Page 106 of Witness Protection

Chapter Twenty-One

The house reminded her of home. Antonio Baretti had the same expensive taste as her father. The entrance had massive stone pillars and statues of lions guarding the main door. Hawk and Cayden flanked her as they walked up the steps.

She needed this to go smoothly. If any of Antonio’s men started something, she knew Hawk and Cayden would take them all down to protect her. That was way too risky. Being diplomatic was her top priority.

As planned, one of the maids that used to be on her father’s payroll opened the door for them. She pointed in the direction of the Antonio’s office, whispering to Hawk in Russian. He nodded and continued down the hallway. Her heart raced. They were inside the dragon’s den now. She was certain something would go wrong. Every time she found happiness, it seemed to get ripped away.

The heavy mahogany doors looked ominous. Cayden leaned his back against the wall, just outside the doors, to stay on watch. Hawk entered without knocking.

The old man sat behind his desk watching porn on the big screen mounted on the wall. She was thankful he was alone. Her father had rarely been without at least one of his men. She remembered Antonio Sr. from some old events her father made her attend. He’d been kind and respectful to her in the past, but that could have been due to her father’s influence.

“Sophia?”

He stood and fumbled with the remote to turn off the television, before sitting back down in his chair.

“Mr. Baretti. It’s been a long time,” she said.

“I sorry about you father. He was good man.”

His English was rough, and her Italian was even worse, so Hawk took over. She only caught bits and pieces of what he said, but the plan was to expose his son. Antonio Jr. had kidnapped, threatened, and planned to kill her. The entire wedding was a front to get his claws on the Morenov Empire’s power and money now that her father was dead.

“He’s disappointed you won’t be his daughter-in-law, but he won’t allow his son to go through with the wedding.” Hawk translated for the old man. “He apologizes for the actions of his son.”

She nodded her thanks. “Grazie.”

After a bit more talking, they said their good-byes and returned to the hallway. She wouldn’t be able to breathe until they were driving away from the house. The place gave her a bad vibe, and she knew better than to trust anyone.

Cayden took his hand out of his jacket once they exited. “Everything good?” he asked.

“Too good,” said Hawk. “Let’s get out of here.”

They walked straight to the main doors. She kept her eyes forward, not even daring to take a breath. Daylight streamed in through the glass doors, a beacon in the dim hallway.

So close to freedom.

As Hawk turned the handle, the shadow blocked out the sun. Sophia’s entire body tensed.

The door opened to reveal Antonio Baretti Jr. and three of his men.

Fear ripped through her, and memories of him tormenting her came back with a vengeance. Every time he came in the room, she didn’t know if he was going to hurt, rape, or kill her.

“You have balls,” said Antonio.

Hawk shrugged. “You should have taken no for an answer.”

“We had to involve mommy and daddy,” said Cayden. “Guess they need to teach you not to take things that don’t belong to you.”

“You shouldn’t have come here,” said Antonio. “This is my fucking parents’ home. It should be off limits.”

Hawk laughed out loud. “You kidnapped our fucking woman. Where would that sit in your books?”

Antonio’s men spread out, circling them in the foyer. Hawk grabbed her hand and shoved his way to the expansive front porch. Cayden kept his hand inside his coat, and she knew he wouldn’t think twice about pulling out his gun and raining down on them.

“Does she belong to both of you?” Antonio leaned against the doorframe, looking too casual and smug for a man who’d single-handedly tried to ruin their lives.

“Yes, I belong to both of them,” said Sophia. She was tired of the fear, of keeping to the sidelines while everyone around her played with her life. “My father’s empire is dead. I don’t care about his legacy, his territory, or anything he controlled. It’s all gone, and all I care about are the men I love.”

Antonio cocked an eyebrow.

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