Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

O ne week later

Sofia

I took a deep breath and pulled my shoulders back. Pressing my fingers to my stomach, I tried to tell myself that I could do this.

That I would do this.

I'd just arrived at the café where Raffaele had asked me to meet him. It was a small, unassuming place on a quiet street in the old part of town.

I walked inside, and my heels clicked against the tiled floor as I moved past the few scattered tables. The air smelled of strong coffee and fresh pastries. Raffaele was already there, sitting at a table in the corner, a small, polite smile on his lips. Again, he reminded me of a coiled snake, watching, waiting to strike.

"Sofia," he greeted, standing as I approached. "I'm glad you could make it."

"I'm glad you asked," I replied, smiling back, though I kept it subdued, controlled. I needed to make him believe I was curious, maybe even a little conflicted about what I was doing here.

He gestured for me to sit, and I took the chair across from him. He watched me carefully, his eyes sharp, calculating. I could feel him assessing my every movement, every shift in my expression, trying to get a read on me. I cocked my head and looked back at him just as boldly.

"Coffee?" he asked, his tone light.

"Yes, please."

He nodded to the waiter, who quickly brought over two cups. Raffaele waited until the waiter was gone before he spoke again.

"I wanted to talk to you," he began, his voice casual but with an undercurrent of something deeper. "I've been thinking about our last conversation… and about you, Sofia. You intrigue me."

I raised an eyebrow, playing along. "Do I?"

He chuckled softly. "I want to give you an opportunity… to show me where your true loyalties lie."

I felt a chill run down my spine, but I kept my composure. "And what opportunity is that?"

He leaned forward, his eyes darkening. "Massimo is a powerful man, but power can make a person blind. Arrogant, even. I think you see that, don't you?"

I hesitated, letting a small frown crease my brow, like I was considering his words carefully. "Maybe," I replied slowly. "He can be… controlling, at the very least. But he has his reasons."

Raffaele nodded as if he understood, his expression sympathetic. "Of course he does. But a man like Massimo… he only sees people in two ways: assets or liabilities. You're either helping him, or you're expendable."

I bit my lip, giving a small, uncertain nod. "And you think he sees me as an asset?"

"For now," he said with a slight shrug. "But that could change the moment you become… let me say… inconvenient."

I tilted my head slightly. "What are you suggesting?"

"I'm suggesting you think about your future, Sofia," he replied smoothly. "You're smart, capable, and I believe you could be valuable… to someone who appreciates those qualities more than Massimo does."

I felt a flicker of anger but quickly tamped it down, keeping my expression neutral. "And you're saying you'd appreciate those qualities in me?"

He smiled, a slow, calculating smile. "I'm saying I'd like to see what you can do, given the right opportunity."

I raised an eyebrow, playing coy. "What kind of opportunity?"

Raffaele leaned in, his voice lowering, becoming almost conspiratorial. "I have a task for you. A test if you will."

I met his gaze head-on. "I'm listening."

He sat back, folding his hands in front of him. "There's a shipment arriving at the docks tonight. Something that's very important to Massimo's operations—a shipment of cash being funneled into one of his businesses, but we both know it's meant to fund some… less-than-legitimate activities."

I kept my face carefully blank. "And you want me to do what, exactly?"

"You're going to help me intercept it," he answered. "Ensure it never reaches its destination. If you can do that, Sofia, you'll prove to me that you're serious about stepping out of Massimo's shadow."

I hesitated, letting him see the conflict in my eyes. "That's a big ask, Raffaele," I said slowly. "If I get caught, Massimo will know."

His smile was sly and slippery. "Then don't get caught," he replied simply. "I'll provide you with the resources you need—men, vehicles, whatever it takes…"

I took a deep breath, nodding as if weighing his offer carefully. "And if I do this… what then?"

"Then we talk about your future," he said, his voice smooth, confident. "One where you're not just a pawn in someone else's game but a player in your own right."

I pretended to think it over, then gave a small nod. "Alright," I said softly. "I'll do it."

Raffaele's smile widened, and I could see the satisfaction in his eyes. "Good," he said, leaning back with a satisfied expression. "I knew you'd make the right choice."

I forced a smile, but inside, my mind was racing. I had agreed to his plan, but I wasn't going to betray Massimo. Not really. I just needed to figure out how to make this work to our advantage—how to turn Raffaele's test into his downfall.

"Tonight, then," he said, standing. "I'll have my men contact you with the details."

I nodded, rising to my feet. "Pleasure doing business with you."

He smiled one last time before turning to leave, and I watched him go, my heart pounding. I needed to get to Massimo. We had a lot to discuss… and not much time to plan.

Tonight, we would turn the tables. And Raffaele would never see it coming.

T he warehouse at the docks was quiet, the air thick with the scent of saltwater and diesel fumes. The flickering light from the streetlamps cast long dancing shadows across the cracked pavement, and I could hear the sound of waves lapping against the piers.

The eerie quiet made my palms feel clammy.

Massimo stood beside me, his eyes scanning the darkened area with a dark, calculated look.

"We have to make this look real," Massimo murmured, his voice low and steady. "Raffaele will be watching, waiting for any sign that we're onto him."

I nodded, my heart racing. "I know. But if everything goes according to plan, he won't see what's coming."

Massimo turned to me, his expression serious. "Are you sure about this, Sofia? If something goes wrong, it could put you in real danger."

I met his gaze, my resolve firm. "I'm sure," I replied. "We need to expose Raffaele for what he is, and this is the only way to do it. If we can gather enough intel tonight, we can blow his whole operation wide open."

Massimo nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You've got guts, la mia bambina . I'll give you that."

I smiled back, feeling a surge of confidence. "I've learned from the best."

Massimo leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. "I'm not losing you tonight," he whispered.

I nodded, a shiver running down my spine at the heat in his voice. "I'm not going anywhere," I promised.

I moved toward the warehouse entrance, my heels clicking softly against the pavement. I could see a few of Raffaele's men scattered around the area, trying to blend in, but their movements were too deliberate and too calculated. I knew that they were here to watch me, to make sure I went through with the plan. They had no idea they were walking into a trap of their own.

As I reached the door, I paused, glancing around to ensure we hadn't been followed.

The warehouse was filled with stacks of crates and pallets. I could feel my heart racing in my chest as I moved deeper inside, knowing that every step brought us closer to the end goal.

Massimo's men were already in position, concealed among the crates, their guns ready. I had to trust that they were as prepared as we were. The plan was simple but risky: draw Raffaele out, make him think he was in control, and then trap him in his own deception.

Massimo wasn't here—not visibly, at least. He was waiting nearby, hidden with his men, ready to strike if things went sideways. We had planned every detail of the operation, gone over it again and again, making sure there were no loose ends, no mistakes. Everything had to go off without a hitch.

And so far, it had.

I reached the center of the warehouse and stopped, my eyes scanning the area. A few moments later, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. I turned to see one of Raffaele's men, a tall, wiry figure with a sharp gaze, moving toward me.

"Sofia," he greeted, his voice low. "Raffaele wants an update. Are you ready?"

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. "I'm ready."

The man nodded and turned away, pulling out his phone to make the call.

I took a deep breath, raising my voice slightly. "Tell Raffaele I'm ready to proceed," I called out. "But he should know that I'm not doing this for him. I'm doing this for me."

The man paused, turning back to look at me with a suspicious expression. "What do you mean?" he asked.

I shrugged, playing my part. "Let's just say… I've realized I need to start looking out for myself. And if that means making a deal with Raffaele, so be it."

The man narrowed his eyes, but he nodded slowly. "I'll let him know," he said, turning back to his phone.

Minutes passed, and then I heard the sound of more footsteps—heavier this time. I turned to see Raffaele himself walking into the warehouse, flanked by two of his men. He looked calm, confident, like a man who thought he was holding all the cards.

"Sofia," he greeted with a smile, his eyes gleaming. "I see you've made the right decision."

I gave him a small smile, careful to keep my tone neutral. "I'm here, aren't I?"

He nodded, looking pleased. "Yes, you are. And I appreciate that. But you know… trust is a fragile thing in our world. I need to know that you're serious about this."

"I am," I replied, my voice steady. "But I want something in return."

Raffaele chuckled. "Always the negotiator. What do you want?"

I took a step closer, lowering my voice just enough to make him lean in. "I want to know who's really running things on your side," I said softly. "I want to know who you're working with."

His smile faltered for just a moment, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face. "Why would you need to know that?"

"Because if I'm going to put my neck on the line, I need to know it's worth it," I replied smoothly. "I'm not here to play games, Raffaele. If you want my loyalty, I need assurances."

He studied me for a moment, his gaze sharp. "And if I refuse?"

I shrugged, keeping my expression calm. "Then maybe I rethink our little arrangement."

Raffaele's eyes narrowed, and I could see the gears turning in his head. He was trying to figure me out, trying to decide if I was bluffing. But I could see he was intrigued—curious, even.

Which was exactly where I wanted him.

After a long moment, he gave me a small nod. "Alright, Sofia," he said slowly. "I'll give you some of what you want. But first, I want to see this shipment disappear. Then we'll talk."

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. "Deal."

Raffaele turned away, barking orders, his voice confident, commanding. I watched as his men moved into position around the warehouse, preparing to intercept the shipment. I forced myself to stay calm, to keep my expression neutral, even though my heart was pounding in my chest. Raffaele needed to believe everything was going smoothly.

I could see the headlights of the truck carrying the shipment approaching in the distance, its engine a low rumble that grew louder as it drew closer. Raffaele's men tensed, ready to move the moment it arrived. I stood near the center of the warehouse, feeling the weight of Raffaele's gaze on me as he waited for his prize.

As the truck pulled up to the loading dock, I squared my shoulders, ready to do my part. The truck came to a halt, and the driver—a burly man with a grizzled beard and a hard, suspicious gaze—stepped out, his eyes narrowing as they landed on me. He seemed surprised to see me, but he approached slowly, his posture tense.

"Where's Massimo?" the driver demanded, his voice gruff. "He was supposed to be here."

I offered a tight-lipped smile, doing my best to appear confident and in control. "Massimo couldn't make it," I lied smoothly. "He sent me in his place."

The driver's eyes narrowed further, suspicion clear in his expression. "And why should I believe that?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

I took a step closer, keeping my voice steady. "Because he trusts me," I replied firmly. "And because he knows I'm the best person to handle this. Look, we don't have time to argue about this. The longer we stand here, the more we risk drawing attention."

The driver hesitated, glancing back at the truck and then over at Raffaele's men, who were waiting for his signal. I could see the uncertainty flickering in his eyes, the doubt, but I knew I had to push him just a little further.

"Massimo's got a lot on his plate right now," I continued, leaning in slightly as if to share a secret. "He couldn't be here tonight, but he needs this shipment to go smoothly. You know what will happen if it doesn't."

The driver's jaw clenched, and he glanced around once more before finally nodding. "Fine," he muttered, clearly still unconvinced but not willing to risk it. "But if you're lying to me…"

"I'm not," I interrupted, keeping my tone firm. "Now, let's get this done before we have any more eyes on us."

He hesitated for a moment longer, then turned and moved to the back of the truck, yanking open the heavy doors. Inside, the crates were stacked neatly, and I nodded to Raffaele's men to begin unloading them. The driver watched them closely, still on edge, but he didn't object.

When I looked over my shoulder, I saw that Raffaele seemed pleased, and that was exactly what I needed from him. I could see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he watched his men work.

He believed everything was going according to plan.

He had no idea what was really happening behind the scenes.

The last of the crates were unloaded, and the driver gave me a final wary look before closing the truck's back doors. "This better be for Massimo's sake," he grumbled.

I nodded, maintaining my calm fa?ade. "It is," I assured him. "You've done your part. Now, let me do mine."

The driver hesitated again, then finally nodded, stepping back and climbing back into the truck. As the truck drove away, I turned and gave a nod to Raffaele.

"It's done," I said softly. "Just like you wanted."

He smiled, a slow, pleased smile that made my skin crawl. "You've done well, Sofia," he said, his tone smooth, almost patronizing. "I knew I could count on you."

I forced a smile, keeping my expression composed. "I told you I was serious."

He nodded, glancing at the crates now loaded into his vehicles. "And you've proven that," he replied. "Now, let's talk about what you wanted to know."

I leaned in slightly, pretending to be eager. "Who's pulling the strings on your side?" I asked, my voice low, almost conspiratorial. "Who's really running things?"

Raffaele chuckled softly. "You're smart, Sofia. I like that. But you have to understand… these things aren't always so clear-cut."

I raised an eyebrow, playing my part perfectly. "I'm listening."

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Ricci," he murmured. "Senator Giovanni Ricci. He's been working with me, using his position to shift the balance of power, to weaken the other families. He wants to clean up the city, and I'm his way in."

I felt a surge of triumph but kept my expression neutral. "And what does he get in return?" I licked my lips, searching his gaze. It gave nothing away.

"Influence," Raffaele replied. "Access to information, to resources. With my help, he can push his agenda, make sure his enemies are taken care of quietly. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."

I nodded slowly, pretending to consider his words. "And what about the shipment? What's the plan for it?"

He smiled, clearly pleased with himself. "That shipment is a message to Massimo. A message that he's not untouchable, that his power is slipping. It'll fund the next phase of our operation… and make sure that Massimo knows he's out of time."

I nodded, careful to keep my expression composed, my heart racing with adrenaline. He thought he had won, that everything had gone perfectly according to plan. He had no idea that every word he spoke was being recorded, that every move he made tonight was being watched.

"Good," I replied softly. "I'm glad we understand each other."

He nodded, looking satisfied. "You've done well, Sofia," he repeated. "Very well."

I gave him a small, tight smile. "Thank you, Raffaele. I hope this is the beginning of a… profitable partnership."

His eyes gleamed with confidence. "Oh, it will be. Trust me."

I nodded again, feeling a surge of triumph that I kept carefully hidden. He had fallen into the trap, given up exactly what we needed. I just had to get out of here without arousing his suspicion.

I glanced at the loaded vehicles, then back at Raffaele. "I should go," I said casually. "I've done my part."

He nodded, still smiling. "Of course. We'll be in touch soon."

I turned, walking toward the exit, my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel his eyes on me, watching, but I kept my pace steady, calm, as if I had nothing to hide. As soon as I was out of his sight, I quickened my steps, heading toward the side entrance where I knew Massimo would be waiting.

The door opened silently, and I slipped outside, my breath hitching as I saw Massimo standing in the shadows, his expression tense.

"It worked," I whispered, feeling a rush of relief. "He gave up Ricci's name… and confirmed everything."

Massimo nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Good," he said quietly. "Then it's time for the next step."

I nodded, feeling a thrill of excitement. "I'll call my journalist friend, Alessia," I murmured. "She'll know exactly how to spin this."

I couldn't believe everything had gone perfectly according to plan and I grinned. I reached for Massimo's hand and squeezed it tight before I glanced back over my shoulder in Raffaele's direction.

Alessia Romano was going to be the end of him.

I couldn't help but think back to the first time I met the now prestigious journalist. She had been a senior when I was a terrified freshman in high school. Alessia had this magnetic presence—she was the kind of girl everyone noticed when she walked into a room, but not because she was loud or flashy. She had this quiet confidence, a fierce intelligence that drew people to her like moths to a flame.

I remember seeing her in the school courtyard, sitting alone with a book during lunch. She always had her head buried in some novel or a stack of notes, glasses perched on her nose, hair falling in wild waves around her face. She looked like she was in her own world, completely absorbed in whatever she was reading. I was too shy to approach her at first, but one day, by chance, we ended up stuck together in a study hall.

She had caught me glancing at the newspaper she was scribbling on—articles she was writing for the school's publication—and instead of brushing me off, she'd grinned and asked me what I thought. I remember fumbling over my words, trying to come up with something smart to say, but she just laughed and said, "Don't worry about impressing me. Just tell me what you really think."

From that moment, I was hooked. Alessia took me under her wing in a way no one else had. She'd graduated later that year and went off to university with a scholarship, got her degree faster than anyone I'd ever known, and landed a job at a major Italian newspaper right out of college.

We'd kept in touch sporadically over the years. She'd write me emails about the stories she was working on, the corruption she was uncovering, the risks she was taking. I'd always admired her tenacity, the way she was willing to dig into the darkest corners to find the truth. When I got tangled up in this mess with Massimo and Raffaele, she was the first person I thought of. She was the only one I trusted to tell the story the way it needed to be told.

Massimo's smile widened. "Make sure she knows to make it big," he replied. "I want the whole city talking by morning."

I grinned, already imagining the headlines.

"Oh, they will be," I promised.