Page 62 of Beneath the Shadows
“I tripped and fell,” she says with a slight shrug, her eyes avoiding mine.
“Don’t lie to me,” I say, my voice rising with anger. “Did Valentino do this to you?”
She hesitates before answering, “Yes.”
“I’m going to fucking kill him,” I growl, clenching my fists at my sides.
“No,” she pleads. “He can’t know I told you.”
I force myself to take a breath, even as rage bubbles under my skin. “I can't let this go, Alessia.”
She looks at me, her eyes filled with both anger and pain. “You knew he was hurting me. Why do you care now?”
Guilt twists in my gut. She’s right, and I can’t deny it. I’ve known. Maybe not everything, but enough. “I should’ve stepped in sooner. I’m sorry.”
She shakes her head, not convinced. I can’t blame her.
“But this,” I pause, searching for the right words, but not finding them. “I can’t stand by and watch this get worse.”
“Worse?” she repeats, frustrated. “If Val finds out I told you, it’ll only get worse. You don’t understand what he’s capable of.”
I’m torn between wanting to hurt Valentino like he’s hurting Alessia and the terror in her eyes. It’s not just fear of him—it’s fear of what will happen if I go after him.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm though every instinct is screaming at me to do something, anything. “Alright,” I say, though it feels like I’m betraying everything I should do. “For now, I won’t do anything.”
She exhales softly, but all I see is the tension in her body.
“But if you come in wearing bruises again,” I pause, my voice hardening. “There’s nothing you can say that will stop me.”
She nods, wiping a tear from her bruised cheek.
I guide her to a chair and sit her down gently. “You shouldn’t be working today.”
“I have to,” she insists. “Valentino will suspect something if I don’t.”
I sigh, hating that even though he’s not here, he’s still running the show. “Fine,” I relent, even though it feels wrong. “Let’s do the paperwork to get you on the books, and then I’ll have one of the girls start your training.”
“Valentino told me I’m not to be paid.”
I stop mid-movement, the pen I’m holding almost snapping in my grip. “What did you say?”
She avoids my gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. “Valentino gave clear instructions. I’m not to be paid for my work.”
“Of course he did,” I mutter, slamming the pen down on the desk. “He has to make sure you’re reminded who’s in control.”
Alessia winces at the sharpness in my voice. “I’ll figure something out,” I say, my tone firm but quieter now. She doesn’t deserve any of this.
For now, I put my anger aside and focus on what I can control. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Isabella,” I add, leading her out of the office. Isabella’s one of the few servers Valentino hasn’t taken an interest in, which makes her the safest option.
When I return to my office, I slump back into my chair. I can’t let this continue. Valentino may be family, but he’s crossed a line that can never be forgiven. There’s another knock at the door. I glance up, half-expecting more trouble. Instead, it’s Dante.
“I already talked to her,” I say before he has a chance to speak.
“I figured,” he replies. “But that’s not why I’m here. There’s a contractor waiting for you. He says he has an appointment?”
“Perfect,” I say as I stand. “Where is he?”
“I had him wait at the bar,” Dante says, his brow lifting slightly. “Why do you need a contractor?”