Two days later
Sofia
I was on a photoshoot with Edward when Cassidy came inside, followed by a huge gift box.
The shoot was supposed to be about four hours, and it looked as if we’d already hit over eight hours and it was not looking like it was going to end any time soon. Cassidy placed the gift box down on the table. She picked up the card and passed it to me as I stood getting my makeup retouched, along with my hair. This was a shoot for a Destiny magazine spread as the hottest star this year. I had deals across my desk for multiple movies, TV guest appearances, and even starting my own makeup line if I wanted to venture in that direction. My first love was acting and singing; having a big responsibility on my plate I knew would be a challenge, starting a new business and partnership with a company would send me into traveling a lot more, testing the products and not just adding my name onto something just to have a product out that would have my fans ending up disappointed.
“Seems your boyfriend sent you a little surprise, read the card, Sofia,” Cassidy said. My brow arched because he figured I was out of town the last time I talked with him earlier today.
“We aren’t ever far apart.
Love,
Joaquin.”
I said, reading the card out loud.
“Sounds romantic,” Cassidy swooned, removing the ribbon and the wrap around the box. It was the size of a square flat box that looked like it held a book. Something Joaquin knew I loved doing was reading on my down time.
Right as Cassidy was about to lift the top, Joaquin and some of his men busted inside with guns drawn out.
“Don’t open that!” Joaquin screamed, running toward me, pulling me behind him.
“What are you doing? Joaquin, I’m working, and you are embarrassing me,” I hissed, pushing his hands off me.
“I let a lot of things go, but this bullshit is ridiculous. Sofia, tell your gangster boyfriend to leave, or I’m calling the cops,” Edward stated, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
Joaquin glared at Edward and gestured for Gael with his right hand to grab Edward’s phone. They scuffled for a second, and Gael gripped Edward by the neck.
“Joaquin, stop him now. Gael, stop it!” I yelled, trying to move around Joaquin to help Edward.
“Hugo, take him outside and wait for me. Cassidy, step back from the table,” Joaquin commanded.
“Why, what’s wrong?” I questioned.
“Where did this package come from?” Joaquin asked.
“I don’t know. I thought you sent it over to me. Cassidy brought it in from the delivery guy.” He balled his fists up at his side. I swallowed a lump in my throat. Did we do something wrong?
Cassidy was scared shitless; she hadn’t been around Joaquin for long periods of time when he was dealing with any mafia business. If he got her caught up in any type of violence, I would never forgive myself.
“Boss, look at this,” Hugo insisted, holding the top of the lid. I leaned over Joaquin’s shoulder, and the box contained a clock running down on top of dead flowers, possibly a bomb inside with another note that said, “We can get her at any time.”
“OMG, I have to go, where are my keys? Cassidy, call the police!” I cried out, trying to pull away from Joaquin’s tight hold.
“Sofia, baby. I promise nothing is going to happen to you. They were sending a message and wanted my attention and knew how to go about doing so.”
“I can’t do this with you; I need to leave now.”
“I’ll take you,” Joaquin suggested, entwining our hands, and I jerked back in fear for the first time of what this could have been. My friends could have lost their lives because of me.
…
“No! Edward can take me. We need to call the police. OMG! Somebody tried to kill me.” I fell to the floor and Joaquin tried to pick me up and I shoved him away, holding my hand up for him to give me space.
“Sofia, please, it’s me, baby. I’m not going to hurt you.” He slowly approached me, and I slapped him across the face, hitting his chest and cursing him out as he tried to calm me down.
“Stay away from me. This has gone too far; I don’t care what you’re involved in but to bring this to my door is unforgivable.”
“Silencio! You knew who I was, Sofia, you’re mine and nothing is going to happen to you. Understand?” The line of his mouth tightened a fraction more, the dark eyebrows slanted in a frown.
Shaking my head, I couldn’t pretend this was going to be a fairytale whirlwind romance anymore. I was blind to think he was untouchable when at the top, but that’s the spot everyone is gunning for, so his entire life is about watching his back and making moves to protect his family. Removing myself from this situation was my only chance at getting things back on track. Already the newspapers and gossip blogs had my name mixed in with drug dealers and killers. I was foolish, and my pride wouldn’t let me see the love I had for him was overshadowing my life. Grabbing my purse and keys, Cassidy followed behind me toward the door carrying her jacket and purse. Right as we got to the door, Joaquin’s men blocked the front entrance, cutting us off from leaving.
“Let me through,” I demanded; even though he towered over me and could probably snap my neck in a split second, I would make sure to go out with a fight.
“He moves at my orders.”
“Then tell him to step aside so I can leave, or I’ll call the police.”
“Like that? You won’t let me fix this, mi amor?” I knew that translated to my love. I learned a few words while dating him for the past few months.
“I need to think and make sure my people get home safely. Release Edward and let him go. I will talk with you once I’m able to clear my head.”
“That’s not enough; I need to make sure you’re safe; let Leonardo take you home and put some security outside your building. I promise not to contact you for a few days.”
“Fine, but I’ll call you when I’m ready.” He did not like my response, but nodded in agreement and kissed my forehead. I flinched at his touch and backed up, waving to his security to allow me to walk away.
…
Joaquin
I was still dealing with a gunshot wound from earlier today, and having Sofia stand in fear was breaking me down. Sticking my hands in my pockets, I eyed the room, wondering how they found out about this place, and that she’d be here at this time. Gael came strolling inside once Leonardo and Hugo pulled off with Sofia and Cassidy.
“Edward was sent home with a warning. Hugo will stay and monitor her place. That Cassidy woman is staying with her tonight.”
“Fuck,” I shouted, tossing everything off the table. Rubbing my temple, I needed to regroup, and figure out if this was a warning from the Russian deal or coming from one of Antonio’s crew. Too much shit happening all at once to deal with and I refused to lose the woman I loved.
“She needs time, Joaquin. I usually stay out of your affairs, but this fucked up her image of you. The most important thing a woman wants is security, and brother, you failed to protect her. In time, she will come around.” Gael slapped me on the back and headed to the photographer to pay him off. My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw it was a message from an unknown number.
Unknown: That was a warning.
Me: I’m the wrong person to fuck with; who is this?
Unknown: We’ll meet in due time.
Walking out of the studio, Gabriella was waiting on the driver’s side, and I hopped inside as she pulled into traffic. It wasn’t too late, and so it wouldn’t take us too long to get to the loft. I let the window down to get fresh air. “What’s the plan?” Gabriella asked as she stopped at the light.
“I need you to look into Edward and follow Sofia. I don’t want anyone thinking they can touch a single strand of hair on her head and think I would not skin them to the bone. Their entire family will be shot in front of them and tossed in the trash like I believe they are,” I snapped.
“Who do you think is behind this?” Gabriella asked.
“It could be anyone, hell, even Monica as far as I know.”
“Maricio seems more likely. I doubt Monica would have the brain power or support to pull this off,” Gael said.
“I can’t take that chance. If Sofia disappears, I can’t say what I would do.”
“We can put in some calls. Have Antonio contact his people,” Gael stated.
“Take me by her place.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Joaquin. We should investigate where the threats are coming from,” Gabriella said and I clenched my fists until it hurt.
The car went silent as they drove me to my home and I got out, went inside with Gabriella and Gael to look into evidence and talk over a strategy.
“I need a shower,” I said.
I went to the back and lifted my shirt off, stood in the mirror and looked at my wound. I shoved the bandages off and tossed them in the trash and headed to the shower. I turned the water to lukewarm, stepped in and held my head against the wall as the warmth helped sooth the pain. Twenty minutes later, I came out and joined the team in the living room and scanned over the photos they had placed on the table as well as printouts of various documents and text messages.
“Anything new?” I asked as I hovered over them.
“So far, nothing,” Gael said, passing me photos of Sofia walking into her place.
I scanned my finger across her face and smiled. I knew she was upset with me right now, but we would be together soon.