MAFIA TIES

Chapter Eight

Sophia

The piercing sound of my phone's ringtone dragged me from the depths of sleep. It was still dark, the clock on the nightstand showing 4 a.m. I fumbled for the phone, my heart racing with a sense of impending dread. It was Dr. Stevens, my mother's physician.

"Dr. Stevens?" My voice came out rough, still thick with sleep.

"Sophia," his tone was grave, heavy with unspoken words. "I'm afraid your mother's condition has worsened. You should come to the hospital... as soon as possible."

A cold wave of fear washed over me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn't afford to fall apart, not now. Not when I was lying naked in Alexander's bed, his scent still lingering on the sheets. I glanced over at his sleeping form, his strong presence usually so reassuring, now distant as my world started to crumble.

"Thank you, Dr. Stevens. I'll be there shortly," I managed to say, my voice steadier than I felt.

I slipped out of bed as quietly as possible, moving with the urgency that only comes with the kind of news that makes the ground beneath your feet disappear. Grabbing a loose t-shirt and jeans from my room, I dressed quickly, my hands trembling slightly as I pulled on my shoes.

Without wasting another second, I slipped out of the room, my mind already focused on the path ahead. As I reached the front door, the bodyguards posted outside caught sight of me. Their reactions were instant—they moved to block my way, their expressions stern, but I was faster.

"Miss, where are you going?" one of them called after me, but I was already sprinting towards the garage.

My breath was coming in ragged gasps as I approached one of Alexander's cars, the sleek Audi that had become so familiar. Just as I reached it, the driver appeared, his face filled with confusion and concern.

"Miss, you can't just—"

But before he could finish his sentence, I reacted on pure instinct. My fist connected with his face in a blur of motion. He staggered back, clutching his nose as blood began to trickle between his fingers. I didn't stop to see if he was okay; there was no time for that.

I reached into his pocket, grabbing the keys as he groaned in pain. Without a second thought, I jumped into the driver's seat, my hands shaking as I fumbled to start the car. The engine roared to life, and I sped out of the driveway, the tires screeching against the pavement.

The streets were nearly empty at this hour, but I barely registered the world around me. My only thought was getting to the hospital as fast as possible. The fear gnawed at the edges of my mind, threatening to take over, but I pushed it back.

I couldn't think about anything but the road ahead and the mother waiting for me in a hospital bed, possibly for the last time.

With my heart pounding in my chest, I fumbled with my phone as I sped through the nearly deserted streets. My fingers trembled as I found Jenna's contact and pressed the call button. The phone rang once, twice, before I heard her groggy voice on the other end.

"Sophia? What's going on? It's so early..." Jenna's voice was thick with sleep, but the concern in her tone was unmistakable.

I tried to speak, but the words caught in my throat. A choked sob escaped instead. "Jenna... it's Mom. Dr. Stevens called. I think... I think this might be it. I need you to meet me at the hospital. Please, Jenna."

There was a brief pause, and then Jenna's voice came through, more alert now, filled with urgency. "I'm on my way. Just hang in there, okay? I'll be there as soon as I can."

I nodded even though she couldn't see me, my tears blurring the road ahead. "Thank you," I whispered, the words barely audible over the sound of the Audi's engine roaring as I pressed harder on the gas.