Family Ties

"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 city. The lights of New York twinkled below, a reminder of all he stood to lose if this went wrong.

"I'm not going to reveal anything," he said, his voice low. "I just need to... take her measure. See what she's really after."

"What she's after is your head on a platter," Enzo growled. "She's Marco Russo's daughter, for Christ's sake. This isn't just business for her. It's personal."

Luca turned, his dark eyes flashing. "You don't think I know that? I'm counting on it."

Enzo fell silent, studying Luca's face. After a moment, understanding dawned in his eyes. "You're going to try to use her connection to Marco against her."

Luca nodded, a grim smile on his face. "Marco Russo's hands are far from clean. If we can make Sofia doubt her father's innocence..."

"...we can throw her off her game," Enzo finished. He shook his head, a reluctant admiration in his eyes. "It's risky, boss. Very risky."

"Risk is our business, old friend," Luca said, clapping Enzo on the shoulder. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a very dangerous woman."

As Luca left his office, Enzo's warning echoed in his mind. He knew he was playing a dangerous game, but the thought of facing Sofia again sent a thrill through him that he couldn't quite explain.

Across town, Sofia was having her own crisis of conscience.

"You cannot be serious, Sofia," Elena's voice crackled through the phone. "Meeting Luca Moretti alone? It's suicide!"

Sofia sighed, holding the phone between her ear and shoulder as she rummaged through her closet. "It's not suicide, Elena. It's... gathering intelligence."

"Intelligence? Is that what we're calling it now?" Elena's tone dripped with sarcasm. "And I suppose the fact that he's devastatingly handsome has nothing to do with your decision?"

Sofia felt her cheeks heat up. "Of course not! This is strictly professional."

"Uh-huh," Elena said, clearly unconvinced. "And that's why you've tried on five different outfits?"

Sofia glanced guiltily at the pile of discarded clothes on her bed. "I just want to look... authoritative."

"Authoritative. Right." Elena sighed. "Just... be careful, okay? Luca Moretti is dangerous. Don't let those smoldering eyes fool you."

"I won't," Sofia promised, even as she wondered if she could keep that promise. "I'll call you later."

As she hung up, Sofia caught sight of herself in the mirror. She'd finally settled on a deep green dress that brought out her eyes and hugged her curves in a way that was professional yet... enticing. She told herself it was just another weapon in her arsenal, nothing more.

At precisely eight o'clock, Sofia walked into Salvatore's. The upscale Italian restaurant was a known haunt for the city's elite, both legitimate and otherwise. She felt eyes on her as she made her way to the maitre d'.

"I'm meeting Mr. Moretti," she said, proud of how steady her voice sounded.

The maitre d' nodded, a knowing look in his eyes that made Sofia uncomfortable. "Of course. Right this way, signorina."

He led her to a secluded booth in the back of the restaurant. And there was Luca, rising to greet her. Sofia's breath caught in her throat. He looked even more devastating in a perfectly tailored black suit, his dark hair slightly tousled as if he'd been running his hands through it.

"Ms. Russo," Luca said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down Sofia's spine. "I'm glad you could make it."

Sofia squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze. "Mr. Moretti. You said you had a proposition for me?"

Luca's lips curved into a smile that was equal parts charming and predatory. "Straight to business, I see. Won't you sit down first? Have a drink?"

Sofia hesitated, then slid into the booth opposite him. "One drink. Then we talk."

Luca signaled the waiter, ordering a bottle of wine without taking his eyes off Sofia. The intensity of his gaze made her feel exposed, as if he could see right through her carefully constructed defenses.

As the waiter poured their wine, Sofia took the opportunity to study Luca more closely. The scar on his cheek, barely visible in the dim light of the restaurant, only added to his dangerous allure. She found herself wondering how he got it, then immediately chastised herself for her curiosity.

"So, Mr. Moretti," Sofia said, taking a sip of her wine. "What's this proposition of yours?"

Luca leaned back, swirling the wine in his glass. "It's simple, really. I want you to drop the case against Moretti Enterprises."

Sofia nearly choked on her wine. "Excuse me?"

"In exchange," Luca continued as if she hadn't spoken, "I'll give you something far more valuable. Information that could bring down a much bigger fish than me."

Sofia's mind raced. Was this a trap? A trick? Or was Luca Moretti actually offering to turn informant?

"What kind of information?" she asked cautiously.

Luca's eyes glittered in the candlelight. "Information about your father, Sofia. About his... business practices."

The use of her first name, coupled with the mention of her father, sent a jolt through Sofia. She leaned forward, her voice low and dangerous. "What do you know about my father?"

"More than you'd like, I'm afraid," Luca said, his voice almost gentle. "The question is, how much do you want to know?"

Sofia felt as if the ground was shifting beneath her feet. She'd always suspected her father wasn't entirely clean, but to hear it confirmed by Luca Moretti of all people...

"Why should I believe anything you say?" she demanded, fighting to keep her voice steady.

Luca reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers. The contact sent a spark of electricity through Sofia, and she jerked her hand back as if burned.

"Because, Sofia," Luca said, his voice low and intense, "in this game we're playing, I might be the only one telling you the truth."

Sofia stood abruptly, nearly knocking over her wine glass. "I need some air."

She fled to the restaurant's terrace, her heart pounding. The cool night air helped clear her head, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in way over her head.

She heard Luca approach before she saw him, his presence filling the space behind her.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I shouldn't have sprung that on you like that."

Sofia turned to face him, acutely aware of how close he was standing. "Why are you doing this, Luca? What's your angle?"

Luca's eyes searched her face, and for a moment, Sofia thought she saw a flicker of genuine emotion in their depths. "Maybe I'm tired of the game. Maybe I want something... different."

The way he said "different" made Sofia's breath catch. She knew she should step back, put some distance between them, but her body refused to cooperate.

"And what if I don't believe you?" she whispered.

Luca's hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "Then I'll just have to convince you, won't I?"

For a heart-stopping moment, Sofia thought he was going to kiss her. Part of her – a larger part than she wanted to admit – wanted him to. But then he stepped back, dropping his hand.

"Think about my offer, Sofia," Luca said, his voice husky. "You know where to find me when you're ready to hear the truth."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Sofia alone on the terrace, her mind and heart racing.

As she watched Luca's retreating form, Sofia knew she was standing on a precipice. One step forward and she'd be falling into something she might never recover from. One step back and she might lose the biggest case of her career – and possibly the chance to uncover the truth about her father.

The smart thing would be to walk away. To forget this night ever happened and focus on taking down Moretti Enterprises through legal channels.

But as Sofia stood there, the ghost of Luca's touch still lingering on her cheek, she knew she was already too far gone. Whatever game Luca Moretti was playing, she was now irrevocably part of it.

And God help her, she wasn't sure she wanted to stop playing.