Page 12 of Fierce Hearts

"Black with one sugar. And anything with carbs. Lots of carbs."

"Coming right up." I finished dressing and grabbed my room key and phone. "I'll be back in ten or so.”

The hotel corridor was mercifully empty as I made my way to the elevator. Most wedding guests were probably still sleeping off last night's celebration. The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside, pressing the button for the lobby.

As the elevator descended, I checked my phone, my mind still on Sofia.

Today, we'd start acting like nothing had happened.

But something had, and I didn't really want it to end.

I closed my eyes, battling with what I wanted and what was right until the elevator doors dinged.

The breakfast buffet was already set up in the hotel's dining room, with only a handful of early risers helping themselves. I grabbed a plate and loaded it with pastries, fruit, and a couple of croissants before heading to the coffee station. It didn't take long before I was headed back to the elevator, unable to squash the excitement of returning to her, and the slight unease that she may have left my room while I was gone, opting to flee before it got weird.

Was getting her breakfast too much? We were friends as well, surely this wasn't overstepping.

As I waited for it the elevator to arrive, my mind drifted back to a conversation I'd had with Leo years ago—the first time Sofia's name had come up between us.

"You're sure?" Leo's voice was tense as he paced my office. "She's Savoca?"

"As sure as I can be without asking her directly." I handed him the file I'd compiled. "Her father was Antonio Savoca, the family head. He was killed in that supposed territory dispute years ago."

Leo flipped through the pages, his expression darkening. "And now she's best friends with your sister."

"They met at college," I explained. "I don't think Meredith has any idea about Sofia's background. Hell, I'm not even sure Sofia knows about us."

"She knows." Leo closed the file. "The question is, how much? Is that why she's friends with Meredith? As an in?"

I leaned back in my chair. "From what I can tell, she cut ties with her family after her father was killed. Her mother went back to Italy, and her cousin Marco took over operations and moved them to Vintmere."

"Still." Leo's jaw tightened. "It's too close for comfort. The Savocas have never been friendly with us."

"What do you want me to do? Tell Meredith she can't be friends with her? What lie would I give that doesn't reveal who we are?"

Leo shot me a look then sighed heavily. "You know your sister better than that. She'd just dig her heels in, wouldn't she?"

He wasn't wrong. Meredith's stubborn streak was not one to be questioned.

"So we confront her," I suggested. "Make sure she's not using Meredith to get information. She doesn't know anything anyway. Scare her off perhaps. Watch her at first, see what we're dealing with."

Leo nodded, but his expression remained troubled.

"What is it?" I pressed.

"I met her once. Sofia." He set the file down on my desk. "It was at a charity gala here, right before her father was killed. Several of the various families attended. She was with him."

"Did you speak with her? Get a feel for her?"

"It was brief. I doubt she even remembers unless she were to run into me and make the connection." Leo moved to gaze out the window. "But I remember thinking she didn't look happy to be there, like she didn't belong. She looked... trapped. Reminded me of so many other mafia women, ones who were forced into it or used as alliance bridges with marriage."

"Maybe that's why she cut ties, she didn't want to be a part of it. Could mean she's no threat."

"Just keep an eye on her," he said finally. "For Meredith's sake."

I nodded, but as Leo left my office, I found myself looking at the photograph in the file again. Sofia Savoca, fifteen years old, standing beside her father at some family function. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Trapped.

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