Chapter 19
Sofia
My heart is still pounding from the moment in the basement—from how close Dante and I came to... something. But I don't have time to analyze what just happened or what it means. I need to focus.
I race back upstairs, my mind spinning with possibilities. Dante is heading back to the city for an emergency meeting. With Vito. About me. I know it in my bones.
I find Gianna and Elena in the living room, both of them looking up expectantly when I burst through the door.
"Well?" Elena whispers. "Did you get caught?"
"Yes, but that's not important right now." I grab Gianna's arm, pulling her into the hallway where we can't be overheard. "Dante just got a call from Rafa. Emergency meeting in the city. He has to leave right now."
Gianna's eyes widen. "They're going to be talking about you."
"Exactly. This could be it—this could be them deciding to hand me over. I need to know what they're planning."
"Sofia, you can't seriously be thinking—"
"I need to get back to the city," I interrupt. "I need to hear what they're saying."
Elena joins us in the hallway, having caught the tail end of our conversation. "Are you insane? Dante will kill you if he finds you."
"Not if I don't get caught." I look between them, desperation creeping into my voice. "This is my life they're discussing. Don't I have a right to know what they're planning to do with me?"
Gianna runs a hand through her hair, looking conflicted. "Even if we agreed to help, how would you get there? Dante's taking the car."
"That's where you two come in." I take a deep breath, the plan forming in my mind as I speak. "I hide in his car. You distract him while I get in."
"Hide in his car?" Elena stares at me like I've lost my mind. "Sofia, that's—"
"Brilliant," Gianna finishes, a slow grin spreading across her face. "Actually, that might work. He'll be focused on getting back quickly, and he won't expect you to be stupid enough to hide in the backseat."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"You know what I mean." Gianna is already moving toward the window, checking the driveway. "His car is parked right outside. If we time this right..."
Elena shakes her head. "This is crazy. You're all crazy. When Dante finds out we helped—"
"He won't," I say firmly. "Because he's not going to find out. I'll slip out of the car before he comes back, and you'll cover for me here."
"And if you get caught at the meeting?"
I shrug, trying to project more confidence than I feel. "Then at least I'll know what they decided before they drag me kicking and screaming to the altar."
Gianna checks her watch. "We need to move fast. He'll be leaving any minute."
Through the window, I can see Dante emerging from the house, his phone pressed to his ear. He looks tense, focused—which is perfect for what we're planning.
"Okay," Gianna says, taking charge. "Elena, you're going to go out front and ask him about the security rotation or something. Keep him talking and facing away from the car. Sofia, you'll go around back and approach from the other side."
"What if the car is locked?"
"It won't be. He's in a hurry, and he's only going to be gone a few hours. Besides, this is a secure location—he won't think he needs to lock it."
Elena still looks skeptical. "And what's our story when he gets back and realizes Sofia is missing?"
"She went for a walk around the property," Gianna says smoothly. "Fell asleep in the garden. Food poisoning. We'll figure something out."
I grab both their hands. "Thank you. Both of you. I know this is risky—"
"We're family," Gianna interrupts. "Dysfunctional, crazy family, but family. We stick together."
Elena sighs dramatically but nods. "Fine. But if we all end up dead, I'm haunting both of you."
We move quickly and quietly toward the front of the house. Through the window, I can see Dante pacing by his car, still on the phone. He's wearing that dark expression I've come to recognize—the one that means business.
"Okay," Gianna whispers. "Elena, you're up. Sofia, wait for my signal, then move."
Elena takes a deep breath and walks out the front door, immediately drawing Dante's attention. I can't hear what she's saying from inside, but she's gesturing animatedly.
Perfect.
Gianna nods at me, and I slip out the back door, keeping low as I circle around the house. My heart is hammering so hard I'm surprised everyone in a three-mile radius can't hear it.
The car is a sleek black sedan, and thankfully, Gianna was right—it's unlocked. I can hear Elena's voice carrying from the front of the car, something about guard rotations and security protocols. Dante's responses are curt, impatient, but he's engaged enough to keep his back turned.
I ease the rear passenger door open and slide inside, immediately dropping to the floor behind the driver's seat. The car smells like leather and Dante's cologne, and I have to fight the urge to think about how close we were in the basement just minutes ago.
Through the window, I can see Elena wrapping up her conversation. She gestures toward the house, and Dante nods curtly before hanging up his phone.
I hear his footsteps approaching the car, and I press myself as low as possible, trying to make myself invisible behind the seat. The driver's door opens, and the car dips slightly as Dante gets in.
"Finally," he mutters under his breath, starting the engine.
As we pull away from the safehouse, I allow myself a small smile of triumph.
Phase one complete. Now I just have to survive the drive into the city without being discovered, somehow get close enough to the meeting to hear what's being discussed, and then figure out how to run where no one can find me.
Simple, right?
The car hits a bump in the road, and I have to bite my lip to keep from making a sound. This is either the smartest thing I've ever done or the stupidest.
But as we drive toward whatever fate Vito and his inner circle are deciding for me, I know I'd rather face the consequences of my own choices than sit passively while others determine my future.
Even if one of those choices might get me killed.
Even if it means I'm trapped in a car with the man who makes me question everything I thought I knew about myself.
I just hope I can stay hidden long enough to find out what I'm really up against.