"You're coming with me."
Sofia looked up from the chair she was balanced on, one knee tucked under her as she tried badly to reach the top shelf. A stack of old ledgers wobbled in her hands.
"With you where?" she asked.
Alessio stood in the doorway, already dressed to leave. No jacket this time. No gun visible. That alone made it feel deliberate.
"To a meeting," he said.
She blinked once. Then laughed. "That's funny."
"I'm not joking."
She climbed down slowly, setting the ledgers aside. "You don't bring me to meetings."
"I do today."
"Why?"
Alessio didn't answer immediately. He stepped into the room instead, scanning it out of habit, then back to her.
"Because Milan has confirmed what I suspected," he said. "And because you've already been seen."
"That's not an explanation."
"It's a consequence."
Sofia folded her arms. "Last time I was 'seen,' you told me not to make myself visible."
"And last time," Alessio replied, "you proved you could handle it."
She studied his face, looking for the trick. "You're giving me access."
"I'm extending supervision."
"Semantics."
"Control," he corrected calmly.
She smiled. "Careful. That almost sounds like trust."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Don't confuse proximity with permission."
"Then don't confuse permission with interest," she shot back.
A corner of his mouth twitched. He ignored it.
"You'll sit. You'll listen," Alessio continued. "You won't speak unless spoken to."
"And if I am?"
"Then you'll answer honestly."
"That's dangerous advice," Sofia said.
"Yes," he agreed. "It is."
A pause.
"Why now?" she asked again, quieter.
Alessio held her gaze. "Because if they're going to speculate about you, I'd rather they do it in my presence."
"And if they test me?"
"They already have."
"And if I fail?"
His voice dropped. "Then I misjudged you."
That landed harder than a threat.
Giulia appeared at the door, keys in hand. "Car's ready."
Sofia looked between them. "Do I get a choice?"
Alessio waited a beat too long.
"No," he said finally. "But you get context."
She exhaled, sharp and controlled. "Fine."
As they walked side by side down the corridor, Sofia spoke without looking at him.
"You know what this looks like."
"Yes."
"Like you're parading me."
"Yes."
"And you're comfortable with that?"
"No," Alessio said. "But I'm strategic."
They reached the car. The driver opened the door — for Sofia.
She hesitated just long enough for Alessio to notice.
Then she got in.
As the door closed, Alessio leaned down slightly, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
"Don't mistake this for safety," he said. "It's exposure."
Sofia met his eyes, pulse steady.
"Good," she replied. "I was getting bored."
The car pulled away.
______
"Seatbelt," Alessio said without looking at her.
Sofia clicked it in. "You're tense."
"You're observant."
"I'm trapped in a moving box with you," she replied. "It sharpens the senses."
The car slid through traffic, windows darkened, city noise muted. Alessio's phone buzzed once. He read the message, then deleted it.
"Who's there?" Sofia asked.
"People who think they can read me," he said. "And one who thinks he can read you."
She glanced at him. "Which one worries you?"
Alessio didn't answer.
The car slowed. Then stopped too soon.
Giulia's voice came through the front. "Change of route."
Alessio leaned forward. "Why?"
"Roadblock ahead. Not police."
Sofia felt it before she saw it the subtle shift in speed, the way the driver's hands tightened. Alessio's fingers brushed her knee, a reflex, then withdrew.
"Who?" Alessio asked.
"Local men," Giulia said. "Wrong uniforms."
Alessio looked at Sofia. "When we arrive, you stay at my right. You don't engage first."
"And if they engage me?"
"Then you answer once," he said. "And stop."
The car rolled again, turning. A breath later, they were at the villa—stone, iron, sunlight sharp on pale walls. Men waited in the courtyard. Milan, by the look of them. Too relaxed. Too early.
Alessio exited first. Sofia followed. No one stopped her.
"Alessio," a man called, smiling like a habit. "You're generous today."
"Efficient," Alessio replied. "You're early."
"We didn't want to miss her."
Sofia didn't flinch. She met the man's eyes and held them.
"Inside," Alessio said.
They moved. The room filled. Chairs scraped. Water poured. Everyone sat except Sofia—until Alessio pulled a chair beside his and nodded once. She sat.
The man across from them leaned back. "So. Marco."
"Concluded," Alessio said.
"And Ricci?"
"Observing."
The man's gaze slid to Sofia. "He always does."
Sofia spoke before Alessio could stop her. "If you're here to discuss men who aren't present, you'll need better timing."
A beat. Then a low laugh. Interest sparked around the table.
Alessio didn't look at her. "You were spoken to."
"I was," Sofia agreed. "He asked me."
The man smiled wider. "She answers cleanly."
"She answers once," Alessio said. "We're done with that."
"Of course." The man spread his hands. "We came to offer reassurance."
"Reassurance requires trust," Alessio replied. "You arrived with neither."
A phone buzzed. Not Alessio's.
One of the Milan men checked it—and stilled.
"Problem?" Alessio asked.
The man hesitated. Then: "Our route back just closed."
Sofia leaned closer to Alessio, voice low. "That's not Ricci."
"No," Alessio murmured. "That's opportunistic."
The room shifted. Men stood. Someone reached for a jacket.
Alessio rose. "Meeting's over."
"And her?" the man asked lightly.
Alessio placed his hand on the back of Sofia's chair. Not touching her. Claiming the space.
"She leaves with me."
Sofia stood at the same moment. "I was going to anyway."
The man watched them, measuring. "You're making her visible."
Alessio met his eyes. "I already did."
They left together, the air tight behind them.
In the car, silence held for three blocks.
Then Alessio said, "You broke the rule."
Sofia kept her eyes on the road ahead. "You said answer once."
"You chose the timing."
"I chose the truth."
He glanced at her. "You enjoyed that."
She didn't deny it. "You needed it."
Another pause.
"Next time," Alessio said, "you warn me."
Sofia finally looked at him. "Next time, don't bring me unless you want me seen."
The car disappeared into traffic.