The ride home had been quiet, almost serene, but Sophia's mind was anything but. Her heart was still racing from everything that had happened. Bianca's venomous words echoed in her ears, and the memory of Dante stepping in like a knight in shining armor was something she couldn't shake.
When they reached the house, Dante opened the car door for her, his hand outstretched. Sophia hesitated for a moment before taking it. His touch was warm, steadying her nerves, even if she hated to admit it.
As they walked inside, Dante's demeanor shifted. The playful, teasing man from earlier was gone, replaced by the calculating underboss she had first met. He closed the door behind them and turned to face her, his dark eyes locking onto hers.
"Sit," he said, gesturing toward the couch. His tone left no room for argument.
Sophia crossed her arms, reluctant to give in so easily. "Why? So you can interrogate me?" she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended.
Dante tilted his head, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Interrogate you? No, bella. We need to talk."
Sophia hesitated, then sat down. Dante remained standing, pacing slowly in front of her, his hands tucked into his pockets.
"You put yourself in danger today," he began, his voice low and steady. "And not just with Bianca. If she knows about your investigation, then others will, too. People far more dangerous than her."
Sophia stiffened. "I can handle myself," she said defensively.
Dante stopped pacing and turned to her, his expression hard. "This isn't a game, Sophia. You might think you're prepared, but you have no idea what these people are capable of."
Sophia's gaze faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "And what about you, Dante? You're one of them. Am I supposed to trust that you'll protect me when you're part of the same world?"
Dante knelt in front of her, his intense gaze boring into hers. "Yes," he said simply. "You can trust me. Because no matter how this started, you're mine now. And I protect what's mine."
Her breath hitched at the possessiveness in his tone, but she didn't back down. "I'm not some prize for you to claim, Dante."
His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "No, you're not a prize. You're much more than that. But you'll learn that I don't take no for an answer when it comes to keeping you safe."
Before she could respond, Dante's phone buzzed. He stood and pulled it from his pocket, his expression darkening as he read the message.
"What's wrong?" Sophia asked, standing.
Dante slipped the phone back into his pocket, his jaw tight. "There's been...a complication."
Sophia frowned. "What kind of complication?"
Dante turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Bianca wasn't working alone. Someone else wants you out of the picture. Someone powerful. And if we don't handle this carefully, neither of us will make out alive.
The air between them grew tense as Dante slipped his phone back into his pocket, his dark eyes meeting Sophia's.
"That call was from Leo," Dante said, his voice low. "It seems Bianca wasn't acting alone, but this isn't about territory or power. This is personal."
Sophia frowned, confusion written all over her face. "Personal? Against me?"
Dante shook his head. "Against us." He began pacing, his movements slow and calculated. "Bianca's family may be third, but they have alliances—desperate ones. And when Bianca brought you into this, she made you their target too."
Sophia swallowed hard. "I didn't ask for this. All I wanted was the truth."
Dante stopped pacing and turned to her, his gaze sharp. "The truth comes at a price, Sophia. Especially when it involves me."
She opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself. The weight of his words hung in the room like a storm cloud. She had always known she was playing a dangerous game, but this felt different—bigger.
"Who else could Bianca be working with?" Sophia asked, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her chest.
Dante's jaw tightened. "That's what I need to find out. Leo's looking into it, but if it's who I think it is..." He trailed off, his expression darkening.
"Who?" Sophia pressed.
Dante hesitated, his eyes flickering with something she rarely saw in him—uncertainty. Finally, he said, "The Savino family."
Sophia's heart sank. She had heard the name before. The Savino family was notorious for their ruthlessness, even among the mafia world. But they had supposedly disappeared years ago after Dante's rise to power.
"I thought you dealt with them," she said cautiously.
"I did," Dante replied, his voice cold. "But their youngest son, Matteo, survived. He's been in hiding, waiting for the right moment to strike back. And now, with Bianca's help, he thinks he's found a weakness—us."
Sophia's stomach twisted. "What does he want?"
Dante stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. "Revenge. He doesn't care about the Moretti empire. He wants to destroy me, piece by piece. And you, Sophia, are just another way for him to do that."
She stared at him, her mind racing. "So what do we do?"
Dante's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "We show him why coming after us was the worst decision he's ever made.
Sophia stared at Dante, her pulse quickening. His calm, calculated demeanor was unnerving, but it was also oddly reassuring. Despite everything, she felt safer with him than she ever had.
"What does that mean, Dante?" she asked cautiously.
"It means I'll handle Matteo," Dante replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And you're staying here where it's safe."
Sophia's brows furrowed. "I'm not just going to sit around while you're out there putting your life at risk."
Dante smirked, leaning closer. "And what exactly do you plan to do, bella? Write an exposé about Matteo Savino from the safety of our home?"
Sophia glared at him, refusing to back down. "I'm not useless, Dante. I've survived this far, haven't I? And if Matteo's after me too, then I have every right to be involved."
Dante's smile faded, replaced by a flicker of frustration. "You're not useless, Sophia. You're stubborn. And that's exactly what's going to get you killed if you don't listen to me."
The tension crackled between them, but before either could say more, Dante's phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen, his expression unreadable.
"It's Leo," he said, answering the call. "Talk to me."
Sophia watched as Dante's jaw tightened, his free hand clenching into a fist.
"Understood. I'll be there in twenty," he said curtly before hanging up.
"What happened?" Sophia asked.
"Leo's tracked Matteo's movements," Dante said, his tone sharp. "He's set up a base of operations just outside the city. But we have to move fast—if Matteo gets wind that we know where he is, he'll disappear again."
"Then let me help," Sophia said, stepping forward.
Dante shook his head. "No. You're staying here."
"Dante—"
"Enough!" he snapped, his voice louder than she'd ever heard it. Sophia froze, stunned by the intensity in his gaze.
Dante's sharp tone softened almost immediately as he saw the hurt flash across Sophia's face. He let out a slow breath, stepping closer to her.
"I didn't mean to snap," he said gently, his hands sliding down to hers. "I just… I can't lose you, Sophia. Not to Matteo, not to anyone."
Sophia blinked, startled by the raw emotion in his voice. "Dante, I—"
"You don't understand what you mean to me," he interrupted, his voice low. His thumb brushed over her knuckles, and the warmth in his touch sent shivers down her spine. "You're not just my wife, Sophia. You're my anchor."
Her heart skipped a beat. Dante, the untouchable, commanding boss of the Moretti empire, was baring his soul in front of her. It made her stomach twist in ways she couldn't quite explain.
"Dante," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm scared too, but I can't just sit here and do nothing while you're out there risking your life."
Dante shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Stubborn as always," he murmured, his tone almost affectionate.
Sophia frowned, pulling her hands free. "I'm serious. I can help. I'm not some delicate flower that needs protecting."
"I know that," Dante said, his gaze softening even further. "And that's part of what I love about you. But this isn't just about protecting you, Sophia. It's about protecting us. I can't think straight if I'm worried about you being in danger."
Sophia felt her resolve waver under his gaze. There was something so earnest in his words, something that made her chest ache.
"But what if something happens to you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dante's expression softened even more, and he cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin. "Then I'll fight like hell to make sure I come back to you."
Sophia closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. Her stubbornness warred with the comfort of his words, but for once, she let herself trust him completely.
"Okay," she murmured. "But you have to promise me something."
"Anything," Dante said without hesitation.
"You'll come back," she said, opening her eyes to meet his. "No matter what happens, you'll come back to me."
Dante's lips curved into a small smile, and he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.
"I promise," he whispered against her skin.
The moment lingered, heavy with unspoken emotions, before Dante finally stepped back. He adjusted his suit jacket, his confident facade slipping back into place.
"Leo's waiting for me," he said, his tone gentle. "Stay here. I'll have men posted outside to make sure you're safe."
Sophia nodded reluctantly, watching as Dante walked to the door. Just before he stepped out, he turned back, his dark eyes locking onto hers.
"I'll come back to you, Sophia," he said, his voice steady. "No matter what."
As the door closed behind him, Sophia sank onto the couch, her heart heavy. Despite her stubborn nature, she realized she wasn't just scared of what might happen to Dante—she was scared of what she was starting to feel for him.