Just as Vito lifted the glass to his lips, a sudden movement caught his eye, a shadow flitting across the window.
Distracted, he turned towards the window, his hand momentarily unsteady. And in that split second, the glass slipped from his grasp, crashing to the floor and shattering into a thousand pieces.
Vito’s face darkened, his eyes flashing with annoyance. But Sophia’s heart thumped wildly in her chest. She knew this was a sign, a warning from the universe.
“I’m sorry, Vito,” Sophia murmured, her voice soft with feigned regret. “Let me clean that up for you.”
She knelt down to pick up the broken glass, her fingers gently brushing against Vito’s as she scooped up the shattered remnants.
Vito’s expression softened slightly, his eyes searching Sophia’s face with a hint of confusion. “It’s fine, Sophia. Just be more careful next time.”
Sophia nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew that she needed to keep Vito off-balance, to make him believe that she was still loyal, still devoted to him.
She stood, her hands still trembling slightly as she placed the broken glass in the trash can. “I’ll make you a fresh glass, Vito,” she murmured, her voice low and seductive. “A better glass.
Vito smiled, his eyes fixed on Sophia’s body as she moved gracefully through the kitchen.
As Sophia poured the wine into a new glass, her thoughts were racing. She knew that the longer Vito was sedated, the greater their chances of success. She needed to make sure that he drank the wine, that he remained unconscious for as long as possible.
She turned to face Vito, the glass of wine balanced in her hand. “To us, Vito,” she whispered, her voice low and husky. “To our future.
Vito grinned, taking the glass from her hand and draining it in a single gulp.
Sophia’s heart pounded as she watched Vito set the empty glass on the table, his eyes heavy with fatigue. She knew that the sedative was taking effect, that Vito would soon fall asleep, his body locked in a deep, dreamless slumber.
As he slumped against the sofa, his breathing slow and steady, Sophia moved towards him, her hand reaching for his face. She stroked his cheek, her voice a low, whispered whisper. “Sleep well, my love,” she murmured. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
As Sophia slipped out of the room, a strange sense of satisfaction coursed through her veins. She had drugged Vito, had taken the first step in her plan to save Luca and her family.
But she knew that there was still much work to be done. She needed to contact Leo, to make sure that he had the evidence, that he was ready to move.
She retrieved her phone from her purse, her fingers flying over the screen as she composed a text message. “We’re a go,” she wrote, her heart racing with adrenaline.
As Sophia paced nervously in her room, she heard the sounds of movement from Vito’s bedroom. She froze, her heart hammering against her chest as she realized the awful truth: the sedative had worn off. Vito was awake, and if he discovered her plans, she would be in grave danger.
But as panic threatened to overwhelm her, Sophia took a deep breath and steadied herself. She had gathered enough information, enough proof to implicate Vito in his crimes. She just needed to buy some time, to stall him until the authorities arrived.
Sophia hurried into the living room, her eyes scanning the space for Vito. And there he was, sitting on the sofa, a look of barely concealed rage on his face.
“Sophia,” he growled, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “Where have you been? I woke up alone.”
Sophia forced a smile, her voice light and breezy. “I’m sorry, Vito. I was just getting some fresh air, taking a walk to clear my head.”
Vito’s eyes flashed with suspicion as he regarded Sophia, his jaw clenched in anger. “A walk? At this hour?”
Sophia feigned surprise, her brow furrowed with concern. “Is something wrong, Vito? You seem upset.”
Vito’s eyes narrowed, his voice low and dangerous. “I don’t like being lied to, Sophia. Where were you really?
Sophia’s pulse quickened, her mind racing for a way out. “I was just thinking, Vito,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “About the mission. About our future.”
Vito’s expression hardened, his eyes locked on Sophia’s face. “Our future? And what about Luca?
Sophia swallowed hard, her heart pounding with fear. “Luca is our enemy, Vito. He betrayed you. He betrayed us.”
Vito’s eyes flashed with rage, his voice low and dangerous. “Luca will pay for his betrayal, Sophia. But first, I need to know if he told you anything. Did he say where he was hiding?
Sophia shook her head, her face a mask of feigned ignorance. “No, Vito. He didn’t say anything. But I know how to find out. I can get him to talk.”
Vito’s expression shifted, a calculating gleam entering his eyes. “You can?
Sophia nodded, her voice low and seductive. “Yes, Vito. I can get him to talk. But I need your trust, your faith in me.”
Vito’s eyes narrowed, his expression inscrutable. “And how do you propose to do that, Sophia? How do you plan to get Luca to talk?
Sophia smiled, her hands reaching for Vito’s. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Vito. Anything.
Sophia looked deep into Vito’s eyes, her voice soft and persuasive. “Vito, I want to help you. I want to show you that you can trust me, that I am loyal to you.”
Vito’s expression softened slightly, his eyes searching Sophia’s face. “How?
Sophia smiled, her hand squeezing his tightly. “Let me go to Luca’s house, Vito. I will bring him to you. But you must come with me, so you can see for yourself.”
Vito’s expression grew skeptical, his lips curling into a thin, disbelieving line. “How do I know this isn’t a trap, Sophia? How do I know you’re not working with Luca?
Sophia’s heart pounded, her face breaking into a look of genuine anguish. “Vito, I would never betray you. I love you, Vito. I am yours.”
Vito searched Sophia’s eyes, his own expression torn between doubt and desire. Finally, he sighed, his voice low and resigned.
“Alright, Sophia. I trust you. I’ll come with you to Luca’s house. But if this is a trick…”
Sophia nodded, her smile returning. “It’s not a trick, Vito. You’ll see. I’ll make sure that Luca pays for what he’s done.
Vito’s eyes hardened, his expression shifting into a cold, ruthless mask. “And when we find him, Sophia, what should I do to Luca?
Sophia hesitated, her heart racing as she considered her answer. “Whatever you think is best, Vito. Whatever you need to do to send a message.”
Vito’s eyes glinted with approval, his jaw tightening with satisfaction. “Good. And what about the twins?”
Sophia’s expression grew desperate, her eyes pleading with Vito. “They’re innocent, Vito. They’re just children. Please, don’t hurt them.
Vito’s lips twisted into a cruel smile, his eyes gleaming with malice. “You know I can’t let them live, Sophia. They’re a reminder of your betrayal. They’re a threat to my power.”
Sophia’s breath caught in her throat, her voice low and pleading. “Please, Vito. Let me take them somewhere safe. Somewhere far away from here.”
Vito shook his head, his expression hard and unyielding. “No, Sophia.
Sophia’s heart sank, her eyes filling with tears as Vito’s words washed over her. She knew that there was no changing his mind, that he was determined to see this through to the end.
“Okay, Vito,” she whispered, her voice quivering with fear and resignation. “We’ll do it your way.
Vito nodded, his lips curling into a satisfied smirk. “Good. Now, go get ready. We leave in an hour.”
Sophia’s mind raced, her thoughts spinning as she sought a way out of the situation. “But Vito,” she protested, her voice trembling with uncertainty. “We said tomorrow. You said we’d go tomorrow.”
Vito’s eyes narrowed, his expression growing cold and dangerous. “And what difference does a day make, Sophia? Are you trying to change your mind?”
Sophia shook her head, her eyes fixed on his face. “No, Vito. I just don’t want you to be suspicious.
Vito’s expression softened, a glimmer of doubt entering his gaze. “You have a point, Sophia. But I can’t help but wonder…why the hesitation?”
Sophia forced a smile, her voice low and persuasive. “I’m not hesitating, Vito. I just want us to be careful, to plan this out. I don’t want anything to go wrong.
Vito considered Sophia’s words, his gaze searching her face for signs of deceit. After a long moment, he nodded.
“Very well, Sophia,” Vito murmured, his voice low and thoughtful. “We’ll wait until tomorrow. But I want you by my side, every step of the way.”
Sophia nodded, relief washing over her as she felt the first glimmer of hope. “I’ll be there, Vito. I’ll be there for you.”
Vito’s gaze lingered on Sophia’s face, a hint of admiration in his eyes. “You’re a good wife, Sophia.
Sophia’s heart pounded as Vito turned away, his footsteps echoing through the room. As he disappeared into the shadows, Sophia’s mind raced, her fingers trembling as she reached for her phone.
She dialed Leo’s number, her breath quickening as she waited for him to answer.
“Sophia?” Leo’s voice was urgent, his tone tinged with concern. “What happened?”
“Leo, listen to me,” Sophia whispered, her voice low and urgent. “You need to take the twins. Now. Take them somewhere far away, somewhere Vito can’t find them.
Leo hesitated, his voice filled with confusion. “But Sophia, what about-”
Sophia cut him off, her voice tense with anxiety. “I know what I’m doing, Leo. But Vito wants to kill the twins. He won’t stop until they’re dead.
Leo inhaled sharply, his mind racing as he considered Sophia’s words. “Okay, Sophia. I’ll do it. But what about you? What will happen when Vito realizes you’re gone?”
Sophia’s breath caught in her throat, her mind racing. “I’ll be with him, Leo. I’ll be there when the police arrest him.
Leo’s voice grew sharp with concern. “Sophia, this is too dangerous. You can’t risk your life like this.
Sophia’s voice was firm, her words cutting through Leo’s protests. “I have to do this, Leo. I need to save my family. And this is the only way.
Leo sighed, his voice heavy with reluctance. “Okay, Sophia. But please, be careful. Make sure you clear your chat history.
Sophia nodded, her hands already moving to delete the messages. “I will, Leo.
With a final “good luck,” Leo hung up the phone, leaving Sophia alone with her thoughts.
Sophia stood in the silent room, her mind racing with the events to come. She knew that there was no turning back now, that her destiny was tied to Vito’s downfall.
As the minutes ticked by, Sophia began to prepare. She packed a bag, gathering clothes and essentials for her and the twins. She double-checked the pentobarbital, ensuring she had enough for Vito’s wine.
And then, as the sun began to sink beneath the horizon, Sophia heard Vito’s footsteps approaching.
Sophia’s heart raced as Vito entered the room, his eyes fixed on her face. “Are you ready, Sophia?” he asked, his voice low and serious.
Sophia nodded, her expression calm and composed. “I’m ready, Vito.”
Vito’s gaze lingered on Sophia for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his features. “Good. We leave in an hour. Make sure you’re ready.
Sophia watched as Vito disappeared into his bedroom, his steps heavy with anticipation.
Sophia’s voice was filled with curiosity as she followed Vito into the bedroom, her eyes flickering around the room. “Where are we going, Vito?”
Vito smirked, his expression shifting into a mask of pride. “We’re going to make history, Sophia. I’ve kidnapped the governor’s daughter. I’m going to ransom her, and the whole country will know who I am.”
Sophia’s heart plummeted, her mind racing with fear and concern. “And the twins?
“The twins will stay with me, Sophia,” Vito growled, his voice turning cold and menacing. “They’re my insurance policy.”
Sophia’s eyes widened with panic, but she quickly composed herself, her voice calm and steady. “What do you mean, Vito? What will happen to them?
Vito’s expression hardened, his lips curling into a vicious smile. “They’ll be fine, Sophia. As long as you don’t do anything foolish.
Vito’s voice suddenly shifted, his tone light and teasing. “Relax, Sophia. I’m joking. The twins will be fine.”
Sophia breathed a sigh of relief, her fear subsiding as Vito laughed at his own joke. But in the back of her mind, she knew that there was no room for complacency. She needed to be vigilant, to stay alert.
She reached into her pocket, her fingers grazing the tiny microphone she had hidden there.
As Vito turned away, his laughter fading into the darkness of the room, Sophia quickly activated the microphone, the small device discreetly concealed in the folds of her clothing.
She knew that every word, every sound could be critical evidence in the case against Vito. She needed to capture as much as possible.
As they stepped into the car, Sophia’s heart pounded with anticipation. The night stretched before her, dark and treacherous. But she was ready.
The car roared to life, the engine growling as Vito gunned the accelerator, the wheels spitting gravel as they sped through the streets.
Sophia remained silent, her hands clenched into fists as she tried to control her breathing. She could feel the weight of the microphone against her skin, the evidence growing with each passing second.
Outside, the cityscape flew by in a blur, the streetlights blurring into a ribbon of gold and red. Sophia knew that time was of the essence, that they needed to move quickly.
As they sped through the city, Sophia caught glimpses of the nightlife that thrived beneath the veil of darkness. The neon signs of nightclubs and bars flashed by, the thumping bass of music echoing through the car.
Sophia tried to focus, tried to block out the distractions and focus on her mission. She needed to keep Vito talking, to keep him from suspecting her intentions.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her voice casual and curious.
Vito’s eyes glinted with pride.
“We’re going to an old warehouse, Sophia,” Vito boasted, his voice echoing with power. “It’s a perfect spot for our little operation. No one will find us there.”
Sophia nodded, her eyes darting around the darkened interior of the car, taking in every detail. She knew that this information could be critical to the police, that it could be the difference between success and failure.
The car swerved around a corner, the tires squealing as Vito pushed the vehicle to its limits.
As the car continued on its journey, Sophia felt her nerves tighten, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew that there was a chance that Vito’s men were waiting at the warehouse, that they would be ready for her.
She needed to be careful, needed to stay focused on her mission.
The car skidded to a stop outside the warehouse, the engine rumbling as Vito turned to Sophia, his expression hard and unyielding.
“Stay in the car, Sophia,” he ordered. “I’ll deal with this myself.
Sophia watched as Vito stepped out of the car, his silhouette dark against the night sky. He disappeared into the warehouse, leaving Sophia alone in the car, her heart thudding against her ribs.
She knew that she didn’t have much time, that Vito could return at any moment. She needed to act quickly, needed to gather as much evidence as possible.
Sophia opened her door, slipping out of the car and into the darkness.
Sophia kept low to the ground, her eyes darting around the perimeter of the warehouse, searching for signs of life. The only sound was the distant hum of the city, a low, pulsing rhythm that seemed to echo through the night.
She crept towards the warehouse door, her steps silent and sure. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the handle, the cold metal biting into her palm.
Sophia turned the knob, pushing the door open with a soft creak. The warehouse loomed before her, dark and silent.
Sophia’s pulse quickened as she slipped into the warehouse, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She could hear the muffled sound of voices coming from somewhere inside, the low murmur of male voices punctuated by the occasional laugh or shout.
She followed the voices, keeping close to the shadows as she made her way through the maze of crates and pallets.
Suddenly, the voices grew louder, the sound of footsteps approaching. Sophia ducked behind a stack of crates, her heart pounding in her chest.
Sophia watched as three men strode past her hiding spot, their forms illuminated by the dim light of a flickering bulb. They were heavily armed, their hands resting on the butts of their guns, their expressions hard and vigilant.
Sophia waited, her breath held tight in her chest, until the sound of their footsteps faded away. She slowly rose from her hiding spot, her mind racing as she considered her next move.
She needed to find Vito, to capture his words and actions on the microphone. But the warehouse was vast, the maze of corridors stretching out before her like a labyrinth.
Sophia crept through the warehouse, her senses on high alert. The air was thick with the smell of oil and metal, the metallic tang of machine parts and rust clinging to the air.
As she turned a corner, a low, familiar voice reached her ears, the words barely audible over the steady hum of machinery.
“Luca will be here soon,” Vito’s voice growled. “And when he arrives, we’ll make sure he pays for his betrayal.
Sophia’s heart thudded in her chest as she crept closer to the source of the voice, careful to remain hidden from view. As she peered around a stack of crates, she saw Vito standing in a darkened room, the light from a single overhead lamp casting harsh shadows across his face.
He was surrounded by his men, their faces hard and dangerous, their hands resting on the grips of their weapons.
Vito paced the floor, his voice low and intense. “We need to make an example of him, send a message to anyone who might dare cross us.
Sophia quickly activated the recording function on her phone, her hand shaking slightly as she focused on Vito and his men. She captured their cold, hard expressions, their hands caressing the deadly metal of their guns.
And then, as the conversation shifted, Sophia’s breath caught in her throat. In the corner of the room, illuminated by a flickering light, was a young woman, her hands bound behind her back, her eyes wide with fear.
Sophia’s heart broke as Vito strode towards the woman, his hand raised in a cruel arc
“Where is your father?” Vito snarled, his eyes narrowed with rage as he towered over the woman.
The woman trembled, her eyes darting to the floor. “I-I don’t know,” she whispered, her voice choked with tears. “Please, let me go.”
Vito’s hand lashed out, the sound of the slap echoing through the warehouse. “Liar!” he shouted. “Your father will pay for crossing me
Sophia flinched at the sound of the slap, her heart aching with sympathy for the woman’s plight. But she knew that she needed to stay focused, needed to capture every detail of the conversation.
As Vito continued to interrogate the woman, his voice growing louder and more menacing with each passing second, Sophia heard the sound of approaching footsteps, the heavy tread of several people moving towards the room.
Vito paused, his expression darkening. “Who’s there?”
Sophia’s heart pounded in her chest as she darted back through the maze of crates and pallets, her feet pounding against the concrete floor. She could hear the sound of Vito’s men approaching, their heavy footsteps drawing closer with each passing second.
Sophia dashed back away the warehouse, her heart hammering in her chest as she slipped into the driver’s seat of Vito’s car. She turned the key in the ignition, the engine roaring to life as she pulled away from the warehouse and onto the deserted streets.
As Sophia drove, her mind raced with thoughts of the governor’s daughter, of Luca, of what would happen if Vito discovered her deception. She knew that she had to act quickly, had to find a way to save her family before it was too late.
Just as Sophia reached a quiet stretch of road, her phone buzzed with a call from Vito. She hesitated for a moment, her heart racing with fear.
“Sophia, where the hell are you?” Vito’s voice was sharp, his words laced with suspicion.
Sophia swallowed hard, forcing a note of indignation into her voice. “I was just about to come back, Vito. I had to go to the bathroom. What’s wrong?
Vito let out a low growl, his voice tight with anger.
“You shouldn’t have left, Sophia,” Vito snarled. “You know that you can’t be trusted on your own.”
Sophia bristled at his words, her tone turning icy. “I’m not a prisoner, Vito. I don’t need your permission to go to the bathroom.”
There was a long, tense silence on the other end of the line, and Sophia’s heart pounded as she waited for Vito’s response.
Finally, Vito spoke, his voice a low, dangerous whisper. “Don’t test me, Sophia. I know what you’re up to. You think I’m stupid?”
Sophia’s hands tightened on the wheel, her voice growing more insistent. “I’m not trying to trick you, Vito. I’m your wife, your partner. Why can’t you trust me?”
Vito laughed, a bitter, mirthless sound that sent chills down Sophia’s spine.