Page 31 of Secret Revenge

“Indeed,” he replied, his voice low and measured. “When will she be here?”

“I sent Enzo to pick her up,” I said, sitting in the leather chair, feeling its cold embrace wrap around me. “She should be here within the hour.”

As the time ticked away, my thoughts raced alongside it. What could be so vital that Sophia needed to speak with us right away? My intuition screamed at me, urging me to prepare for the worst. Mafia families lived with danger, and as much as I tried to shield Sophia from our dark world, I was afraid that time had come to an end.

The grandfather clock in the corner chimed, its somber tone echoing through the room and pulling me from my thoughts. The hour had arrived. I glanced towards the office door, feeling a knot of anxiety twisting tighter in my stomach.

As if on cue, the door swung open to reveal Enzo, his face unreadable as he ushered Sophia into Nicholas’s office. Her eyes were wide with fear, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she clutched the strap of her purse. The sight of her like this sent a shiver down my spine.

I rushed to her and pulled her into an embrace. “Whatever it is, we can fix it,” I said softly, my voice barely audible over the pounding in my chest.

“Of course,” she whispered, her gaze darting between Nicholas and me. “I didn’t know where else to turn.”

“Please, have a seat,” Nicholas offered, gesturing towards the chair across from his desk. Sophia hesitated for just a moment before sinking into the plush leather seat.

“What is it that you need to tell us?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady. My mind raced with potential secrets and betrayals, each more threatening than the last.

Sophia’s lower lip trembled as tears filled her eyes. “It’s Joshua,” she choked out, her fingers gripping the armrests of the chair until her knuckles turned white. “I’ve been seeing him again—my ex-boyfriend, I mean—and it only just occurred to me that he might be... using me. To get information about Nicholas.”

My heart skipped a beat at her confession, my worst fears confirmed. I felt a surge of anger building within me, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the vulnerability in Sophia’s eyes.

“Are you certain of this?” Nicholas asked, his voice cold and controlled. He leaned back in his chair, his blue eyes locked onto Sophia like a predator waiting to strike.

“I—I think so,” Sophia stammered, her voice barely a whisper. “He’s been asking me all these questions about you two, about the family... It didn’t make sense until now.”

“We knew he was looking into Nicholas already. We’ll handle this situation. Don’t worry.”

She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked between Nicholas and me, seeking reassurance in our faces. I tried to offer her a comforting smile, but the weight of the knowledge she had brought us pressed down on me like a heavy shroud.

“Can you tell me why Joshua would want information about Nicholas?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “What could I know that the police can’t find out on their own?”

The question hung heavy in the air, and I looked over at Nicholas, whose eyes had darkened with an unspoken intensity. As our gazes locked, the weight of the decision before us became clear. It was time for Sophia to learn the truth about our family.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the revelation I was about to share. Nicholas gave me a reassuring nod, and I focused on Sophia’s anxious expression.

“Nicholas is the head of the Romano mafia family,” I began slowly, watching as her eyes widened in shock. “The police are always looking for ways to gather information on us. They’ll use whatever means necessary, even if it means using Joshua to manipulate you.”

Sophia stared at me, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. She seemed unable to find words for a moment, then finally stuttered out a question. “You... you married into the mafia? Did you know what you were doing?”

“Of course I knew,” I replied, my voice unwavering. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, but I chose to marry him for family – mine and his.”

I could see the myriad emotions playing across Sophia’s face - shock, confusion, and perhaps even a hint of awe. “How do you live with it?” she asked quietly. “Knowing the danger that comes with being part of a mafia family?”

“Strength and trust,” I answered, my voice heavy with the weight of the truth. “We rely on each other and our men. We have codes and rules that may seem harsh, but they are designed to protect us and maintain order.”

“Are you scared?” Sophia whispered, her dark eyes searching mine for the truth.

“Sometimes,” I admitted, feeling a familiar cold shiver run down my spine. “But we can’t live in fear. We must face it head-on and fight to protect what’s ours.”

Sophia’s eyes flickered between Nicholas and me, her gaze lingering on the way our hands were clasped tightly together. I could see her struggling to process this new reality, her emotions a whirlwind of uncertainty and fear.

“Listen carefully, Sophia,” Nicholas said, his voice firm yet gentle. “Now that you’ve come to us with this information, you’re in danger. You need to stay here with us until we can resolve the situation with your ex.”

As he spoke, my mind raced ahead to what ‘resolving the situation’ truly meant. I knew it was likely to end in bloodshed; these situations rarely ended any other way. But I couldn’t bring myself to tell Sophia the dark truth. Instead, I focused on keeping her safe and reassuring her in any way I could.

“Wh-what do you mean?” Sophia stammered, her eyes darting between Nicholas and me. “How long will I have to stay here?”

“We don’t know yet,” I admitted, forcing a smile onto my lips. “But trust us, Sophia. We’ll do everything we can to protect you.”

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