Chapter 70: Nate

By the time we get home, it’s late. The kind of late that feels like the night might never end. We’re all exhausted—planning for tomorrow, making sure everything is in place for Sofia to go see her parents—it wasn’t easy. Every minute we spent at the office felt like a weight pressing down on us. The kind of weight that only grows heavier the closer we get to the day when everything changes.

We step inside the house, shaking off the cold, our breath still visible in the air as we shrug off our coats and shoes. It’s quiet—so quiet that I almost feel like we’re intruding on the peace that’s settled in here since we left earlier.

Danny is the first to give in. He stretches, cracks his neck, and without a word, collapses on the couch, already half asleep before his head hits the pillow.

Riley chuckles softly. “Guy didn’t even make it to his bed.”

“Not surprised,” I say, smirking. “Today was brutal.”

Riley stretches his arms over his head. “Yeah, well, he’s not getting his bed tonight. I’m taking it.” He pauses. “Gonna grab a shower first, though.”

I nod, watching as he disappears upstairs, and a part of me wants to grab a shower too. But my mind’s elsewhere. I haven’t seen Sofia all day, and I need to know she’s okay.

I head down the hall, making my way to her room quietly. The door’s slightly ajar, and I push it open a bit more, careful not to make any noise. My breath catches in my throat when I see her, lying there peacefully, her chest rising and falling in the slow, steady rhythm of sleep.

But she’s not alone.

Leo’s there too, wrapped around her, both of them tangled together under the blankets. His arm’s draped over her waist, and her head’s resting on his chest, their faces relaxed, like they’ve found comfort in each other. That's when I fully take in that she's fully naked, her bare shoulders looking so damn soft.

I know what it means and, for a moment, I just stand there, watching them. A strange mix of emotions washes over me. Jealousy, sure, but also something warmer—something that settles deep in my chest when I see her safe, content. Truth is, I had my moment alone with her, I was the only one who did until now. So I'm happy for Leo. Jealous of this stupid prick, but happy for him too.

It’s a beautiful sight, one I don’t want to disturb, but at the same time, I can’t help myself.

I walk over quietly, slipping in on the other side of her, making sure not to wake either of them. The bed shifts slightly under my weight, and I hold my breath, hoping I don’t disturb their peace. Sofia stirs just a bit, nestling deeper into the warmth between us, her fingers twitching softly against Leo’s chest.

I lie back, close my eyes, and let out a long breath. Everything feels so damn right in this moment. Tomorrow will be hell, no doubt, but right now? Right now, I’ve got her safe, warm between me and Leo. That’s enough.

When I wake up, the first thing I notice is Sofia’s warmth against my side. She’s still nestled between me and Leo, and for a few peaceful moments, I let myself enjoy it. The light streaming through the curtains is soft, and it feels like we’re in this bubble, separate from everything that’s waiting for us outside. But reality starts to creep in. Today is the day.

Leo stirs beside her, blinking groggily before his eyes meet mine. He gives me a small, tired nod, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. Slowly, we all start to untangle ourselves, trying not to disturb Sofia too much, but she wakes up anyway, stretching between us like a cat.

“Morning,” she mumbles, her voice still thick with sleep.

“Morning,” I say softly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Ready for breakfast?”

Her eyes brighten just a bit, putting on a shirt and shorts Leo brings her, and we all shuffle out of bed, heading downstairs. Danny’s already in the kitchen, cooking up a storm, and Riley’s sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in his hands, looking more awake than I expected after yesterday.

Breakfast is quieter than usual, though. The weight of what’s ahead of us lingers in the air, and even though we’re all trying to act normal, there’s an undercurrent of tension.

Sofia picks at her food, her usual lightheartedness missing. I can tell she’s nervous, and so are we. But there’s no turning back now.

After we finish eating, it’s time to get ready. Leo grabs the tiny mic we had prepped earlier, and I bring over the small, elegant earring that’ll hold it in place. We sit her down in front of the mirror, and Leo gently clips it onto her ear.

“It’s small enough that your parents won’t see it,” he says, his voice steady.

Sofia nods, her hands gripping the edge of the table, her knuckles white. I kneel beside her, reaching for her hand and squeezing it gently. “We’ve got you, okay? You’re never alone in there.”

I can see the fear flicker in her eyes, but she nods again, trying to keep it together.

“Show her the cameras,” Riley says from across the room, already opening his laptop. He angles it toward her, and on the screen, multiple live feeds from outside her parents’ house flicker to life.

“We’ve got eyes on everything,” Riley explains. “All the windows, all the doors. If you stand near any of them, we’ll see you. We’ll hear everything you say through that mic.”

“And when you want us to come in,” Danny adds, leaning over her shoulder, “use the safe word. Don’t hesitate, alright? You say it, and we’ll be there before they even realize what’s happening.”

Sofia swallows hard, her eyes fixed on the screen. I can tell the weight of it is sinking in—this is real, and it’s happening today.

Leo kneels down beside her too and tilts her chin up gently. “You’re brave, Sof. And we’re going to get through this together.”

She nods again, more sure this time, and I stand up, moving over to the couch to grab her coat. I hold it out to her as she stands, and she takes a deep breath before slipping her arms into the sleeves.

As she adjusts her coat, I watch her closely, waiting to see if she’ll say anything, if the nerves will get the best of her, but she’s composed. And honestly, I’m proud of her. This is no small thing she’s about to do, and she’s handling it like she’s been trained for this her whole life.

Riley taps his fingers on the back of the couch and gives me a pointed look. “Time to move,” he says, the edge in his voice sharp.

I help Sofia put her scarf on, making sure the mic isn’t visible. She’s ready—at least on the outside. But I know what’s coming, and I’m not sure any of us are fully ready for this.