CHAPTER FOUR

THE HARBOR

SOFIA POV

I couldn’t sleep.

Every time I close my eyes, I see Luca’s face when he touches my neck. The way he looked at the mark Alessio left.

He knows something. I’m sure of it.

The tracker is in my purse. Small. Black. Innocent-looking.

Tomorrow night I will betray my family.

My phone buzzes at 6 AM.

Unknown: Wear something that won’t stand out. Blend in. And Sofia? Don’t get caught.

Like that helps.

I drag myself to breakfast. Luca’s already there, reading the paper. He looks up when I enter.

“Good morning, sister.”

His voice is warm. Normal.

Too normal.

“Morning.” I pour coffee. My hands shake.

“Big day today,” he says casually. “I have a meeting at the harbor tonight. Important clients.”

I freeze.

He’s telling me. Why is he telling me?

“Oh?”

“Yes. Very lucrative deal.” He folds the paper. Look directly at me. “You should come.”

My heart stops.

“What?”

“You’re always saying you want to understand the business. Here’s your chance.” He smiles. “Consider it an education.”

This is a trap. It has to be.

“I… I don’t think that’s appropriate. Marco always says..”

“Marco works for me. And I say you’re coming.” He stands. Walk over. Cups my face. “I want you there, Sofia. By my side. Where you belong.”

His thumb brushes my bottom lip.

The same spot Alessio touched.

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Good girl.” He kisses my forehead. Lingers too long. “We leave at 11 PM. Wear black.”

He walks out.

I grab my phone.

Me: He’s bringing me to the harbor. He TOLD me about the meeting. This is a trap.

Unknown: Perfect.

Me: PERFECT?? He’s going to catch me!

Unknown: No. He’s going to catch someone else. Play along. Plant the tracker. I’ll handle the rest.

Me: What does that mean?**

No response.

I throw the phone down.

This is insane. I’m going to die tonight.

Like yo, what the actual FUCK!!

_ _ _ _ _

ALESSIO POV

“She’s panicking,” Nikolai says.

“Good. Fear makes people careful.”

“Or it makes them sloppy.”

I light a cigar. “Sofia’s not sloppy. She’s survived twenty-three years with Luca. She knows how to play the game.”

“And if she doesn’t plant the tracker?”

“Then I activate Plan B.”

“Which is?”

I smile. “You’ll see.”

My phone rings. Private number.

“Volkov,” I answered.

“It’s done.” Katya’s voice. Smug. “Luca suspects his sister. He’s testing her tonight.”

“And you told him what, exactly?”

“That you’ve been planning this for months. That Sofia is your inside source. That tonight’s shipment is your real target.”

Perfect.

“And he believed you?”

“Why wouldn’t he? I’m his lover’s scorned ex-girlfriend. Of course I want revenge.”

I pause. “His lover?”

She laughs. “You didn’t know? Luca Vecchio doesn’t just want his sister, Alessio. He’s been fucking me and pretending I’m her. Makes me wear white. Call him ‘brother’ in bed. It’s disturbing.”

My jaw clenches.

“Why are you helping me?”

“Because when you destroy him, I want a cut. And I want you back.”

“Not happening.”

“We’ll see.” She hangs up.

Nikolai raises an eyebrow. “Plan B?”

“Katya just became expendable.”

_ _ _ _ _

SOFIA POV

Pier 29 is freezing.

Wind whips off the water. I pull my jacket tighter.

Luca stands beside me, watching his men unload crates. Marco hovers nearby, eyes scanning everything.

“Cold?” Luca asks.

“A little.”

He pulls me closer. His arm around my shoulders. Possessive.

“This is our legacy,” he says quietly. “Everything my father built. Everything I’ve protected.” He looks down at me. “Everything I’d kill to keep.”

The weight of his words settles like lead.

“I know.”

“Do you?” His hand tightens. “Do you really understand what I’d do for this family? For you?”

I nod because I can’t speak.

A black SUV pulls up. Three men get out. Buyers.

“Stay close,” Luca says. “And don’t speak unless spoken to.”

He walks forward. I follow.

The tracker burns in my pocket.

Marco counts crates. The buyers inspect weapons. Money changes hands.

This is it. Now or never.

“Bathroom,” I whisper to Luca.

He frowns. “Now?”

“Please. I’ll be fast.”

He nods toward a warehouse building. “Two minutes.”

I walk quickly. Not running. Not suspicious.

Inside, I find the crate marked with a red X the one Alessio told me about.

I pull out the tracker. My hands shake so badly I almost drop it.

Just stick it underneath. Simple.

I crouch. Reach under the crate.

“Find what you’re looking for?”

I spin around.

Marco.

He’s standing in the doorway. Gun in hand.

“I was just…”

“Just planting a tracking device for Alessio Volkov?” He steps closer. “Did you really think we didn’t know?”

My blood turns to ice.

“I don’t know what you’re”

“Stop lying.” He aims the gun at my chest. “Luca’s known since last night. Since you crawled back through that tunnel smelling like another man.”

Oh God.

“He knows?”

“Everything. The club. The warehouse. The deal you made.” Marco’s face is stone. “And he’s very disappointed.”

Footsteps behind me.

I turn.

Luca walks in. Face blank.

“Brother, I…”

“Shh.” He holds up a hand. “Don’t make it worse.”

Tears burn my eyes. “Please. Let me explain.”

“Explain what? That you fucked Alessio Volkov?” He tilts his head. “That you let our enemy put his hands on you? His cock inside you? That you LIKED it?”

I’m crying now. “I didn’t, it wasn’t”

“Wasn’t what? Wasn't it your choice?” He laughs. Cold. “You ran, Sofia. You snuck out. You went to his club. You spread your legs for him.”

“Because I was trapped! Because you won’t let me breathe! Because”

“BECAUSE WHAT?” He roars. Gets in my face. “Because I love you? Because I protect you? Because I’d burn this whole fucking city down before I let anyone hurt you?”

His chest heaves.

“You’re obsessed,” I whisper. “It’s not love. It's an obsession.”

His hand shoots out. Grabs my throat. Not squeezing. Just holding.

“Maybe,” he says softly. “But it’s mine. You’re mine. And Volkov is about to learn what happens when someone steals from me.”

He releases me. Steps back.

“Marco. Take her to the car. Lock her in.”

“Wait, what are you going to do?”

Luca smiles. It’s terrifying.

“I’m going to finish this deal. Then I’m going to text Volkov from YOUR phone. Tell him the tracker is planted. Invite him to come get his prize.”

“No”

“And when will he show up?” Luca continues. “I’m going to put a bullet in his skull. While you watch.”

Marco grabs my arm. Drags me toward the door.

“Luca, please! Don’t do this!”

“You did this,” he says. Turn away. “You chose him over family. Now he dies.”

_ _ _ _ _

ALESSIO POV

My phone buzzes.

Sofia: Tracker planted. Crate with red X. The coast is clear.**

I show Nikolai.

“Too easy,” he says.

“Agreed.”

“So we don’t go?”

I stand. Check my gun. “Oh, we go. But not alone.”

“How many men?”

“All of them.”

We load into three vehicles. Twenty men. Enough firepower to start a war.

The harbor is quiet when we arrive. Too quiet.

“Trap,” Nikolai mutters.

“Obviously.” I step out. Gun drawn. “But he has something I want.”

We approach the warehouse.

The doors open.

Luca Vecchio stands in the center. Surrounded by his men. Guns pointed at us.

And beside him, on her knees, hands zip-tied behind her back—

Sofia.

Blood drips from her split lip. Her face is bruised.

Luca has a gun to her head.

“Hello, Volkov,” he says. Smiling. “Thanks for coming. I believe you have something of mine.”

I aim my gun at his heart.

“Let her go.”

“Why would I do that? She’s the only thing keeping you from shooting me right now.”

“I’ll kill every man in this room before I let you hurt her.”

“Will you?” Luca cocks the gun. Press it harder against Sofia’s temple. She whimpers. “Because here’s what I think. I think you’ll lower your weapon. I think you’ll get on your knees. And I think you’ll beg me for her life.”

“Never.”

“Then she dies.”

His finger moves to the trigger.

Sofia’s eyes meet mine. Terrified. Pleading.

She mouths two words: “I’m sorry.”

“Wait.” I lower my gun. “Don’t.”

Luca’s smile widens.

“On your knees, Volkov. Beg like the dog you are.”

I start to kneel.

That’s when the first shot fires.

Not from Luca.

Not from me.

From behind Luca.

Marco drops. Bullet between his eyes.

Luca spins. His gun leaves Sofia’s head for one second.

I won't waste it.

I shoot.

The bullet hits Luca’s shoulder. He goes down.

Chaos erupts. Gunfire. Shouting. Bodies hitting the ground.

I ran to Sofia. Cut her zip ties. Grab her.

“Come on!”

We sprint for the door.

Behind us, Luca screams.

“YOU’RE DEAD, VOLKOV! YOU’RE BOTH DEAD!”

We reach the car. Nikolai’s already inside, engine running.

I shove Sofia in. Jump in after her.

We peel out.

Bullets shatter the back window.

Sofia’s sobbing. Shaking.

I pull her into my lap. Hold her.

“You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

“He was going to kill me,” she gasps. “My own brother”

“I know. But he didn’t. You’re safe now.”

She looks up at me. Mascara streaked. Blood on her chin.

“Safe? He knows where I live man. He’ll freaking come for me.”

I brush hair from her face.

“Then you won't go back.”

“What?”

“You’ll be with me now. Under my protection.”

“But”

“No arguments.” I cup her face. “You’re mine, Sofia. And I protect what’s mine.”

Nikolai glances in the rearview mirror.

“Boss. We have a problem.”

“What?”

“Three cars. Follow us.”

I look back.

Black SUVs. Gaining fast.

“Luca?” Sofia whispers.

I check my gun. Half a clip left.

“Worse.”

“What’s worse than my psychotic brother?”

The SUVs pull alongside us. Windows roll down.

I see the guns.

The insignia on the doors.

My blood runs cold.

“The Bratva,” I say. “The Russian mob.”

Sofia’s eyes widened. “Why would Russians be..”

The first bullet hits our tire.

We spin out.