Veil of Vengeance

Chapter 20: Deception

Isabella's POV

I dialed Antonio's number, my hands trembling slightly. He picked up on the second ring.

"Bella," he said, his voice tight with worry. "Where are you? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "I'm at home. I need to talk to you, Antonio. It's important."

"Can we meet somewhere?" he asked, his tone urgent. "I've got information that might help us."

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded to myself. "Okay. There's a café on Elm Street. Meet me there in fifteen minutes."

"I'll be there," Antonio said, and I could hear the relief in his voice before he hung up.

I quickly dressed and made my way to the café, the cool night air doing little to calm my nerves. The place was almost deserted, the only light coming from the streetlamps outside. I spotted Antonio sitting at a corner table, his face etched with worry.

"Bella," he said as I approached, standing up. "I didn't think you'd come."

"I had to," I said, taking a seat opposite him. "After what happened tonight, I need to understand what's going on. Ricci mentioned your name."

Antonio's expression darkened. "Ricci? That son of a bitch. I knew he was a snake."

"He said you were involved," I continued, trying to keep my voice steady. "He said you were working against us."

Antonio's eyes widened in shock. "What? That's insane! I'd never do that. I've been working with you to find the truth, not against you."

"Then why would Ricci say that?" I asked, my heart aching with doubt. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Antonio shook his head vigorously. "No, Bella. I swear, I'm not involved in anything shady. I've been trying to help you, not sabotage you."

I wanted to believe him, I really did. But the thought of him being implicated in something so dire made my stomach churn. "Then who else could be behind this? Who else would want to frame you?"

Antonio's face was a mask of frustration. "I don't know. But I do know one thing—if someone's trying to set me up, it's probably someone with a lot to gain from stirring up trouble."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I don't know who to trust anymore. Alessandro is on edge, and he's been adamant about keeping you away from me."

Antonio's expression softened with concern. "And what about you? Are you okay? I know this has been tough on you."

"I'm managing," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "But this whole situation is unraveling faster than I can keep up with."

"We'll get through this," Antonio said, his voice earnest. "I promise. We just need to stay focused and figure out who's really pulling the strings."

I nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. "Alright. I'll try to find out more about Ricci's claims. But I need your help. If you hear or see anything suspicious, you have to let me know immediately."

"Of course," Antonio agreed. "And you be careful too. This isn't just about us anymore. It's bigger than that."

We exchanged a weary smile, both of us understanding the gravity of the situation. As I left the café and headed back to my apartment, I couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come. But with Antonio and Alessandro both involved in this tangled mess, I had to keep my wits about me.

Alessandro's POV

I returned to my office, my mind still buzzing with the night's events. Ricci's revelation had turned everything on its head, and the fact that Antonio's name was now on the list of suspects made it all the more complicated.