Lucian sat in his office.
Morning light cut through the curtains.
He stared at the phone for a while before dialing.
Marco stood nearby, waiting.
“Boss,” Marco said. “You sure about this?”
Lucian said, “Yes. She needs someone around her. Someone normal.”
The call rang twice before a woman’s voice answered.
“Hello?”
Lucian said, “Sofia?”
There was a pause. “Who’s this?”
“Lucian DeLuca,” he said simply.
Silence followed.
Then Sofia said, her tone unsure, “Lucian… Elena’s Lucian?”
“Yes,” he said. “I need to talk to you.”
Sofia’s voice lowered. “Why are you calling me?”
Lucian said, “Because Elena needs company. You’re her friend. She trusts you.”
Sofia hesitated. “I don’t think I should—”
Lucian cut her off softly. “I’ll pay you.”
Sofia frowned. “Pay me?”
“Yes,” he said. “Y
