Chapter 2: Shadows in the Alley
At 11:30 PM, the back alley behind L’Étoile was damp with midnight fog. Elena hurried out the metal door, pulling her coat tight around her body. Her heart hammered in her chest as the alley door clicked shut behind her.
"Where are you running off to so fast?"
A heavy hand grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around. It was Marcus, the head chef. His face was flushed, smelled strongly of liquor, and his eyes held a cruel sharpness.
"You talked to Santoni, didn't you?" Marcus sneered, pinning her against the brick wall. "I told you to keep your mouth shut about how things run in my kitchen."
"I didn't say anything!" Elena pleaded, trying to pull away. "He just noticed the cut!"
"You're a useless nobody, Elena," Marcus muttered, raising his hand. "You do what you're told, or—"
Before Marcus could finish his threat, a firm hand clamped down on his wrist like a steel visor. Marcus froze, turning his head to see Julian Santoni standing in the dim alley light. Julian’s expression was completely void of anger, replaced instead by a cold, dangerous tranquility.
"I believe the lady asked you to let go," Julian said quietly.
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Marcus attempted to pull his arm back, but Julian’s grip didn't budge. "Mind your own business, Santoni! This is internal restaurant management!"
"It became my business the moment you placed your hands on someone under my protection," Julian replied. With a swift, practiced motion, Julian twisted Marcus's wrist down, forcing the larger man to his knees on the wet asphalt.
