"It's fine, Dante. I get it. Your job comes first."
There's something in her tone that makes me want to explain, to tell her that it's not that simple, that she's making everything complicated in ways I don't understand.
But Rafa's call means something serious is happening in the city, and I can't afford to be distracted.
Even if the distraction has green eyes and makes me question everything I thought I knew about loyalty.
"This isn't over," I tell her.
"What isn't over?"
I look at her for a long moment, memorizing the way she looks in the basement lighting, her hair slightly mussed, her lips still parted like she's waiting for something.
"Nothing," I say finally. "Just... stay out of trouble while I'm gone."
CHAPTER 19
Sofia
My heart is still poundingfrom the moment in the basement—from how close Dante and I came to... something. But I don't have time to analyze what just happened or what it means. I need to focus.
I race back upstairs, my mind spinning with possibilities. Dante is heading back to the city for an emergency meeting. With Vito. About me. I know it in my bones.
I find Gianna and Elena in the living room, both of them looking up expectantly when I burst through the door.
"Well?" Elena whispers. "Did you get caught?"
"Yes, but that's not important right now." I grab Gianna's arm, pulling her into the hallway where we can't be overheard. "Dante just got a call from Rafa. Emergency meeting in the city. He has to leave right now."
Gianna's eyes widen. "They're going to be talking about you."
"Exactly. This could be it—this could be them deciding to hand me over. I need to know what they're planning."
"Sofia, you can't seriously be thinking?—"
"I need to get back to the city," I interrupt. "I need to hear what they're saying."
Elena joins us in the hallway, having caught the tail end of our conversation. "Are you insane? Dante will kill you if he finds you."
"Not if I don't get caught." I look between them, desperation creeping into my voice. "This is my life they're discussing. Don't I have a right to know what they're planning to do with me?"
Gianna runs a hand through her hair, looking conflicted. "Even if we agreed to help, how would you get there? Dante's taking the car."
"That's where you two come in." I take a deep breath, the plan forming in my mind as I speak. "I hide in his car. You distract him while I get in."
"Hide in his car?" Elena stares at me like I've lost my mind. "Sofia, that's?—"
"Brilliant," Gianna finishes, a slow grin spreading across her face. "Actually, that might work. He'll be focused on getting back quickly, and he won't expect you to be stupid enough to hide in the backseat."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"You know what I mean." Gianna is already moving toward the window, checking the driveway. "His car is parked right outside. If we time this right..."
Elena shakes her head. "This is crazy. You're all crazy. When Dante finds out we helped?—"
"He won't," I say firmly. "Because he's not going to find out. I'll slip out of the car before he comes back, and you'll cover for me here."
"And if you get caught at the meeting?"
