Chapter 12 - The Diner's Secret
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When Amelia walked through the front doors of Castellano’s Diner the next morning, the brass bell jingled with a welcoming familiarity.
The smell of bacon and dark roast coffee washed over her, and for the first time in two weeks, she took a deep, unrestricted breath.
Angela rushed from behind the counter, throwing her arms around Amelia in a crushing hug. “Oh, honey! Look at you, you look beautiful. Does it still hurt?”
Amelia smiled, touching her healing cheekbone. “Just a little tender. It’s so good to see you, Angela.”
Tony popped his head out of the kitchen window, waving a pair of tongs. “Welcome back, kid! The place fell apart without you. Angela keeps burning the toast!”
As Amelia tied her white apron around her waist, she noticed the atmosphere in the diner had fundamentally shifted. When she walked past the booths to take orders, the regulars didn't just smile at her; they looked at her with a profound, quiet reverence.
Mr. Del Monaco tipped his hat to her. Tiny the trucker actually lowered his voice when asking for a coffee refill.
She wasn't just Amelia the waitress anymore. She was Amelia, the woman the Godfather had personally carried out of the diner. She was under the absolute, untouchable protection of the Castellano family.
Around noon, two massive men in dark suits walked into the diner. Amelia recognized them immediately as the enforcers who had dragged Derek out the back door. They didn't sit in a booth. They took up positions by the front and rear doors, ordering black coffee and scanning the street outside with sharp, predatory eyes.
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Angela leaned over the counter, whispering to Amelia. “Mr. Castellano’s orders. They are your personal shadow now. They don't leave until you clock out.”
Amelia looked at the armed guards, realizing that Castellano’s wasn't just a diner to Vincent. It was a front, yes, but it was also a sanctuary. It was a place where he put the broken people he chose to protect. And whether she liked it or not, she was officially part of the family now.
