Chapter 4 - The Price of Protection
1296 Words
The gunshot echoed through the estate.
Sofia flinched.
Alessandro didn't.
He was already moving.
Within seconds, he had pulled her behind him, one hand settling against her waist as he guided her away from the windows.
"Stay here."
"Alessandro—"
"Don't move."
His voice wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
There was something in it that made Sofia obey.
Luca appeared from the corridor, weapon already in his hand.
"East side."
Alessandro nodded.
"How many?"
"One shot. No movement since."
"Find them."
Luca disappeared.
Sofia stared at Alessandro's back.
He was completely still, listening.
She could feel the tension running through him.
"Was that meant for me?"
His head turned slightly.
"I don't know."
"That's not reassuring."
"I wasn't trying to reassure you."
She folded her arms.
"You really are terrible at this."
"At what?"
"Making people feel safe."
His eyes met hers.
"I keep people safe. I don't make them feel safe."
Before she could answer, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
"Marco."
He answered.
"Talk."
Sofia watched his expression change as he listened.
"Where?"
A pause.
"How long?"
Another pause.
"Don't touch anything."
He ended the call.
"What happened?"
"Someone was watching the house."
Her stomach dropped.
"From where?"
"The trees."
"Did they catch them?"
"No."
"Then what did they find?"
Alessandro looked toward the terrace.
"A cigarette."
Sofia frowned.
"That's it?"
"Still warm."
The implications settled between them.
Someone had been close enough to watch the house.
Close enough to see her arrive.
Close enough to know she was here.
Sofia swallowed.
"Maybe I should leave."
Alessandro looked at her.
"No."
"You just said someone is watching this place."
"Exactly."
"Then why would staying be safer?"
"Because if they're watching the house, they already know where you are."
His voice lowered.
"And I'd rather they know you're here with me."
She didn't like the way those words made her heart beat faster.
"Why?"
"Because they'll understand what that means."
"And what does it mean?"
His eyes remained fixed on hers.
"It means they have to come through me."
The words should have frightened her.
Instead, something warm and confusing moved through her chest.
She looked away.
"You're very dramatic."
"I've been called worse."
She almost smiled.
Almost.
Alessandro noticed.
She knew he did because his expression softened for the briefest moment.
Then footsteps sounded behind them.
Luca returned.
"We're clear."
Alessandro nodded.
"Good."
Luca looked at Sofia.
Then at Alessandro.
"We should talk."
"Later."
"It's important."
Alessandro's jaw tightened.
"Later."
Luca nodded and walked away.
Sofia watched him go.
"Your people seem terrified of you."
"They respect me."
"That's not what I said."
"No."
He looked at her.
"But it's close."
She shook her head.
"I don't understand you."
"You don't have to."
"I think I do."
He stepped closer.
"Why?"
"Because I'm starting to think you aren't the person everyone says you are."
Something flickered across his face.
"And who do they say I am?"
"The devil."
A faint smile appeared.
"Do you believe them?"
Sofia looked into his eyes.
"I'm still deciding."
"Be careful."
"Why?"
"Because you might like what you find."
The air between them changed.
Sofia became suddenly aware of how close he was.
Close enough that she could see the tiny droplets of rain still clinging to his hair.
Close enough to feel the warmth of him.
His gaze dropped briefly to her mouth.
It was quick.
Barely a second.
But she saw it.
And he knew she saw it.
Neither moved.
Then Sofia stepped back.
"We need to find the ledger."
Alessandro's jaw tightened slightly.
"Yes."
"Tomorrow?"
"Tonight."
She stared at him.
"You just said it was dangerous."
"It is."
"And we're going anyway?"
"Yes."
She exhaled.
"You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
He turned toward the hallway.
Sofia followed.
They reached the staircase.
She stepped onto the first stair.
Her heel caught the edge.
She stumbled.
Alessandro's hand caught her waist immediately.
Sofia's palm landed against his chest.
For a moment, neither moved.
His hand was firm against her waist.
Her fingers rested against the fabric of his shirt.
She could feel his heartbeat beneath her palm.
It wasn't as steady as his expression suggested.
Sofia looked up.
He was watching her.
Neither spoke.
Then she quietly said, "You can let go now."
His eyes remained on hers.
"I know."
But he didn't.
Not immediately.
His thumb moved once against the fabric at her waist.
A tiny touch.
Barely anything.
Yet Sofia felt it everywhere.
Finally, he released her.
She straightened her coat.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She climbed the stairs.
After a few steps, she glanced back.
Alessandro was still watching her.
Their eyes met.
Neither looked away.
Not this time.
---
An hour later, Sofia stood in Alessandro's study while Luca and Marco spread maps across the desk.
Marco was the first person she'd met who seemed completely unafraid of Alessandro.
He was younger, perhaps late twenties, with the same dark eyes but a more relaxed manner.
He looked at Sofia.
"So you're the reason my brother has forgotten how to sleep."
Alessandro glared at him.
"Marco."
"What?"
"Enough."
Marco smiled.
Sofia tried not to laugh.
"Nice to meet you too."
Marco's smile widened.
"I like her."
"You've known her for thirty seconds."
"That's longer than most people need."
Alessandro's expression darkened.
Marco laughed.
"Relax. I'm teasing."
Sofia looked between them.
"Are you always like this?"
"Unfortunately," Alessandro said.
"Fortunately," Marco corrected.
A map was pushed toward Sofia.
Marco tapped a location.
"The old Moretti estate."
Sofia's breath caught.
"My grandparents' property?"
"You know it?"
"Of course. It was sold after my father disappeared."
Alessandro looked at the map.
"Who bought it?"
Sofia thought.
"I don't remember."
Marco looked at Alessandro.
"That's the problem."
"What?"
"The property was never sold."
Sofia frowned.
"What?"
Marco turned the document around.
"The deed still belongs to Antonio Moretti."
Silence.
Sofia stared at the paper.
Her father's name.
Still there.
Eleven years after his disappearance.
Her hands trembled.
"Then who has been living there?"
Alessandro's expression hardened.
"We're going to find out."
He folded the map.
"Get the cars ready."
Sofia looked at him.
"I’m coming."
"I know."
He walked toward the door.
She followed.
As they reached the hallway, Sofia caught his sleeve.
He stopped.
She hadn't meant to touch him.
She hadn't even realized she'd done it.
His gaze dropped to her fingers around his sleeve.
Then lifted to her face.
"I need to ask you something."
"Ask."
"If we find my father's ledger..."
She hesitated.
"What happens to me?"
Alessandro's expression softened.
"Nothing."
"That's not an answer."
He stepped closer.
"You asked what happens to you if we find it."
His voice became quieter.
"You stay alive."
Sofia held his gaze.
"And if I don't want your protection?"
"Then I'll protect you from a distance."
She smiled faintly.
"That sounds impossible."
"It probably is."
Their eyes locked.
For one heartbeat, neither moved.
Then Alessandro leaned down.
Sofia's breath caught.
His lips brushed hers.
Just once.
A brief, stolen kiss.
Gone almost before she could understand it had happened.
He stepped back.
Sofia stared at him.
"You—"
"I know."
She touched her lips.
"You kissed me."
"Yes."
"Why?"
His eyes held hers.
"I wanted to."
Then he walked away.
Sofia remained in the hallway, stunned.
Her heart was racing.
And for the first time since Alessandro De Luca had entered her life, she had absolutely no idea what to say.
Behind her, Marco's amused voice drifted from the study.
"Finally."
Alessandro's voice followed.
"Not one word."
Sofia couldn't help it.
She smiled.
Just a little.
And somewhere deep inside her, beneath the fear and confusion and unanswered questions, something dangerous had begun.
Something neither of them was ready to name.
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