His Empire,Her Rules

20

Sophia's POV

I watched in horror as Cobra nodded solemnly and left with the dog tag. I expected that Lorenzo would come back to my bedside but instead, he left too. I sat up anxiously with my head still hurting from the crash.

"Lie down." The doctor hissed.

"No! You don't understand. I have to go after him and stop him from doing something terrible. He could get hurt." I pleaded.

The doctor held my hand firmly and stopped me from getting up from the bed.

"Listen to me young lady." He began. "I've been with this family for a long time and I've had to clean them up every single time they got into war with another family or another rival group and I have to tell you that it is no place for a young lady. Focus on getting better. These men know what they are doing." He chided.

I forcefully pulled my wrist out of his grasp and glared at him.

"I won't sit here and watch Lorenzo shed blood on my account."

I got up and stormed out of the room leaving the

doctor and his heavy sigh behind. I went in search of Lorenzo. He was standing in front of the compound talking rapidly in Italian and shouting at whoever was on the other side of the call.

I walked up to him, intermittently gripping my head trying to relieve some of the pain. He saw me approaching and he cursed and took the phone away from his ear and pocketed it.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked. "You should be in there, getting some rest and focusing on getting better." He spat.

I could feel the anger rolling off him in waves.

"Tell me what's going on, please." I pleaded.

His jaw tightened and ticked rhythmically with anger. Gently I raised my hand and touched his cheek.

He closed his eyes at the feel of my touch and snuggled into my palm.

"Talk to me." I pleaded.

"The Romanos are behind the attack. Isabella and her father. They've been parading themselves as future de Lucas and now with you in the picture, Isabella must have asked her father to take you out. But I'm going to keep you safe." He stated firmly.

"So what are you planning now?" I asked.

"We're going to stay here until I have it all figured out." He answered.

That brought some distaste to me and I took my hand off his face and turned away.

"I want to go home. " I said.

I heard him suck in a breath behind me and I knew he was trying to keep a lid on his anger.

"We are not going anywhere until I have it all under control. " He deadpanned.

I spun to look at him and my head spun too. A wave of dizziness hit me and I grasped at thin air trying to steady myself. Lorenzo caught me immediately and steadied me.

"You already broke my phone and that is going to keep me isolated from everyone I love while we are cooped up in here. Whatever you want to do, you can do it from the city. I just want to go home."

He shook his head vehemently.

"This is the only place the enemies don't know about. Going back to the city will be like waving a flag in front of a bull. I'm going to get you a new phone and set it up for you too. But we are not leaving."

"You are not going to keep me here." I seethed. "I'll run away if I have to. We left to get some peace and now that seems impossible. Why don't you go back and talk it out with the Romanos. Why do you want to stay here and wage war against them knowing it would lead to more mindless bloodshed? Please, Lorenzo. This is not the kind of life I want for you or for us." I pleaded.

His face softened.

I saw the wheels turning in his head as he contemplated what I had said.

"Come." He took my hand and fed me back to the sick bay. The doctor was still there cleaning his equipment.

"Is it safe for her to fly and return to the city?" Lorenzo asked.

The doctor looked at me and I glared at him. He sighed and nodded.

"Yes, it is. But once you're there, you'll need to sick proper medical attention. I've only done the best I could with what I have available."

Lorenzo nodded and led me outside again. He made a call to Cobra who came immediately and began arranging for us to fly back to the city.

Soon, the chopper was ready and once again, we were back in the air.

Lorenzo didn't say much during the ride and I knew he was angry. I just rested my head on his shoulders until we touched down at his house.

"We're here." The pilot announced.

I looked up to see where we were while others began alighting.

"I want to go back to my apartment." I said.

Lorenzo scoffed and got out of the chopper.

"I already brought you here to the city, I'm not letting you out of my sight. You either stay here where I have all the amenities to protect you, or I'm tying you up and returning to that safe house. Your choice. "

He stalked off.

"I refuse to hide in this house like a prisoner! Stop trying to control my life!" I shouted after him but he didn't even turn to acknowledge me.

Fine.

I dashed out of the elevator and headed straight to the SUV parked by the curb. No one paid me any attention because they were too busy trying to beef up security and setting up a perimeter around the house.

They didn't notice what I was doing until I got into the car and turned the car on. All eyes turned to me, but it was too late. I put the car in drive and zoomed off leaving them shouting and running after me while the SUV sped off into the road.

I raced to my apartment because I knew they would be coming after me soon. I parked the car and let the valets handle the rest while I rushed into the elevator. The concierge stared at me in alarm as I ran past him.

Maya was already at the door waiting for me. The concierge must have alerted her of my presence.

Her eyes widened in shock the moment she saw me.

"What the hell happened to you?" She shrieked.

I pushed past her and got in, then slammed the door shut behind us. Maya was still staring.

"Did Lorenzo do this to you? Are you trying to escape from him?" She asked.

"What? No! He didn't. I just escaped an assassination and refused Lorenzo's offer to stay by his side. He will be coming after me soon." I said in a breath.

Maya stared with wide eyes. She was having a hard time deciding whether to believe me or not. I could see the question written all over her face.

Before she could open her mouth to ask any. A heavy knock sounded on the door and we both screamed in fear.