Sofia and Cynthia were not following each other on any social media (naturally) but Sofia found her easily through their common friends.

Sofia: Hey, I know there's a lot of bad blood between us but I really need you to give me Alessio's address.

Cynthia was the only person with a connection to Denaros that she knew about. So she had to ask her from all people, she didn't have time to be picky.

Cynthia: If I help you, what do I get in return?

Sofia stared at the screen of the messenger where the question could be found. And to be fair, it was a valid question.

Sofia: What do you want? Money?

Sofia at this point was ready to do anything.

Cynthia: I want Rosario to forgive me and let me go back to the city.

He kicked her out of the city? This sounded so extreme.

Sofia: I don't know if he will listen to me but I will do what I can.

Cynthia: If you try hard enough he will do whatever you ask him to do. But he's a dick so it won't be easy to convince him. I need you to promise me you will do everything in your power.

Sofia: I promise

The address appeared on the screen.

The next steps of action appeared in her head like she was in a trance. She was, on a mission. All of her survival instincts kicked in just like when she had to escape from the USA

Valentino keeps his gun irresponsibly on his night shelf, so it would be easy to grab. After she did just that she left her room and went to the garage.

In the garage, she just stared at nightmarishly expensive cars her brothers owned. The electric blue car belonged to Francisco, Valentino owned a red one and Alessandro had the black one. But she was eyeing something different: a motorcycle.

Sofia assumed it was used during the warmer months.

The moment she clicked the button to open the gate she opened the window and shot twice. She knew the sound of the shooting would distract the security at the same time she knew she has only a few seconds to act.

She jumped on the motorcycle and drove away while exchanging glances with surprised bodyguards who were in the process of running at the back of the property.

If she could she would stop and says she was sorry but she had to press the speed and drive away as soon as possible.

They started yelling and running but she was already out of her mansion's gates.

And just like that, she was out on the road.

She wanted to look back but instead, she kept her eyes set on the road and she was never this terrified in her life. She realized that she was without the helmet in a freaking Valentino's hoodie and pyjama pants. It was mid-February. Cold. And she looked like a mess. Or an insane person.

To her surprise and relief, she was alone on the empty road her brothers weren't chasing her. Why? It did make sense in a way, maybe they worried that if they chase her it will lead to an accident. Sofia wasn't an experienced driver she barely had any experience with the car and zero experience with a motorcycle. Right now she was trembling, her heart was beating like crazy and she was certain that she was going to die.

For the moment she started driving slower but then she added to her speed again. What if they drive from the other way to block the road? That was a big possibility, she recalled the situation with Paul's car being hijacked.

Sofia had no idea how she pulled off that running away attempt but she knew that if she lets her guard down it will be over so she hasn't stopped.

Denaro's house was on the opposite side of the town because of course her brothers would choose the biggest distance they could to not leave anywhere near each other.

Naturally, she was never in that part of that side of the city, and she had no idea how to go to the place she was looking for without the help of the GPS. That's why she had to ask around at least 5 people before she got the direction right.

When she asked the elderly man about the address he looked at there with surprise.

"Hon, you sure you want to go there?" He asked.

"Yes"

Unfortunately, yes. She wanted to go there.

For Valentino.

After receiving the direction she was finally, or not. In front of the house.

Soon Sofia found herself standing in front of a mansion designed in luxurious, modern architecture style. White and grey were dominating colours and it added to the coldness of the building.

Naturally, of course, they had a pool even though the only thing that separated them from the sea was the huge piece of land that most likely belonged to them.

It felt so normal and yet insanely unrealistic to just get closer to the gates. She knew that she can't stop moving now, so she took one step after another and then she was there.

"I need to talk to your boss"

They have not moved in an inch "Please step away from the gate" said one of the bodyguards in a strict voice.

"IMy name is Sofia Sanzaro, let me talk to Rosario" Sofia hoped they will recognize her as Denaro's sister but they didn't.

"Did you just use Mr Denaro's first name?"

The security guard's eyes darkened and the man took a step forward in a threatening manner. Oh no, she was screwed. Like literally, screwed.

"Step away from her," said a firm voice. Sofia looked to see who said that.

Emilio.

He was very muscular, his black hair was shorter than all of her brothers. His green eyes were staring at her in an ominous manner after he took a quick glance at her means of transportation.

"Sir-"

"Are you deaf?" Emilio growled. Oh, he was not in the mood. Sofia wanted to step away when she heard his harsh voice and scary demeanour. What's worse is that he actually looked at her and his eyes were equally harsh "And what are you doing here?" He asked in a strict, sharp voice that made Sofia feel small.

"I came here to make an exchange. Me for my brother"

A slow clap erupted. It was Rosario with a big smile on his face entering the scene like a true villain.

"Look what cat dragged in!" He was truly in a joyous mood as if someone got him a Christmas present early. "I was not expecting this. Since they're not stupid enough to botch the negotiation process in such a spectacular manner I assume they have no idea you're here?" He asked smoothly.

Sofia suddenly wanted to cry. So she has made a mistake by coming here?

It didn't matter. She will work with what she has. And she had a gun.

"You will let my brother go," she said simply, trying to make her voice scary but to be honest, it was quite difficult to make a person like Rosario feel scared.

"You have some balls, little sister, truly I can tell that you're one of us" Rosario praised her easily, but he looked even more amused.

When he looked at her again she had a gun in her hands pointed directly at him.

"Really? Lower the weapon kid, before you hurt yourself" he said in a condescending voice. He was relaxed as if having a gun pointed at your head was just a completely normal, day-to-day affair.

"I will lower the gun after you release my brother"

"And if I won't then what? You will shoot me? Look around child we all have guns" he said with hands in his pockets. His laid back attitude in situations so tense was very annoying. "So if you want me to listen to you lower your weapon"

"So it's her," Emilio said. Unlike Rosario he was not in a good mood, in fact, he was watching the scene unimpressed. o

"Ah yes, introductions are in order. Emilio, this is our long lost sister, Sofia" he pointed with his hand at her in a theatrical gesture.

„Sofia you're not holding the weapon correctly finger off the trigger unless you want accidentally shot us or yourself" Emilio explained in the dull voice of an experienced teacher whose student was playing around too much.

"Look around you" Rosario ordered.

She did. She was surrounded by five security guards, all of them had their guns pointed at her.

"You see? You're not going to win so lower your weapon"

Sofia knew that she wouldn't be capable of shooting him anyway. She had no power, right?

Slowly, she withdrew her weapon and pointed it at her temple.

She watched as cocky smiles disappears from Rosario's face. Emilio's jaw clenched.

"What are you doing now?" Rosario asked in a dangerously low voice.

"You're right I can't hurt you but I can hurt myself and you don't want that, right? Or maybe you do? I don't know anymore" Sofia said in an indifferent voice. She felt so empty inside. She decided that what she did was a bad move. A bad move because her brothers looked really scary right now but there was no turning back now.

"We don't want you to get hurt" Rosario opposed her words immediately.

"Then bring Valentino here and let him go"

"Antonio, bring the boy here. The rest of you, lower your weapons" Rosario commanded to his people.

***

"Valentino!" Sofia yelled in relief she lowered her gun automatically and wanted to run towards him but then instantly she felt the gun being pulled away from her hand. It was Emilio. God, he was so quick.

"Sofia" Valentino gasped with a mix of surprise, worry and relief. "What the fuck are you doing here?" He asked sharply.

He quickly jumped towards her and helped her to get up. Then she hugged him and he hugged her back and started stroking her hair. "Are you okay, sorella? What are you doing here?"

"I had to save you," she said, hoping this will be enough information.

"That's exactly what they wanted. Sofia you can't just..."

"That's a touching scene, truly. But you need to leave my house before I change my mind" Rosario said, with hands in his pockets.

"But you said-" Sofia started.

"He can leave now, not in 10 or 15 minutes," Rosario said sharply, his eyes narrowed.

"Go," Sofia said quickly pushing Valentino towards the entrance.

"I'm not leaving you here" he protested.

"You're definitely leaving her here" Emilio assured strongly.

"Please go" Sofia whimpered and her eyes started tearing up.

He covered his face what's with all the drama lately sighed dramatically.

"Do you prefer to stay hostage then? Fine by me but it seems she risked a lot coming here on her own to save you" Rosario asked, in a fake-friendly voice, with hands in his pockets.

"You're such an asshole," Valentino said with disgust.

"I've been called worse but do mind your manners" Rosario replied in a cold voice.

"I will come back for you" Valentino whispered quietly into her ear and she nodded.

"For your sake, I better not see your face ever again Ianniello" Emilio warned.

Valnetino normally would respond but he only sent him a disgusted glance and left.

When Sofia heard the sound of the motorcycle she started trembling.

Just like that, she was alone with complete strangers.

"Search her" Rosario ordered.

"She has a knife," said one of the security guards.

It was a gift from Anastasio. They can't just take it! For some reason, she already developed an emotional connection to that stupid thing.

"Wait no please don't take it, please" she begged tears in her eyes.

"How do we know you won't stab us?" Emilio asked.

"Or yourself?" Rosario added and Emilio sent him a death glare. "What? It's a valid question after what she has done"

"I won't I promise. Please it's a gift"

"I'm keeping it until I know it's safe to give this back to you. Get inside the house. Are you waiting for an invitation?" he asked.

Sofia had no idea what will happen next.

Will Ianniellos come to get her?

Or is she doomed to live with Denaros now?

Can she get away from them? What it will be like to be a part of their family?

She had no answers to any of these questions.

***

Hi guys!

I hope you're enjoying the story so far. :)