ealed, between trust and calculation, and Sofia

th paintings of distant landscapes, austere portraits of the aristocracy that he seemed to admire, but Sofia did not linger there. Her gaze w

s rules. You are entitled to my protection, but in return, you must understand what that means. » He paused, and his gaze became more intense,

Marco imposed their law, and that any resistance would not only be futile, but also dangerous. Yet, in the back of her mi

u do what I say, you respect the rules of my territory. If you want to stay safe, yo

over her. The reality of the situation hit her in the face. But she was careful

uing, his voice softer, but no less threatening. "I won't hurt you, not as lon

ut. Her heart was beating harder in her chest, but she didn't let it show. "I'm

fer you," he said, and his voice softened again, almost too soft. "I will protect you. You want to run away from your father, don't you? And I want information

many things. His instincts were telling him to be wary. He was testing her

d to stay calm. "You want me to tell you about my father? » she repeated, her voice colder, a

his eyes fixed on her face, searching for the slightest flaw, the slightest clue that would betray her mind. "I don't believe what you know can destroy me

ysical threat. He knew how to manipulate people, make them doubt, get them to make decis

hear," she replied, each word hanging on her lips like a double-edged promise. "

He seemed to be weighing his words, weighing them like a mercha

n this world. You offer me information, I offer you my protection. And what you give me will not be

n from. Every word she spoke, every gesture she made, tied her more to him, to this fragile pact that seemed so e

e doesn't just run his business. He is involved in...much darker matters. Contr

"Who are these people? he asked, his eyes narrow

hese cases have crossed borders. There are people... powerful people, on the

more serious than ever. "And why di

r have believed a single word. Because you would have want

g between them. Then, he ends up sighing, an almost imperc

ect you. But be aware of something: you have just engage

in her eyes. She knew things had just changed. She

e still didn't know was the price sh