67. Chapter Sixty-Seven
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Mariella
I walk down the long corridor to Sofia’s room, eager to see her. We returned to Rome this morning. Don De Marco was stable enough to be transported to a hospital here, and Mateo went with him to ensure his brother was as safe and well looked after as possible.
I wanted to stay with Teo, but he insisted I return to Carloso, where it’s safer. We’re still in the dark about who fired the shots that put the De Marco empire in jeopardy, and until we figure it out, everyone is on high alert. The need to minimize exposure is critical.
Teo won’t take any chances when it comes to my safety. I shudder, knowing he’s exposing himself to danger just by being out and about.
I wish there was some good news.
The hunt for a lung donor has been unsuccessful so far. According to Teo, Uberto is pulling every string he can, and official medical channels are working tirelessly. But Gualtiero’s rare blood type makes finding a match nearly impossible.
My stomach knots at what that means.
I check my phone for updates from Teo. Nothing. The unease pressing against my ribs only grows.
Spending time with Sofia will be a good distraction.
I enter the code to her cell and push the door open, only to collide with a solid chest.
“Ahh!” I stumble backward, surprised as hell to see a guard leaving the room.
Thank God I’m not carrying a tray, or the food would be all over me, him, and the floor.
He brushes past me, muttering, “ Scusi , Signorina Agosti,” before disappearing down the corridor.
I frown after him. Since when are men allowed in Sofia’s room?
What was he doing in there?
Oh no. What if he…
Panic grips me, and I rush in, only to find Sofia sitting cross-legged on her bed, sipping water. Rosy cheeks, glowing skin, I know that look. I’ve had that look.
No. Way.
“Did you have sex with that guard?” The words fly out before I can stop them.
Sofia hisses, tapping a finger to her lips. “Shh. Cameras.” She motions to the corners. “They might be back on. I don’t want to get Davide into trouble.”
I blink at her. “Davide?” I whisper back, stealing a glance at the camera. The red light isn’t blinking.
She grins. “Yes, Davide. He’s cute, isn’t he? He’s the one who mostly watches the monitors.” She tilts her head, studying me. “And where have you been? You disappeared for over a week.”
I shake my head. “That’s… I don’t even…” My brain stutters, still catching up. “How long have you been hooking up with him? And how? I’ve been gone eight days. How can so much change?”
Why am I asking this? I’ve seen firsthand how much life can shift in an instant.
“Well, those eight days felt like forever. Where the heck did you go? You could’ve at least said goodbye. Your visits are the highlight of my day. Okay, well, one of them.” She nudges me playfully with her shoulder. “And Davide, well, he got a boner watching me do yoga and thought he’d do something about it.”
God, she’s direct.
I tense. “Did he force himself on you? Because I swear, if he did—”
“What? No. Trust me, it was mutual and fun. I haven’t had sex in ages, and it’s a great way to pass the time. Stress relief, you know?” She smirks, then leans in closer, dropping her voice even lower. “Plus, I’m hoping he’ll help me get out of this hellhole.”
My spine stiffens. “Wait. What ?”
She’s using him?
Sofia smirks, clearly enjoying my reaction.
I gape at her. “You’re planning an escape?”
She rolls her eyes. “Of course I am. I’m not just going to sit here and rot. I need to get out, Mari.”
My stomach clenches. “Sofia, I get that. But it’s too dangerous.” I lower my voice, gripping her wrist. “If they catch you—”
“They won’t. With Don De Marco shot, nobody’s going to care if I disappear. When Mateo takes over, he’ll have far bigger fish to fry.”
“You know about the shooting?” I gape at her. “How?”
She rolls her eyes dramatically. “Davide, of course.”
I exhale sharply. “Jesus. He told you?”
She winks. “You’d be amazed what a little pillow talk can do. Plus, I pose no threat to anyone.”
Unbelievable.
She must have him wrapped around her finger if a sworn-to-secrecy guard is spilling intel to a more-or-less prisoner.
“So,” she presses, “answer my question. Where were you?”
“What? Your personal informant didn’t tell you?”
“Well, nobody seemed to have a clue where Mateo disappeared to. But he did mention that you left with him.” Then her gaze drops to my hand, and her mouth falls open.
“Are you kidding me?” She grabs my hand, holding it up to inspect the diamond sparkling on my finger.
Her wide eyes snap to mine. “Are you fricking kidding me?” she repeats, more forcefully this time. “He proposed to you?”
Despite everything else going on, I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face.
“He did,” I say, a little proudly. “It’s all a bit surreal.”
“So, is this some kind of arranged deal, or are you two actually an item?”
Arranged deal? Seriously? As if I’d go for something like that with him.
“I love him,” I say, my voice firm. “I always have.”
She looks at me, stunned.
“And he?”
My smile widens. I should be used to the idea by now, but sometimes, I still want to pinch myself.
“He feels the same.”
Sofia stares at me, shaking her head slightly, as if trying to process it.
“Wow. Just… wow.”
She leans back, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. Then she grins.
“Your father will be pleased. Especially if Mateo takes over as Don. Having a daughter married to the man in charge? That ought to tick all his boxes.”
The mention of my father makes my smile fade. His ambitions are the last thing I want on my mind. But sooner or later, I’ll have to face them, and I fear it’ll be sooner than I’m ready for.
I haven’t seen or heard from him since that first day in the hospital in Sicily. I expected more demands, more threats, but his silence is brewing like a storm waiting to break. And that troubles me.
Ignoring Sofia’s comment, I say, “Don De Marco isn’t dead yet. And Mateo doesn’t want the role.”
She scoffs. “He might not have much choice. Besides, why wouldn’t he want it? He’d be the most powerful man in Italy. He should embrace it.” She plucks at a piece of lint on her shirt and mutters, “I sure would.”
I frown. “Why would you want that?”
“Power gets you things.” She gives me a meaningful look. “Freedom, money, influence. It’s something we, as women in the Mafia, can only dream of.”
I hesitate. “It also comes with a huge amount of responsibility. I wouldn’t want that.” And from what I’ve learned, neither does Mateo.
She nudges me. “Imagine, though, no longer being a marionette for your father, or any man, for that matter. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be fully your own woman? And have everyone do your bidding?”
I must look skeptical because she chuckles. “You’re in love. Everything’s tinted with rose-colored glasses right now. But trust me, having power is…”
She trails off, lost in thought.
“Sofia?” I prompt. “It’s what?”
Shaking her head, she finally says, “Never mind.”
Her face lights up mischievously. “Now, tell me about Mateo’s proposal. Was it romantic? I need details. Spill.”
An hour later, I leave Sofia’s room, my mind still turning over our conversation.
The lasagna I made for Mateo should be ready by now. Giulia promised to take it out of the oven for me. Now I just need Mateo home.
Should I call him? I hesitate. If he’s still with Gualtiero, I don’t want to disturb them. A text is better.
Me: How is your brother?
A few moments pass before my phone vibrates.
Mateo: No change. He’s stable, though. That’s something. Especially after the transfer from Sicily.
Me: I’m glad.
Knowing Gualtiero is holding steady eases some of my anxiety, but it also deepens my need to look after Mateo. He’s carrying the weight of la famiglia , shouldering the full burden of business while an uncertain future looms over him. He needs to stay strong.
Romeo has taken on as much as he can to lighten the load, but there’s only so much he can do.
I tap out another message.
Me: Time to come home, amore . You need a good meal and a rest. I made your favorite lasagna. Let me take care of you now.