Vince
The mansion was quiet, the kind of quiet that settles in the hours between dusk and darkness, when everything is poised on the edge of change. I stood by the window in my room, looking out at the fading light, my thoughts drifting like the shadows cast by the setting sun.
I had sent Sophia a message earlier, asking her to meet me in the study before our training session. I wanted to talk to her, to get a sense of where her head was today. I knew something was off with her, and the uncertainty gnawed at me.
But it wasn't just concern that was clouding my thoughts. There was something else, something I didn't want to admit, even to myself. Sophia had been on my mind constantly, an unshakeable presence that I couldn't ignore, no matter how hard I tried.
Get a grip, I told myself, clenching my fists. You can't afford distractions right now.
But it was easier said than done. Ever since I'd caught her sneaking back into the mansion today morning, I hadn't been able to stop thinking about her. Why had she lied to me? And why did it matter so damn much?
The answers weren't forthcoming, and it frustrated me to no end. I wasn't used to being in the dark, especially not when it came to someone I cared about. And yes, I cared about Sophia—more than I wanted to admit.
I turned away from the window and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost time. I needed to focus, to push everything else aside and concentrate on the task at hand. Tonight was about preparing Sophia, about making sure she could protect herself in the world we lived in—a world that was becoming more dangerous by the day.
I grabbed my training gear and headed for the door, my mind still racing. I was determined to keep things professional, to stay focused on her training and nothing else. But as I made my way through the mansion, I couldn't help the small thrill of anticipation that crept into my thoughts.
When I reached the study, I found the door slightly ajar. I pushed it open and stepped inside, expecting to find Sophia waiting for me. But the room was empty, the only sound the ticking of the old grandfather clock in the corner. I frowned, checking my watch. She should have been here by now.
I was about to leave when I heard soft footsteps approaching from the hallway. I turned just in time to see Sophia step into the room, her presence lighting up the dim space like a spark of electricity.
She had changed into something more suitable for training—a simple tank top and fitted workout pants, both in a shade of dark blue that accentuated her figure in all the right ways. The tank top clung to her curves, and as my gaze inevitably drifted downward, I couldn't help but notice the way it highlighted the swell of her breasts. Her cleavage was right there, just staring at me, as if inviting my attention.
I had always had a thing for breasts, and seeing Sophia like this was a test of my self-control I hadn't anticipated. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, exposing the elegant curve of her neck. There was something different about her tonight, something that made it impossible to look away.
I felt my breath catch in my throat, a reaction that was as unwanted as it was undeniable. I had seen Sophia in countless different outfits, had spent more time with her than with anyone else in recent months. But this was different. The simplicity of her attire only highlighted her natural beauty, a beauty that I was suddenly, acutely aware of—too aware of.
"Vince," she said, her voice pulling me back to the present. There was a slight hesitancy in her tone, as if she wasn't sure what to expect. "You ready?"
"Yeah," I replied, my voice rough, strained. "Let's head down."
She nodded, but her gaze lingered on me a moment longer, as if she could sense the shift in my demeanor, the hunger that had taken root and was spreading like wildfire. I clenched my fists, fighting to keep control. The last thing I needed was for Sophia to know just how much she was affecting me.
We walked down the hallway together, the silence between us thick with unspoken words, unacknowledged desires. Her presence beside me was intoxicating, every brush of her arm, every inhale of her scent driving me further into madness. I needed to get a grip, needed to focus on the training, but every step was a battle against the pull she had on me.
As we approached the training room, the faint thrum of music reached my ears, a steady beat that seemed to match the rhythm of my racing heart. I pushed the door open, gesturing for Sophia to enter first, and followed her inside, my gaze never leaving her.
Luca was already there, warming up with a series of stretches, but his usual grin faltered when he saw us—saw her. His eyes gleamed with mischief, and I knew what was coming before he even opened his mouth.
"Well, " Luca drawled, his tone dripping with amusement. "Looks like someone's ready to knock us all out tonight."
My patience was hanging by a thread, and Luca, being Luca, knew just how to push me over the edge. His grin widened when he saw the way my jaw clenched, the way my eyes darkened as I struggled to keep myself in check.
"Keep your focus, Vince," he teased, winking at me. "Wouldn't want you getting distracted now, would we?"
The heat that flared in my veins wasn't just anger; it was a mix of jealousy and something darker, more possessive. The urge to punch Luca in the face was almost overwhelming, but I held back, barely.
Sophia, meanwhile, seemed oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around her. Or maybe she wasn't. There was a quiet confidence in her tonight, a subtle power that hadn't been there before. She moved to the center of the room, stretching her arms overhead, completely unaware—or perhaps all too aware—of the effect she was having on me.
Luca sauntered over, his grin never fading. "Are you sure you're gonna make it through this?" he asked, his voice low, just for me. "Or should I take over?"
I shot him a glare that should have singed him on the spot, but there was no real heat in it. Because Luca was right. I was in deep, far deeper than I wanted to be, and every moment with Sophia only pulled me further under.
"Shut up, Luca," I muttered, though we both knew it was a losing battle.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "You've got it bad, man."
I ignored him, focusing instead on the task at hand. "Let's get started," I said, more to myself than to him. "We've got a lot to cover tonight."
Luca's grin didn't fade, but he nodded, moving to join Sophia in the center of the room. I followed, taking a moment to center myself, to push aside the distractions and focus on what mattered—keeping Sophia safe.
"Alright," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Tonight, we're going to work on some basic self-defense techniques. No weapons, just your body. We'll start with strikes and move on from there."
Sophia nodded, her expression focused. There was a determination in her eyes that I hadn't seen before, a drive that was both impressive and concerning. She was throwing herself into this with everything she had, and while I admired her dedication, it also made me wonder what was motivating her so strongly.
Luca stepped forward, demonstrating a basic strike—a jab aimed at the torso, designed to incapacitate an opponent quickly. He moved with a fluid grace that spoke of years of training, each motion precise and controlled.
"Watch carefully," I said to Sophia, my eyes locked on hers. "This is the foundation. If you can master this, you'll be able to defend yourself against most attackers."
She nodded, her attention fully on Luca as he completed the demonstration. There was a brief moment of silence as she processed what she had seen, then she stepped forward, ready to try it herself.
"Remember," Luca said, his tone serious now. "The power comes from your core, not just your arms. Keep your stance grounded, and follow through with the strike."
Sophia took a deep breath, then moved into position, her muscles tensing as she prepared to strike. I watched her closely, my heart pounding in my chest for reasons that had nothing to do with the training. There was something captivating about the way she moved, something that held my attention in a way I hadn't expected.
She threw the first jab, her form decent but lacking the power needed to make it effective. Luca caught her wrist mid-strike, his expression thoughtful.
"Not bad," he said, releasing her hand. "But you need to commit. Don't hesitate—put your weight behind it."
Sophia nodded, determination flaring in her eyes. She tried again, this time with more force, and Luca nodded in approval as the strike landed with a satisfying thud.
"Better," he said. "But you can do even more."
I stepped forward, unable to stay on the sidelines any longer. "Sophia, let's work on your stance first," I said, moving to stand beside her. "If your foundation isn't strong, the strike won't be either."
She turned to face me, her expression a mix of concentration and something else—something I couldn't quite put my finger on. But there was no time to dwell on it. I had to stay focused, had to keep my attention on the task at hand.
I reached out, adjusting her stance, my hands lingering on her arms for just a moment too long. I could feel the warmth of her skin, the subtle tension in her muscles as she prepared for the next strike. The contact sent a jolt of awareness through me, and I quickly pulled my hands back, hoping she hadn't noticed.
But Luca had.
"You know," he said, his tone teasing once again, "if you're going to get all hands-on, maybe I should step back and let you two have some alone time."
I shot him a warning look, but he just grinned, clearly enjoying himself. Sophia, for her part, didn't react to Luca's comment, but I could see the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Shut up, Luca," I muttered, though there was no real heat in my words.
Luca laughed, shaking his head. "I'm just saying, man. If you're going to be this distracted, maybe I should take over."
"I'm not distracted," I snapped, but even as I said the words, I knew they weren't true.
Because I was distracted. Sophia was in my head, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the thoughts, the feelings, that had been plaguing me since that morning. The more time I spent around her, the harder it became to keep my emotions in check, to maintain the distance I knew was necessary.
But I couldn't let that happen. I had to stay focused, had to protect her, even if it meant keeping her at arm's length. Anything else was too dangerous, too risky.
"Alright, Sophia," I said, trying to regain control of the situation. "Let's see that jab again. This time, I want you to focus on putting all your power into it. Don't hold back."
She nodded, her expression serious as she prepared for the strike. I watched her closely, my heart pounding in my chest, and when she threw the punch, it was with a force that surprised even me.
The sound of the strike echoed through the room, and I felt a surge of pride at her progress. But it was quickly followed by a wave of something else—something darker, more complicated. Because as much as I admired her strength, it also reminded me of the dangers she was facing, the dangers I was trying so hard to protect her from.
"Good," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Very good. Now, let's add some movement to it. Luca, show her how to pivot."
Luca moved forward, demonstrating the next step, his expression serious now as he guided Sophia through the motion. I watched them, my mind racing with thoughts I didn't want to acknowledge, emotions I didn't want to feel.
Because the truth was, I was in deep. Too deep. And I wasn't sure if I could find my way out.