I grip the back of my neck. My mind races, barely able to process what I’ve just seen. I assumed she’d willingly kept things going with him. After all, they’ve been involved for years. But this explains her strange behavior at my party.

I force a deep breath, cold calculation creeping back into my voice. “You’ll be available for whatever Valentino demands,” I say, the edge in my tone unmistakable. “Do I make myself clear?”

Lena stands abruptly, her face reddening with fury. “You’re as sick as he is.” She glares at me.

I lean back, expression cold. “About time you realized that.”

Without another word, she storms out, slamming the door behind her. I drop my head into my hands. She may hate me for this, but her fear will keep Valentino unsuspecting. It’s the only chance any of us have to finally be free of him.

“What’s going on? Lena looks like she’s about to tear someone apart,” Dante says as he steps into the office, his voice startling me.

“She asked to leave early, but I told her no. Valentino insisted on having her here.” I rub my temples, the tension pounding behind my eyes. “I’ve got no patience for this today—my head’s killing me.”

“Late night last night?” He smirks. “Who’d you bring home this time?”

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