SOFIA’S POV.
I had to get Matteo off my tail and getting rid of my car was the first part. I parked it at the hotel where we usually hosted our family events, flashed a fake smile at the concierge, booked a room under my name, and took the requested to go out through the back exit and took a taxi to Alfredo’s hideout. I knew Matteo will track my car and it would be easy to find me.
It’s been three days since our fall out and it was time to get plans rolling. Dawson has been on my neck cause of the pressure from Matteo and I had asked for three days.
Damn it! I hate rushed things.
“Ricardo, where’s Matteo now?” I whisper, pacing Alfredo’s dimly lit apartment. My fingers drum against my thigh as I hold the phone tight to my ear. Leaving Riccardo behind wasn’t part of my plan but worked in my favor as I could keep track of what my brother was up to.
“Still on the DNA results. He’s pressing hard as Dawson is stalling to buy time for you. Anthony is headed to the forensics right now to blow of Dr Hughes, so they’ll know soon that the body’s not Alfredo’s.”
I exhale sharply. “We don’t have much time, then. Once they confirm it’s not Alfredo, they’ll start digging. Make sure they stay distracted. I just need few hours to get the kid.”
Ricardo hesitates. “Miss, you sure about this? That kid-”
“Don’t question me now,” I snap, glancing over at Alfredo, who sits calmly, sipping his whiskey. “Just do as I say.”
I hang up before he can say more. I don’t have the patience for doubts.
Alfredo smirks. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“I enjoy winning,” I say simply. “And I enjoy showing that I’m more than capable.”
“So, we’re still going with the plan?” Alfredo leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“Exactly as we planned.” I grab my coat and toss my phone into my bag. “I’ll handle Liam. You just stay ready.”
“Here are the documents else you’ll forget it.” Alfredo tosses a brown envelope of documents towards me. These documents are what the transfer documents I asked my lawyer to draft for me before coming back to Italy. A document stating that my brother willing stepped down and handed over the company and empire to me. Going through the board of directors would have been a hassle as they all see me as irrelevant.
Grabbing the documents and dropping it into my bag, i grab the car keys before heading out to Liam’s kindergarten.
While inside the car I text Aurora, it’s closing hours and I needed to buy time.
ME: Aurora can we meet at the Ice cream shop at before Liam’s school. I’ll be there before his classes are over, I need to talk to you about last time. I regret it a lot.
I press send and almost immediately I receive Aurora’s response.
AURORA: I’ll be there in 15 minutes.
Great.
I arrive at Liam’s school just before pickup time. Dressed in a casual sweater and jeans, I blend in with the other parents waiting by the entrance.
Liam’s easy to spot, his tiny frame, dark curls bouncing as he runs across the playground, laughing with his friends who are also waiting for their parents
I glance at my watch. Aurora should be at the ice cream spot by now. Time to take Liam.
The second I see Liam glance toward the gate, I step forward, forcing a warm smile onto my face.
“Liam!” I call, waving. “Sweetheart, Aunt Sofia’s here!”
His little face lights up. “Aunt Sofia!”
He runs up to me without hesitation. Perfect.
“Mommy said I should wait for her,” he says, looking around.
“I know, darling,” I say smoothly, crouching to his level. “But she called me and said she’s stuck in traffic. She asked me to pick you up and take you home.”
Liam frowns slightly. “Mommy didn’t tell me that.”
I chuckle, ruffling his hair. “She was in a hurry. Come on, let’s grab a snack while we wait.”
His hesitation fades as soon as I pull out a small bag of his favorite cookies. “Look what I brought for you.”
He grins. “Cookies!”
“Only if you come with me.” I wink, offering him my hand.
Liam doesn’t think twice. He takes my hand and follows me toward the car. Just like that, he’s mine. I drive out the parking lot and hand him a drink. It was spiked, I needed him asleep before anything serious goes down.
My phone begins to buzz and it Aurora calling.
“Stop calling me bitch.” I murmur under my breath before turning the phone off. Alfredo is waiting for me few blocks from the school and I drop by to pick him up.
Liam is asleep in the backseat in less than five minutes, the spiked juice working faster than expected. Alfredo hops into the car and immediately glances at the sleeping child in the back sit. His face curls into a smug smile.
“Told you it would be easy,” he says.
I smile coldly. “It’s just beginning.”
I speeds off, disappearing into the city before Aurora even realizes her son is gone.
“Now all that’s left it’s to send them their surprise and get the bastard to sign the documents.” Glancing at Alfredo who just sat silently with his gaze on the road, “you can do whatever you like to him after he shows up. Don’t meddle with my dealings with him, okay?” I warned.
He turns at me with a smug look before responding, “Nothing to worry about princess. Don’t just take much time as I’m itchy to spill some blood.” He sounded like a maniac right now but u couldn’t care less.
“Take a photo of the kid. Let’s get to work.”