Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Alessio
S ophia's fingers twitch again, and I can't help but focus on the slight movement, the soft sound of her breath, the slow rise and fall of her chest. She's here. She's alive. But there's still a long road ahead.
I sit beside her, not daring to move, my fingers gently brushing over the back of her hand, the soft pulse beneath my touch a reminder of how fragile everything is. Every second with her awake feels like a gift, even if it's just for a moment.
The door creaks open, and Matteo steps in, his face as unreadable as ever, but there's a quiet concern in his eyes when they meet mine.
"How's she doing?" Matteo asks.
"She's awake," I answer, but there is a tightness, still a little raw from the fear that had gripped me when I thought I'd lost her. "Barely, but she's here."
Matteo nods, his gaze shifting to Sophia, who stirs slightly at the sound. Her eyes flutter open, weak but focused. She gives Matteo a small, tired smile.
"Hey," she whispers.
Matteo steps closer, sitting at the edge of the bed. His eyes linger on her, a mixture of relief and weariness. "You really had us worried there," he utters quietly.
Sophia manages a weak smile. "I'm sorry. I never meant to make you worry."
I watch them both for a moment, my chest tight with the unspoken weight between us. Matteo's sister is still missing, and there's no telling what the Russians will do next. I know the families are fractured, and the Russians—now that they've lost their head—are about to fall into chaos. The instability could tear everything apart, but in this moment, I don't want to think about that. Not when Sophia is finally awake.
Matteo breaks the silence. "We need to talk about the Russians. The situation's worse than we thought." He glances toward the door, making sure no one else is around. "Since the head of their family is dead, there are factions already fighting to take control. It's going to get ugly."
Sophia's eyes glower with concern, but she doesn't look at me—she knows my thoughts on the matter. I rub my face, trying to focus on the issue.
"We already knew they were a problem. But now? Without a leader, they're unpredictable. They're going to fracture."
Matteo nods, his face hardening. "The Russians are going to need someone to rally behind. And we know Domenico's former allies aren't just going to sit back. We need to be ready for anything. They're not done with us."
I lean back in my chair, trying to keep calm. "We've been through this before. The Russians were always going to be a threat. They want control of what we've built, and they'll take it any way they can."
Matteo sighs, running a hand through his hair. "It's not just that, Alessio. Some of the families are already making moves. The Italians, the French—everyone's on edge. This might be our chance to seize more power, but it could also tear everything apart."
"I'm not worried about power," I mutter under my breath, glancing at Sophia. She's still weak, still barely holding on, and the thought of everything else—the Russian threat, the fractured families—feels like too much. I want to focus on her, on making sure she's safe, but it's impossible to ignore what's coming.
Matteo watches me, his gaze steady. "Look, I know you're focused on her. You're doing the right thing, but don't forget what we're up against. If we don't move quickly, if we don't secure our position, things will get out of control."
Sophia, still too weak to sit up, lifts her hand slightly, squeezing Matteo's arm gently. "You're right," she says, but it is barely audible, her eyes meeting mine with a tired intensity. "We can't let them take over. Not after everything."
I nod, feeling the pressure build again. "I won't let anyone take anything from us. Not from you. Not from my family."
"Good," Matteo exclaims. "We need you both strong for what comes next."
I stare at Sophia, watching the way her hand trembles in mine. "You're right," I say, though something lodges in my throat. "But right now, all I care about is making sure you're okay. The rest can wait."
Sophia gives me a small, exhausted smile. "I'll be fine, Alessio. I'm not going anywhere."
And for a moment, it feels like she's right, like the chaos outside can be pushed aside for just this fleeting moment. But I know, deep down, we can't afford to ignore it for long.
"Get some rest," I say softly, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. "We'll handle the rest."
Matteo gives me a long, silent look before turning to leave. "I'll be in touch. Stay alert. We're not out of the woods yet."
As he exits, I sit silently, my focus completely on Sophia. The weight of everything else fades for a moment, but the danger is still there, waiting.
But for now, I'll hold onto her, hold onto the moment. I can't lose her. Not now. Not ever.
The days pass slowly, each one blending into the next, but I never leave her side. The hospital room feels too small for everything that's happened—the fear, the uncertainty, the way the world seems to be on the brink of falling apart. But Sophia is here. She's breathing. And that's enough to keep me holding on.
She's made progress. Small steps, but they're enough to reassure me, even if only for a moment. She's awake more often now, stronger, though she's still pale and weak. I can't help but notice the way her hand trembles when she reaches for mine or the way her eyes flash with exhaustion after just a few words. It's clear she's still fighting, but so am I.
It's hard to focus on anything but her. The Russian situation, the fractured families, all of it feels distant compared to the relief of seeing her alive. But the reality is always there, hovering in the back of my mind, reminding me that we can't hide forever.
I pace the small room, my thoughts running in circles. The door creaks open, and Matteo steps in, his expression as grim as it's been for the last few days. The Russians are splintering, and the families are moving in their own directions, trying to claim whatever territory they can. He doesn't need to say anything for me to know that things are escalating.
"She's doing better," I say before Matteo can speak, glancing at Sophia, who's resting with her eyes closed. Her breath is steady, and the faint rise and fall of her chest keeps me grounded.
Matteo gives me a nod but doesn't seem to be reassured. He moves to the chair by the window and sits down, his hands clasped in front of him.
"We can't afford to wait much longer, Alessio. The Russians are on the verge of a war. And the families aren't united. They're all playing their own game now."
I turn toward him, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "I know. I've heard the reports. The families are divided, and the Russians are in chaos. We'll handle it. But not until she's stronger." My vocal chords tighten with each word, my focus completely on Sophia.
"Alessio…" Matteo begins, his tone more cautious now. "I understand you're focused on her recovery, but we can't let this drag on any longer. The power vacuum is getting worse. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes."
"I won't put her in danger again," I say with conviction. "She's already been through too much. We'll deal with it once she's able. I won't risk losing her." My hand instinctively tightens around the edge of the chair as I stand, turning away for a moment, trying to suppress the guilt that rises in my chest.
Matteo watches me silently before speaking again, lower, more measured. "I get it. But the Russians... They won't wait forever. You need to make a choice. We either act, or we risk losing everything. Again."
I feel the weight of his words. Matteo isn't wrong, but I can't shake the fear that if we push too hard now, it might break Sophia. She's already been through hell, and I won't let her suffer more.
I look back at her, her face still pale but peaceful. She's so strong—stronger than I ever gave her credit for. But there's no way around it. The world doesn't stop for anyone, no matter how much I wish it would.
She stirs in the bed, her eyes fluttering open. She looks at me, and the vulnerability in her gaze strikes me harder than I expected.
"Alessio," she whispers, hoarse but filled with a quiet strength. "You look like you haven't slept in days."
I sit beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lightly grazing her skin. "I've been here. With you."
She gives me a small, tired smile, but the concern in her eyes doesn't fade. "You're worried about the families, aren't you?" she says softly, almost too quietly.
I'm surprised by the clarity she speaks with. "Yes," I admit. "I'm worried about everything, but I'm not leaving you."
She takes my hand, her grip weak but determined. "I'm not going anywhere, Alessio. We're in this together. You've carried this burden for long enough. Let me help."
Her words hit me harder than I expected, and for a moment, I just sit there, staring at her. The fight, the chaos, it all feels so distant with her here, alive, her hand in mine. But the reality of our situation won't let me forget it.
"You'll help," I say quietly, squeezing her hand, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "But you have to rest first. I can't lose you again, Sophia."
She looks at me for a long moment, as if weighing my words, and then nods slowly, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. "We'll take care of this together, I promise."
Her words are the lifeline I need, the reassurance that no matter what happens, we will face it side by side. But the future is still uncertain. The Russians are waiting for their moment to strike, and the families are splintering faster than we can keep track of.
Matteo stands and walks to the door, his gaze lingering on us for a moment. "Rest while you can," he says quietly, his tone laced with a hint of weariness. "Things are about to get a lot harder. And we need you both ready."
I nod, though I can't shake the feeling that we're running out of time.
Matteo leaves, and I sit back beside Sophia, my hand still in hers. The room feels too small, but at least for now, I can hold her.
I lean forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead, whispering, "We'll make it through. I won't let anything happen to you."
She smiles faintly, her eyes fluttering closed as she drifts back to sleep. I stay with her, my heart still racing, but for now, I have her beside me. And that's all that matters.