Chapter 125: Nate

It’s been five weeks since we brought Sofia home, five weeks of threats, twisted texts, and grim “gifts” left at our door—pieces of bodies that Moretti probably scraped together from whatever unfortunate soul he could get his hands on. Every night I go to bed with the same thought: he’s out there, watching, planning his next move. And every night, I wonder if this will be the one where he finally makes his play.

I glance over at Sofia, sleeping beside me, her breathing soft and steady, a small comfort in all this darkness. She looks peaceful, innocent—too good to be caught up in a world this twisted. I know it’s only a matter of time before Moretti tries something more, something worse than all the threats and gruesome deliveries. There’s a gun on the nightstand next to me, loaded and ready, and every time my eyes flick to it, my grip tightens. I won’t let her out of my sight, not for a second.

There’s only one of him, and five of us, each one more willing than the last to put him down for good. But the truth is, men like Moretti don’t play by any rules. They’re like shadows—you think you see them, but the second you move, they slip into another corner. I’ve seen it before, years ago. Men like him, twisted and willing to do anything, are exactly the kind that took my parents from me when I was a kid. Sick minds that kill just because they can. There’s no reasoning with them, no negotiating, no mercy.

A chill runs through me as I think about what could happen if he gets close. We can make all the plans we want, but men like him are unpredictable, impossible to second-guess. He’s not coming for us—he’s coming for her. And I know what that kind of evil looks like, what it can do if it gets the chance.

My gaze drifts back to Sofia, my heart pounding with a protective fury. No way in hell am I letting him touch her. We’re on edge, barely sleeping, but it’s a small price to pay to keep her safe.

I look down at her, my chest tightening as I take in the soft rise and fall of her breathing. Her blonde hair spills over her shoulders and back, catching the dim light from the bedside lamp. She shifts a little in her sleep, turning onto her side, and that’s when I see it—a small patch of her belly peeking out between her shorts and tank top. It’s the tiniest curve, almost unnoticeable, but it’s there, a faint little bump showing that our baby is growing.

For a moment, everything fades—the threats, the darkness outside, even the constant fear—and it’s just her and that little life we’re bringing into this world. I reach over, resting my hand gently on her stomach, feeling that warmth, that quiet promise of something beautiful amidst all this chaos.

“Hey, little one,” I whisper, my thumb tracing soft circles over that tiny curve. “I’ll keep you safe. You and your mom… I won’t let anything touch you. I promise.”

Sofia stirs slightly, letting out a soft, sleepy sigh, and I pull my hand back, watching her settle. There’s something powerful, almost grounding, about feeling that small bump, knowing that a part of me—of all of us—is growing in there. It makes the threats, the danger, feel sharper, more urgent, but it also fuels something deep inside me.

Moretti may be watching, lurking, waiting to strike, but he’s never going to get his hands on them. Not while I’m here. Not ever.

The door creaks softly as Leo and Cole slip into the room, moving with the kind of quiet that comes from months of watching over her, ready for anything. They both lie down on either side of her, pressing gentle kisses to her forehead and cheek. She stirs slightly, her lips parting with a soft sigh, but she stays asleep, completely oblivious to the three of us surrounding her, protecting her.

Leo’s gaze shifts to me, eyebrows raised as he reads the tension in my face. “What’s on your mind, man?”

I glance from him to Cole, thinking back to Moretti’s last text, to every disgusting message he’s sent, always from the same number. “I think we should try tracking his number again. He’s not using a burner or hiding behind anything new; he’s arrogant enough to keep using the same damn phone. If we keep at it, we might be able to trace him down.”

Cole nods thoughtfully, his fingers brushing Sofia’s arm. “Makes sense. He’s too stubborn to cover his tracks now—thinks he’s untouchable.”

Leo’s face tightens, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. “And with his crew gone, he’s acting alone. It’s something, at least. No extra guns to worry about, no wild cards.”

I feel a small, bitter relief settle over me. Leo’s right—Moretti doesn’t have backup anymore. He’s been stripped down to his worst self, desperate and erratic. It’s a small advantage, knowing we don’t have to worry about someone else coming in out of nowhere. All we have to focus on is him.

“So let’s keep trying,” I murmur, my voice low but determined. “Keep tracing his number, keep him from getting comfortable. We’ll turn the tables on him before he gets close enough to try anything.”

Cole leans over, resting his hand protectively on Sofia’s stomach, a silent reminder of what we’re fighting for. He glances up at me, his voice a steady promise. “We’ll do whatever it takes. He’s not getting near her. Not while we’re here.”

I send a quick text to Riley and Danny, telling them to head back from the office as soon as possible. No details—just enough to let them know it’s important. Within seconds, I get a response from Riley: On our way.

Cole stands, brushing a final, protective hand over Sofia’s arm. “I’ll head to the computer room, see if I can trace the number again. He’s bound to slip up sooner or later.” His voice is low, determined, his gaze flicking briefly to Sofia’s peaceful face before he nods at us and heads out.

I watch him go, feeling a steady thrum of resolve settle in. If we can get even a hint of where Moretti’s lurking, it’ll be enough to shift the game in our favor. Moretti’s taunts, his arrogance—it all points to him growing bolder. And boldness, I know, can make a man careless.

Leo stays beside Sofia, his hand resting on her shoulder as she stirs slightly. I catch his eye, both of us sharing a look that needs no words. We’re close to a break, maybe even a way to end this before Moretti gets another chance to scare her.

“We’ll get him,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone, as I watch Cole disappear down the hall.