Crossfire Queen

19.

After an Xray of my ankle that revealed nothing more than a sprain, Francesca was happy that I was fit to leave Marcos and face my fate. I say happy, she was mostly reluctant. But never the less she confessed she had no medical reason to keep me locked in her hospital bed.
Marco dropped me at the Marchetti manor, just before the gates. To avoid being spotted himself. I didn't give him much chance for a goodbye as I didn't want to have to hear it. Instead as we pulled up I kissed his cheek and hopped out of the Ferrari without so much as a glance in his direction. I could feel his eyes on me the whole way as he sat waiting for me to go in. I couldn't look back though, it would make me question what I was doing. And deep down I knew it was the right thing.
As I approached the guard at the gate he looked at me with a furrowed brow before asking if Lorenzo knew I was coming. "I'm sure he expected it" I said with raised brows as he nodded confused. "Go on up, I'll let him know you're on your way" he said as he looked to the long driveway. Nodding I headed towards the house limping as I tried not to grimace incase Lorenzo saw and somehow gained satisfaction.
As I reached the steps, out of breath and in searing amounts of pain the door burst open and Mary flew out looking thrilled. "You're home" she said as she crashed into me, almost knocking me to the floor. "Guess so" I said sombrely as she held me tightly. "I knew you'd come to your senses" she said happily to me as we parted. "Sure" I nodded unsure what to say as I awkwardly stood in-front of her. "Come on Lorenzo is waiting" she said cheerily as she lead me up and into the house. I nodded and followed her painfully up the stairs and into the grand house.
As we twisted down the corridor, I admired the artwork on the walls. Perhaps I'd become more acquainted with it now I was sworn to the family. Mary came to an abrupt halt near the end of one of the corridors and knocked before Lorenzo's voice shouted for us to enter. "Sofia, so good to see you" he smiled almost mockingly before gesturing for me to take a seat. "You can leave now Mary" he said as he took his seat as his desk opposite me. She nodded obligingly before ducking out of the room leaving us in an uncomfortable silence.

"I'm glad you came to your senses Sofia" he smiled cockily. "You and your mother are so alike. She also couldn't stand the sight of us or the name she was born too." He chuckled. "Please don't talk about my mother" I said simply. "Very well. It is you we have to discuss in any case" he said as he raised a brow slightly. "First of all, I see you sought treatment for your arm" he said as he nodded at the dressings on my forearm. I gulped. "I'm a seamstress, as Mary will tell you Ive learnt this week that I can stitch men and dresses" I said as he chuckled slightly. "And the hospital grade dressing" he raised a brow. "I have a small supply. I was using them for my shoulder." I said as he nodded, clearly thinking my lies were plausible. "And you stayed at home last night" he asked with a raised brow. "No, I stayed with Alessia. Funnily enough after being attacked in my home I didn't want to stay there" I all but spat. "Watch your tone Sofia." He said firmly as i bit my lip. "And where exactly does Alessia live" he continued. "I don't think that's any of your business" I said simply. "I'm here, and I know that I'll be staying here. There is no reason for you to need to know her address." I said simply. "You being here doesn't show me loyalty Sofia. Loyalty means you help us. You're one of us. Protecting a Di Rossi isn't loyalty in my eyes" he said firmly as I shifted uncomfortably. "She isn't a di Rossi" I said monotone. "But Leo is. I assume they live together" he mused as I shrugged. "They both have many homes. I stayed last night at Alessia's. There was no Di Rossi present" I said the lie simply as he nodded. "Very well" he said as he leant back in his chair and popped his knuckles.

"You said you're here to stay" he said simply, inquisitively. "I know that's what you want." I said with a nod. "I want loyalty in my camp Sofia. If you're not willing to be loyal you can leave" he said firmly. "This is your chance" he added as I nodded. "Did you give my mother the same chance" I asked curiously. "I thought you didn't want to talk about her" he said firmly, almost irritated. "Because, she clearly felt she couldn't leave. What makes you so sure I can" I said indifferent to his annoyance. "I'm telling you Sofia that you can go. Sure you'll loose everything, and we won't make things easy for you. Sure if you ran straight to the Di Rossi you would become our enemy. But you have the option." He said sternly. "You'd keep Mary and Lenny from seeing me though wouldn't you. You'd put a target on my back also. I wouldn't get to live the life I want" I said seriously as he chuckled. "We don't get what we want in this world Sofia. You should have learnt that already" he said jovially. "If you were with the di Rossi family then yes, naturally you'd have a target on your back. Just like Alessia has one on hers" he said seriously. "As for Lenny and Mary, they wouldn't want to talk to you. I wouldn't even have to try and stop them" he said as I looked down sorrowfully. Here I was about to give up everything for them and they would never considering doing the same.