WritingChapter 4: The Safe House
454 Words
Sirens screamed through the streets of Florence.
Blue and red lights flashed against the shattered windows of the gallery.
Luca glanced toward the entrance.
"The police are less than two minutes away."
One of his men stepped closer.
"The car is ready, Boss."
Boss?
Sofia looked from the bodyguards to Luca.
Who was this man?
And why did everyone obey him without question?
"I told you," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
Luca met her gaze.
"You have two choices."
"I'll take neither."
"You can't."
Before she could answer, another volley of gunfire echoed from outside.
A bullet struck the marble pillar inches from her shoulder.
Fragments of stone sprayed across her face.
Luca didn't hesitate.
He grabbed her hand.
"Run."
"I'm not—"
"Run."
His voice carried an authority that silenced every argument.
For reasons she couldn't explain...
She listened.
They raced through a narrow corridor behind the gallery.
Behind them, shouting filled the building.
"They're escaping!"
"Block the rear exit!"
The stranger in the charcoal suit from earlier suddenly appeared around the corner.
He handed Luca a set of car keys.
"They've sealed the front streets."
"What about Romano?"
"Still fighting."
A faint smile crossed Luca's face.
"Good."
Minutes later...
A black sedan sped through the rain-soaked streets.
Sofia sat in the back seat between two silent bodyguards.
No one spoke.
The city lights blurred past the window.
She finally broke the silence.
"Who are you?"
No answer.
She looked at Luca.
"What do you want from me?"
Still nothing.
Her frustration boiled over.
"You've dragged me into a gunfight, kidn*pped me, and won't answer a single question!"
Luca finally turned toward her.
"I didn't kidnap you."
She stared.
"You were about to die."
"That doesn't explain anything."
"No."
"It doesn't."
His expression remained unreadable.
"But you'll understand soon enough."
The car left the city behind.
After nearly an hour, iron gates slowly opened.
Beyond them stood a breathtaking estate surrounded by ancient cypress trees.
The mansion looked more like a palace than a home.
As the car stopped beneath the grand entrance, Sofia whispered,
"Where am I?"
Luca stepped out first.
He looked up at the mansion before answering.
"The safest place in Italy."
Sofia's stomach tightened.
Safe...
Or trapped?
As she climbed out of the car, an elderly woman hurried down the marble steps.
The moment she saw Sofia...
The color drained from her face.
Her hands began to shake.
Tears filled her eyes.
"My God..."
She covered her mouth.
"It can't be..."
Everyone turned toward her.
The old woman took one hesitant step forward.
Then she whispered the words that made the entire courtyard fall silent.
"She has her mother's eyes."
- Writer
