Chapter 74

Chapter 74
Sofia's POV

The sound of the gunshot still rang in my ears.

“Alessandro!” I screamed, dropping beside him. His blood stained my hands as I pressed down on the wound. “Stay with me!”

He tried to speak, but only a faint gasp escaped. His eyes rolled back, and I felt the world spin.

“Don’t move!” the man’s voice ordered.

Luca stood between us and the soldiers, gun raised. “You made your point,” he said coldly. “You got what you wanted. Now let her go.”

The man smiled, lowering his gun slightly. “You think this is about her?” He nodded toward Alessandro. “That was mercy. What comes next isn’t.”

Luca’s finger tightened on the trigger. “You’ll regret this.”

“I already don’t,” the man said. He lifted his hand, and his soldiers spread out, surrounding us. “Put the gun down.”

“Not happening,” Luca growled.

I looked at him—his jaw set, eyes dark, breath sharp. He was outnumbered, but he didn’t flinch. That’s what terrified me most.

“Luca, please,” I whispered. “Don’t.”

He didn’t even look at me. “I’m not letting him touch you.”

“You can’t fight all of them,” I said, my voice breaking.

His eyes met mine, soft for just a heartbeat. “Watch me.”

Before he could fire, the man gave a small wave. A soldier stepped forward and slammed his rifle into the back of Luca’s head. He dropped to one knee, dazed. I lunged toward him, but two men grabbed me, pulling me back.

“Let me go!” I shouted, kicking and fighting.

Luca tried to rise, blood running down his temple. “Don’t you touch her!”

The man crouched in front of him. “You’ve been a thorn in my side for far too long, De Rossi. It’s time I pulled you out.”

He motioned again. Another soldier struck Luca across the face. I screamed, struggling against the grip on my arms.

“Stop!” I cried. “Please!”

The man stood, brushing dirt from his coat. “Take him.”

“No!” I yelled. “Take me instead!”

He looked at me, smiling like he enjoyed it. “Oh, I plan to.”

Two more soldiers grabbed Luca, dragging him up. He fought them off, his voice raw. “Sofia! Don’t listen to him!”

I twisted free for a second and ran toward him. “I won’t leave you!”

He caught me as I crashed into him. His arms went around me fast, tight, desperate. “I’m fine,” he said, but his voice trembled. “Don’t cry.”

“I can’t lose you again,” I whispered.

“You won’t,” he said. “I’ll find you. No matter what.”

The man’s voice cut through the moment. “How sweet. Shame it won’t last.”

Two soldiers ripped us apart. I screamed, clawing at their arms, but they dragged me backward. Luca fought harder, but they struck him again, dropping him to his knees.

“Stop it!” I cried. “You’re killing him!”

The man stepped closer, eyes cold. “Not yet.”

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You always had a way of making powerful men lose control,” he said softly. “Let’s see if he survives it.”

I spat at him. “You’re a coward.”

He smirked. “And you’re still predictable.”

Luca tried to stand again, blood on his lip. “If you hurt her—”

The man turned to him. “What? You’ll kill me? You already tried that once.”

I looked between them, realizing what that meant. “You… you were supposed to be dead.”

The man’s smile widened. “Surprise.”

Luca’s expression darkened. “You don’t get to touch her.”

“Then stop me,” the man said calmly.

Before Luca could move, they hit him again. He collapsed, groaning. I screamed, pulling against the soldiers until one struck me across the face. Pain exploded behind my eyes, and everything went dizzy.

“Enough,” the man said lazily. “Take him to the trucks. I want her separate.”

Luca’s head lifted weakly. “Don’t… don’t you touch her!”

“Quiet him,” the man ordered.

They dragged Luca away, his voice echoing through the trees. “Sofia! I’ll find you!”

I fought to reach him, kicking and screaming, but the soldiers were too strong. “Luca!” I shouted. “Don’t let them—”

A blow to the back of my head sent everything spinning again. The world tilted, fading to black.

When I woke, it was dark.

My wrists were bound, the rope biting into my skin. I was lying on a cold floor, the smell of gasoline and rain thick in the air. My head throbbed.

I tried to sit up. “Luca?” My voice cracked. “Luca!”

No answer.

I looked around. I was inside an old truck, metal walls rusted and cold. The engine wasn’t running, but I could hear voices outside—men talking, laughing.

I moved toward the door, testing the ropes. Too tight. I bit back a sob. “Think, Sofia. Think.”

The truck door creaked open. The man stepped inside, calm as ever. He crouched beside me, smiling like he was visiting an old friend.

“Sleep well?” he asked.

“Go to hell,” I said.

He chuckled. “You’re still brave. I like that.”

“Where’s Luca?” I demanded.

“Alive,” he said. “For now.”

I glared at him. “If you hurt him—”

He tilted his head. “You really don’t understand, do you? You were never the target. He was.”

“Then why take me?”

“Because he’ll come for you,” he said simply. “And when he does, I’ll have both of you.”

“You won’t win,” I said, my voice shaking. “He’ll kill you.”

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Maybe. But by then, you’ll already belong to me.”

I jerked back, disgusted. “Never.”

He smiled. “We’ll see.”

He stood and turned toward the door. “Get some rest. You’ll need it.”

“Where are you taking me?” I demanded.

He paused, looking back with a cruel grin. “Home.”

The door slammed shut, locking me in darkness. I pulled at the ropes until my wrists bled, fighting the tears that finally broke free.

Outside, I could hear engines starting. The truck lurched forward.

I pressed my head against the cold wall, whispering the only name that gave me strength. “Luca… please find me.”

Hours blurred. The truck bounced over rough ground. I lost count of how long I’d been trapped when it finally stopped. The door opened again, flooding the space with pale light.

Two guards grabbed me and dragged me out. My legs barely worked. We were in front of a massive iron gate, guarded by armed men. Beyond it stood a mansion—dark stone, sharp windows, and a symbol I recognized carved into the arch.

My stomach dropped. “No…”

The man stepped beside me. “Welcome back, Sofia,” he said softly. “To where it all began.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “This is—”

“Your father’s house,” he finished. “Or what’s left of it.”

I froze, the memories rushing back—the fire, the screaming, the night everything was taken from me.

He smiled. “You see? You and I were always meant to end up here.”

“Why?” I whispered. “Why bring me here?”

“Because this is where I’ll make him suffer most,” he said. “Watching you remember.”

He started walking toward the mansion. I didn’t move. One of the guards shoved me forward. “Walk.”

I stumbled after him, my chest tight with anger and fear. As we entered the old hall, the smell of smoke and dust filled my nose. The walls were burned, the ceilings cracked, but I could still see pieces of my childhood hiding in the ruins.

He stopped by the stairs, turning to me with that same calm smile. “Get comfortable, Sofia. Luca won’t take long.”

I glared at him, trembling. “When he comes, you’ll wish you’d killed me first.”

He stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “That’s what I’m counting on.”

His hand lingered for a second too long before he turned away.

And as the guards pulled me deeper into the house, my heart pounded with one thought, burning through the fear.

He’s coming for me.

And when he does, none of them will survive.