Page 109 of The Don's Soulmate

"Sofia," he breathes, pulling me into a warm embrace. "You look stunning."

His touch sends sparks across my skin. I step inside, immediately enveloped by the aroma of garlic and herbs.

"You really cooked?" I ask, arching an eyebrow.

Viktor grins, leading me to a beautifully set table. "I told you I would. Only the best for you, cara mia."

Candles flicker, casting a soft glow over the elegant spread. A bottle of my favorite wine chills in an ice bucket.

"This is... impressive," I admit, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest.

"I wanted everything to be perfect," Viktor says softly, pulling out my chair. “We haven’t spent time together in a while.” As I sit, his fingers brush my shoulder, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

I can't help but smile, despite the nagging voice in my head warning me to be cautious and on alert, should my friends need me tonight. "You've outdone yourself, Viktor."

He beams, pouring the wine with a flourish. "Shall we?"

As we clink glasses, I find myself relaxing, laughing at Viktor's stories of all that’s happened this week at his work. I never thought financial services could be this exciting!

As we savor the last bites of Viktor's surprisingly delicious osso buco, a flicker of movement catches my eye. The TV in the corner of the dining room, previously muted, now blares to life withbreaking news. My heart leaps into my throat as Carlotta's face fills the screen. Viktor puts up the volume.

"In a shocking development, Carlotta Vero, daughter of prominent businessman Salvatore Vero, who had been reportedly kidnapped, is still not home. She’s been missing for over four months now," the anchor announces, her voice dripping with barely concealed excitement. “Just today, Italy’s chief of police is set to meet her father and fiancé. Talks of involving the Mossad is in play.”

I grip my wine glass tightly, my knuckles turning white. The room suddenly feels too small, too hot. The chief of police? The Mossad? Hiding will only get harder for us all.

I force myself to take a slow, deliberate sip, desperately trying to maintain my composure.

Viktor's eyes dart between me and the screen, his brow furrowing with concern. "Sofia," he says softly, reaching across the table to place his hand over mine. "I'm so sorry. This must be incredibly difficult for you."

I swallow hard, meeting his gaze. "I... I can't believe it," I manage to choke out, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. But then again, I can’t exactly tell him I know where they are.

"How are you holding up?" Viktor asks, his thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of my hand. "I know how close you and Carlotta are. Like sisters, you once said."

I take a shaky breath, my mind racing. How much should I reveal? Nothing. It’s best kept that way. "I'm... I'm scared for her," I admit, allowing a tremor to enter my voice. It's not entirely a lie – I am terrified for Carlotta, just not in the way Viktor might think.

"Of course you are," he murmurs, his eyes softening with sympathy. "Is there anything I can do? Anything at all?"

For a moment, I'm tempted to confide in him, to unburden myself of this crushing secret. But the weight of Carlotta's safety holds my tongue. While I might trust him, can I trust him enough not to let the information accidentally slip to someone dangerous? I force a weak smile. "Just... being here helps," I say, hating how vulnerable I sound.

Viktor squeezes my hand gently. As he gazes at me with such apparent concern and affection, I feel a pang of guilt. If only things were simpler.

“What worries you, sweetheart?” he asks gently.

I lower my eyes, feigning vulnerability while my mind whirs. "It's just... I can't help but worry about what's happening to her. Where is she? Could she truly have been kidnapped?"

Viktor's jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. "I've heard some...rumors," he says, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "About Ugo Caputo, her fiancé."

My heart skips a beat. I force myself to meet his gaze, my expression carefully neutral. "What kind of rumors?"

He leans in closer, his cologne enveloping me. "Let's just say he's not the upstanding businessman he pretends to be. There are whispers of...unsavory dealings. Dangerous connections. And he’s not known to treat women with respect."

I swallow hard, playing the part of the shocked friend. "You don't think...you don't think he had something to do with Carlotta's disappearance, do you?"

Viktor's eyes flicker with something I can't quite read. "Actually," he says slowly, "I have a different theory. I don't think Carlotta was kidnapped at all."

My pulse quickens. "What do you mean?"

"Think about it, Sofia," he says, his voice low and intense. "Carlotta was set to marry Ugo, a man twice her age with a questionable reputation and abusive patterns. And then there's Ettore..."