Page 14 of Obsidian Devotion

I laugh again, surprised by her audacity. "And what would you suggest instead?"

"I don't know what you're planning," she says carefully, "but whatever it is, there's always a smarter way than the direct approach."

"Sometimes direct is all you have."

Sofia shakes her head slightly. "There are always other options. Sometimes the actual power is in making your enemies destroy themselves."

"I'll keep that in mind," I say, stepping back. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to."

She nods, moving toward the door. "Good luck, Lorenzo. With whatever war you're fighting."

As she reaches for the handle, I call after her, "Sofia."

She turns, eyebrow raised in question.

"When I get back," I say, "we'll finish our conversation from earlier."

A slow smile curves across her lips. "I'm counting on it."

After she leaves, I stand motionless, replaying our interaction. Sofia Rossi is becoming a distraction I can't afford—especially tonight. But there's something about her, something that feels almost like...she understands the darkness inside of me.

I shake off the thought. Gabriel is the priority. Everything else—including my fascination with a certain redheaded bartender—can wait.

Tonight, I reclaim control of my family's future. One way or another.

6

Sofia

"Yousurvivedanothernightwith us," Adriana says, her warm smile crinkling the corners of her eyes as she unties her apron. "One month in and you haven't run away screaming. I'm impressed."

I wipe down the last of the tables, my muscles aching from hours of carrying trays and dodging wandering hands. "Thanks for showing me the ropes. I'd be lost without you."

Adriana tosses her perfect black curls over her shoulder, the dim lights of Peccato Noir catching on her multiple ear piercings. "Most pretty girls like you don't last a week. The men here..." She shakes her head. "They can be animals."

"I can handle animals," I shrug.

She giggles as she grabs her purse from beneath the bar. "Listen, a few of us are grabbing drinks at Martino's tomorrow night. Nothing fancy, just staff unwinding. You should come."

The invitation catches me off guard. Three weeks of playing the role, and I'd almost forgotten this wasn't real. That these weren't my friends. That I'm here for one reason only.

“I’d like that, but unfortunately I have plans tonight.” I let her down gently, feeling bad about the disappointment on her face.

Adriana smiles warmly. “That’s okay. There’s always a next time.”

She pats my back and leaves.

After Adriana leaves, I'm alone with the hum of the ice machine and my thoughts. I wipe down the bar methodically, each swipe bringing me closer to the end of another night with no progress. No sign of Lorenzo still.

"Working hard or hardly working?"

The voice makes me jump. Tommy Chen leans against the doorway to the back office, arms crossed over his chest, military-precise buzz cut and sleeve of Chinese dragons visible beneath his rolled-up shirtsleeves.

"Jesus, Tommy. Make some noise next time."

His lips curve into a wide smile. "What's the fun in that?" He pushes off the wall and moves towards me. "You know, most people are running out the door at closing, not scrubbing like their life depends on it."

I shrug. "I need this job."

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