Chapter 18
Isit in my study, staring at the flames dancing in my fireplace.
I haven't changed from the gala, and I don't care to.
The amber liquid in the glass I hold swirls as I shake my head, trying to wipe the images of Luca and Sofia from my thoughts.
Once he appeared, I had to leave. I couldn't stay.
I was afraid I would have done something.
I feel something rise in me, something unfamiliar—a feeling I don't quite recognize. It's a mixture of rage, helplessness, and…
Jealousy?
What's mine, I usually take, but this is so different from anything I've ever experienced.
I take another sip, letting the whiskey burn a path down my throat. It's the only warmth I feel right now because, ever since that night with Sofia, a coldness has settled deep in my bones. She's gotten under my skin, clouded my thoughts, and fucked with my head.
I can't get that night out of my mind—the way she responded to me, the way she felt against me.
That night should've been sex. I should've taken what I wanted from her and walked away.
But instead, I claimed her as my own, and now here I am, brooding, unable to shake the memory of her soft skin and her taste on my lips.
Why did I allow myself to fall for a woman like this?
My phone buzzes on the table, pulling me out of my thoughts. It's Enzo. If he's calling me during the gala, then it can only mean one thing—the Russians are going to strike. It was only a matter of time; they won't let Ivan's nephew's death go unanswered. Retaliation was always coming.
"Hello," I answer, my voice steady.
"Are you here?"
"No, I went home for the night."
"I'll get straight to it, as I'm pressed for time. The Russians are making their move. They plan to hit one of our warehouses tomorrow night."
"Do we know which one?"
"Word is P-13 or P-21."
"Okay, and what would you like me to do?"
"Handle it. Make them regret ever stepping foot on our territory."
A dark smile crosses my face. This is the perfect thing to clear my head. This is what I do best. "Consider it done."
I end the call and lean back in my chair to start racking my brain on how I can prepare myself for the Russians' advance.
As I stare at the flames, I suddenly smell Sofia's scent. I look around the room foolishly, looking for her. I get another flash of her scent, and I realize it's coming from my jacket. I lift the sleeve she was holding to my nose and inhale; her perfume washes over me.
It's intoxicating, stirring a primal need within me. I feel my chest tighten as I instantly recall the taste of her lips, the softness of her skin, and the way she held my arm tonight.
I feel myself getting aroused, and the desire to stroke my cock comes to mind. I slide my hand down and feel myself. I go to unzip my pants when there's a knock at the door.
"Excuse me, sir," my housekeeper says.
My hands scramble, and I straighten up.
"Yeah," I say and clear my throat, "Yes, Lydia, what is it?"
"I'm heading home for the night. I'll be back in the morning. Left you a sandwich on the kitchen counter," she says from the other side of the door.
"Thank you. Have a good night."
I hear her footsteps walk down the hall and then disappear.
I stand and begin pacing the floor.
I can't continue like this. There has to be a way to have her. There has to be something I can do.
I need to find a way to free her from Luca without causing issues with the family.
An idea starts forming in my mind, risky yet necessary solution. I’ll have to confront Luca directly. Make him understand that Sofia belongs with me. He should know better than to stand between a man and what's his - and Sofia is mine. Has been since the moment I saw her.
My heart rate increases at the thought. It's a dangerous gamble because if he refuses.
I can't think about what I'd do right now.
I continue pacing as I consider how to approach this with Luca. It needs to be done carefully, though every fiber of my being wants to rip her away from him. He has Isabella. He doesn't need Sofia. Doesn't deserve her. Let him find another woman to keep caged up at the Capstone.
He doesn't burn for her the way I do, but I can't let him see that. Luca's been known to be spiteful just for the sake of it. I've seen him do it many times. I need to stay controlled, calculated. But how? How do I face him without revealing just how deeply she's gotten under my skin?
Maybe I don’t? Maybe I just talk to him man to man?
My grip tightens around the glass. The thought of him simply standing too close to her makes my blood boil. The way he looks at her, touches her. Dammit, I want to tear him apart for standing in my way.
I hurl my glass across the room, shattering it against the wall.
I want Sofia.
I want her heart.
I want her body.
I want her soul.
For now, however, I need to focus, or I won't get the chance to do anything.
The Russians are going to attack one of our warehouses, and I need to prepare.
I gave Enzo my word. I will handle this and then speak with Luca.
He'll either agree to let me have Sofia, or, well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.