Alexandro's POV:
I stood at the window of my study, my fingers lightly drumming against the glass as the city stretched beneath me in a maze of winding roads and flickering lights. But none of it held my attention.
My mind was tangled in thoughts of betrayal, confusion, and the growing silence between me and Sofia.
I haven't spoken to her since she vanished from the apartment. Since then, nothing had felt steady.
Behind me, Bruno shifted, arms crossed, patient as ever.
I turned away from the glass and said, "Bruno," at an end. "You are correct. This can no longer be viewed solely from our point of view.
Bruno tilted his head slightly, but said nothing. He knew me well enough to let me continue.
"I want Victor to dig deeper into Sofia's past,family, friends, every little detail. If there's anything we've missed, I need to know."
Bruno gave a small nod, stepping forward. "Already passed the order. He's moving fast."
I nodded once, my jaw tense. "Good. Now I would like you to speak with Mattia.
Bruno's brows rose slightly. "You think he'll be open to that?"
I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck. "I don't know. But Mattia's not a fool. He's always been sharp... too sharp. I need to understand why he's doing this. Why her."
Bruno remained quiet, but something flickered in his eyes. Respect, maybe. Or worry.
"I will talk to him," Bruno said. "But if he sees me as a threat, he'll shut down."
"Then don't be a threat. Be his friend."
Bruno gave a small smirk. "I was never that good at pretending."
I turned back to the window. "Then don't pretend. Just be honest."
Bruno nodded once more and left without another word.
Bruno' Pov:
By the time I reached the outskirts of town, the sun had already set. The old industrial building didn't stand out much,gray walls, boarded windows, and an air of caution. One of my men waited outside, nodding as I approached.
"He is in there," he said. "Room in the back. He's calm but guarded."
I walked inside, allowing my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. The place smelled like dust and quiet resentment. As I neared the room, low voices reached my ears. I paused for a moment, listening.
Inside, Mattia sat on a couch, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. He stared at Sofia, who was pacing slowly by the window. She was not speaking, but her movements were restless, like something inside her refused to be still.
I knocked lightly and stepped in. "Mattia."
He looked up, expression unreadable. "Bruno."
"I need a word."
Sofia paused, her eyes flickering between us. With a soft nod, she stepped out of the room, leaving us alone.
I took a seat, not too close. "I am not here to banter words," I stated. "I just want to understand."
Mattia's voice was low. "You want to know the reason why I am doing this Bruno?"
I nodded. "Exactly."
He looked down at his hands, silent for a beat. Then he spoke. "She does not trust him anymore. That is all the reason I need."
I exhaled slowly. "You have always been loyal, Mattia. To Alexandro. To the family."
"I was," he said. "Until I saw what that loyalty costs."
My brows furrowed. "This is not about betrayal, is it? You are not turning away from us. You are just choosing someone else."
His gaze sharpened. "I am choosing what I believe in."
I did not argue. Instead, I leaned forward. "So what happens now? You both disappear? Hide for the rest of your lives?"
"If we must," he said without hesitation. "As long as she is safe."
I was quiet for a while. I saw something in his eyes,certainty, not defiance. This was not a man acting out of fear. It was a man protecting something fragile.
"I believe we can sort this out," I finally said. "If you are willing to talk."
Mattia frowned. "To Alexandro?"
I nodded. "He is willing to listen."
He scoffed. "Since when?"
"Since now," I replied. "He is not the same man he was a week ago."
Mattia leaned back, thoughtful. "And what does he want?"
"To talk," I said. "That's it,for now. No traps, no threats."
He hesitated, and I pressed gently. "You have known him longer than most. You know he does not waste time playing games. If he wants to talk, it means something."
Mattia looked toward the door where Sofia had gone. After a pause, he nodded.
"Alright," he said. "We will talk. But I am not going alone."
Neutral POV:
The meeting was arranged for the following afternoon.
A neutral ground,a quiet, gated villa outside the city, guarded but peaceful. The sun filtered through olive trees, casting soft shadows on the tiled patio where Alexandro sat, calm and unreadable.
Bruno stood nearby, arms crossed, watching the gates.
When they opened, Mattia stepped through first. Sofia followed, her eyes cautious but composed.
Alexandro's gaze shifted from Mattia to Sofia, then back.
"You are here," he said.
Mattia gave a curt nod. "We talk. That's the deal."
Alexandro motioned toward the chairs across from him. "Sit."
They did. Silence lingered briefly until Alexandro spoke again.
"I don't want to hurt either of you," he said. "That is the truth."
Mattia's expression remained hard. "But you will if it comes to that?"
Alexandro didn't flinch. "Only if I have no choice."
Sofia's voice broke the silence, soft but steady. "Why are we here, Alexandro?"
He looked at her then,really looked. "To find a solution," he said. "One that doesn't involve losing more than we already have."
Mattia leaned forward. "Then let her go."
Alexandro's gaze darkened slightly. "She is not a prisoner."
"She left," Mattia said. "And you kept sending people to find her."
Alexandro didn't respond immediately. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Sofia. "Did you want to leave?"
Sofia looked into his eyes, a flicker of emotion crossing her face. "I wanted to think. To breathe."
"And now?" he asked.
"I am still thinking," she said honestly.
Alexandro nodded slowly. "Then here is my offer: come back with me. Just for a conversation. No pressure. No expectations. After that, you can decide what you want. And I will respect it."
Mattia's eyes flared. "You expect me to let her go with you? Just like that?"
"She is not yours to keep either," Alexandro said gently.
The tension held for a moment.
Bruno finally stepped in. "If there has ever been a time to trust each other, it is now. We are walking a tightrope here. But if we make the right move, nobody has to fall."
Mattia's jaw clenched. He turned to Sofia. "It's your choice."
Sofia stood, looked at both of them, and nodded once.
"I will go with him," she said. "But only to talk."
Mattia stood too. "I will wait outside."
Alexandro rose and gestured toward the open doors. "Let's talk inside."
Sofia followed him, and for a moment, the air stilled,like something important had just been set in motion.
Bruno and Mattia stood in the silence, neither speaking. The world outside carried on, birds chirping in the trees, the breeze rustling the leaves.
But inside, the terms of loyalty were being redrawn,softly, silently, and perhaps for the last time.