"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.
"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
"You clean up nice, Moretti."Sofia's breath caught as she took in Luca's appearance. He was devastatingly handsome in a tailored black tuxedo, his dark hair slicked back, emphasizing the sharp angles of his face. The scar on his cheek, usually a reminder of his dangerous world, now only added to his allure.Luca's eyes raked over Sofia, taking in the slinky emerald dress that hugged her curves and brought out the color of her eyes. "You're not so bad yourself, Russo," he said, his voice low and husky.They were preparing for the charity gala where they planned to steal the backup ledger from Sofia's father. The tension in the room was palpable, a mix of anticipation for their dangerous mission and the undeniable attraction simmering between them.Enzo cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "If you two are done eye-fucking each other, can we go over the plan one more time?"Sofia felt her cheeks heat up, but Luca just chuckled. "Jealous, old man?"Enzo rolled his eyes. "Focus, boss.
"You're telling me you stole from Marco Russo? Are you out of your fucking mind, Luca?"Enzo's voice echoed through the safehouse, a ramshackle cabin on the outskirts of the city. Sofia winced at the volume, her head pounding from the stress and adrenaline crash of their escape.Luca, still in his rumpled tuxedo, ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "We didn't have a choice, Enzo. It was our only shot at bringing him down."Sofia watched the exchange from her perch on a worn couch, feeling like an outsider in this world of dangerous men and high-stakes gambles. The weight of what they'd done – what she'd done – was starting to sink in."And what about her?" Enzo jerked his head towards Sofia. "You've dragged her into this mess. There's no going back now."Luca's eyes met Sofia's, and she saw a flicker of guilt there. "She made her own choice," he said softly. "I didn't force her into anything."Sofia stood, drawing both men's attention. "I'm right here, you know. And Luca's right.
"We've got company."Enzo's urgent whisper jolted Sofia from her fitful sleep. She blinked, disoriented, as Luca burst into the room, his expression grim."Get dressed," he ordered, tossing her a bundle of clothes. "We need to move. Now."Sofia's heart raced as she scrambled out of bed, pulling on the jeans and sweater Luca had provided. "What's happening?""Your father's men found us," Luca explained, his eyes scanning the room for potential weapons or exits. "We've got maybe five minutes before they breach the perimeter."As if on cue, a distant shout echoed through the pre-dawn air. Sofia's hands shook as she tied her shoes. This was real. This was happening.Luca's warm hand on her shoulder steadied her. "Hey," he said softly, his dark eyes intense. "I've got you. Trust me?"Sofia nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. Luca's lips quirked in a half-smile, and for a moment, the danger faded away. It was just the two of them, connected by something deeper than either d
"We've got a problem," Enzo announced, bursting into Elena's living room where Sofia and Luca were poring over the decrypted ledger.Luca's head snapped up, his body instantly tense. "What is it?"Enzo tossed a newspaper onto the coffee table. The headline screamed: "RUSSO HEIRESS MISSING - FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED."Sofia's stomach dropped as she scanned the article. Her father had reported her missing, claiming she'd been kidnapped by rival gangsters. There was even a substantial reward offered for information leading to her safe return."Fuck," Luca muttered, running a hand through his hair. "This complicates things."Sofia felt a hysterical laugh bubble up in her throat. "Complicates things? Luca, my father just turned the entire city into a hunting ground. We're screwed."Luca's hand found hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine, momentarily distracting her from the panic threatening to overwhelm her."We're not screwed," he said, his
"Stay down!" Luca's voice cut through the chaos as another hail of bullets shattered what remained of the cabin windows.Sofia's heart pounded in her ears as she huddled behind the couch, her hands shaking as she gripped the gun Luca had given her. She'd never fired a weapon before, and the weight of it felt foreign and terrifying in her hands.Luca moved with the fluid grace of a predator, his own gun an extension of his arm as he returned fire. The sharp crack of gunshots filled the air, punctuated by the splintering of wood and the tinkling of broken glass."We need to move," Luca growled, his eyes scanning the room for an escape route. "There's a trapdoor in the bedroom, leads to a tunnel. We can use it to get to the garage."Sofia nodded, her throat too tight with fear to speak. As another volley of bullets rained down, Luca grabbed her hand, pulling her into a crouch."On my mark," he said, his voice low and intense. "We run. Don't stop, don't look back. Just follow me. Ready?"
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the prodigal son and his runaway princess."Vivian Blackwood's voice dripped with sarcasm as she led Sofia and Luca into her office. The room was a stark contrast to the nondescript exterior of the building – sleek, modern, and filled with cutting-edge technology.Luca rolled his eyes, but Sofia could see the fondness in his expression. "Good to see you too, Viv. Thanks for meeting us on such short notice."Vivian waved a hand dismissively, settling into a plush leather chair behind her desk. "When the great Luca Moretti calls in a favor, who am I to refuse? Especially when it comes with such... interesting company."Her piercing gaze settled on Sofia, who fought the urge to squirm. She felt like Vivian was looking right through her, reading every secret, every fear."Sofia Russo," Vivian said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I've been following your career with interest. Never thought I'd see you on this side of the law, though."Sofia lifted her chi