Chapter 57

Chapter 57
Sofia's POV

The sea rocked beneath us, dark and endless, the fog curling like smoke over the black water. The boat swayed hard, each motion threatening to toss me over the side. Diego’s hand never left my wrist, iron and unyielding, like he thought I’d throw myself into the waves rather than stay with him. Maybe I would have.

“Let go of me,” I hissed, yanking uselessly against his grip.

“Never,” he snapped, his eyes blazing in the dim lantern light.

The small lamp at the bow swung wildly with the motion of the boat, casting flashes across Diego’s face—too calm, too sure, like he was already winning. Then it stopped. The fog broke just enough to reveal another glow ahead, steady and stronger. Not our lantern. Another ship’s.

Diego’s grin spread, slow and dangerous. “Looks like we’re expected.”

My blood ran cold. “Expected? By who?”

Before he could answer, a voice carried low over the water. Male. Commanding. Unfamiliar.
“Bring her.”

My heart clenched. That voice wasn’t Luca. It wasn’t Alessandro. Whoever it was, I didn’t recognize him—but Diego did.

“You planned this,” I spat, my voice shaking. “This whole thing.”

Diego’s hands tightened on the oars, pulling us closer to the looming shape. “I plan everything.”

“You’re insane,” I said, my voice ragged. “You think you can just hand me off to someone else? I’m not a piece to trade.”

He leaned closer, his face inches from mine, his voice low enough to curl into my ear. “Cage or throne—it makes no difference, Sofia. You’ll be beside me either way.”

“I’d rather drown,” I whispered.

His smile deepened. “We’ll see.”

Behind us, voices pierced the fog. Shouts. Desperate, furious.
“SOFIA!” Luca’s roar ripped across the water.
“Stay calm!” Alessandro barked, his command sharp and clipped.

Relief shot through me like fire. “I’m here!” I screamed into the mist. “Help me!”

Gunfire cracked. Bullets hissed into the waves, splashing dangerously close. The larger vessel ahead didn’t flinch. Its lantern bobbed steady, like a predator circling without fear.

“See?” Diego said, his voice maddeningly calm. “They fight shadows while I take you where you belong.”

“You don’t own me,” I spat.

His eyes burned as he steered closer to the larger ship. “You’ll believe it when no one else comes.”

The lantern ahead brightened, and shapes moved in silhouette. Figures leaned over the bow, dark outlines against the glow. A rope ladder dropped down, swaying above the waves.

“Bring her,” the commanding voice repeated.

I trembled, clutching the bench to keep from collapsing. “Who are they? Who are you giving me to?”

Diego didn’t answer. His grip was merciless as he pulled us alongside. He caught my chin, forcing my eyes to his. His whisper burned hot against my cheek. “Time to see how far you’ll follow.”

Before I could scream, he yanked me upright, shoving me toward the ladder. My feet slipped, my hands scraped against wet rope, and suddenly I was climbing, driven by his push from below and the gunfire cracking somewhere in the fog behind us.

“LUCA!” I screamed, my voice breaking.

Another gunshot echoed—closer. A bullet slammed into the water inches from Diego’s hand as he reached for the ladder. He cursed, hauling himself up behind me.

I scrambled higher, my palms raw, my breath ragged. The larger vessel loomed like a wall, its deck shrouded in shadows. Hands reached down, grabbing my arms, dragging me the final stretch. Rough palms clamped tight around my wrists, yanking me onto solid planks.

I stumbled, coughing, my knees burning as I hit the deck. Boots surrounded me. At least six men. Armed. Masked. Their guns gleamed in the lantern light.

Diego swung up behind me, straightening with a smug smile. “She’s here.”

The men parted, and a tall figure stepped forward. I strained to see his face, but the shadows clung stubbornly. His suit was immaculate, his stance powerful, his voice cool as stone.
“Welcome aboard, Sofia.”

My chest seized. He knew my name.

“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice shaking. “What do you want with me?”

The man chuckled, low and humorless. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Diego moved closer, his hand brushing the small of my back like he had the right to touch me. “She’s not your concern. She’s mine.”

The man’s gaze shifted to Diego. “That depends. Did you bring her willingly… or did you just drag her along like a dog?”

Diego’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer.

The silence stretched, broken only by the slap of waves against the hull and the faint echo of gunfire still rattling through the fog behind us.

Then—Luca’s voice again. Furious. Closer.
“SOFIA!”

My throat closed. “I’m here!” I shouted, desperate. “I’m—”

A hand slammed over my mouth, cutting the sound short. One of the masked men held me fast, his grip bruising.

Luca’s shout cut off, swallowed by the fog. My chest ached, fury and terror knotting together.

“Let her speak,” the commanding man said finally. His voice was calm, too calm. “The brothers won’t find us in this fog. Not before we’re gone.”

“Gone?” I whispered once the hand lifted. “Gone where?”

The man smiled, but it was a cruel, humorless curve. “Home.”

A shiver ran through me. “This isn’t my home.”

“It will be,” he said.

I staggered back, my shoulder slamming into Diego’s chest. He steadied me, but I shoved him away. “No. I’m not going anywhere with you. Either of you.”

“Still fighting,” Diego murmured, almost admiring. “That’s why they’ll never break you.”

The man’s gaze slid back to him. “We’ll see about that.”

Before I could move, the ship lurched. The deck tilted under my feet as engines rumbled to life. We were leaving. The Moretti brothers’ shouts grew fainter, swallowed by the fog as the vessel turned away.

Panic clawed at my chest. I bolted for the railing, but two guards caught me instantly, dragging me back. I kicked, thrashed, screamed, but it was useless.

“Let me go!” I sobbed. “LUCA!”

The man stepped closer, his shadow swallowing me. His eyes—cold, unblinking—locked on mine. “The sooner you accept it, the easier this will be.”

“I’ll never accept it,” I spat, trembling.

He leaned down, his breath brushing my ear. “Everyone breaks, Sofia. Even you.”

Diego watched in silence, his expression unreadable. For the first time, I wasn’t sure if he was my captor or my shield. Maybe both. Maybe neither.

The fog thickened again, erasing the last echoes of Luca’s voice. My chest hollowed with dread.

And then, from somewhere above—another voice cut through. Sharp. Furious. Familiar.
“Drop her.”

Every head snapped up. My heart leapt.

On the mast above, barely visible through the haze, a figure crouched with a gun aimed straight at the man in charge. Broad shoulders. Dark hair. Eyes that burned like fire.

Luca.

He was here.

For one suspended heartbeat, hope flared bright. He’d come. He’d found me. He’d—

A single gunshot cracked. Not from Luca’s weapon.

My scream tore out as the commanding man jerked, spun, and fired back.

Chaos exploded. Shouts. Gunfire. Smoke.

And in the chaos, I felt a hand grab mine, yanking me hard toward the edge of the ship.

Diego’s voice hissed in my ear.
“Time to choose again.”

The deck bucked, smoke filling my lungs. I stumbled, torn between the man dragging me toward the shadows and the one aiming to tear the world apart just to reach me.

The gunfire grew louder. Boots thundered. Someone shouted my name again.

And then—the deck tilted violently as something massive struck the hull.

The ship lurched sideways, sending us sprawling. My head cracked against the planks, stars bursting behind my eyes. The world spun, deafening with screams and splintering wood.

When I blinked through the haze, the rope ladder dangled loose against the hull.

And Luca—bleeding, furious—was already climbing it.