SOLD TO THE MAFIA KING: THE DELUCA BRIDE

Home, But Not Free

Sophia's POV

The words echoed inside my head for the rest of the journey.

Antonio Rossi.

Missing.

Nobody spoke after Vincent's announcement.

The convoy continued through the rain-soaked streets of Palermo while my thoughts spiraled further with every passing minute.

Antonio wasn't just another Rossi.

He was my uncle.

The man who used to sneak me chocolate whenever my father wasn't looking.

The man who carried Matteo on his shoulders during every family festival.

The man who promised me, years ago, that no matter what happened to our family, I would always have a home in Sicily.

Now he was missing.

Just... gone.

I stared out the window, barely noticing the city rushing past.

This couldn't be a coincidence anymore.

First the church attack.

Now Antonio disappeared only hours later.

Someone was hunting my family.

I slowly lifted my eyes toward Luca.

He was speaking quietly with Vincent, both of them discussing security as though this was just another ordinary day.

Not once did either of them look surprised.

My fingers curled into fists.

"You knew."

Both men looked at me.

"You knew something like this would happen."

Luca's expression remained unreadable.

"I expected retaliation after the attack."

"So you admit it?"

"I admitted nothing."

"My uncle disappears immediately after I marry into your family and you expect me to believe that's just bad timing?"

Vincent spoke before Luca could answer.

"Mrs. De Luca…"

"Don't call me that."

He nodded once.

"Sophia... no one here ordered Antonio's disappearance."

I laughed bitterly.

"And I'm supposed to believe that?"

Luca finally spoke.

"You can believe whatever you want."

His grey eyes met mine.

"But accusations don't become facts simply because you're grieving."

"I haven't started grieving."

My voice shook despite my efforts.

"I'm still hoping he's alive."

Silence settled inside the vehicle once again.

Outside, heavy iron gates slowly opened.

Beyond them stood the De Luca estate.

A mansion so enormous it looked less like a home and more like a fortress built to keep enemies out...

...or prisoners in.

Tall stone walls surrounded the estate with armed men guarding every entrance. There were security cameras everywhere. Expensive black cars lined the driveway leading to the huge building.

It wasn't a home.

It was like a kingdom.

One ruled by fear.

The car stopped at the entrance.

A servant rushed over to open my door.

I got out without waiting for anyone.

The cold evening air hit my face as I stared at the mansion.

This place was really beautiful.

Somehow...

It felt colder than the church.

"Your room is already ready."

I didn't turn around.

"I'll find it myself."

Without waiting for permission I walked toward the entrance.

The big doors opened before I reached them.

Inside there was marble on the floor and crystal chandeliers hanging from really high ceilings. Old portraits were on the walls. Every servant bowed their heads as I walked by.

Nobody smiled.

Nobody welcomed me.

They just watched.

Mrs. De Luca.

The title already felt like a prison.

I ignored the stares and kept walking.

One hallway led to another.

Then another.

The mansion seemed to go on

Libraries.

Private lounges.

Meeting rooms.

Long corridors decorated with old paintings.

After ten minutes I realized something.

I was lost.

A quiet chuckle came from behind me.

"I thought you said you would find your room yourself."

I turned.

Vincent was standing a few steps away smiling.

"I don't need your help."

"I'm sure you don't."

He looked around dramatically.

". Judging by where you've ended up I think the mansion disagrees."

I crossed my arms.

"I wasn't lost."

"Course not."

"You smile a lot for someone working here."

"I've been told that before."

His calmness annoyed me as much as Luca’s silence.

Vincent gestured down another corridor.

"Come on."

"I'm not following you."

"Then you'll end up in the wine cellar."

"I don’t drink."

"The underground armory?"

I sighed.

"You enjoy this."

"A little."

Against my judgment I followed him.

Unlike everyone in the mansion Vincent actually spoke like a normal person.

As we walked he pointed out parts of the estate.

"The west wing is mostly for the family."

He pointed ahead.

"The east wing is for guests."

"What about me?"

He looked at me briefly.

"You are family now."

The words made me feel sick.

"I'm nobody's family here."

Vincent didn't argue.

Instead he opened a pair of doors.

"This is your room."

The bedroom was bigger than my apartment in Florence.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the gardens.

A fireplace was burning quietly in one corner.

Fresh flowers were on a table beside the bed.

Someone had already unpacked my luggage.

"I didn't ask anyone to touch my things."

"The staff thought you’d appreciate it."

"They thought wrong."

Vincent nodded once.

"I'll let them know."

His response surprised me.

No argument.

No sarcasm.

Just respect.

For a moment I wondered if I had judged him too quickly.

He reached the door before stopping.

"If you need anything..."

"I don't."

He smiled anyway.

"I had a feeling you'd say that."

After he left, silence filled the room.

I walked to the window.

The gardens stretched out far as I could see.

Stone paths.

Fountains.

High walls.

More guards.

From here I could count at least fifteen armed men.

Then did the truth finally sink in.

I wasn’t living in a mansion.

I was living in a cage.

The bedroom door opened again.

This time Luca entered.

He looked the same as he had all day.

Perfect suit.

Calm expression.

Grey eyes that revealed nothing.

"I didn't invite you."

"I wasn't waiting for one."

I crossed my arms.

"What do you want?"

He glanced at the window.

"You've explored enough for today."

"I’ll explore whenever I want."

"No."

His answer came fast.

"The estate is secure for a reason."

"I don't care."

"You should."

I stepped closer.

"You don't get to tell me where I can and can't go."

"I do."

My jaw tightened.

"I'm your wife on paper."

"Exactly."

"Don’t mistake that paper for obedience."

For the first time all day...Luca almost smiled.

Almost.

"It doesn’t matter whether you obey me."

His voice turned colder.

"It matters whether you stay alive."

I frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"There are people outside these walls who would happily use you to get to me."

"I'm not afraid."

"I know."

He studied me for a second.

"That's what worries me."

He turned toward the door.

Before leaving he stopped without looking

"Do not leave this estate without telling me."

"I wasn’t asking."

"I wasn't giving permission."

For a moment neither of us spoke.

Then he walked away.

The door clicked shut.

I rolled my eyes.

Arrogant.

Controlling.

Impossible.

A soft vibration interrupted my thoughts.

My phone.

Rosa.

Relief washed over me.

Finally.

Someone normal.

I answered immediately.

"Aunt Rosa?"

There was no reply.

Only quiet crying.

My heart sank.

"Aunt Rosa?"

Her voice finally came through, shaking so much I almost couldn't understand her.

"Sophia..."

"What happened?"

Another sob.

Then the words that made my entire body go cold.

"They found your uncle."

I gripped the phone tighter.

Silence.

Then Rosa whispered...

"He's dead.”