Chapter 17: Riley

We’re driving back to the hangar, the silence hanging thick between us. We’re all processing what just happened, and it’s clear that none of us are okay with it. I grip the steering wheel tighter, trying to focus on the road, but my mind keeps going back to Moretti’s face, the way he looked as he searched for Sofia like she was some kind of trophy he was owed. The thought makes my stomach churn.

After a while, Danny finally breaks the silence. “Okay, I’m just gonna say it,” he starts, his voice heavy. “I don’t think we should trade her for our freedom. There’s no way we’re letting her go to that piece of shit.”

The words hang in the air, and for a moment, none of us respond. I glance at him, catching the anger in his eyes, the same anger I feel burning in my own chest. “I know you’re all thinking it,” he continues, his voice quieter now, almost resigned. “It’s disgusting. We’ve all felt it since the second we captured her. Sending her back to a monster like him, for him to… to do whatever he wants—” He trails off, and I can see the way his fists are clenched in his lap.

Nate lets out a sharp breath, crossing his arms. “I’d rather go down fighting than let her end up with him,” he mutters, anger clear in his tone. Leo just nods, his jaw set, his face tight with disgust.

We drive in silence a little longer, each of us coming to the same conclusion. There’s no way we’re handing her over to Moretti. We’ll find another way. Somehow, we’ll figure it out. I glance over at Danny, catching his eye, and we share a silent agreement. Whatever it takes, we’re not letting her go back to that life. And if that means we have to go up against Moretti ourselves, then so be it.

We pull up to the hangar and park the cars. The place is quiet, and I can’t shake the strange feeling that something’s off. Nate and Danny shrug off their jackets, heading into one of the side rooms. They start making calls, organizing surveillance on Sofia’s parents, putting our guys on high alert. If there’s any movement, any sign that Moretti’s people are sniffing around, we’ll know.

Leo and I head toward Sofia’s room, wanting to check on her, maybe even talk to her, let her know that we’re not going to hand her over. But the second I open the door, I realize something’s wrong. The room is empty. I glance around, my heart pounding as I take in the empty bed, the plate missing, the whole space devoid of any sign that she was even there.

“She’s not here,” I say, my voice low and tense. I check the small washroom, but it’s empty too. “Leo, she’s gone.”

Leo looks around, panic flashing across his face. “Where the hell could she have gone? There’s no way out of this place.” We both search the room, but there’s nothing—no sign of struggle, no note, nothing.

“Think, man,” I mutter, scanning the room. “She wouldn’t just disappear. Where could she have—”

Before I can finish, something smashes into the back of my head, sending me stumbling forward. I catch myself against the wall, pain flaring through my skull as I try to make sense of what just happened. Leo’s eyes go wide, and he shouts, “Riley, look out!”

I turn, just in time to see Sofia dart past me, her face pale and determined as she bolts for the door. She must have been hiding behind it, waiting for the right moment. I lunge after her, but she’s faster than I expected, already halfway to the exit.

“Sofia!” Leo calls, rushing after her, but she’s running full speed, her bare feet pounding against the cold floor. She reaches the doors, and for a second, I think she’s going to make it. But then Nate appears out of nowhere, blocking her path. She skids to a halt, her eyes wild as she takes a step back, looking for another way out.

Nate reaches out, trying to grab her gently, but she swings at him, her fists flying. “Let go of me!” she screams, her voice full of panic. “Let me go!”

He catches her wrists, holding her firmly but gently, trying to calm her down. “Sofia, listen—”

“No!” She kicks at him, struggling against his hold, but he doesn’t let go. He’s calm, patient, talking to her softly, trying to get her to stop fighting. But she’s not hearing any of it. She’s in full survival mode, and I can see the desperation in her eyes, the fear that we’re going to hurt her, or worse.

I walk over, holding my hands up. “Sofia, please, just calm down. We’re not going to hurt you. We just need you to stop.”

“Why should I believe you?” she spits, glaring at me. Her face is flushed, and I can see the way her chest heaves, the way she’s barely holding it together. “You’ve done nothing but lie to me. You tricked me, brought me here, and now you’re telling me you want to help?”

Nate loosens his grip slightly, just enough to keep her from running but not enough to hurt her. “We didn’t plan for this,” he says, his voice steady. “But we’re not going to send you back to him. You have my word.”

She looks at him, doubt and suspicion in her eyes, but something in his tone seems to reach her. She stops struggling, her shoulders slumping as the fight leaves her body. Nate lets her go, and she stumbles back, hugging herself as she stares at the three of us, her gaze wary and full of distrust.

“Take her back to the room,” I tell Nate, keeping my tone as gentle as I can. He nods, guiding her back, and she goes reluctantly, her eyes flicking between us like she’s waiting for us to strike. She doesn’t say anything, just walks back to the room, her head down, her steps heavy.

When we get back, Danny is standing in the doorway, looking like he’s just run a marathon. “What happened?” he asks, glancing between me and Sofia, his eyes full of worry.

“She hid behind the door and tried to make a break for it,” I explain, rubbing the back of my head where she hit me. I can feel a bit of blood trickling down my scalp, and I grimace, wiping it away. “She’s tougher than she looks.”

Sofia glares at me, and I can see the defiance in her eyes. I don’t blame her. If I were in her position, I’d probably be doing the same thing. She’s scared, angry, and she has every right to be. But we’re not going to let her go, not now. Not when we know what’s waiting for her out there.

Leo steps forward, his face softening. “Are you okay?” he asks, looking at Sofia. “Did we hurt you?”

She shakes her head, wrapping her arms around herself. “No,” she mutters, barely meeting his gaze. “I just want to go home.”

“I know,” he says quietly. “But we can’t let you do that. Not yet.”

She looks away, biting her lip, and I can see the tears starting to well up in her eyes. It hits me hard, this sudden urge to go to her, to tell her that we’re going to protect her, that she’s safe with us. But I know it’s not that simple. She doesn’t trust us, and we don’t deserve her trust. Not yet.

Nate puts a hand on my shoulder, pulling me aside. “We need to keep an eye on her,” he says, his voice low. “She’s not going to stop trying to escape. We have to make sure she stays here, no matter what.”

I nod, glancing back at Sofia, who’s sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. I know he’s right. We can’t afford to let her go, not when we’re so close to figuring this all out. But the look in her eyes, the way she’s holding herself together with sheer willpower, makes me wonder if we’re doing the right thing.

I exchange a look with Leo, and I can tell he’s thinking the same thing. This whole situation is a mess, and every step we take seems to pull us deeper into it. But we’re committed now. We have to see it through. For her sake, and for ours.