“Good morning,” she said.
“Morning,” Tonio murmured back. He turned to Sofia, who hesitated in the entryway, fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.
“Come on,” he murmured. “It’s just breakfast.”
Sofia’s gaze swept the room, lingering on the security monitor for a beat too long—a reminder that outside, a dangerous world was still waiting. “It’s neverjustanything here, is it?” she said, her voice low. Tonio noticed it too, but he ignored it. She didn’t need more reasons to worry. She walked until she was beside him.
Luc joined them next. His eyes caught Tonio’s, and a different, heavier acknowledgment passed between them. Luc gave a nearly imperceptible shake of his head. Nothing to discuss here. Not now.
“Sit,” Tonio said quietly, guiding Sofia to a chair.
She obeyed, but her posture was rigid.
He poured coffee for both of them. His knuckles grazed hers as he passed her the mug—a jolt that went far beyond caffeine. Breakfast was simple: eggs, toast, and fresh fruit. Tonio watched her shoulders ease slightly with the first taste of caffeine.
Mia hovered nearby, offering toast to Sofia. He could see the fragile trust in Sofia’s eyes when she looked at him, but he could also see the calculation. She wasn’t just accepting his protection; she was assessing his ability to deliver on it.
He couldn’t stop watching her—the small bite of her lip as she chose a piece of fruit.
All his instincts sharpened: protective, attentive, aware.
Luc spoke then, softly breaking the comfortable quiet. “Sofia,” he said, his voice neutral, but Tonio noted the hint of approval. “It is good to see you.”
Tonio felt Luc watching, weighing every move he made with her.
Sofia nodded, careful. Under the table, his fingers found hers. Steady. Solid.
Breakfast passed in a quiet rhythm, punctuated by the small, human things that made the house feel alive. Tonio noticed when the tension finally eased, when her laugh broke, soft and hesitant, when she reached for a refill without overthinking.
The conversation stayed light, small talk and casual comments that required little calculation. Mia subtly steered the conversation, giving Sofia tiny footholds into a world she wasn’t quite comfortable with.
After breakfast, he rose, stretching briefly. “Come on,” he said to Sofia. “I'll show you around before the day begins.”
She followed, hesitant but steady.
He glanced back at Mia, catching her small, approving smile. A silent acknowledgment: she’d been part of making Sofia feel at ease. When they returned to the main hall after the tour, Tonio stopped. He waited for her to face him.
“You’re safe here,” he said softly, almost a whisper. “I'll make sure it stays that way.”
She met his gaze, and for the first time, he saw trust—not complete, not unbroken, but growing, fragile and bright.
He’d protect it—whatever it cost.
Tonio lingered in the main hall after the tour, watching Sofia climb the stairs. Her steps were lighter, a subtle easing in her posture. That glance back at him—trust flickering—stayed with him.
He pushed into the study. Luc hunched over a laptop, a cigar smoldering between his fingers. Tonio shut the door with a sharp click.
Luc’s eyes lifted from the screen. “The senator’s not fading out.”
Tonio leaned against the desk. “We didn’t count on it.”
“This isn’t a tantrum. It’s a suicide run.” Luc exhaled smoke. “He’s lost everything—deal’s gone, pockets empty. Now he’s leaking names, dates, and operations to the feds. He is seeking vengeance. Sofia is in that.”
Tonio’s fists clenched. He’d hoped the bastard would slink away. “He has nothing concrete.”
“He doesn’t need proof—chaos or hired guns will do.” Luc’s stare didn’t waver.
“He can’t touch her here,” Tonio growled, his voice steel.
