Chapter 9

Once I had the gun, I didn't rush out. There were at least two groups trading fire outside the south warehouse. In the shape I was in, going out there would have been suicide.

I dragged the man I'd just knocked out behind the shelves and fished the radio back out. Matteo's people had taken back the channel.

"North warehouse, the west door is clear."

"South warehouse, the main door is blocked by a truck. Fuel leak near the side door."

"North hostage is bleeding from a leg wound."

"South hostage is conscious."

I heard every word. And because I heard them so clearly, I couldn't even lie to myself anymore. The south warehouse was more dangerous.

Sofia was hurt in the north warehouse, but things there were still under control. Here, if the vehicle heading for the fuel depot moved just a little closer, there was no telling what would happen.

Someone on the channel asked again, "Don, which way should the main team go first?"

No one said anything. It was probably only three or four seconds. But to me, it felt like forever.

Then Matteo's voice came on. "South warehouse."

I froze, my hand tight around the radio. He still loved me.

Then he continued. "Main team, head to the south warehouse. Get Elena out. A small team is coming with me to the north warehouse. I'm going for Sofia."

My heart stopped. Out of duty, he had sent his best team to save me. But my fiancé had chosen another woman. He had chosen to live or die with her.

Soon after, another channel crackled to life.

My father's men had reached the central passage. Someone asked him whether to split off a team and storm the south warehouse. My father didn't answer right away.

I could hear my mother crying beside him.

"Vito, is Sofia going to die?"

My father kept his voice low. "We save our daughter first. She's this family's only heir. Nothing can happen to her!"

My mother cried harder. "Save Sofia first. Either way, it'll take about the same amount of time, and our daughter's the heir. They won't hurt her...

"Besides, Matteo already sent the main team for Elena! We can't abandon Sofia!"

My father finally gave the order. "Most of you go with the Rossi men to the north warehouse. Leave one team to find a way in from the south side."

The radio slipped out of my hand and hit the floor. It barely made a sound.

But I could have sworn I heard something inside me snap for good. For months, everyone had told me the same thing: Sofia was just the daughter of the man who saved my life.

Matteo just owed her his life. My parents just felt guilty that Sal had died for me. They said I was the one they had always loved.

They said I was the real Moretti daughter. They said that once I woke up, everything would fall back into place. Now no one needed to explain anything anymore.

I sat down against the cold shelving. There was still blood on my hands.

Strangely, I didn't hurt anymore. I looked down at the engagement ring on my left hand. Matteo had given it to me when he was 19.

Back then, he hadn't taken over the Rossi family yet. He saved for a long time and could only afford a modest diamond. Later, he owned more expensive things than he could count, and he asked if I wanted a new ring. I never did.

I used to think it didn't matter how much it cost. What mattered was the person who gave it to me. Slowly, I slid the ring off.

I set it down next to the radio. I didn't throw it. I didn't cry either.

I just didn't want to wear it anymore. Suddenly, an engine roared outside the door.

Someone yelled over the channel, "Vehicle out of control on the south side! It's too close to the fuel depot!"

I looked up. The next second, the first explosion went off outside the warehouse.