Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT SOFIA CAME HOME
Sofia was found in a private clinic outside Philadelphia.
She had suffered injuries during the warehouse explosion and had been transported there under a false name.
Investigators located her after tracing payments made by a Bellini-controlled company.
She was alive.
Weak.
Frightened.
But alive.
When Luca told me, I nearly stood despite the pain.
“Where?”
He gave me the location.
I closed my eyes.
“Thank God.”
Grace stood beside my bed.
She smiled.
“Leo's going to see his mother.”
I looked at her.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
The reunion happened three days later.
Sofia entered Leo's hospital room in a wheelchair.
Her left arm was bandaged.
Her face was pale.
Leo looked up.
For one second, he didn't move.
Then he screamed:
“Mommy!”
Sofia burst into tears.
Leo ran toward her.
The nurses helped him climb carefully into her lap.
She wrapped her good arm around him.
“My baby.”
He sobbed against her shoulder.
“I thought you were gone.”
She kissed his hair.
“I'm here.”
I stood in the doorway beside Grace.
My eyes burned.
Sofia looked up.
Saw me.
And began crying harder.
“Dominic.”
I stepped closer.
She reached for my hand.
“I'm sorry.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
Her voice broke.
“I should have come to you.”
I knelt beside her wheelchair.
“You were protecting him.”
She nodded through tears.
I looked at Leo.
May you like
Then at Sofia.
“You don't have to run anymore.”
