Costa's POV
The look on Sofia's face was worth all the pain. Her eyes widened, lips parted in disbelief. My little sister, always the smart one, always seeing through my lies. But not this time.
"You're alive," she whispered, like saying it too loud might make me disappear.
I stepped into the apartment, feeling Victor's watchful eyes on my back. The man never relaxed. Good trait in our business.
"Rumors of my death were..." I paused, looking around the safe house I'd bought ten years ago and never told anyone about. Except Roma. "Well, they were exactly as exaggerated as I wanted them to be."
Sofia moved toward me, hesitant. Then she slapped me hard across the face.
The sound echoed in the quiet apartment. Roma tensed, hand moving to his weapon. I waved him off.
"I deserved that," I
