Chapter 1

"How far out is he?" I asked over the small mic hidden in my ear. I was currently trying to bypass the firewalls of Quentin Thurman's laptop. Who is he? He is the head of one of the biggest mafias in Italy. I wouldn't normally handle a situation like this but he crossed a line with my boss and I'm here to end this. One way or the other.

"He's five minutes out. Do you have what you need?" Leonardo, my boss answered over the call. I had to get everything or lose everything I had already gathered. 

"I need more time. There's no way I'll have everything in five minutes. "

"He's getting too close for comfort. Get out of there Sophie!" I was hell-bent on getting what I came here for. Even if that meant putting myself in danger.

"I'm sorry boss, but I've got to go."

"Don't you dare! Sop..." Then I ended the call and removed the mic from my ear. I could hear the front door to this luxurious apartment open and close. I was just about done in the master bedroom when I heard the footsteps get closer and closer. Just then, I realised that I had everything I wanted. Now, I had to get the hell out here. I checked for any possible exit in the room but there was nothing. Well, almost nothing. 

I opened the window and left just in time to see him enter the room. He was old and disgusting! While I would love to stay and watch whatever he's about to do, I had to get going. I was on the roof of this building and my only way out was to take a very risky jump to the next building. It was a huge gap, but I still felt nervous as I moved backwards and ran with all the speed I could give. I felt weightless for a few seconds but as soon as my legs felt the hard cement floors on the next building, I started running. I used the service entrance door on the roof to go downstairs. I walked out of the hotel and into the cold streets of Milan, straightening out my long dark blonde hair as I brought out the keys to my Mustang and got in. I started it and zoomed off into the dark, yet very beautiful streets. I could feel the fresh breeze blowing through my hair and there was no care in the world.

After driving for almost 30 minutes, I pulled up to the large building and walked in. This building was one of the biggest and tallest buildings in the city. The Organisation was one of those buildings that was in plain sight but no one knew what was going on inside. It was a private organisation that...handled, for lack of a better word, certain people for highly profiled people around the world. I walked in and as I was about to enter the elevator, I ran into Franco. Franco was more or less my guard. He was always watching over me, especially when I went on life-threatening missions. He seemed unhappy with me.

"Something wrong?" I asked without even looking at him. I saw him scan me from head to toe and then turn back to face the elevator. The doors opened and we both walked in. I pushed the button that would take me to the highest floor in the building. 

"What was the stunt you pulled today Soph? You could've gotten killed! You and I both know that if Quentin found you in there, he would've killed you on the spot! Why would you make such a decision? You went against everything that made sense at that point, and all for what?! Some documents that we could've gotten one way or the other?" This is a very serious lecture. 

"But nothing happened," I said carefully as I placed a hand on his strong arms. Franco has always looked out for me like a big brother would. He was truly worried and I found it cute. "Look, I'm sorry but these documents will save thousands of lives and I'm fine losing mine if that would still happen." I heard the ding and then the doors opened. "Look, I'm already in deep shit with the boss and I have no idea what will happen behind those doors but can we talk about this later?" I said as I stepped out of the elevator. 

"Sure. If you don't put yourself in more life-threatening situations by the end of work, I might even throw in a late dinner." I smiled at him and watched the doors close. I turned and walked towards Lili. She was the secretary to Leonardo De Lucci.

"You can go in Sophie. He's been waiting for you," She said with a small smile. I took a nervous breath in and then I walked through the large black doors. No matter how many times I've been inside this office, I was always taken aback by the intricate design. I was about to start daydreaming when he cleared his throat, drawing my attention to the other side of the room. There was a fireplace with a cosy couch and a furry carpet. It felt like home. I turned to see him typing away on his laptop. He was saying a lot with his silence and I'd rather know what he's thinking than to be left guessing. 

"I'd rather you say anything. This silence is killing me." I said as I walked over to where he was seated. I stood at the small glass table next to the sofa and I poured myself a glass of Scotch. I slowly raised the glass to my mouth and with one quick shot, emptied it. Then I poured another. He still had nothing to say. "Well, I've had a rather long day. Since you have nothing to say or ask of me, I'll just leave the hard drive containing everything on your table and I'll clock out for the night. It is getting late after all. " Still nothing? Ok. I watched him type away. His dark brown hair was now scattered due to too much ruffling. I dropped the flash on the table, took a sip of the Scotch, dropped the glass on the table and then started walking towards the door.

"I didn't dismiss you." He said firmly. His voice was rigid and deep. He was in no mood for jokes tonight. I smiled and then I slowly turned on my heels to face him.

"Well, silence is dismissal. " I said folding my hands in front of my chest as I struck a daring pose. He said something to himself and then he dropped the laptop on a table. He got up and poured himself a drink. 

"Do you have any idea how terrible things could've gone tonight Ms. Kane?" He asked as he slowly paced the room with his drink.

"Considering that nothing went wrong, I won't stress myself to think about what could've happened."

"You specifically disobeyed me." 

"I followed my intuition. "

"No!" He yelled suddenly. "You undermined my authority yet again! I told you to get the hell out of that place but you went ahead to follow your mental orders! Let me ask you a question. Who do you work for?" He said stepping closer. I remained in my position, cold and emotionless.

"I work for you."

"Exactly! You don't work for yourself! You work for ME. That means you take orders from me."

"Why are you being so annoyingly extra?!" This was supposed to be a thought but it just came out. I'm dead, aren't I?

"Excuse me?" He said, stepping back as if some invisible force had pulled him back. The disbelief in his dark brown-reddish eyes made the situation only worse. He walked past me and locked the door behind him and then he came back. This time, looking more intimidating. "What. Did. You. Say?!" He took a very intimidating set of steps towards me with each released word. He kept on walking towards me menacingly until my back hit the damn wall. Now, I was stuck between his body and the wall. 

"You're not deaf Ms. Kane, answer me."