Page 80 of Stalk Me

“Stay here, Miss Castellano. We’ll secure the perimeter.”

Before I can protest, the doors seal shut. I sink into one of the leather chairs, my adrenaline finally crashing. The room is well-appointed despite its purpose—mahogany panels, surveillance monitors, and what appears to be a fully stocked bar.

I’ve barely had time to process what happened when the doors slide open again. My father stumbles in, his face ashen.

“Sofia.” He crosses the room in three strides and pulls me into his arms. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

I stiffen at first, then slowly relax into his embrace.

“Lucia...” His voice breaks. “I’ve been such a fool. For years, I convinced myself she wasn’t behind the attempts on your life, but she’s been trying to eliminate you since you were a child.”

“That’s why I was given up for adoption?”

He nods against my hair. “To protect you. And I’m sorry about my father too. Mario had no right to announce your identity to the world. His obsession with preserving the Castellano legacy has put you in danger.”

Drawing back, I lift my face. “Mario didn’t give me a choice.”

“No, he didn’t.” Antonio’s jaw tightens. “But I’m done letting others control our lives. It’s time I face what Lucia has done. No more hiding behind excuses or illness.”

The heavy doors slide open again, and Mario strides in, his expensive Italian loafers clicking against the floor. “Is everyone alright?”

“No, thanks to you,” my father snaps, his arm tightening around my shoulders. “What were you thinking, announcing her identity to the world without any preparation?”

“It was necessary. We needed to establish her position before?—”

“Before what?” Antonio’s voice rises. “Before Lucia could kill her? Well, congratulations, she just tried!”

“Enough!” I slam my hand against the mahogany table, making them both jump. “I’m right here, and I’m sick of everyone talking about me like I’m some chess piece to be moved around.”

Mario’s eyebrows lift. Antonio stares at me.

“You want me to step up? Fine. But we do this my way.” I straighten my spine, channeling every ounce of steel I’ve developed running my gallery. “First, we deal with Lucia. I won’t live my life looking over my shoulder. Second, no more press conferences or public announcements without my explicit approval.”

“Sofia—” Mario starts.

“I’m not finished.” I meet his gaze steadily. “You want a Castellano heir? Then treat me like one. I run my own business.I make my own decisions. I’m not some lost little girl you can mold into whatever you want.”

A slow smile spreads across Mario’s face. “There she is. That’s the Castellano fire I was hoping to see.”

“Don’t look so pleased with yourself,” I snap. “Your stunt nearly got me killed tonight.”

“And yet here you stand, having taken down two trained assassins without breaking a sweat.” He spreads his hands. “Perhaps I know my granddaughter better than you think.”

“Sofia,” my father says softly. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do.” I square my shoulders. “But I’m doing it for me, not for either of you.”

“And another thing,” I say, cutting off Mario’s self-satisfied smile. “I won’t be part of any arranged marriage schemes you might be cooking up. That’s non-negotiable.”

Mario’s expression darkens. “Sofia, certain alliances are expected?—”

“No.” I plant my hands on the mahogany table. “I choose who I want to be with, regardless of their nationality.

The word hangs in the air like a thunderclap. Antonio’s face pales while Mario’s reddens.

“Ivanov.” Mario spits the name like poison. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am.” My voice doesn’t waver. “And if you try to force this issue, you’ll lose me before you ever really had me.”

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