nd filled with tension. Sophia kept walking around in her room, her thoughts were busy with the analysis of her different discover

d been in Dante's study, she'd narrowly escaped getting caught. But the beli

" she whispered to herself, he

y. The house was scarily quiet, save for the occasional creaking sound of the floorboards bene

the silence. The room smelled a little of leather and whiskey, and

th caution, going through papers and files. Her hands kept shaking when she foun

nt through the document one after the other. Names she didn't recognize were listed alongside

e. Sophia frowned, running her fingers over the text. She'd seen codes like

hone to snap a picture of it. She was just starting to jot do

d immediately. S

n again. Just as she kept the folder back in the drawer, the door opened slowly. She hid immediat

he floor, she saw polished leather shoes st

" Stefano said,

n't Dante who had entered the

tefano uttered, pu

ante. Sophia held her breath, pr

ond ring. "What is it?" h

le walking around in the room. Sophia w

ind of

f your old enemies. They're testing our security system, looking

filled with force. "Have you

Stefano hesitated. "There's talk of s

, his voice was colder than ice. "Loyalty is non-negoti

"Understood. But be careful, Dante. Trust is

the door went shut behind him. Sophia remain

, each repetition increasing her anxiety. Could it be her? She had been loo

re the way was clear before sneaking

and went for the photo she had taken of the coded document.

, confused. It was another mes

th than you think. But be

p inside her. "Who are you?" she whispered to hersel

hreats were disturbing. She felt like an outsider in the game she

p eyes checking everything and everyone. Sophia could tell he

e asked during breakfast

s expression unreadable

ted. "You jus

d instantly, endin

checking his phone more frequently, his jaw r

r her head, she heard voices near the fences of the estat

rk clothing were spea

o proceed?" one

. "We wait for the signal. O

men part of the threat Stefano had wa

, a hand moved over her mo

whispered in her

hold on her was firm but not painful. His eyes

doing over h

traight into his eyes, her fear was noticeab

e, she saw a flash of something different from the

s voice low and filled with threats. "Y

d without a trace, leaving Sophia shaken and