"You're playing a dangerous game, Ms. Russo," Detective Torres warned, her eyes narrowing as she flipped through the file Sofia had presented.Sofia stood her ground, chin raised defiantly. "It's not a game, Detective. It's the truth."The warehouse had become an impromptu courtroom, with Sofia presenting her case to Torres while Luca stood nearby, flanked by officers. Giulia hovered in the background, her face a mask of worry.Torres sighed, rubbing her temples. "Even if what you're saying is true, it doesn't change the fact that Moretti killed a man in Geneva.""Self-defense," Sofia countered. "The police reports clearly show that Carlo Visconti attacked Luca first. He had no choice."Luca's eyes met Sofia's, gratitude and something deeper shining in their depths. She felt a flutter in her stomach but pushed it aside. Now wasn't the time for distractions."And what about the money laundering?" Torres pressed. "These transactions have Moretti's signature all over them."Sofia took a
Chapter 31: The Final ConfrontationThe abandoned warehouse loomed before them, its rusted metal exterior a fitting backdrop for the showdown to come. Sofia felt her heart racing as she and Luca approached, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence."Are you sure about this?" Sofia whispered, her hand tightening on the gun Luca had insisted she carry.Luca's jaw was set, his eyes focused on the building ahead. "It's the only way, cara. We end this tonight."They had received an anonymous tip - likely from Antonio - that Marco Russo was holed up here, planning his next move. It was time to confront him, once and for all.As they neared the entrance, a figure stepped out of the shadows. Sofia's breath caught in her throat as she recognized her brother."Antonio," she breathed. "What are you doing here?"Antonio's face was grim, his arm still in a makeshift sling from Sofia's earlier shot. "I told you I was on your side, sis. I'm here to help."Luca's eyes narrowed. "And we're suppose
The acrid smell of cigar smoke clung to the air, mingling with the metallic tang of fear that permeated the dimly lit warehouse. Luca Moretti's polished oxfords clicked against the concrete floor as he circled the trembling man kneeling before him."Now, Antonio," Luca's voice was smooth as silk, belying the danger that lurked beneath. "I thought we had an understanding."Antonio's eyes darted frantically around the room, searching for an escape that didn't exist. "Mr. Moretti, please... I can explain-""Explain?" Luca's laugh was cold and sharp. "Explain why you thought you could skim off the top of my shipments? Explain why you believed you were smarter than me?"He stopped in front of Antonio, towering over the cowering man. The scar on Luca's cheek, a souvenir from a knife fight in his youth, seemed to glow in the dim light."I-I'm sorry, boss. It won't happen again. I swear on my mother's grave-""Your mother's still alive, Antonio." Luca's dark eyes glittered dangerously. "Let's
"You're going to get yourself killed, Sofia."Sofia Russo looked up from the stack of papers spread across her desk, her emerald eyes narrowing at her best friend, Elena. "Your concern is touching, but unnecessary."Elena leaned against the doorframe of Sofia's office, her white doctor's coat a stark contrast to the dimly lit room. "Unnecessary? You're going after the Moretti family. That's practically suicide."Sofia leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms above her head. The clock on the wall showed 2 AM, but she felt wired, alive with the thrill of the chase. "They're not untouchable, Elena. No one is.""Tell that to the last three prosecutors who tried to bring them down," Elena countered. "Oh wait, you can't. Because they're all dead."A ghost of a smile played on Sofia's lips. "Well, fourth time's the charm, right?"Elena sighed, moving into the office and perching on the edge of Sofia's desk. "I'm serious, Sof. This isn't just about the Morettis. Your father-""My father,
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Rossi."The courtroom rustled with movement as everyone stood. Sofia Russo smoothed down her pencil skirt, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. This was it. Months of preparation had led to this moment.As Judge Rossi took his seat, Sofia's eyes darted to the defense table. And there he was. Luca Moretti, looking every inch the respectable businessman in a tailored charcoal suit that probably cost more than her monthly rent. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Sofia felt a jolt of... something. Anticipation? Fear? She couldn't quite name it."Be seated," Judge Rossi's voice boomed. "We're here today for the case of The People vs. Moretti Enterprises. Is the prosecution ready to proceed?"Sofia stood, her voice clear and confident. "Yes, Your Honor.""And the defense?"Luca's lawyer, a slick-looking man with a receding hairline, rose. "Ready, Your Honor.""Very well," Judge Rossi nodded. "Ms. Russo, your opening statement."Sofia
"Are you out of your goddamn mind, Luca?"Enzo's gravelly voice echoed through Luca's opulent office. The older man paced back and forth, his weathered face creased with worry and frustration.Luca leaned back in his leather chair, fingers steepled under his chin. "I know what I'm doing, Enzo.""Do you?" Enzo stopped pacing, fixing Luca with a hard stare. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're playing with fire. And not just any fire. A fire named Sofia Russo."The corner of Luca's mouth twitched at the mention of Sofia's name. He couldn't deny that the fiery lawyer had gotten under his skin. Her performance in court today had been... impressive, to say the least."She's good, Enzo," Luca admitted. "Better than we anticipated. We need to change our strategy."Enzo snorted. "And your brilliant strategy is to meet her alone? At Salvatore's, of all places? You might as well hand her the keys to our entire operation."Luca stood, moving to the window that overlooked the ci
"You look like hell, Sofia."Elena's blunt assessment greeted Sofia as she stumbled into her friend's office at the hospital. The fluorescent lights seemed painfully bright after a sleepless night, and Sofia was sure she looked as terrible as she felt."Thanks," Sofia muttered, collapsing into a chair. "That's exactly what I needed to hear."Elena raised an eyebrow, pushing a cup of coffee across her desk. "What you need is caffeine and a reality check. Spill. What happened with Moretti?"Sofia took a grateful sip of coffee, letting the bitter warmth fortify her. "He... he offered me a deal.""A deal?" Elena leaned forward, her eyes wide. "What kind of deal?""Information," Sofia said, her voice low. "About my father. In exchange for dropping the case against Moretti Enterprises."Elena let out a low whistle. "Holy shit, Sof. That's... that's big."Sofia nodded, her mind still reeling from the previous night's revelations. "I know. And I don't know what to do with it.""Well, what did
"We can't stay here," Luca's voice was low and urgent as he guided Sofia out of the café, his hand warm on the small of her back. "It's not safe."Sofia's mind was reeling, trying to process everything that had happened in the last few hours. Her father, the mob boss. Luca, her unlikely ally. And now, apparently, they were both in danger."Where are we going?" she asked, struggling to keep up with Luca's long strides."Somewhere safe," he replied cryptically, his eyes scanning the street as they walked. "Somewhere your father's men won't think to look."They turned down a narrow alley, and Luca suddenly pulled Sofia close, pressing her against the brick wall. For a moment, Sofia thought he was going to kiss her, and her heart raced at the prospect. But then she heard the sound of footsteps approaching, and she realized he was shielding her from view.A group of men passed by the alley entrance, their voices low and menacing. Sofia held her breath, acutely aware of Luca's body pressed