Silk & Steel: A Mafia Romance | ENGLOT

Chapter 16: Aftermath

The sterile scent of disinfectant hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the usual smoky haze of Sofia's office. Wyvern pushed open the door, her sharp eyes immediately landing on Sofia, who lay pale against the stark white sheets. Guilt gnawed at Wyvern's gut, a foreign sensation she hadn't anticipated.

Sofia looked up with a tired smile. "Hey boss, How's your night?" Sofia rasped, her voice weak but laced with a hint of amusement.

Wyvern ignored the teasing, her eyes narrowed in a scrutinizing gaze. "What happened?" she demanded.

Sofia sighed, wincing slightly as the movement tugged at the fresh wound on her shoulder. "Ambush," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Bunch of punks with itchy trigger fingers."

Wyvern's jaw clenched. "And Contessa?" The question hung heavy in the air, a silent accusation.

Sofia met Wyvern's gaze, "Saved my life, that's what she did. Saw them first and warned me to get down."

Wyvern's jaw clenched, her gaze hardening. "Why was she out there anyway?"

Sofia smirked, a ghost of her usual bravado. "Maybe she finally got tired of staring at those mansion walls. Or maybe she just wanted some cotton candy." She paused, amusement glinting in her eyes. "Either way, good thing she did. Otherwise, you might be planning my funeral instead of yelling at me."

Wyvern stared at her, the raw vulnerability in Sofia's voice disarming her more than any gunshot ever could. "I'm glad you're okay Sof."

"Hey now, don't get all sappy, it's just a flesh wound." Sofia assured, winking at Wyvern.

Wyvern furrowed her brows and shook her head, "A gunshot is not a flesh wound idiot."

"Contessa said the same thing." Sofia chuckled.

A heavy sigh escaped Wyvern's lips. Ignoring what Sofia said. "Talita... she heard what happened. Wanted to come with us."

Sofia's cheeks flushed a faint pink, a stark contrast to her pallor. She looked away, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Did she?" she managed, her voice barely a whisper.

Finally, Wyvern relaxed, with a smirk, she said, "wouldn't you like to know."

"Asshole." Sofia murmured with a smile.

"Talita's waiting back home." Wyvern admitted, knowing there's something between the two but choosing not to pry, Sofia will tell her when she wants to.

"She doesn't like hospitals anyways." Sofia nodded, a faraway look in her eyes.

"Get some rest," Wyvern said, her voice softer than usual. "Luca will stay with you. Contessa's getting patched up downstairs. We'll head home once she's done."

"Sure boss." Sofia mock-saluted.

With a roll of her eyes, Wyvern turned and strode out of the room, leaving Sofia alone with the echo of her unspoken thoughts and a throbbing shoulder.

....

"Come on."  Wyvern turned and walked away, leaving Contessa alone in the sterile hallway.

Contessa let out a shaky breath. Standing up and following after Wyvern. "Don't kill me please." She whispered to herself.

"I won't," Wyvern replied, her voice devoid of emotion but surprisingly free of malice.

Contessa froze in her tracks, eyes shutting tightly as her cheeks flush in embarrassment. Fuck.

She stole a glance at Wyvern, her lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile – a humorless, almost sardonic twist.