Chapter 3 - THE THREAT THAT FOLLOWED HER HOME
Sonia stared at the messages until the letters blurred.
Her first instinct was to call her father.
Then she remembered he was asleep after treatment.
She called Emma instead.
Her sister answered on the third ring.
“Hey, Son. Everything okay?”
Sonia swallowed.
“Are you home?”
“Yeah.”
“Is Dad there?”
“Sleeping.”
Sonia looked around the subway entrance.
“Lock the door.”
Emma went quiet.
“What?”
“Please. Just lock it.”
“What's happening?”
“I'll explain when I get home.”
---
Sonia called the police.
She reported the threatening messages.
An officer took the information and advised her to preserve the evidence.
Then she called the number Luca had given her.
He answered immediately.
“Miss Mitchell?”
Her voice shook.
“Someone threatened my family.”
Silence.
Then:
“Where are you?”
“Outside the subway.”
“Stay somewhere public. I'm sending someone to help you get home safely.”
Sonia closed her eyes.
“I don't want trouble.”
Luca's voice was steady.
“You didn't cause this.”
---
Twenty minutes later, a black SUV stopped near the curb.
Luca stepped out.
He didn't touch her.
Didn't rush her.
He simply opened the rear door.
“Your choice,” he said. “I can take you home, or we can wait here while you arrange another ride.”
Sonia looked at the car.
Then at the dark street.
She got in.
---
Dante was waiting outside her apartment building.
He wore a dark overcoat.
No beanie.
No torn jacket.
He looked like a man who belonged in a boardroom.
Sonia stepped out of the SUV.
“What are you doing here?”
He looked at her.
“Luca told me about the messages.”
She crossed her arms.
“You didn't have to come.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
His expression softened.
“Because someone threatened your family after you helped me.”
Sonia looked away.
“I can handle my own problems.”
Dante nodded.
“I believe you.”
She looked up.
“Then don't treat me like I can't.”
He smiled faintly.
“Fair.”
---
Inside the apartment, Emma stood beside their father.
Robert Mitchell was fifty-eight, thin from treatment, and still carried himself like the construction foreman he'd been before cancer changed everything.
He looked at Dante.
“Who are you?”
Dante extended his hand.
“Dante Moretti.”
Robert's expression changed.
He knew the name.
Sonia noticed.
“Dad?”
Robert looked at her.
“Why is he here?”
Dante answered.
“Your daughter prevented someone from serving me dangerous food tonight. She's received threats because of it.”
Robert stared at Sonia.
She looked down.
“I didn't want to worry you.”
He stepped closer.
“Sweetheart.”
His voice broke.
“You don't have to protect us from everything.”
Sonia's eyes filled.
For years, she'd been the strong one.
The responsible one.
The one who paid bills.
The one who smiled.
Now her father looked at her with something that hurt more than pity.
Pride.
---
Dante offered to arrange temporary security while the threats were investigated.
Sonia hesitated.
Then agreed to limited assistance.
Only until the situation became clearer.
He accepted her conditions.
No interference with her job.
No access to her personal accounts.
No decisions made without her knowledge.
Dante nodded.
“Agreed.”
---
After he left, Robert sat beside Sonia.
“Do you know who that man is?”
She looked at him.
“A businessman.”
Robert gave a tired laugh.
“That's one word for it.”
Sonia frowned.
“Dad?”
He looked toward the door.
Then said:
“Years ago, I worked on a construction project for the Moretti family.”
Sonia stared.
“And?”
May you like
Robert's expression darkened.
“Someone died on that job.”
