Chapter 135: Riley

The gym is quiet, almost too quiet, as I finish wiping down the last of the mats. The lights are dimmed, and the only sounds are the rhythmic hum of the ceiling fan and the distant whoosh of cars passing by outside. It’s closing time, and the usual hustle of kids and clients has long since faded. I roll my shoulders, feeling the tiredness settle in my bones. It’s been a long day, but a good one. The kind that reminds me why we’re doing this.

I’m just about to lock up when the door creaks open, the bell above it giving a soft jingle. I turn, expecting maybe Nate or Danny, but instead, it’s someone I don’t recognize. A guy, mid-thirties maybe, with a scruffy beard and eyes that dart around the room like he’s making sure we’re alone. He’s got a worn leather jacket, and there’s something about him—something tense, like he’s been running from something or someone.

“We’re closed,” I say, my voice calm but firm. I’ve dealt with my fair share of trouble, and something tells me this guy could be just that. He doesn’t budge, just takes a step closer, his hands held up like he’s trying to show he means no harm.

“Wait,” he says, his voice low, almost a whisper. “You’re Riley, right? One of the guys looking after Sofia?”

The mention of her name puts me on edge instantly. My whole body tenses, and I take a step forward, eyes narrowing. “Who’s asking?”

He glances back at the door, like he’s making sure no one’s followed him, then looks back at me, his expression serious. “Listen, I don’t have much time. I’m not here to cause trouble. I came to warn you. Her dad—he’s planning something. He’s got connections inside, and he’s talking about breaking out.”

My heart pounds in my chest, a cold rush of adrenaline flooding through me. I feel my fists clench instinctively, my muscles tightening as if ready for a fight. “What are you talking about?” I ask, my voice low and dangerous. “How do you know this?”

The guy swallows, his eyes darting around again. “I got a brother in there,” he says. “He heard the talk. Sofia’s dad, he’s been making deals, getting people on his side. He’s not gonna stay locked up much longer. And when he gets out… he’s coming for her. For all of you.”

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my head clear, trying not to let the fear take over. I think of Sofia, of her smile, of the way she looks at us with those trusting eyes. We’ve fought so damn hard to keep her safe, to give her a life where she doesn’t have to look over her shoulder every second of the day. The idea of that being ripped away—of her being dragged back into that nightmare—it makes my blood boil.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, my voice tight, suspicious. There’s no way I’m taking this guy at his word without a damn good reason.

He shrugs, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “Let’s just say I owe someone who doesn’t want to see her get hurt. Consider this my repayment.”

I nod slowly, my mind already racing through what we need to do. More security, more eyes on Sofia. I can’t let my guard down, not now, not ever. We’ve put everything into keeping her safe, building a life where she can finally be happy. I’m not about to let that bastard take it away from her.

“Get out of here,” I say, my voice tight. “And if you’re lying to me—”

“I’m not,” he interrupts, his eyes meeting mine, steady and sincere. “Just be ready. He’s not the kind of man who gives up.”

I watch as he turns and leaves, the door creaking shut behind him, the bell giving one last jingle. I stand there for a moment, the quiet of the gym pressing in on me, my thoughts a chaotic mess. My heart is still pounding, the adrenaline coursing through my veins, my instincts screaming at me to act, to do something—anything.

I pull out my phone, dialing Nate. It rings twice before he picks up, his voice gruff. “Riley? Everything okay?”

“No,” I say, my voice sharp. “We’ve got a problem. Sofia’s dad—he’s planning something. We need to get everyone together. Now.”

There’s a beat of silence on the other end, and I can practically hear Nate’s mind working, processing. “Where are you?” he asks, his voice low and steady, the calm before the storm.

“At the gym. Just got a visit from someone with a warning. Says he’s got connections, heard Sofia’s dad is making plans to break out.”

Nate swears under his breath, the sound almost lost in the static of the line. “I’ll be there in ten,” he says, and the line goes dead.

I pocket my phone, looking around the empty gym. The shadows seem deeper now, the quiet more oppressive. I move to the back room, flicking off the lights as I go. I grab my jacket, pulling it on, my mind already running through everything we need to do. We need to secure the house, double the guards. We can’t take any chances, not with Sofia’s safety on the line.

By the time Nate arrives, I’m pacing in front of the gym, my breath fogging in the cold night air. His car pulls up, the tires crunching against the gravel, and he steps out, his expression hard, eyes locked on mine.

“What’s the plan?” he asks, getting straight to the point.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “We need to get everyone together. Lock down the house, increase security. We can’t take any risks, not with her dad out there making plans. We need to make sure Sofia is never alone, not even for a second.”

Nate nods, his jaw set. “I’ll call Danny and Leo. We’ll make sure everything’s covered.” He pauses, his gaze shifting to the darkened gym behind me. “You okay?”

I force a smile, though I can feel the tension in my body, the fear gnawing at the edges of my mind. “Yeah,” I say. “Just… worried. We’ve been through so much, you know? I just want her to be safe.”

Nate claps a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm. “We’ll keep her safe. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. He’s not getting anywhere near her.”

I nod, taking comfort in his words, in the conviction in his voice. Together, we head to the car, the engine rumbling to life as we drive off into the night. The streets are quiet, the world outside almost serene, but inside, I’m anything but calm. My mind is a storm, each thought racing, each plan forming and reforming.

When we get back to the house, Danny and Leo are already there, both of them looking tense, their eyes meeting mine as we walk in. Sofia is in the living room, sitting on the couch with Ethan in her arms, her eyes widening as she sees us.

“What’s going on?” she asks, her voice soft but laced with worry.

I take a deep breath, crossing the room to her. I kneel in front of her, my eyes meeting hers. “We’ve got some news, sweetheart,” I say, my voice as gentle as I can make it. “Someone came by the gym tonight. They warned me that your dad… he’s planning to break out.”

Her face pales, her eyes widening, and she clutches Ethan closer to her chest. “What? How do you know?”

“Heard it from someone on the inside,” I say. “But don’t worry, okay? We’re not gonna let anything happen to you. We’re gonna keep you safe.”

Danny steps forward, his voice firm. “We’re doubling the security. You won’t be alone, not for a second. We’ll make sure of it.”

Sofia looks between us, her eyes filled with fear but also with determination. She nods slowly, her gaze dropping to Ethan, who’s sleeping peacefully in her arms. “Okay,” she whispers. “I trust you. All of you.”

Leo kneels beside me, resting a hand on her knee. “We’re a family, Sofia. We’re not gonna let anything happen to you or Ethan. He’s not getting anywhere near you. Not ever.”

She smiles, though it’s a shaky one, tears glistening in her eyes. “Thank you,” she says, her voice barely a whisper.

I reach out, brushing a tear from her cheek, my heart aching at the sight of her so scared. “We’re here, always,” I promise. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”

The room falls quiet, the weight of the moment settling over all of us. We’ve faced so much together, fought so many battles, but this one feels different. It feels more personal, more dangerous. But as I look around at the people I love, at Sofia and Ethan, at Nate, Danny, and Leo, I know one thing for certain—we’re not backing down. Not now, not ever.

We’re in this together, and we’ll protect what’s ours. No matter what it takes.