Mafia's Obsession

• XXXI •

The intruder moved swiftly, covering her mouth with one hand and pinning her down onto the bed with the other, their weight pressing her down. Fear gripped Sophia as she struggled against the intruder's hold.
"Sophia, stop screaming!" the burglar whispered harshly in her ear.
She froze. That voice. Her eyes widened, heart racing as she pushed him away with all her strength and fumbled to switch on the bedside lamp. Light flooded the room, revealing Luciano, towering over her. He stood there in all his glory, wearing a shirt with his sleeves rolled back, the top two buttons undone, and his hair slightly tousled, a reflection of his hurried entrance.
Sophia's eyes were wide in shock, her lips parting in disbelief.
Suddenly, loud knocks and muffled voices broke the silence. Her bodyguard outside the door, her parents' worried shouts—everyone was concerned.
"Sophia! What's happening? Are you alright?" Her father's voice was thick with worry, and the pounding on the door grew more frantic.
Her dad must've called for backup because she could hear hurried footsteps approaching.
"I'm okay!" she blurted out, her voice high-pitched. "I'm okay! Sorry, I... I was just having a nightmare!" she managed, trying her best to sound convincing.
There was a pause, and then her mother's voice replied, "Are you sure, darling? Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm fine, really!" Sophia called back, heart still racing. She could hear her parents reluctantly retreating to their rooms, but she knew her bodyguard was now stationed firmly by the door.
Her wide eyes shot to Luciano. "Oh my God, what are you doing here?" she whispered harshly.
Luciano, utterly unfazed, responded calmly, "I told you, we need to talk."
Sophia shook her head incredulously. "So you just climb through my window? How did you even get in? We have security patrolling the grounds 24/7."
He raised an eyebrow, his expression neutral. "Would you like me to introduce myself again?"
Sophia rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Really? Now's the time for cockiness? Do you even recognise social cues? A text or call would've been fine."
"I'll keep that in mind for next time," he replied with a smirk. "Anyway we need to talk."
"How come? Didn't fancy running away again?" she retorted, sarcasm lacing her voice, even though the sight of him was doing more to her than she wanted to admit.
Luciano's face darkened, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. "Seems like you're the one running away," he countered, his tone low, far too calm.
Sophia crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "Running away? That's rich coming from you. Weeks of radio silence and now you want to have a conversation?"
His jaw tightened visibly, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, in a clipped tone, he muttered, "I had my reasons."
"Reasons? More like excuses," Sophia shot back, heat rising in her chest. "I don't get it. One minute you're kissing me like I'm the only woman in the world, and the next you're... you're just gone! You can't keep playing these games, Luciano."
Luciano stepped closer, his eyes burning into hers. "It's not a game, Sophia."
"Then what is it?" Her voice trembled slightly as she looked up at him, her earlier frustration now merging with confusion. "Because to me, it sure feels like one."
Luciano's hand ran through his hair as he took a breath. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," she challenged, but took a small step back, her body still too aware of his proximity.
His gaze lingered on her, roaming over her body, noticing how her top barely concealed the marks from their passionate encounter at the masquerade. His voice came out in a low, strained tone. "You drive me insane, Sophia."
Her breath hitched, but she forced herself to remain steady. "You have no right to act like this. No right to tell me who I can talk to, or who I can..."
"Dan?" Luciano interrupted, his tone harsh. "Is that where this is going? You think I'm jealous of him?"
"Aren't you?" Sophia challenged. "You looked ready to tear him apart back there. But it doesn't matter, Luciano. You don't get to decide who I spend time with. You don't get to control me."
Luciano's hands balled into fists at his sides. "It's not about control."
"Oh, really?" Sophia challenged, stepping closer. "Then what is it? You can't stand the thought of someone else getting close to me? Or is it that you want me, but only when it's convenient for you?"
His silence was telling, but his eyes, fierce and determined, stayed locked on hers. Something deeper than desire flickered in them—something dangerous.
Sophia's voice softened, a mixture of vulnerability and frustration. "You don't own me, Luciano. This... whatever this is between us, it needs to stop."
Luciano took another step forward, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's a lot more complicated than you think."
Sophia frowned. "Then explain it to me. Don't just keep me in the dark."
He sighed, his expression softening. "I'm sorry" he said honestly, "Sophia if you're seen with me, you'll become a target. Your life will completely change. You have no idea what's at stake and I can't do that to you."
"I get that," she responded firmly.
"No, you don't." His voice was firm, cutting off her argument. "You'll need protection all the time. You won't be able to go anywhere alone. Every move you make will be watched."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "I'm already being watched, Luciano."
"This is different," he replied, his voice strained.
A long silence stretched between them, their gazes locked.
"Then what are you doing here?" Sophia finally asked, her voice soft but steady. "If this is what you came to tell me, then—"
"I can't get you out of my head," Luciano interrupted, his voice raw with honesty.
Her heart skipped a beat at his confession. For a moment, she was stunned into silence.
"I've tried," he continued, his eyes intense, "but I can't. This has never happened to me before."
Sophia stared at him, her mind racing. "What now? I can't keep playing these games with you, Luciano."
He stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "Let me court you."
Sophia blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
"I want to court you," he repeated, his voice firm.
She stared at him, incredulous. "Oh my God, who even talks like that?"
Luciano smirked. "So I'll take that as a yes?"
Sophia scoffed. "What? No!"
"So no?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"No, not 'no,'" she stammered, flustered.
"So yes?" he asked, stepping even closer.
"Ugh, Luciano—" she began, but was quickly cut off when he grabbed her waist, pulling her body flush against his. His lips hovered dangerously close to hers, but instead, he leaned into her ear and whispered, "I'm sorry. I know I've been a dick. I know you're frustrated, but we'll try figuring this out."
He pulled back, his gaze tender. "You're tired. Get some sleep."
And just like that, he turned and moved toward the window, leaving Sophia breathless.
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