Page 14 of Bound to the Enforcer

She has always been the apple of Alejandro's eye, the beauty that could launch a thousand ships. She is sought after by every male within our world, and who wouldn't want to pursue her? A flower. A diamond. The most tantalizing spell no man could ever resist.

I always thought I was immune to her beauty. I fucked multiple women from every corner of the globe, and yet here I am, brought right down to my knees. But it isn't her beauty that calls to me. It is something buried deep within her that my darkness craves to corrupt, and that is the very reason I know why I need to stay as far away from her as possible.

Sophia will never be safe. Not with you.

Whatever Domenico has planned, I will make sure I am ready. I already lost one Romano. I refuse to lose another. Even if it means laying down my own life.

Chapter Five

Sophia

The morning air is biting and sharp as I step onto the balcony outside my room. The faint glow of sunrise stretches over the estate, painting the grounds in soft pinks and golds. It would be beautiful if not for the weight pressing on my chest. My father's death, Trevor's murder, and Domenico's thinly veiled threats are constant shadows in my mind.

Alessio was in my room last night. He came in while I struggled to sleep, and he caressed my cheek.

I cup the very cheek he had touched, and little prickles of electricity move over my skin. My heart jumps in my chest, and the strange fluttering feeling returns to the middle of my belly.

I snap my eyes open and scold myself. No, those thoughts are not allowed. Alessio De Luca is not a man you pine over. He is the Reaper. The things of children's nightmares.

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the chill that isn't entirely from the weather. Everything feels harder now, like I'm standing on a tightrope stretched over an endless abyss.Each move feels critical, every decision a test of whether I can survive in a world that seems intent on devouring me.

A soft knock at my door pulls me from my thoughts. Something surges through my bloodstream at the sound of it.

"Sophia," Alessio says, his tone even. "We need to talk."

I glance back toward the door, torn between wanting to tell him to leave and knowing I can't. There's too much at stake now. I take one last look at the rising sun before stepping inside and opening the door.

Alessio stands there, his dark eyes scanning me like they always do, reading every detail.

"Good morning to you, too," I say with sarcasm. I try to hide the confusing and conflicting emotions I have begun to feel toward him. The last thing we need during a war is to involve feelings of any kind.

His jaw tightens, and he steps inside without waiting for an invitation. "We have a meeting in an hour. The enemy is making moves, and we need to decide how to counter."

"The enemy?" I scoff. "Say his name, Alessio. I know the person we are dealing with is my uncle. It's not hard to put two and two together."

His eyes grow hard. "Of course you knew."

"I am not as incapable as you think I am. What is insulting is the fact that you thought you could keep this from me."

He ignores my snide remark. "Come, we have work to do."

I close the door and lean against it, crossing my arms over my chest. "And by 'we,' you mean you, Matteo, and whoever else you deem worthy, right? I assume my role will be to sit there quietly and look pretty."

Alessio exhales slowly, clearly trying to keep his patience in check. "This isn't about cutting you out, Sophia. It's about strategy. You're not ready to face Domenico directly. Many in the outfit do not want a woman to be in power, so he alreadyhas their support when he so chooses to usurp your throne. He is looking for the votes right now. There are only two ways he can win this, and that is through vote or bloodshed, and to keep relations, he will try for the vote. It's why he is so open about going against you. Had he wanted you dead, he would have tried, but he is keeping you alive to show the rest in the outfit and the other families that you are too weak to take charge."

This is the first time that he has been open to me about anything regarding this situation. I take in everything he is saying and try to swallow it whole.

"So you want me to just sit here and lie in wait? I can't do that, Alessio."

He shakes his head and closes the distance between us. The distance between us is enough to create crackles of electricity through the air. When did it become like this? These feelings… these sensations. They are all foreign and new and so out of my realm of comfort.

"I am not asking you to lie in wait. I am asking you to allow me to lead you until you are ready."

"And when will I be ready, Alessio?" I step closer, meeting him. "After he's taken everything my father built? After he's killed me?"

His expression hardens. "Not on my watch. I will not let any harm come to you, Sophia."

"You cannot make that promise to me. You can't keep it."

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