Chapter 138: Sofia

The early morning light filters in through the curtains, and I can feel the warmth of Ethan's tiny body curled up against my chest. His soft breaths are steady, comforting, and I try to focus on that rhythm, on the safety of this moment. But my mind is miles away, stuck in a dark loop of fear and doubt. My father is out there. The boys have done everything they can to make sure we're safe, but I know him. I know the kind of man he is. He won't stop until he gets what he wants.

I glance down at Ethan, his little face so innocent, his tiny hands gripping the fabric of my shirt. He has no idea what's happening, no idea of the danger lurking just beyond these walls. I kiss the top of his head, my heart aching with love and fear. I have to keep him safe. I have to protect him from the darkness that has haunted me my whole life.

Leo and Riley are downstairs, talking in hushed voices. I can hear the urgency in their tone, the fear they're trying to mask. I shift carefully, trying not to wake Ethan as I slide out of bed. He stirs, his eyes opening just a sliver, and I give him a reassuring smile. "It's okay, sweetheart," I whisper, stroking his cheek. "Mommy's just going to get ready."

I cross the room, my eyes scanning for the bag I packed last night. It's hidden beneath the bed, filled with clothes, diapers, everything I could think of. If we have to run, I want to be ready. I reach for it, my fingers brushing the handle when I hear a knock at the door. My heart leaps into my throat, and I freeze, my eyes darting to Ethan. He's still half-asleep, blissfully unaware of the tension in the air.

"Sofia?" It's Danny's voice, low but urgent. I exhale slowly, my hand falling away from the bag as I stand up, crossing to the door. I pull it open, and Danny steps inside, his expression tight, his eyes filled with worry.

"What's going on?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper. I can feel the fear crawling up my spine, my heart pounding in my chest.

He glances at Ethan, then back at me, his jaw clenching. "We need to move. Now," he says. "We got word that your father might be closer than we thought. We have a car ready, but we need to go."

The world seems to tilt beneath me, the floor dropping away. I knew this was coming, but hearing the words out loud makes it all too real. I nod, my throat too tight to speak, and I turn back to Ethan. I scoop him up, his warmth grounding me, and I hold him close as I grab the bag from beneath the bed.

Danny leads us down the hallway, his hand on my back, guiding me. The house feels like it's vibrating with tension, every sound amplified—the rustle of clothing, the creak of the floorboards, the hushed voices of the boys as they make their plans. Nate is by the front door, his expression grim, his eyes locking on mine as we approach.

"We're taking you to the safehouse," he says, his voice steady, though I can see the fear beneath the surface. "It's remote, secure. We'll deal with him, but we need you and Ethan out of here."

I nod, my heart pounding, my fingers tightening around Ethan. He looks up at me, his big eyes wide, and I force a smile, trying to mask the fear that’s clawing at my insides. "It's going to be okay, baby," I whisper, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

Nate opens the door, and the cold air rushes in, biting at my skin. Riley is already outside, his eyes scanning the street, his body tense. The car is parked by the curb, the engine running, and I feel Danny's hand on my back, urging me forward.

But just as we step onto the porch, there’s a sound—a muffled thud, followed by the sharp crack of something breaking. My heart stops, and I turn, my eyes wide, my gaze locking on Riley. He’s already moving, his eyes narrowed, his hand reaching for the gun at his side.

“Get down!” he yells, and the next second, chaos erupts. The world seems to explode around us—shouts, the crunch of footsteps, the flash of movement. I clutch Ethan to my chest, my breath catching in my throat as Danny pulls me back, his body shielding mine as we move back into the house.

“Go!” Danny shouts, his voice raw, and I stumble, my feet barely finding purchase as I turn and run. My father’s men are here—I know it in my bones, can feel it in the way the air has changed, the way the fear grips me, tight and unrelenting. I hear a crash behind me, the sound of glass shattering, and I force myself forward, my eyes locked on the back door.

I burst into the kitchen, my heart pounding, and I see Leo there, his face pale, his eyes widening as he sees me. “Sofia!” he calls, rushing toward me. He grabs my arm, pulling me close, his eyes scanning the room, the fear etched across his face.

“We have to go,” I say, my voice trembling, and he nods, his jaw tight. He leads me to the back door, his hand on the small of my back, guiding me, protecting me. I can hear the chaos in the house—the shouts, the sound of fighting, the raw, animalistic grunts of struggle. I can’t think about it. I can’t think about anything but Ethan, about getting him out of here.

We reach the door, and Leo pushes it open, the cold air rushing in. But before we can step outside, a figure appears—a man, his face twisted with rage, his eyes locking on mine. My heart stops, my breath catching in my throat as I take a step back, my body colliding with Leo’s.

“Get back!” Leo shouts, his arm coming around me, pulling me away. The man lunges forward, and everything seems to blur—the world tilting, my vision narrowing as I hold Ethan close, my heart pounding in my ears.

Leo moves fast, his body a shield between me and the intruder, and I hear the sickening crack of bone, the thud of bodies colliding. The man falls, his head hitting the ground with a dull thud, and Leo turns, his eyes wild, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

“Go!” he yells, and I move, my feet barely touching the ground as I run, the cold air biting at my skin, the darkness closing in around me. I can hear Leo behind me, his footsteps heavy, and I clutch Ethan to my chest, my heart pounding, my mind racing.

We reach the edge of the yard, the fence looming before us, and I turn, my eyes locking on Leo. He’s there, his eyes fierce, his body tense, and he nods, his hand reaching for mine. “We’re getting out of here,” he says, his voice raw, and I nod, my throat too tight to speak.

But before we can move, there’s another sound—a shout, the crunch of footsteps, and I turn, my eyes widening as I see them—two men, their faces shadowed, their eyes locked on us. My heart stops, the fear crashing over me like a wave, and I take a step back, my body colliding with Leo’s.

“Run!” he yells, but I know there’s no time. They’re too close, their bodies moving toward us, their eyes filled with a cold, calculating rage. I clutch Ethan to my chest, my heart pounding, my mind racing.

And then they’re on us—hands grabbing, pulling, the world spinning around me. I hear Leo shout, his voice raw, and I struggle, my body twisting, my heart pounding in my ears. I can’t lose him. I can’t lose Ethan. I can’t let them take us.

But the world is a blur, the fear swallowing me whole, and I feel myself falling, the ground rushing up to meet me, the darkness closing in.

And then, nothing.