Chapter 14

Unspoken Desires - Chapter 14

Damian

Matt and I have been holed up in the hangar for almost half an hour now. We came early hoping to stop Sareena from taking her flight, but it left 5 minutes before we got here. That was 35 minutes ago, but she’s got a long-ass layover in Nashville, so we’ve got time to catch her, just not a lot.

We’re both running on fumes. He’s leaning against the counter, arms crossed, staring at the jet like it’s going to give us answers. I’m pacing.

“Shooter at the café,” Matt starts. “Max and Gabby get caught making out. Then Gino’s jet gets jacked…”. He looks up at me. “And Sophia gets kidnapped?”

I nod, jaw clenched. “And somehow Svetlana’s the one pulling the strings.”

“She’s an orphan,” he says. “No crew, no backing. How the hell is she making plays like this?”

“Either someone’s backing her… or we’ve seriously underestimated her.”

We’re still chewing on that when the side door opens and in walks Maximus.

Matt and I both straighten up. Luca and Mario were crystal clear, Max wasn’t supposed to be here.

“I know what the Capo said,” Max says before either of us can speak. “But Sophia is my friend too. I’m going. Even if I have to fly commercial and act alone.”

I look at Matt. He gives a small nod. We don’t turn Max away. Not after all that’s happened. Not with what we’re walking into. With him here, we’ve got a real shot at getting ahead.

The three of us barely start planning when the hangar door swings open again. Demetrius strolls in like this is a vacation, not a war room.

Matt grins. “What, Canada too cold for you? When did you get back?”

Demetrius drops his bag. “Just landed 20 minutes ago, and came straight here. Didn’t want to miss the reunion.” He says. “I was undercover there for years, I know Vegas. And Gino? He looked out for my family after my dad died. I owe him. So yeah, I’m coming.”

With every new arrival, things start to feel more real, like we’re building something that might actually work.

A few minutes later, Vincent shows up with Lessia right behind him.

Matt raises an eyebrow. “Lessia? Thought you swore off Vegas because you liked wearing panties.”

Everyone laughs except me. Clearly it’s an inside joke.

Max chuckles. “It’s a thing with Matteo and his taste in his assistant’s work attire. Don’t ask.”

Vincent steps forward. “I brought her because she has info. She called me a few days ago, said her ex wanted her help with some kind of control shift in Vegas. Didn’t seem important at the time, but now…”

Lessia steps in. “His name’s Cesare. He ghosted me years ago, said he was going undercover. Then out of nowhere, he hits me up asking for help. Didn’t give me details, just said big things were happening.”

She looks at Matt. “I think he’s one of the deserters. I need to compare notes with you and Matteo.”

“I know him. We worked together before I was assigned to watch Mrs. DeLuca. God, that woman was something else.” Says Demetrius from behind, with a huge goofy smile on his face.

Matt runs a hand over his face and smirks. “Then let’s all compare notes on the plane. Just don’t forget to put on your big girl panties. And Demetrius, keep the cougar sex stories to yourself.”

More laughter. It helped lessen the tension in the air.

We all got up and started lining up to board when the hangar door slams open one last time. Gabriella.

She doesn’t stop. She barrels straight into Maximus’s arms and kisses him like she hasn’t seen him in years. Max looks happy to see her, but you can tell he’s scared.

When she finally pulls back, she turns to the rest of us, and says, “I’m coming to help. But I also need your help. I’m not marrying Darius Accolti and I’m not letting my dad kill Maximus.”

Max looks like someone just yanked the floor out from under him. Not because Mario was gunning for him, but because Gabby was promised. And breaking a promise like that? It starts wars and we’ve had way too many of those lately.

Everyone starts talking at once as we pile onto the jet. The team’s full and the mission’s clear.

————

Gino

We were both lying on the cold concrete floor. Alexandra tucked tightly in my arms, our bodies curled together in a desperate attempt to share warmth. It’s been five days since we were brought to Vegas. Five long, grueling days.

Still no word on Sophia. They’ve locked us in this concrete box with no way to reach anyone. The silence is a kind of torture all its own.

The door creaks open with a loud, purposeful bang meant to startle. I squint into the sudden flood of light.

It’s Svetlana. Her silhouette is sharp and composed, the click of her heels echoing like gunshots in the stale air.

“Meester and Meessus Morelli,” she says in that smooth, practiced Russian accent, “I vant to personally apologize for lack of… hospitality.” Her eyes flick between us, cold but calculating.

“It seems Meester Matteo Cattaneo has found my uncle Mikhail. Is holding him hostage. The only way he vill send proof that he is still alive, and not like the nineteen of my comrades who are not - is if I send photo. Of you two… and Meessus Cattaneo.”

She lifts her arms theatrically as two guards shove Sophia and Constance into the room like they’re nothing.

I try to rise, but I’m too weak. I haven’t eaten, haven’t slept. I haven’t taken my meds since the day we boarded that cursed plane. My limbs feel leaden. Still, I try. I have to.

Then I see her. My Sophia. She spots me and her face crumples. She rushes to my side, her knees slamming the floor, but she doesn’t care.

“Grandpa…” she gasps, tears spilling. “What have they done to you?” Her hands tremble as she touches my face, brushing aside the dried blood on my cheek. God, she looks so grown. And God, I’ve failed her again.

Then she turns slowly, to Alexandra. There’s fear in both their eyes, but Sophia moves anyway. She leans in and wraps her arms around her.

“I’m sorry, Grandma Alexandra,” she whispers, voice cracking. “I shouldn’t have treated you the way I did.”

That moment, God, that moment was the first light I’d seen in days.

Svetlana claps, slow and mocking. “Is nice, da?” she says with a small smile. “Little family reunion.” Then her voice drops, colder now. “But Sophia… you think things have changed? They have not. Your family, they ask only for Meester and Meessus Morelli. And your fiancé?” A humorless laugh. “He ask only for his mother. Only her.” A beat. “You? You are nothing. No one ever truly wants you. Better you just… finish yourself.”

“No!” Constance yells, throwing herself at Svetlana. But a thick, armed guard shoves her back like she’s nothing.

“They vant picture of these three,” Svetlana says, voice sharp. “So move.” She flicks her gaze over us like we’re garbage. “Also, today I give you food. And drink. Need to keep you alive, da?” She smirks. “Italian… or Russian?” She chuckles to herself, like it’s the best joke in the world.

I gather every shred of strength I have and force myself to stand, legs shaking. I pull Sophia into my arms and kiss her forehead. “She’s lying, Princess. You know how much I love you. You’re my beautiful girl. My brave, beautiful princess.”

Constance crosses the room and lays a gentle hand on Sophia’s back. “Matteo, Miguel, me, we all love you. Don’t listen to her, Sophia.”

Then she leans closer and whispers, “This is a ploy to break us. We have to stay united.”

I nod. She’s right. I know this game. I’ve played it before. Svetlana may be wearing the crown here, but she’s not the queen. She’s a pawn. A distraction. The one being moved so we take our eyes off the real threat.

“Okay. Stand up… and smile,” Svetlana says, holding up her phone.

She doesn’t include Sophia in the frame. Of course not.

They’re planning to use her, as the scapegoat, the decoy, the piece they needed to take the fall.