Page 7 of Beneath the Shadows
“My boss won’t see it that way. He’s going to take this out of my pay.” Her hands shake as she continues gathering the broken pieces.
“You ruined one of our centerpieces?” Valentino’s voice booms, causing heads to turn.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the girl stammers, shrinking under his glare.
“Sorry won’t replace this,” he growls, stepping closer, glass crunching under his shoes. “Do you know how much this costs?”
I rise to my feet, putting myself protectively between the girl and Valentino. “It was an accident. Back off.”
“Look at Antonio playing the saint again,” Valentino sneers, crossing his arms with a mocking grin.
“I’m just trying to be a decent person. She’s upset enough without you making it worse.”
“In our business, kind saints don’t last long,” he retorts, stepping closer as if to challenge me.
“Maybe,” I say evenly, refusing to rise to his bait. “But even in our world, respect goes a long way.”
“Caring too much is a quick path to an early grave, cousin,” Valentino says, his voice lowering. His words more pointed as his frustration begins to show through. “True strength is gained through fear. One day, you’ll learn.”
“Everyone chooses their own path,” I say with a slight shrug. “I choose respect.”
“That’s why I’m a leader, and you aren’t.” He punctuates each word with a jab of his finger at my chest. Then, his attention shifts back to the girl. “Get this mess cleaned up,” he snaps before turning on his heel and walking away.
For a moment, no one moves. It’s as if even breathing too loudly might draw his wrath back. The staff exchange wary glances, fear clear in their eyes.
I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly to dispel the lingering unease. “It’s alright,” I assure her. “He’s gone.”
Little by little, the staff members return to their tasks, though their movements are noticeably more cautious. The girl looks up, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and disbelief.
“I’ll speak with your boss,” I assure her. “If he insists on being reimbursed, I’ll take care of it.”
Her eyes widen. “You don’t have to do that.”
I offer a reassuring smile. “I want to. It’s the right thing to do.”
She exhales softly, her relief visible in the way her shoulders drop. “Thank you.”
I nod, meeting her gaze. “No need to thank me. Let’s just get this cleaned up.”
As we work, I feel the eyes of the staff on us, their silent appreciation evident. It’s a small victory, but in this world where fear often reigns supreme, a little kindness goes a long way.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Alessia watching from a distance. Her expression is a complex mix of relief, sadness, and something else I can’t quite place. Our eyes meet briefly, and she mouths,thank you. Before I can react, she turns and disappears.
As I stand in the middle of this extravagant venue, watching the staff fall back into perfect synchronization, I can’t help but be reminded that although this venue is beautiful, it’s not the wedding Alessia dreamt of.
It’s not Italy and there’s no sea.
Valentino
“Gentleman,” I address the men who’ve gathered, my voice cutting through the din of conversation. “Thank you for coming this evening. I’ve ordered some entertainment for us.”
I catch Rico’s eye from across the room and motion for him to open the door. Moments later, several scantily dressed women saunter in, immediately drawing the attention of the men, whose eyes light up with anticipation.
“Eat, drink, and indulge yourselves.” I raise my glass of whiskey. “Especially you, cousin. Grab that blonde over there and get yourself laid. It’ll do you a world of good.” My comment earns a chuckle from several of the men.
The blonde sashays over to Antonio, her hips swaying seductively. He shakes his head, but she isn’t deterred. She begins unbuttoning his shirt. His hands fly out, grabbing her wrists, stopping her before she can go any further.
I cross the room in several long strides. “Is there a problem here?” I ask as he drops her arm.