empire of sin

Chapter3:Stranger in the Frame

Florence – Two Days Later

Sofia stood at the sink in her apartment, rinsing red wine off a shattered glass. Her hands were shaking again.

She’d spent the last two days telling herself she wasn’t going to see him again. That it was a one-time lapse in judgment.

That she wasn’t slipping into the orbit of a man who could destroy her.

But every time she closed her eyes, she saw Leo—kneeling between her legs, mouth worshiping her, hands holding her like he owned every inch of her skin.

She should feel violated. Humiliated.

But instead… she burned.

And she hated herself for how deeply she wanted him to touch her again.

The buzzer rang.

She didn’t move.

It rang again. Then a voice crackled through the intercom.

“Open the door, Sofia.”

His voice.

Leo.

Her breath caught.

She hovered for a moment—then pressed the button, the door unlocking with a loud metallic click.

A minute later, he stepped inside, filling the space like a shadow, coat dusted with rain.

He looked at her for a long moment. Then, without a word, walked straight to her coffee table, where she’d laid out a few of her father’s old journals.

“What are you doing?” she asked cautiously.

“I’m here to help you.”

“Help me?”

Leo picked up a leather-bound book and flipped through it, his jaw tightening. “These symbols… you don’t know what they mean, do you?”

She moved beside him. “They’re just notes.”

“They’re codes,” he said. “Your father left you a map. A trail.”

Sofia’s chest tightened. “You’re lying.”

Leo turned to her, dark eyes burning. “Why do you think I’ve been watching you for months? I didn’t just come to the gallery for art. I came because you’re the key to something your father stole from the wrong man. And it’s going to get you killed.”

Her throat constricted. “My father died in a car accident.”

“No.” Leo’s voice was cold steel now. “He was murdered.”

The silence between them shattered like glass.

Sofia stumbled back, her body going numb. “You’re wrong. You’re trying to manipulate me.”

He stepped forward. “I’m trying to save you.”

“Why?” she demanded. “Why would a man like you care if I live or die?”

Leo reached out—cupped her cheek in his palm. “Because I want you, Sofia. And because I owed your father more than I ever repaid.”

She stared at him. “You knew him.”

“I did,” Leo said. “And I know what he died for. I know the men who wanted him dead. And now they want you.”

Her eyes burned. “So what? You’re protecting me because of guilt?”

“No,” he said quietly. “I’m protecting you because you’re mine.”

Sofia’s pulse spiked at the possessiveness in his voice.

And before she could speak, he grabbed her and kissed her again—fiercer than before.

His hands were on her waist, dragging her into him, his mouth rough and demanding. She moaned into it, melting, because she wanted this—wanted him—more than she wanted the truth.

Her body betrayed every ounce of resistance.

He spun her, pressing her into the wall, lips trailing down her neck.

“You drive me insane,” he muttered against her skin. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to have you like this again?”

His hand slid beneath her shirt, warm palm finding her bare skin. He kissed down to her collarbone, sucking, leaving a bruise—claiming her.

“I should hate you,” she gasped.

“You do,” he said. “That’s what makes this so good.”

He lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist. She ground into him, heat spiraling low, c**t pulsing against the pressure of his jeans. He rocked into her, letting her feel just how hard she made him.

Then he froze.

His hand slid down her thigh, and he paused. Slowly, he lifted her down.

“What?” she whispered, breathless, aching.

He looked at her like he was waging war inside himself.

“We shouldn’t,” he said. “Not here. Not yet.”

Her brows furrowed, stunned.

“I want you to trust me,” Leo said, brushing a thumb along her lip. “And if we do this now, you’ll use it to protect yourself from what I have to tell you.”

Her heart slammed in her chest. “What are you hiding?”

Leo stepped back, expression shuttered. “There’s a name in your father’s journal. You haven’t seen it yet. But you will. And when you do… you’ll understand everything.”

She swallowed. “You mean the man who killed him?”

Leo looked at her.

Then turned and walked out.

And for the first time, Sofia wasn’t sure if she wanted the truth…

Or if she already knew it.