The Devil's Vow

Chapter 15 - The Woman in the Shadows

The screen went black.

For several seconds, nobody moved.

Sofia could still hear the woman's voice in her head.

They're finally starting to remember.

She looked at Alessandro.

"Someone is watching us."

"I know."

"No." She shook her head. "I mean right now."

Alessandro's expression hardened.

"Luca."

"I'm checking the system."

Luca moved quickly to the security console.

Sofia remained beside Alessandro.

Her fingers were still intertwined with his.

Neither seemed willing to let go.

"How long?" she whispered.

"What?"

"How long have they been watching?"

"I don't know."

"Could they have been watching us at the villa?"

"Possibly."

"And the theatre?"

"Probably."

Sofia's stomach tightened.

"Then they heard everything."

Alessandro looked at her.

"Not everything."

"How do you know?"

"Because if they had heard everything, we'd already have a problem."

She gave him a nervous smile.

"That is somehow not comforting."

"I wasn't trying to comfort you."

"I know."

His thumb moved across her hand.

"But you're trying."

His eyes softened.

"Yes."

Before Sofia could answer, Luca turned around.

"I found something."

Alessandro released Sofia's hand and crossed the room.

"What?"

"The camera that transmitted the feed wasn't connected to the safe-house system."

"Then how did it get here?"

"It was installed independently."

"By whom?"

Luca shook his head.

"I don't know yet."

Sofia stepped closer.

"Can you trace the signal?"

"Not anymore."

"Why?"

"Whoever was watching cut the connection."

Alessandro stared at the screen.

"Then they know we've discovered them."

Luca nodded.

"Which means they'll move."

Sofia felt a chill.

"Move where?"

No one answered.

Then Luca's phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

"Unknown number."

Alessandro held out his hand.

"Give it to me."

Luca answered and placed it on speaker.

For several seconds, there was nothing but static.

Then a woman's voice came through.

"Sofia."

Her heart stopped.

She knew that voice.

"Mom?"

Alessandro's eyes immediately went to her.

Her mother's voice sounded frightened.

"You shouldn't have gone to the mausoleum."

Sofia stepped closer to the phone.

"Where are you?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why?"

"Because they're listening."

Sofia's voice trembled.

"Who?"

A pause.

Then her mother whispered,

"Matteo isn't working alone."

Alessandro's expression hardened.

"Who is he working for?"

Static.

Then her mother spoke again.

"The man your father trusted most."

Sofia's blood ran cold.

"Who?"

The call ended.

Sofia stared at the phone.

"Call her back."

Luca tried.

Nothing.

Again.

Nothing.

Alessandro took the phone.

"She's gone."

Sofia turned toward him.

"What does she mean by my father's most trusted man?"

"I don't know."

She stared at him.

"You really don't?"

"I don't."

She searched his face.

This time, she believed him.

"Then we find out."

He nodded.

"We will."

---

An hour later, Sofia stood alone on the balcony.

The city stretched beneath her.

Lights shimmered across the water.

She should have been terrified.

Instead, she felt strangely calm.

Perhaps because she finally understood something.

She wasn't running anymore.

For eleven years, everyone had made decisions for her.

Her father had hidden the truth.

Her mother had disappeared.

Alessandro had protected her without telling her why.

Even Gabriel had returned with secrets instead of answers.

But now Sofia had a choice.

She could keep waiting for people to explain her life to her.

Or she could find the answers herself.

The balcony door opened.

She didn't turn.

"I knew you'd come."

Alessandro stepped beside her.

"How?"

"You're predictable."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm offended."

She smiled.

"You shouldn't be."

He leaned against the railing.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Sofia said,

"Do you regret finding me?"

His eyes moved toward her.

"No."

"Even after everything?"

"No."

"Why?"

He looked out at the city.

"Because I spent eleven years wondering if you were safe."

Sofia's chest tightened.

"You thought about me?"

"More than I should have."

She turned toward him.

"How often?"

He looked at her.

"Every time someone mentioned the Moretti name."

"That's a lot."

"Yes."

She smiled.

"Did you ever wonder what I looked like?"

"I remembered."

She laughed softly.

"I was fourteen."

"I know."

"Then you remembered a child."

"At first."

She looked at him.

"And now?"

He didn't answer.

He didn't need to.

The way he looked at her answered for him.

Sofia's breath caught.

She stepped closer.

"So what do you see now?"

His gaze dropped to her lips.

"A woman who makes my life considerably more difficult."

She laughed.

"That's not very romantic."

"I'm not good at romantic."

"I've noticed."

He smiled.

Then his expression became serious.

"I see someone stronger than the girl I remember."

Her smile faded.

"And?"

"Someone I trust."

She swallowed.

"That's important."

"Very."

"More than attraction?"

His eyes remained on hers.

"Much more."

Something warm spread through her.

She reached for his hand.

He allowed her fingers to slip between his.

Neither spoke.

Then Sofia whispered,

"Alessandro?"

"Yes?"

"That kiss earlier..."

His expression changed.

"What about it?"

"I've been thinking about it."

"So have I."

She smiled.

"Good."

He stepped closer.

"Why?"

"Because I want another one."

For once, Alessandro looked genuinely surprised.

"You do?"

"Yes."

He leaned toward her.

"Then ask."

Sofia's eyes narrowed.

"You're making me ask?"

"I want to hear you say it."

She smiled.

"Kiss me."

He did.

Slowly.

Gently.

No urgency.

No desperation.

Just a kiss that lingered long enough for Sofia to feel her heartbeat change.

When they separated, his forehead rested against hers.

"This is a terrible idea."

Sofia smiled.

"Probably."

"You aren't worried?"

"I am."

"Then why are you smiling?"

"Because I'm beginning to think some terrible ideas are worth having."

His quiet laugh warmed her.

Then a sharp sound came from inside the house.

Both turned.

A gunshot.

Alessandro immediately pushed Sofia behind him.

"Luca!"

No answer.

He drew his weapon.

"Sofia, stay here."

She grabbed his arm.

"No."

He looked at her.

"I'm coming with you."

"Absolutely not."

"I'm tired of hiding."

"This isn't hiding."

"Then don't leave me behind."

His eyes locked with hers.

For a moment, he seemed ready to argue.

Then he nodded.

"Stay close."

They entered the house.

The lights were still on.

Everything looked untouched.

Then they saw Luca.

He was standing in the hallway.

His weapon was drawn.

But he wasn't looking at them.

He was staring at the front door.

It stood open.

On the floor was a single envelope.

Black.

Red seal.

Sofia immediately recognized it.

"The same symbol."

Alessandro approached carefully.

He picked it up.

Inside was a photograph.

Not of Sofia.

Not of her parents.

This time, it was Alessandro.

Sixteen years old.

Standing outside the hospital where Sofia had been taken after the harbour incident.

And beside him was a man.

Sofia looked closer.

She recognized him.

Her father's trusted friend.

The same man who had been standing beside Matteo in an old family photograph.

Her voice barely came out.

"Alessandro..."

He looked at the photograph.

His face went completely still.

Sofia looked at him.

"You knew him."

Alessandro didn't deny it.

"Yes."

"Who is he?"

He swallowed.

"His name is Adrian Vale."

"And what was he to my father?"

Alessandro looked at her.

"He was more than your father's friend."

A beat of silence.

"He was the man my father trusted with everything."

Sofia stared at the photograph.

Then she looked at Alessandro.

"And he's the man my mother just warned us about."

Alessandro's expression hardened.

"Which means we finally know where to start looking."

Outside, somewhere in the darkness beyond the gates, a car engine started.

Then disappeared into the night.