Page 81 of Stalk Me

My thoughts drift to Nikolai. Will he even want me anymore, now that I’m not just the gallery owner he became obsessed with but the heir to a foreign criminal empire?

“The Ivanovs are Russian,” Mario says, his accent thickening with anger.

“And what exactly is your point?” I cross my arms, meeting Mario’s thunderous gaze. “The Ivanovs operate primarilyin America. You’re based in Italy. You’re not even direct competitors.”

“That’s not the point,” Mario growls, his accent growing thicker with each word. “The Russians?—”

“Are businessmen, just like you.” I cut him off. “Unless there’s some ancient blood feud I should know about?”

Antonio shifts uncomfortably beside me. “Sofia, it’s more complicated than that.”

“Then explain it to me.” I spread my hands on the table, leaning forward. “Because from where I’m standing, this sounds like outdated prejudice rather than business concerns.”

Mario’s nostrils flare. “You don’t understand our world yet.”

“No, I understand perfectly well. You want alliances through marriage, preferably with some nice Italian family that will keep everything neat and tidy within your preferred circle.” I straighten up, squaring my shoulders. “But I’m not a bargaining chip. I’m not some asset to be traded for better shipping routes or art connections.”

“The Ivanovs are dangerous,” Mario insists.

A laugh escapes me. “And we’re not? Two trained killers just tried to take me out on your watch. Glass houses, Grandfather.”

The title makes him flinch. Good.

“The Russians have different methods,” he tries again.

“Different from sending assassins after family members?” I raise an eyebrow at him. “Because I’ve got to say, that seems pretty extreme to me.”

Antonio coughs to hide what sounds suspiciously like a laugh. Mario shoots him a glare.

“Look,” I say, softening my tone slightly. “I’m not asking for your blessing. I’m telling you how things are going to be. You want me to take my place in this family? Fine. But I come as I am—gallery, relationships, and all.”

I catch my father’s expression from the corner of my eye. His face glows with pride, and something in my chest tightens. Despite the chemo making him look frail, his eyes shine with strength as he watches me stand my ground.

Mario’s shoulders slump, the fight draining from his stance. “You are more Castellano than I expected,” he admits, his accent still thick with emotion. “Perhaps we can discuss this further when things have settled.”

It’s as close to backing down as I’ll get from him, and I accept it with a slight nod.

But doubt gnaws at my stomach even as I savor this small victory. Nikolai’s face flashes through my mind—recalling his steel-gray eyes and how his jaw clenches when he’s holding back emotion. Will he still want me now that I come with all this complicated family baggage and criminal empire politics?

I follow the smooth line of the mahogany table beneath my fingertips. No matter how strategic the alliance might be, I won’t let anyone push me into a marriage of convenience. The thought of being with someone I don’t love, of giving up what Nikolai and I have...

No. I’ve fought too hard for my independence to give it up now. If Nikolai doesn’t want me anymore, I’ll deal with that pain when it comes. But I won’t let anyone else decide my future for me.

31

NIKOLAI

Iwatch through the thermal scope as Sofia sits at the head of the long dining table, her voice carrying authority I’ve never heard before. We had missed the attempt on her life last night, something my head of security got serious shit for. But now, my team is in position, ready to breach, but something holds me back.

“We need to deal with Lucia directly,” Sofia’s voice echoes through my earpiece. “She’s made too many moves against the family. Against me.”

My chest tightens. She sounds like a natural leader, commanding the room with the same steel I first glimpsed beneath her polish. Mario nods in approval as she outlines her strategy.

“I want eyes on every account she’s touched,” Sofia continues. “And I want to know who else is involved. This stops now.”

Pride wars with fear in my gut. She’s magnificent and everything I knew she could be. But seeing her take command, watching her family defer to her judgment... will she still want the life I can offer? Will she choose to stay with her blood family now that she’s found her place?

Erik’s voice crackles in my ear. “Nikolai? Are we moving or what?”

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