SOFIA’S POV
“Damn it.” I screamed jamming the door against its hinges as I stepped into my room. Fuck all of them, Fuck this family.
After years of sidelining me, cause they thought of me as incapable of being in the family’s business, they’re still treating me like shit trying to boss me around.
Breathing in and out I try to control my breath as I breathe in and out to calm my nerves. “Once I’m done with you guys, you’ll know better than mess me.” I throw myself back into bed and remain in that position looking at the ceiling for almost an hour when my phone notification beeps signaling a message.
My hands trembled as I gripped my phone, staring at the last message Dawson sent me. He’s been pulling strings for me in prison in exchange for money to settle his wife’s hospital bills.
“They’re questioning the body. Matteo ordered a DNA test. He’s insisting the body isn’t Alfredo’s.”
Damn it.
This wasn’t part of the plan. I never told Alfredo about this particular plan because I didn’t think it was necessary. The whole point of switching him with the other prisoner was to buy time, at least. Enough time for me to strategize, to put every piece in place before we made our move for Liam. But now, thanks to Matteo’s damn instincts, I had to act faster.
And why the hell didn’t Dawson stop Matteo’s informant from letting him know about this incident until later…Fuck!
I dialed Dawson’s number, tapping my foot impatiently as I paced my room.
He picked up on the third ring. “Sofia, I can’t talk for long.”
“You better make time,” I snapped. “Matteo’s catching on faster than we expected. You need to stall the DNA test.”
I hear him heave a tired sigh.”Sofia, it’s not that simple. The body is too burned for quick results, but Matteo’s not stupid. If we delay for too long, he’ll push harder.”
“Then find a way,” I hissed. “Tell them the sample was compromised. Say you need another extraction. Whatever. Just buy me a few days.”
Dawson sighed. “Fine. Whatever it is you’re doing act fast. I have my own neck to protect.”
I ended the call without another word. This was already a disaster in the making. How did I manage to sabotage my plans even before it fell into place?
I had to get to Alfredo before Matteo unraveled the whole thing. And for that, I needed to leave this damn house.
Which was another problem.
Matteo had given strict orders that I wasn’t to step foot outside. That bastard. He thought he could control me? Because he hit me back? Hit me cause of a nobody like Anthony.
The memory of this morning made my blood boil.
Bella and Anthony. Those two fuxkers.
She had provoked me, pushed me to my last nerve, and when I snapped, Matteo had hit me back like I was nothing. And now I was under lockdown in my own damn home like a prisoner.
I wasn’t going to let them cage me in. I needed to get out.
I shoved my phone into my pocket and stormed downstairs heading towards the front door, but before I could even reach for the handle, Aurora and Bella stepped into my path.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Bella crossed her arms, her face still showing the faint mark of where I had slapped her.
“Move,” I ordered, keeping my voice even.
Aurora shook her head. “Matteo said you’re not leaving.”
I laughed. “And? Do I look like I care what Matteo says?”
Bella smirked. “You should. He’s not playing around, Sofia. You step out of this house, and I’ll make you regret it.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” I stepped closer, my voice dropping into a mocking whisper, “I’ve regretted a lot of things, but not hurting you.”
Her eyes darkened. “You really don’t know when to shut up, do you?”
Aurora placed a hand on Bella’s arm, trying to calm her, but I saw the fire in Bella’s eyes. Good. Let her be angry. Let her try me.
“Get out of my way,” I repeated, this time with more force.
“No,” Bella snapped.
That was all I needed. I threw the first punch, aiming straight for her smug face, but Bella was faster than I. She ducked, grabbed my arm, and twisted it, forcing me off balance.
“You want to fight?” Bella growled. “Fine. Let’s fight.”
And fight we did.
It wasn’t like before. This was brutal. No weak pushes. This was raw. We clawed, punched, kicked each other. I barely registered Aurora’s screams for us to stop.
Bella landed a blow to my stomach that made me stumble back, gasping for air. But I wasn’t done. I lunged at her, grabbing a fistful of her hair, and yanking her down as I slammed my knee into her ribs.
She cried out, but she didn’t fall. Instead, she grabbed my arm and flipped me onto my back. The air flew out of my lungs as pain shot up my spine.
“Hold them back!” A guard’s voice rang out as hands grabbed us, pulling us apart.
I struggled, but the guard held me firm. Bella wiped the blood from her lips and glared at me. “You’re pathetic, Sofia.”
I spat at her feet. “And you’re nothing but Matteo’s little servant alongside your husband! You should be ashamed that father doesn’t see you the way he sees Matteo because you’re a woman yet you’re still proud.” I scream at her face.
Aurora stepped forward. “Sofia, stop this. Just stay inside. You’re fighting your own family, it’s not worth it.”
I laughed bitterly. “You think you can stop me? Do you think either of you can control me? Family..?”
The guard loosened his grip just enough. That was all I needed. I yanked free, bolted towards the door, and slammed it open.
“Sofia!” Bella shouted behind me, but I didn’t look back.
I didn’t need my wait for my bodyguard. I needed to get to Alfredo. And I knew exactly where to find him. I jumped into my car which was still parked right in from and fired the engine leaving a huge smoke behind. From the side mirror, I could see Bella her face was angry as hell. Good.
I parked the car outside the kindergarten, my fingers drumming impatiently against the steering wheel.
Where was he? I checked the time. Almost time for lunch break.
I needed Alfredo to show up. I needed him to know the plan had changed. We had to move fast.
I stepped out of the car and pulled my hood over my head. I couldn’t be seen here. As I moved towards the school’s side entrance, my phone buzzed. Dawson. Again.
I answered immediately. “What?”
“Matteo’s pushing harder than expected. He’s demanding answers. I can only stall for so long.”
“Then stall longer,” I snapped.
“Sofia, listen…”
“Five days Dawson. Hold out for five days.”
I ended the call before he could speak up. I needed to focus. Then, finally, I saw him.
He stepped out from the back of the school, his hat pulled low, his uniform making him look like just another employee.
He spotted me immediately and stiffened.
I walked up to him quickly. “We have a problem.”
He smirked. “Already?”
“I think I messed up and now Matteo is catching up to the fact that you may not be in prison.”
His expression darkened. “That wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“No… fuck shit.” I exhaled sharply. “We need to move faster. We don’t have three weeks anymore. We need to take Liam soon.”
He ran a hand through his hair, looking around. “That complicates things. What the hell did you do?”
I avoided his last question “I’ll tell you later but we have five days. Can you handle it?”
Alfredo’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “Sofia, I can handle anything.”
Good.
Because we were running out of time. And Matteo?
He was about to learn just how far I could go.