Chapter 9: The Man Who Started the War
507 Words
The words echoed through the study.
"They're here... to take Miss Moretti alive."
Every guard instinctively reached for his weapon.
Luca remained perfectly still.
"How many?"
The injured guard swallowed hard.
"More than fifty."
"They're surrounding the estate."
Luca buttoned his bloodstained shirt over the fresh bandage Sofia had tied only moments ago.
His face betrayed nothing.
Only Sofia noticed the slight stiffness in his movements.
The wound was still fresh.
He shouldn't have been standing.
Yet somehow...
He looked more dangerous than ever.
One by one, his captains entered the room.
Matteo.
Enzo.
Rafael.
Each waited silently for orders.
Luca looked around the room.
"They're not after my territory."
"They're after her."
His gaze shifted to Sofia.
"You stay here."
Sofia folded her arms.
"I'm tired of people telling me where to stay."
"This isn't a discussion."
"It is for me."
Before Luca could reply—
A loudspeaker crackled outside.
Then came a familiar voice.
Smooth.
Confident.
Almost amused.
"Luca..."
"You've always been a terrible host."
Sofia's eyes widened.
That voice...
The man from the hidden room.
Dante.
He continued.
"I'm only asking once."
"Send Sofia outside."
"And I promise not to redecorate your mansion with explosives."
A few guards exchanged nervous glances.
Even they seemed unsettled.
Luca walked toward the balcony.
Ignoring the protests of his men, he opened the French doors and stepped outside.
Rain poured from the night sky.
The estate was completely surrounded.
Dozens of black SUVs blocked the driveway.
Men carrying assault rifles stood shoulder to shoulder.
In the middle of them...
Leaning casually against a sleek black Ferrari...
Stood Dante Romano.
One hand tucked into his pocket.
The other holding a glass of red wine.
He looked more like a man attending a gala than leading an armed siege.
He raised his glass.
"Good evening."
Luca's voice was ice.
"You've got five seconds."
Dante smiled.
"I've missed these conversations."
"You have three."
Dante sighed dramatically.
"I came for the girl."
"Leave."
"No."
The smile vanished.
Rain rolled down Dante's face as he looked directly into Luca's eyes.
"I know who she is."
"And so do you."
The courtyard fell silent.
Even the rain seemed quieter.
Inside the study, Sofia stood hidden behind the curtains, watching.
Her heart pounded.
Who was she?
Why did both of these men risk their lives for her?
Dante's voice carried across the estate.
"You've been lying to her since the moment you found her."
Luca didn't respond.
"So..."
Dante continued.
"Why don't we let Sofia decide?"
He raised his voice.
"Sofia!"
She froze.
"I know you can hear me."
"If you walk out those doors..."
"I swear on my mother's grave..."
"No one in my family will ever harm you."
Luca turned slowly.
Their eyes met through the open balcony doors.
For the first time since they'd met...
Sofia saw something she'd never imagined seeing in the feared Luca De Santis.
Fear.
Not for himself.
For her.
Then Dante delivered the one sentence that shattered everything.
"Ask Luca..."
"...why your mother died in his arms."
- Writer
