Sophia
I walked briskly to my car, my heart thudding in my chest. The streets were quiet at this early hour, the city not yet fully awake. It felt like I was moving in a different world, one where the usual rules didn't apply, where shadows were deeper and secrets more dangerous.
As I reached my car, I hesitated, glancing back at the coffee shop. A part of me wanted to turn back, to march inside and start all over again. But I knew better The only way out now was forward, through the maze of lies and half-truths Liliana might have constructed.
I slid into the driver's seat, the leather cold against my skin. My fingers trembled slightly as I started the engine, the car purring to life. The drive back to the mansion felt longer than usual, every passing second stretching out in front of me like a tightrope I was barely balancing on.
The early morning light filtered through the trees lining the road, casting long shadows that flickered and danced, echoing the turmoil inside me. The mansion loomed ahead, its imposing structure a stark reminder of the life I was living—a life that was becoming increasingly tangled in a web of deceit. As I pulled into the driveway, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I had to keep it together, to play the role Liliana had cast me in without faltering. One wrong move, and everything could unravel.
I parked the car and stepped out, the gravel crunching under my boots. The mansion was quiet, but I knew that wouldn't last. Vince would be awake by now, and he'd want to know where I'd been. I squared my shoulders, bracing myself for the inevitable confrontation.
The front door creaked slightly as I pushed it open, the familiar scent of polished wood and expensive cologne greeting me. The foyer was empty, the house still and silent, but I could sense the tension in the air. I made my way toward the grand staircase, each step feeling heavier than the last.
"Sophia."
Vince's voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding. I froze mid-step, my heart skipping a beat. I turned slowly to find him standing at the entrance to the living room, his expression unreadable. He was dressed impeccably, as always, his dark hair slicked back, his tailored suit accentuating his tall, powerful frame. But it was his eyes that held me in place—those intense, piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me.
"Vince," I said, forcing a smile that felt strained even to me. "You're up early."
"So are you," he replied, his tone even, but I could hear the underlying tension. He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving mine. "Where were you?"
The question hung in the air between us, heavy with suspicion. My mind raced, scrambling for an answer that wouldn't raise more questions. I couldn't tell him the truth—not about Liliana, not about the deal I'd made.
"I just needed some fresh air," I lied, my voice steady, though my pulse was racing. "I went for a walk to clear my head."
Vince studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. I could feel his gaze boring into me, searching for any sign of deception. It took everything I had to maintain my composure, to keep the guilt from showing on my face.
"And you chose a coffee shop to clear your head?" he asked, his tone skeptical.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat. How did he know I was at a coffee shop? My mind raced, trying to piece together how Vince could have possibly known where I'd been. Had he followed me? Was someone watching me?
I forced myself to remain calm, though I could feel my pulse quickening. I managed a slight shrug, attempting to appear nonchalant. "Yeah, I needed somewhere quiet."
But Vince's eyes never left mine, and I could sense the tension rising between us. He tilted his head slightly, as if he was studying me, trying to read my thoughts. "Interesting choice. Not the first place I'd imagine you going to when you need to think."
There it was again—that sharp edge in his voice, like he knew more than he was letting on. My mind scrambled for an explanation, something that would make sense of his knowledge. I couldn't afford to let him see how rattled I was.
"How did you know I was there?" I asked, trying to sound curious rather than panicked. I hoped my voice didn't betray the sudden jolt of anxiety that had hit me.
Vince's expression didn't change, but his eyes narrowed slightly, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I have my ways," he said, his tone smooth, almost amused. "It's my job to know where you are, Sophia.
The words sent a chill down my spine. I knew Vince was protective, but this… this felt different. It felt like he was watching me, tracking my every move. I had always known Vince had connections, resources that extended far beyond what I could comprehend. But the idea that he could pinpoint my location so easily, so precisely, was unsettling.
I swallowed hard, trying to hide my discomfort. "I didn't realize I was being followed."
His smile widened slightly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You weren't. Let's just say I keep tabs on the people I care about."
The implication was clear—Vince had eyes on me, even when I thought I was alone. The realization made my skin crawl. If he could track me to a coffee shop, what else did he know? Did he know about Liliana? About the deal I'd made?
No, I told myself firmly. If Vince knew about Liliana, this conversation wouldn't be happening. He wouldn't be standing here, casually mentioning my whereabouts. He would have confronted me directly. Still, the thought of his constant surveillance was unnerving.
"I… I didn't mean to worry you," I said, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "I just needed some time to clear my head."
Vince nodded slowly, his gaze still locked on mine. "I understand, but you need to be more careful. You're not safe out there on your own." The statement was loaded, a simple fact wrapped in layers of unspoken warnings. His gaze was still fixed on me, those piercing eyes demanding more than just compliance—they demanded trust, something I wasn't sure I could give anymore.
"I'll be careful," I promised, though my voice felt thin, stretched over the cracks that were beginning to form in my resolve. I needed to end this conversation, to retreat before he could peel back the layers of my lies. But Vince wasn't finished with me yet.
"Good," he said, his tone softening slightly, but the intensity in his eyes remained. "We can't afford any mistakes, Sophia. There are people out there who would do anything to hurt you—to hurt us."
The weight of his words settled over me like a heavy shroud, suffocating in its truth. Vince had always been protective, but now I was beginning to see just how deep that protection ran. The thought should have been comforting, but instead, it filled me with dread. Because if Vince was capable of this—of watching me, tracking my every move—then how much longer could I keep my secrets from him?
I needed to change the subject, to divert his attention before he dug any deeper. "You mentioned something about training," I said, forcing a small smile. "What exactly did you have in mind?"
Vince's expression shifted, the tension in his posture easing slightly as he took a step back, finally breaking the intense eye contact that had held me in place. "Yes, the training," he said, his tone more relaxed now, as if the previous conversation had never happened. "Luca and I have been talking, and we both agree that you need to be better prepared. We'll start with self-defense—techniques that don't involve firearms."
I nodded, the memory surfacing. Vince had brought it up casually during breakfast a few days earlier, hinting at the need for me to be able to protect myself. At the time, I hadn't given it much thought, but now, standing here with Vince, the reality of what he'd suggested was sinking in.
"When do we start?"
"Tonight," Vince replied, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "After dinner. We'll train every evening until you're ready."
"Ready for what?" I asked, unable to keep the curiosity out of my voice.
"Ready for anything," Vince said, his tone serious. "There are dangers out there that you're not fully aware of yet, Sophia. I need to know that you can protect yourself if it comes to that."
I wanted to ask him what he meant by "dangers," but I knew better than to push too hard. Vince was already on edge, and the last thing I needed was to provoke him into revealing more than he was ready to share. Instead, I nodded, trying to project an air of calm compliance. "I understand."
"Good," Vince said, his voice firm but not unkind. "Now, get some rest. I'll see you at the office in 2 hours from now."
He turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the foyer, the tension in the air slowly dissipating in his absence. But the unease in my chest remained, a tight knot that refused to loosen.
As I made my way upstairs to my suite, I couldn't shake the feeling that Vince's surveillance was more than just a precaution. It was a warning, a silent reminder that he was always watching, always aware of where I was and what I was doing. And that meant my margin for error was shrinking by the second.
Once inside, I closed the door softly behind me, leaning against it for support. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, the shadows growing longer as the morning sun crept higher in the sky. I needed to think, to figure out how I was going to navigate this web of lies I'd spun around myself.
I crossed the room and sank down onto the edge of my bed, my mind racing. Liliana's phone was still in my pocket, a cold weight that seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment. I pulled it out and stared at it, the black screen reflecting my troubled expression.
What had I gotten myself into?
I set the phone down on the bedside table, resisting the urge to throw it across the room. I couldn't afford to lose my composure, not now. I needed to stay focused, to figure out my next move.
For now, I would play along, follow Vince's instructions, and hope that I could keep my secrets hidden. But I knew that wouldn't last forever. Eventually, Vince would find out, and when he did, there would be no going back.