Chapter 23: Sofia

When I wake up, the first thing I see is the soft light filtering in through the curtains. The room is cozy, warm in a way that makes me feel almost safe. For a moment, I forget where I am, the events of the last few days blurring together in a haze of fear and exhaustion. But as I take in the dark walls, the worn leather chair in the corner, and the faint scent of cologne that clings to the air, it all comes rushing back. I’m in Riley’s room.

I sit up too quickly, and pain shoots through my body, reminding me of the bruises and cuts I haven’t yet recovered from. I wince, clutching my side, and take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. The oversized shirt I’m wearing slips a bit as I move, and I remember Riley giving it to me, his jogging pants barely hanging onto my hips. I feel small and exposed, but there’s a strange comfort in wearing something that belongs to him, as if it might keep me safe.

After a moment, I get up, gritting my teeth against the pain. My legs feel wobbly, but I make my way to the door, half-expecting it to be locked. But when I turn the handle, it swings open easily. They didn’t lock me in. I’m free to go where I want. The realization gives me a flicker of hope, a sense that maybe things aren’t as dire as they seem.

I step out into the hallway, glancing around for any sign of the guys. The house is quiet, the only sound my bare feet on the hardwood floor. I walk slowly, peeking around the corner into the living room, where they’re all sprawled out on the couches and chairs, fast asleep. It takes me a moment to recognize each of them, to match faces to names.

Nate is on the longest couch, his arm draped over his eyes, his chest rising and falling with each steady breath. His hair is messy, dark strands falling over his forehead, and I can see the hint of a tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve. He’s intimidating when he’s awake, all hard edges and piercing eyes, but right now, he looks almost… peaceful.

Danny is in the armchair, his legs stretched out, and there’s a softness to his face that I didn’t notice before. His brown hair is tousled, and I can see the faintest hint of a smile, like he’s dreaming of something good. He doesn’t look like the dangerous man I’ve seen over the past few days. He looks almost boyish, handsome in a way that catches me off guard.

Riley is on the other couch, curled up with his back to the wall, one arm tucked under his head. There’s a vulnerability to him that makes me feel a strange sense of protectiveness, even though I’m the one who needs protecting. His strong jaw and broad shoulders give him an air of strength, but there’s something gentle about him, too, something I didn’t expect.

And then there’s Leo, sitting upright with his head tilted back, one arm draped over the back of the couch. His soft curls are ruffled, and he has a faint stubble on his jaw that makes him look rugged. He’s the one who seems the most out of place in this world of violence, but as I watch him, I realize he’s probably just as dangerous as the others. They all are.

I stand there for a moment, just watching them, taking in their features. When they’re asleep like this, they don’t look like the men who took me from my life. They look like… ordinary guys. Handsome, yes, but also tired. Worn down by something I can’t quite understand. I wonder what brought them together, what binds them beyond this life they’ve chosen.

My head is throbbing, so I leave them to their sleep and slip into the kitchen, trying to remember where I saw the fridge. I find it easily, grateful for the cold air as I open the door and scan the shelves for something to drink. There are bottles of water lined up in neat rows, and I bend down to grab one, the coolness soothing against my palm.

“Hey,” a voice says from behind me.

I jump, spinning around so fast that I lose my balance, slipping on the tile and falling hard onto the floor. Pain shoots through my arm as I land, and I scramble backward, my heart racing, panic clawing at my chest. I look up and see Leo standing there, his face a mix of concern and regret as he steps closer.

“Oh, God, I’m sorry,” he says, dropping to his knees beside me. He reaches out, his hands hovering over my shoulders like he’s afraid to touch me. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Are you okay?”

I’m still shaking, but his expression softens, and I take a deep breath, forcing myself to relax. He looks genuinely worried, his brow furrowed as he watches me, and I can see the guilt in his eyes. “I’m fine,” I say, even though my voice wavers a bit. “You just… startled me.”

He offers me a hand, and I take it, letting him pull me up gently. He holds onto me, steadying me as I find my footing, and then he bends down to pick up the water bottle I dropped. “Sorry,” he says again, his voice low. “I didn’t think anyone else would be awake.”

“It’s okay,” I murmur, taking the bottle from him. “I just needed some water.”

He nods, still watching me with that intense gaze, and I feel a strange warmth spreading through me. He holds onto my hand, guiding me back to the living room, where the others are stirring, blinking sleepily as they sit up. My sudden scream must have woken them, and they look around, confused, until they see me standing there with Leo.

Riley is the first to react, rubbing his eyes as he gets up and crosses the room, his expression concerned. “What happened?”

Leo waves him off. “She just needed some water. I accidentally scared her, that’s all.”

I feel their eyes on me, each of them assessing, worried, and I force myself to smile, hoping to ease their concern. “I’m fine. Really.”

Danny pats the couch between him and Riley, motioning for me to sit. “Come on, sit down. You shouldn’t be wandering around on your own, not with your injuries.”

I settle between them, feeling a bit self-conscious as they all watch me. Riley takes the water bottle from my hands, opening it and passing it back to me, his hand brushing against mine as he does. There’s a warmth in his touch, and I find myself relaxing, my body sinking into the soft cushions.

They’re all awake now, standing around like they’re not quite sure what to do. It’s strange, this sudden shift from captors to protectors, and I can feel the tension in the air, the unspoken questions lingering between us.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, looking at each of them in turn. “For bringing me here. For… for not letting them…”

The words trail off, but they nod, understanding what I mean. Nate steps forward, resting a hand on my shoulder. “We’re not going to let anything happen to you, Sofia. You’re safe here. As long as you’re with us, no one’s going to hurt you.”

I nod, my throat tight as I take a sip of water, letting the coolness soothe my nerves. They’ve said the words before, but this time, I believe them. I can see it in their faces, the way they’re looking at me like they’re willing to fight the world to keep me safe.