SOLD TO THE MAFIA KING: THE DELUCA BRIDE

Trapped with them

Sophia POV

The silence after the gunshot felt really heavy. It was even heavier than the chaos that came before it.

The attacker lay on the church floor not moving. Blood was spreading slowly under him. Guards rushed past us with their guns up checking every corner of the church.. I already knew they wouldn't find the person who did it.

The person who fired the shot was already gone.

Luca kept looking at the broken stained-glass window for a second. Then he turned around.

"Close every exit."

His voice wasn't loud.

It didn't need to be.

In a second every De Luca guard moved right away.

"No one leaves this church until we know every guest is safe."

"Yes Boss."

I looked at him.

For the time since I met him he didn't look like the quiet man who sat through a forced wedding without saying much.

He looked like the man everyone in Sicily was afraid of.

Vincent walked over away.

"The perimeter is already secure."

"Good," Luca said. "If the shooter is still nearby I want him found."

"It'll be done."

Vincent disappeared without saying another word.

People were still whispering around us.

Some stared at the attacker.

Others stared at me.

I could hear my last name being passed around.

"Rossi."

"Did you hear what he said?"

"He blamed the Rossis."

"They started this."

I got angry. Clenched my fists.

"They're looking at me, " I said.

"They're looking for someone to blame, " Luca said.

I turned to him sharply.

"You sound like you're defending me."

"I'm just telling you the truth."

Before I could say anything Matteo pushed through the crowd.

"Sophia!"

He grabbed my shoulders away.

"Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"I said I'm fine."

He let out a breath and pulled me into a hug.

For a moment...

I let him.

Because after everything that happened today I needed to know that least one person I loved was still alive.

Rosa hurried over a second later.

Her face was pale.

"We're leaving, " she said. " Now."

"I agree, " Matteo said.

"So do I."

Rosa looked at me.

"We'll pack tonight. We'll leave Palermo before sunrise."

For one second...

That sounded perfect.

Then Luca spoke.

"No."

Rosa frowned.

"What?"

"You're not leaving."

She laughed bitterly.

"Who's going to stop us?"

"I am."

The church became quiet again.

Rosa's expression got hard.

"You don't own us."

"No, " Luca said calmly.

"I own the contract she signed."

Everyone looked at me.

My stomach felt tight.

I hated that he was right.

"I signed because your family threatened my brother."

"Your brother is still alive."

The words were simple.

The meaning behind them wasn't.

My heartbeat got faster.

He didn't have to say the rest.

If I walked away now...

That could change.

Matteo stepped in front of me.

"Shes coming home with us."

Luca looked at him without any emotion.

"You should take your aunt home."

"I'm taking my sister."

"No."

Matteo's jaw got tight.

"You think I'm scared of you?"

"I don't care whether you are."

The answer was cold.

"You walking out of this church changes nothing."

"What does that mean?"

"It means your sister signed a recognized marriage contract this morning."

"It was forced."

"It was witnessed."

Matteo looked at me.

"Sophia..."

I couldn't meet his eyes.

Because I knew what Luca was really saying.

The contract wasn't what was trapping me.

The threat was.

Luca stepped closer until a few feet separated us.

"You have two choices."

I folded my arms.

"I'm listening."

"You walk into one of my cars willingly."

". If I don't?"

His expression never changed.

"I don't repeat threats."

I felt a chill.

He didn't need to say more.

I understood him perfectly.

I hated that I did.

Rosa grabbed my hand.

"Don't go."

My chest felt tight.

If only she knew.

If only any of them knew.

I forced myself to smile at Matteo.

"It's okay."

"No it isn't."

"It will be."

"Sophia..."

"I'll call you."

"When?"

" soon as I can."

He shook his head.

"This doesn't feel right."

It didn't.

Nothing about today felt right.

I looked back at Luca.

"I'll come."

Relief flashed across Rosa's face.

Then it disappeared.

". Don't think this means I'm obeying you."

Luca just nodded toward the church doors.

"Good."

"I hate every one of you."

"I know."

He. Walked away like he expected me to follow.

The part...

He was right.

Outside black SUVs were lined up at the church entrance. Armed guards stood in the pouring rain.

The convoy looked like wedding transportation and more, like military vehicles.

I climbed into the seat without saying another word.

Not because I'd given up.

Because Matteo was still breathing.

I wanted to keep it that way.

The gates of the church had barely disappeared behind us when Vincent's phone rang.

He answered away.

"Yes."

Silence.

His expression didn't change.

After a few seconds he ended the call and looked at Luca.

"There has been another missing person."

Luca turned to him.

"Who?"

Vincent lowered his voice.

"Antonio Rossi."

My blood felt cold.

"He's missing"

I felt like I'd lost air.

Another member of my family…