Page 90 of Beneath the Shadows

“Right now.”

She pauses, glancing over her shoulder at the man still waiting for his burger, then back at me. “We’ll have to do paperwork to make it legal. Takes some time to get it all sorted.”

My heart sinks. “Is there any way we could skip the paperwork?”

“You aren’t running from the law or anything are you?” She looks over her glasses at me.

“Not the law. My husband,” I say, my voice lowering as I brace myself for her reaction.

Rosie’s eyes widen, concern etched into the lines of her face. “Your husband?”

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “He was abusive, and I left him. Is there any way you could keep it under the table. I just need a chance to start over.”

Her gaze softens further, and for a moment, the diner fades around us. “You poor thing,” she says quietly. She leans in, her voice dropping. “Alright. We can do that.”

Relief floods through me, my shoulders sagging as I whisper, “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she says with a small smile. “This place gets busy. I hope you’re ready for some hard work.”

“I am,” I reply earnestly, then pause. “I’m Allie, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Allie. I’m Rosie.” She gives me a warm smile. “Alright, Allie. Let’s get you started.”

The rest of the day flies by in a blur of orders, coffee refills, and the chaotic bustle of the Bluebird Café. The work is hard. My feet ache, and exhaustion pulls at my body but for the first time in ages, I don’t mind. The constant flow of customers keeps my mind off the past, and the knowledge that I’m earning my own way makes the exhaustion feel like progress.

* * *

A week slips by, but reality begins to catch up with me. I’ve been staying at the Magnolia Motor Inn, between the room and ordering all my meals, I’m running short on money. I’ve been trying not to eat too much at the diner, worried Rosie might start asking questions that I can’t answer. But the thought of being without a permanent roof over my head keeps me up at night, panic creeping closer with each passing day.

It’s late one evening just after close when Rosie takes a seat across from me, wiping her hands on her apron. “So,” she starts casually. “Have you found an apartment yet?”

Her question catches me off guard. I blink, unsure of how to answer. “I… well, I’ve been staying at the Magnolia Motor Inn,” I say, feeling my nerves tighten. “But you already knew that didn’t you?”

Rosie watches me for a moment, her lips curving into a knowing smile. “It’s a small town, Allie. People talk. I figured you hadn’t settled in anywhere permanent yet.”

“Honestly, I didn’t plan this very well.”

She looks me over for a moment. “Tell you what, I’ve got a small apartment upstairs. It’s not much, but it’s clean, and you’re welcome to stay there until you get settled.”

I blink, taken aback by her kindness. “Rosie, I can’t possibly?—”

She cuts me off with a wave of her hand. “Nonsense. You can pay me a little rent once you’re back on your feet, but for now, consider it a roof over your head.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, her generosity is overwhelming. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

Rosie smiles gently, squeezing my hand. “Just promise me you’ll never go back to him. That’s all the thanks I need.”

“I promise,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.

She nods, satisfied. “Good. Now, let’s get you upstairs and settled.”

After showing me to the small, cozy apartment above the diner, Rosie leaves me with a set of keys and her phone number, reminding me to call if I need anything. As I close the door behind her, I lean against it for a moment, taking in the quiet, the safety.

I have a job, a place to live, and the promise of a new life.

Antonio

Draco Moretti summoned me to his home. Why? I have no idea, but unease coils in my gut. I pace inside the suffocating confines of his office. Exhaustion pulls at me—I’ve been putting out nonstop fires, trying to right the ship since Valentino’s death. The last thing I need is trouble with the Moretti family.

---