Page 54 of Bound to the Enforcer

I exhale slowly, bracing myself. "Matteo."

Her eyes narrow instantly, and she throws back the blankets, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "You met withMatteo? After everything he did? After he nearly got us killed?"

"Keep it down," I mutter, though I know it's pointless. Her words hit like rapid fire, but I don't flinch. I expected this.

She stands, pulling on a sweater and shoving her hair out of her face, her anger flashing brighter now. "No. You don't get to tell me to calm down, Alessio. You met with him, alone, and didn't think I deserved to know?"

"I didn't want to wake you," I reply with a hardness. "And I needed answers."

"And what did you get? Another betrayal? Another lie?"

"No." I push off the wall, stepping toward her. "Matteo's not what we thought he was."

Sophia freezes, her expression shifting, though her guard is still up. "What does that mean?"

"He's been playing double agent," I say, watching her carefully. "Domenico has his sister, Sophia. He's been using her as leverage, forcing Matteo to act like he's on his side. Matteo's been working from the inside—feeding Domenico what he wants to hear while gathering intel for us."

She stares at me, her anger giving way to confusion. "His sister?"

I nod. "He had no choice. He says he's got the route—the one Domenico's using to move the kids tonight."

Sophia's expression hardens, the shift in her clear. The anger is still there, but now it's laced with determination. She moves closer. "And you believe him?"

"I don't know if I do," I admit, my jaw tightening. "But if there's a chance we can stop that convoy and save those kids, I'm not ignoring it."

She holds my stare, her eyes searching mine for a long moment. Finally, she exhales, her shoulders relaxing slightly, though the fire in her eyes doesn't dim. "What's the plan?"

I frown. "We'llfigure it out. You're staying here."

Her head snaps up. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," I say. "It's too dangerous, Sophia. Matteo's intel could be a trap for all we know. I'll handle this."

"No."

The sharpness that comes from her is clear, final, and she steps even closer, her jaw set in that way that tells me there's no changing her mind. "I'm not staying here while you run off to handle this alone, Alessio."

"You don't understand?—"

"No,youdon't understand," she cuts me off, her tone rising. "This is my fight, too. Those kids, Domenico's entire operation, it's my responsibility as much as yours. I won't sit on the sidelines while you put yourself at risk."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to hold back the frustration building inside me. "It's not about you sitting on the sidelines. It's about keeping you alive."

"And what happens if something goes wrong?" she challenges. She trembles slightly with emotion. "If Matteo's lying? If itisa trap? Do you think I can just live with myself if you don't come back?"

The words hang heavy in the air, cutting through me more than I want to admit. I look at her then, really look at her—the anger in her eyes, the fear she's trying so hard to hide.

"I'm not losing you, Alessio," she whispers, but no less firm. "So if you're going, I'm going."

I stare at her for a long moment, my mind battling against itself. I don't want her anywhere near this, but I know Sophia. There's no talking her out of it. She's not the same woman who stood by quietly, letting others make decisions for her. She's stronger now. Tougher.

And she's right.

This is her fight, too.

"Fine," I say finally, the word escaping me like a sigh. "But you do exactly what I say. No arguments."

Sophia nods, her expression unyielding. "Deal."

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