Pride surged through me. Most people would've needed time, counseling, and endless deliberation. She made the decision in seconds.
Sofia exhaled. "Thank you. I've been building toward this for eighteen years."
"How quickly can you arrange it?" I asked.
"This afternoon. They're ready." She stood. "I'll make the call."
She disappeared into another room. Valentina turned to me, green eyes fierce.
"You think I'm ready for this?"
"I think you're the strongest person I know." I cupped her face, thumb stroking her cheekbone in that automatic way I'd developed—needing to touch her, ground her, ground myself. "But it's going to be brutal. They'll make you relive everything. Every detail."
"I know." She leaned into my palm, and something in my chest cracked open.
Tell her. Domenico said to tell her. She's about to face the worst hours of her life, and she deserves to know—
The words were right there, burning on my tongue.I love you. I'm in love with you. Have been since that motel room, maybe before.
But this moment—right before she walked into testimony that would destroy her father, right before hours of reliving trauma—this wasn't the time. She needed my strength, not my feelings complicating everything.
She needed to know I believed in her. Not that I loved her.
There'd be time for that after. When she was safe. When Marco was in prison.
When she could hear the words without the weight of everything else crushing down.
"But I can do it," she said, pulling me from my spiral.
I swallowed the confession, tucked it away for later. "I know you can."
Soon, I promised silently.When this is over, when you're safe, I'll tell you everything. I'll give you all the words I'm holding back.
But for now, I just held her face in my hands and let my touch say what my voice couldn't.
The FBI arrived at 2:47 p.m.
Three agents, two prosecutors, and a Marshal. They set up in Sofia's living room like they'd done it a thousand times. Probably had.
I watched every movement. Assessed every agent. Questioned their security protocols.
Special Agent Jill Morris led the team—mid-forties, sharp eyes, no-nonsense demeanor. She shook my hand with a grip meant to establish dominance.
"Mr. Valestri. Ms. DeLuca's testimony is critical. We need her focused and cooperative."
"She'll cooperate. After you explain exactly how you plan to keep her alive."
Morris's jaw tightened. "We've been protecting Sofia for eighteen years. Seventeen assassination attempts, zero successful. We know what we're doing."
"Marco didn't know Sofia had Valentina then. Now he does." I held her gaze. "Everything changes."
She conceded with a nod. "Fair point. We're implementing enhanced protocols. Armed detail, rotating safe houses, restricted information access."
"Not enough."
"It's what we can provide."
I stepped closer. "Then I'm providing the rest. My people will supplement yours. You'll coordinate with my head of security, Domenico Ricci."
