7. The Idea

SOFIA

This could not be happening.

This absolutely could not be happening.

I stared at the laptop screen in shock, refusing to believe what I was looking at. There was no way this could be true. It had to be some sort of sick joke. How on earth did this happen? How could the nicest man I'd ever met in my life possibly be a criminal? It didn't make any sense. I refused to believe this.

And what were the odds of something like this happening? He was just a random stranger. So how did he end up standing in the exact spot he needed to be to rescue me before I ended my own life? It all seemed too convenient. And I started to wonder if there was something sinister behind all this.

"Sofia?" Franco called tentatively. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I-I'm alright," I replied nervously. "He just looked like someone I know, that's all."

"Him?" he asked, pointing to Adrian's picture with a look of pure terror in his eyes. "I don't think you want to know someone like him, Miss Moretti. Adrian DeLuca is one of the most notorious and dangerous mafia dons in the country. I would say he is the only man who can rival Don Giordano in power and influence, although he lacks his ruthlessness."

I turned to face him slowly, shocked to be learning all this as he continued.

"For about fifteen years now, the DeLucas and the Giordanos have been locked in a battle over territory, partnership and trade disputes," he said. "Or so it seemed in the past, until Adrian DeLuca took over from his father and the tide shifted all across the East Coast. There are few things that can shake the underworld like the rise of a new Don. And Adrian DeLuca is as cold and calculating as they come."

"Do you know him?" I asked.

"I've met him once," he said. "During a function organized by the governor. DeLuca is a smart man. Where Don Giordano allies himself with crooks and criminals, Don DeLuca forms partnerships with powerful politicians, business tycoons, congressmen, world leaders and foreign ambassadors. He maintains a squeaky clean image, and one would never know the shady truth behind this twisted man. That's where he differs from Don Giordano, who lets everyone know just how dangerous he is but makes sure to cover his tracks."

It was like being told that everything you've ever known is a lie. Suddenly, Adrian wasn't this kind and caring person who'd cleaned my apartment and cooked for me. In just a few words, I saw him as a ruthless killer who was smart enough to keep that side of him hidden. You would never be able to tell that this was his true nature, that he was actually a calculated and conniving criminal underneath the surface. 

"Shall we continue?" Franco asked.

I stared at the chair, willing myself to sit back down but unable to move my feet. I didn't want to hear anything else about this, and I didn't want to know the true extent of Adrian's wicked ways. But I had to hear what my dad had to say, so I dragged myself back to the chair and sat down, slowly pressing play with my trembling hands.

"I cannot comment on the actions of the DeLucas," Dad continued seamlessly as if my entire world hadn't just been flipped upside down. "All I can say is that Adrian DeLuca is the only man I know who can stand toe to toe with Marco Giordano. Of the two, I am not sure who I should be afraid of more. I've stared down the barrel of a gun several times, but I don't know who I would rather have on the other end of it. Perhaps I fear Adrian more than I fear Marco, because I wouldn't be making this video if I had served under him. But I have seen too many atrocities committed under Marco Giordano, and I cannot keep quiet about this. This video is going to be my collateral; a bargaining chip of some sort. But if all else fails, then I hope that you will be able to use it to bring down the entire Giordano empire. I have records of everything, m'hija. Shady business transactions, detailed location of merchandise and their movement schedule, cartel connections, trade routes, evidence of tax fraud, and enough damning evidence to put away that bastard for good."

He leaned in closer, and when he looked directly into the camera, I froze. It was as if he was talking to me directly, and I felt like he was sitting right there and talking to me. My chest tightened as I looked at him, and more than anything else in that moment, I wished I could reach out and hug him one last time.

"M'hija," he said, "I wish I wasn't placing this burden on you. I wish it could be anyone else. But you are my flesh and blood, and only you can carry out this task. I have not kept the evidence on this flash because I know how easily it can be destroyed or misplaced. Everything is hidden in our secret hole, where only you can find them."

I jumped as he said that, because I knew exactly what he was talking about. I knew where the secret hole was, and I knew exactly how to get it. But I kept listening, my palms so sweaty that I was sure I was going to make a puddle very soon.

"I've left everything you'll ever need, M'hija," he said. "Only you can fulfill this task. My hands are soiled with the blood of the innocent, and I cannot atone for my crimes. But you can make things better. You can take Marco down, and perhaps put an end to all this senseless violence and bloodshed once and for all. It is too much for one person to bear, but it has to be you. You are a Moretti. and if there's one thing I'm still proud of on earth, it is and always will be you. I love you, M'hija."

By the time the video stopped, I was bawling my eyes out. I dropped my head as the tears began to flow, and I was shaking so much that I thought I was going to have a seizure. It was all just too much to bear, and I didn't know how to handle any of this. I was just one person. I didn't belong in this world of secrecy and crime, of lies and betrayal and deceit. How on earth was I supposed to take down an entire cartel all by myself? I'd watched Marco shoot my own father right in front of me. And he'd done it so casually, like it was a normal thing to do. Like he'd done it a thousand times already. Was that really someone I could go up against?

"What are you thinking?" Franco asked.

"I don't know," I replied truthfully. "It's just... it's too much."

"I know," he said, offering me a handkerchief. "I'm honestly surprised by all this. Your father's hands were not clean, but he was a good man. I just never knew how deep the rabbit hole went."

"I can't do this," I said. "I want to see Marco suffer for what he did, but I don't know if I am strong enough to make him suffer myself."

"Your father believed in you," he said calmly. "And I'm sure he didn't make a mistake. Sometimes, we don't realize just how strong we are until being strong is the only thing we're capable of. It's not about what we want anymore. It's about what we have to do, and how far we're willing to go."

I looked up at him slowly, and he had the kindest smile I'd ever seen as he straightened up. Despite myself, I smiled back at him, wiping the tears from my eyes.

"Do you really think I can do this?" I asked.

"I truly believe you can do anything you set your mind to," he said. "Your father spoke so glowingly of you even in his final days. He always told me how amazing his little Sofia is, and how clever she was. He loved you more than you'll ever know. And I want to believe that his trust was not misplaced."

Hearing him say that actually gave me a little bit of confidence. Suddenly, I didn't feel so afraid anymore. I wasn't just a weakling who would roll over and allow him to get away with this. My father had given me everything I needed to make this work. Now, I just needed a way to sort through this mess and figure out my next move.

"Thank you for all your help, Franco," I said. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me."

"I'm always here to help," he said, standing up just as I did.

"Do you mind if I keep the flash?" I asked. "I mean it's the last recording of him, so I want to hold onto it a little longer."

"It's yours, of course," he said. "I was merely holding onto it for you. But now that you're here, I have no need to hold onto it anymore."

"Well, I should really get going," I said. "It's a lot to think about, and I think I need some time to myself."

"Of course," he said. "I understand. But in the meantime, I think we should get started on that paperwork, no? Just to make sure you don't have to keep going back and forth."

I reluctantly agreed, and he quickly left the office to grab a few things. I was already exhausted, and I didn't know what exactly I was going to do next. All I knew was that I had a migraine, and I needed some aspirin once I got back home. Thankfully, Franco didn't waste too much time, and we were done in just under two hours. With everything now complete, I had full control of my father's estate and my inheritance. It was the last thing I cared about, but it had to be done.

I left the law firm with the files in my hand, and the flash drive and music box tucked in my purse. Franco escorted me out of the back entrance, and I managed to get an Uber and leave without anyone noticing. It felt like I was a spy, prowling around in the shadows and avoiding her predators. But I didn't breathe easy until I was back home, safely behind my doors once again and locking the door behind me.

At the sight of the breakfast still sitting exactly where I'd left it, a sliver of fear crept down my spine. Suddenly, I realized how stupid I was. A mafia boss had been in my apartment only a few hours ago. He could still come back. And with everything I knew now, how was I supposed to act normal?

This was so fucked up. Adrian was a dangerous man, perhaps just as dangerous as Marco himself. A part of me just wished I could somehow put the two against each other and be done with it. Then I wouldn't have to worry about any of them.

And just like that, the idea popped in my head.

Maybe I couldn’t take down Marco Giordano’s empire on my own. After all, I didn’t have the resources to pull off something like that. It would be like a mouse trying to fight an elephant. But if there was one person who could go toe-to-toe with that devil, then it was Adrian DeLuca. If he was truly as coldblooded and ruthless as they said, then he would be capable of bringing down my enemy. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Now, I just needed to find a way to manipulate the mafia boss.