Chapter 34: Danny

The drive to the restaurant is relaxed, with everyone talking about some very light stuff. We’ve got Sofia in the back seat, sandwiched between Nate and me. She’s wearing this black dress that shows off her legs, bare shoulders catching the dim light as we navigate the streets, and I'm wondering if she knows what she's doing to us; what she's doing to me, dressed like that. I’m keeping one hand on her knee, while Nate’s arm is slung casually behind her, his fingers brushing over her shoulder every now and then. I catch the way he looks at her, something soft in his usually guarded eyes, and I get it. Hell, I feel the same way. She glances up at us, a small smile playing on her lips, and she seems more at ease than she has in days.

Leo’s up front with Riley, and they’re both chatting, semi-focused on the road. We’re heading to a restaurant we know well—an out-of-the-way spot only a few people even know about. It’s a safe zone for us, somewhere we can unwind without worrying about the wrong people seeing us. We made sure of that a long time ago.

When we arrive, Riley parks in a hidden spot around back, and we get out, forming a protective circle around Sofia as we head inside. The restaurant is dimly lit, with dark wood and booths that offer just the right amount of privacy. There’s a low hum of conversation, but it’s the kind of place where people mind their own business. We make our way to a table in the back, the same one we always take, and settle in.

Marty, the waiter, spots us as we sit down. He’s seen us here plenty of times before, knows not to ask questions. He comes over with his usual smile, but when he sees Sofia, his eyes linger a little too long.

“Evening, gentlemen,” he greets us, his gaze sliding over to Sofia. “And a new face, I see. Welcome.”

He grins, but it’s the way his eyes take in Sofia’s dress that gets under my skin. Leo catches it too, and he leans forward slightly, his tone calm but pointed. “You got a problem, Marty?”

Marty’s smile falters, and he clears his throat, stepping back a bit. “No problem, Leo. Just being friendly.” He glances away, clearly getting the hint, and pulls out his pad to take our orders. We order quickly, and he hurries off, not daring to look back this time.

The food comes not long after, and we dig in. Sofia seems to relax, her shoulders dropping and her face beaming as she takes a bite of her pasta. The rest of us chat casually, keeping the conversation light, all happy to be out of the house for a little while. For a few minutes, it feels like we’re just a bunch of friends out for a meal. It’s a good feeling, one I know we’re all clinging to.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spot trouble. Brittany and Lindsey are headed our way, both dressed in outfits that barely cover anything. They have way too much makeup on, and one wrong move would send the wrong things flying out of their tight clothes. They’re the kind of girls who are always hanging around the edges of our world, daughters of older mafia members and girls who’ve always been more interested in our money than anything else. They’ve shown up at parties before, always looking for a quick thrill, and I know they’ve been trying to catch our attention for a while now.

Brittany zeroes in on Nate, sliding into his lap with a smile that’s all teeth. “Hey, handsome,” she purrs, running her fingers over his chest.

Lindsey doesn’t waste any time, either. She settles onto my lap, her fingers tracing over my shoulder as she leans in close. “Missed you, Danny,” she murmurs, flashing me a grin that’s meant to be seductive.

I freeze, my eyes darting to Sofia. She’s watching us, and there’s a flicker of disbelief and hurt in her expression that makes my stomach twist. I want to shove Lindsey off, but she’s got her arms around me, clinging like a leech.

Nate, though, isn’t having any of it. He pushes Brittany off with a rough shove, and she stumbles back, hitting the floor with a thud. The other patrons glance over, and I can see the embarrassment flash across her face as she scrambles to her feet.

Lindsey scowls, stepping up beside Brittany as they both glare at Sofia, who is exchanging a small laugh with Leo at the sight unfolding in front of her. “What’s your problem, princess?” Brittany sneers, crossing her arms. “Something funny?”

Sofia stays silent, but I can see the tension in her jaw as her smile falters, and the way she’s gripping the edge of the table. Lindsey steps closer, grabbing a fistful of Sofia’s hair and yanking her to her feet. “You think they actually want you?” Lindsey snaps, her voice filled with venom. “You’re just some charity case they picked up. They’ll drop you the second they get bored.”

I’m on my feet before I even realize it, moving to intervene, but before I can, there’s a loud bang. A gunshot. The restaurant falls silent as everyone turns to the source of the noise.

A man at the table next to us has a gun raised, pointed at the ceiling. He lowers it slowly, his eyes scanning the room before settling on the waiter. “Get your boss. Now,” he growls, his voice cold.

Marty pales, nodding quickly as he hurries off. The man’s gaze sweeps over us, and I can see the moment he notices Sofia. He steps forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her close, pressing the barrel of the gun to her temple.

“Nobody move,” he snarls, his gaze daring any of us to make a move. “One wrong move, and she’s done.”

My blood turns to ice as I take in the fear in Sofia’s eyes. She’s shaking, tears slipping down her cheeks as she tries to keep still. I want to reach for my gun, to take him down, but I know that one wrong move could mean the end. We all exchange glances, waiting for the right moment, but it’s like walking a tightrope over a pit of flames.

The boss finally appears, a gray-haired man with a steely gaze. He takes in the scene, his face hardening as he spots the gunman. “What do you want?” he asks, his voice calm but deadly.

The man sneers, pulling Sofia closer. “You owe me, old man. You thought you could get away with cheating me?”

The boss’s face tightens, but he doesn’t back down. “Let her go. She has nothing to do with this.”

“Too late for that,” the gunman spits, glancing around the room, his eyes wild. “She’s my insurance. And if any of you think you can pull something—”

The next thing I know, there’s another gunshot, and the gunman stumbles, his grip on Sofia loosening as he falls. Riley’s standing there, gun raised, his face expressionless as he watches the man hit the floor. None of us even knew he’d brought his piece, but I’m damn glad he did.

Sofia stands there, frozen, her body splattered with blood from the now lifeless body next to her. Leo reaches her first, pulling her into his arms, and I’m right behind him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she shakes.

“It’s over,” I murmur, brushing a hand over her hair. “You’re safe now.”

She doesn’t respond, just buries her face in Leo’s chest, her whole body trembling uncontrollably. Riley tucks his gun away, throwing a stack of bills on the table before he motions for us to get moving.

We guide Sofia out, shielding her from the curious eyes of the other patrons, and head back to the SUV. Once we’re inside, I hold her close, letting her know without words that she’s safe, that we’re not going to let anything happen to her. She shakes for the entire drive back, tears not once stopping from flowing out of her eyes.