Page 72 of Of Lies and Shadows

He tugs at my sleeve, gentle but insistent, needing the kind of reassurance I’m not sure I can give.

“I’ll stay as long as I can,” I say softly, stroking his cheek with my knuckles. “And even if I’m not right here, I’ll still be loving you, okay?”

He frowns like he’s thinking hard. “But Papa likes you. So maybe forever’s not that long.”

I smile, even though it aches. “We’ll see.”

That seems to satisfy him. He nods once, eyes already slipping shut as he turns onto his side and pulls the blankettighter around him.

I stay there a moment longer, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. Then I lean in and press a kiss to the top of his head.

“Goodnight, little pirate,” I whisper.

I step into the hallway, letting the door click softly behind me. For a moment, I just stand there, my fingers still on the handle, trying to steady my breath. My chest feels a little lighter… and a little heavier all at once.

The light in the corridor is dim, golden and warm, and I spot Bruno leaning against the wall by the guest room door. Arms crossed, posture casual, but his eyes are sharp, watching me.

“You okay?” he asks gently, straightening.

I nod slowly. “They’re asleep. Lucia was out the second her head hit the pillow. Alessio asked me if I’d stay forever.”

Bruno’s expression softens. “And what did you say?”

“I told him I’d stay as long as I could.” My voice cracks, but only a little. “It was the closest I could get to the truth without breaking his heart.”

He doesn’t speak right away, just studies me for a beat.

“You’ve done more for them in a few months than most people do in a lifetime,” he says finally. “Whatever happens next… they’ll carry that with them.”

I don’t answer. I can’t. So instead, I lean back against the wall beside him, letting the silence settle.

And for just a moment, I let myself breathe.

“My father is going to be a problem.”

“I know.”

“I need to tell Dante.”

“I know that too.”

I glance up at him. “Do you think I’m a traitor?”

He lets out a quiet, dry laugh. “You’re the most loyal person I know.”

I exhale slowly and rest my head against his arm. “No, you are. You came here… for me.”

He doesn’t say anything to that, but I feel the way his muscles shift slightly, like the words matter more than he expected.

Eventually, I pull away with a tired sigh. “Goodnight, Bruno.”

He nods. “I’ll be here.”

I retreat into my room, take a shower, and change into my pajamas, keeping the door open a crack as the sounds of the party fade into nothing. I should close my door. I should retreat and hide and wait for tomorrow like I always do.

But I don’t.

I hear him before I see him. Heavy footfalls in the hall, slower than usual, as if he’s hesitating too.

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