CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
T rue to his word, Stefano had provided a change of clothes on the plane for her.
He’d directed her to a shower, which Sofia had accepted only to get a few minutes to catch her breath. Stripping off, knowing the big vampire could burst through the pathetic lock on the bathroom door, had been terrifying. Yet, he’d shown no interest in her sexually from the moment she had stepped into the vehicle.
Did she feel safe? Hell no. She knew he was a calculating and untrustworthy vampire. All she could do was hope she could get the information she needed to pass onto the Morettis and never see him again in her life. Hopefully what she was doing would help find these missing vampires.
Then she could get on with her life.
It was hard to even contemplate what she wanted for her future when she wasn’t sure she would have one.
“We weren’t expecting you back so soon, Mr. Russo,” a man said. He studied her closely, taking in her jeans, sweatshirt, and running shoes.
“Sofia is one of my senior team. She has just arrived back in Italy, so I wanted her to see my most important project. This is Devon Richards,” Stefano said as the man reached out his hand to shake hers.
Devon nodded. “Of course, welcome, Sofia. Follow me.”
Sofia had no idea what the project was, as he’d refused to give her any details, saying only she needed to see it for herself. Her gut was telling her she wasn’t going to like what she found.
Devon led them down a bright hallway, pressing his thumb on a panel each time they came to a door. Finally, they entered a laboratory, and she froze. It took all her self-control not to let out a cry.
“As you can see—ah, I see Mr. Russo has not given you any advance warning,” Devon commented. “Shall I give you two a moment?”
Stefano shook his head. “That’s unnecessary. Sofia is familiar with my work. Her family has been part of our organization for generations.”
Not this kind of work.
Bile rose in the back of her throat as she stared at the vampires lying on the beds in front of her. They were hooked up to tubes and machines and looked half dead. She didn’t need any qualifications to know there were scientific tests taking place on them. Nor that they were suffering.
Never in her life had she ever dreamed this could actually happen. It was always a possibility—every vampire knew that. It was an underlying fear they had all lived with as they witnessed the horrific behavior of humans. Knowing one day humans would discover them and ultimately want to know more about them filled every young vampire with horror. She just never thought one of their own would help them to become test subjects in a laboratory.
If there ever was a vampire to do it, of course it would be Stefano Russo.
Sofia swallowed.
She had to do this. For these vampires and her own future. She mentally stepped back into her old shoes. “So, what do we have here, Mr. Russo?”
He smiled at her. Pleased.
“A business agreement that will— is —paying great dividends. Mr. Richards and his team wish to understand more about our race and how they can genetically engineer the same unique powers we have into a human being.”
“How interesting,” she said, nodding as she stared around the room. What she was actually doing was counting to ten to stop the contents of her stomach from rising.
“Mr. Russo has been fundamental in helping us learn more about your race. We believe this will help curb any fear when the truth eventually comes out. Properly,” Devon explained to her. “If we can find out how your remarkable and unique abilities work, then we can replicate them in human beings.”
So they were playing God?
Vampires didn’t believe in religion in the same way humans did, but it seemed the appropriate terminology for this situation.
“I see,” she said, nodding with a hint of interest to keep them talking.
“She has a curious mind.” Stefano smiled almost proudly. “And there is more.”
Yes. Good. Give me all the damn information , she wanted to say, so I can get out of here and never see your goddamn terrifying face again.
“Devon and his team have created a device which allows them to...shall we say, slow down vampires. Not only do I share ownership of the patent of this tool, which will soon be sold to governments around the world, but we are also beneficiaries of this research.”
“Well,” she said, swallowing. “It sounds very lucrative. You have been busy, Stefano.”
He let out a laugh. “I knew you’d be impressed. Now, Devon, update us on your latest research and let’s show Sofia around further.”
For the next twenty minutes, she followed the two males from room to room as they exchanged information. She listened and took note of everything to pass back to the Morettis.
Torn between not wanting to look and feeling she had a responsibility to acknowledge these poor souls, Sofia finally looked into one of their eyes. It was a moment she knew she’d never forget. Looking back at her was absolute terror and pain. These vampires were conscious but unable to communicate.
And it could just as easily be her. Or any of them.
And these males were walking around as if they were nothing but tools for them to profit from.
Bile rose, and she knew she had to excuse herself before she vomited.
“Gentlemen, I wonder if I could use the ladies’ room? It has been a long evening.”
Devon was all yes, yes , and led her back out into the hallway, pointing. “Walk to the end and turn right. The lights will automatically switch on.”
“ Grazie ,” she thanked him.
Sofia pushed through the door and into a cubicle where she glanced around for cameras. Finding none, she ripped miles of toilet paper out of the holder, bunching it in her hands, and then lowered her face. She let out a scream as tears fell down her face.
Her head suddenly lifted as she heard a noise.
Shit, had Stefano heard her?
Suddenly, the door of the cubicle was ripped open, and she was dragged out. It all happened so silently, she realized, seeing Craig standing in front of her, armed and frowning.
“How—?”
He held a hand up, silencing her. He eyed her up and down, then grabbed her arm. He pressed a small black dot under her watch before moving it back into place. “Do not take this off until you are home,” he whispered.
She nodded.
“Has he harmed you?” She shook her head. He nodded in return, glancing over his shoulder. “Tell me quickly what is behind those doors.”
She swallowed.
“Sofia. We have about one more minute. Speak fast.”
“Vampires,” she whispered. “Dozens of vampires with tubes, connected to machines, being tested on.”
Craig’s faced contorted in front of her eyes. She began to shake. He was an intimidating vampire at the best of times, but right now, he looked like the most dangerous male she’d ever seen. “Continue,” he commanded in a growl.
“There are more, but I don’t know where they are being kept. Yet.” She leaned over, gripping her stomach. He pulled her up. “They have a device which weakens vampires. It’s going to be distributed to governments around the world.” Sofia gagged, eyeing the sink. “You have to stop them!”
“Fuck!”
“Can you get me out of here?” she begged.
He stared at her a long moment. “No. You need to go back in and find out where the other vampires are,” Craig ordered. For a brief moment, his eyes lowered. “I’m sorry.” Then his hard glance held hers. “Keep your watch on. We have a team surrounding this facility, so you won’t be out of our sight again.”
Her eyes lowered, and she nodded.
Where was Lance, she wondered? Why was Craig here and not him? Had he given up on her now that she’d caught him out with his lies?
Craig looked at the door as if he’d heard a sound. His hand landed on her shoulder. “Go.” She took a look in the mirror and tidied her hair. “Sofia,” he added just before she opened the door. “Lance is at the perimeter, waiting.”
Her mouth fell open, then she nodded. A flood of emotions filled her as she walked back down the hall. A slice of happiness and relief, and a healthy side of confusion. Sure, it was his job, but why had Craig told her?
The door ahead of her banged open, snapping her out of her thoughts. Devon and Stefano stepped out.
“Here she is,” Devon announced.
“And we shall take our leave. Thank you for being available on such short notice,” Stefano said and stepped up to her, giving her a glance that sent shivers down her spine.
Twenty minutes later, they were back on his private jet, ready for takeoff. Stefano sat across from her, studying her.
“You seem upset,” he noted.
Think. Think. Think. What would old Sofia say?
“More like surprised,” she replied as unemotionally as she could muster.
He smiled, his eyes gleaming. “I understand. In truth, I was not fully comfortable with what I saw on my first visit.” She tried to hide the surprise from her face and failed. Stefano laughed. “I am not a complete monster, Sofia. They are vampires, just like us. And they are suffering. We both know that.”
“Yes, they are,” she agreed, glancing out the window at the black, inky sky. She wanted to ask him how he could allow such a thing. Did he have no compassion? And yet, the fact that he could even admit he saw their suffering seemed rather unusual. “So what’s next?” she asked, hoping he would tell her he had plans to disable the project.
Stefano shrugged. “Payment for the sale of the tool should begin flowing into my accounts in a week. Now that you are back, we can get the band back together and strategize a new plan to take the Moretti throne.”
Her heart sank. He was still the same evil vampire and always would be.
“You have been inside the Moretti camp, and I’m sure that will be of great benefit to us. I am looking forward to hearing what you have learned and how it can contribute to some of my ideas.”
She forced a smile and nodded.
“We will begin next week. I will take you home tonight, but Sofia”—he leaned forward—“I have a proposition for you.” Her eyes met his and he took her hand. He smirked. “I know I was rough with you when we were last together.” Fear laced through her body, and she was unable to stop her tremble. He smiled. “I know, I felt the same. It was thrilling.”
God, he was mistaking her reaction for lust.
“It was a surprise,” she said, fighting her powerful need to get as far away from him as possible.
Suddenly, she wished Lance was here. She closed her eyes and imagined his powerful arms around her, his lips on her forehead.
Stefano squeezed her hand, bringing her back to the present. “I want you to move in with me.”
You what now?
Her mouth dropped open.
He tilted his head. “I know we’re not mates, but hear me out,” he said, his voice laced with authority. “Together, we would be a powerful couple. Our families would be pleased, as would be the rebellion. It would be a show of strength that benefits us both.”
In her past life, before he’d raped her, she might have seen reason in this. She may have even felt honored by a vampire of his standing wanting to partner with her. Sofia didn’t consider herself a romantic female, but even she knew their kind didn’t fake relationships. The idea was absurd at best.
Closing her mouth, she reminded herself this was all a game and all she had to do was buy herself some time.
“My goodness, Stefano,” she said, ripping her hand out of his and letting it fly to her mouth. All Gone with the Wind, Southern female style. “You’ve totally taken me by surprise.”
He sat back, proud of himself. “I realize you will want to take some time to consider. Talk to your father.”
She nodded assertively. “Oh yes, I must.”
He then shrugged. “And if one of us should meet our mate, we will deal with that should the need arise.”
“I assume you’re living in the Rome Russo mansion,” she inquired as innocently as she could. He stared at her a long moment, his face blank, but she saw the distrust in his eyes. He didn’t completely trust anyone, so she had to be very careful here. “It’s just, a female likes to know where she might set up her home...should she agree to such an offer.” She smiled sexily at him.
It worked. To some degree.
“No,” he answered, a glint in his eye. “But you’ll be more than pleased with the new accommodations I have. And you shall want for nothing, Sofia.”
She smiled.
“You have a week to give me your answer,” he informed, harsher, before his eyes dropped to her body, and she saw what he’d been attempting to hide. Lust. He’d done a good job of playing the gentleman, but as soon as she agreed, Sofia knew she was giving away all her power and rights.
He was simply setting her up to have her as his forever. Whenever he wanted.
An hour later, Stefano walked her to the door of her apartment moments before the sun rose. “One week, Sofia.” He kissed her hand and teleported away.
She ran into her bathroom and vomited.