Sophia
Sunlight streamed through the curtains I'd forgotten to close the night before, painting warm stripes across the bed. I blinked awake slowly, my body heavy with the lingering remnants of sleep. Vince's side of the bed was empty, the sheets cool to the touch. He must have been up for hours already.
Mr. Barksalot was curled at the foot of the bed, his small body rising and falling with each breath. At least someone was still getting their rest. I envied him his simple, uncomplicated life.
I stretched, feeling the pleasant ache in my muscles from last night's activities. Despite the constant turmoil in my mind, my body had no complaints about sharing a bed with Vince Harris. The physical connection between us was undeniable, electric—even as my conscience waged war with itself.
The events of yesterday replayed in my mind: the call to Liliana, Vince's return, the way he'd looked at me with those penetrating eyes that seemed to see right through me. Had he suspected something? Did he know about the burner phone hidden in my makeup bag?
I pushed the thought away and forced myself out of bed. Standing under the hot spray of the shower, I tried to clear my head, to prepare myself for another day of walking the tightrope between Vince and Liliana, between loyalty and betrayal.
By the time I emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a fluffy towel, I felt marginally more human. I selected a simple but elegant outfit—dark jeans and a soft cashmere sweater—and was applying the last touches to my makeup when a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," I called, expecting Tony or one of the other staff members.
Instead, Vince himself entered, already impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit that accentuated his broad shoulders. His eyes found mine in the mirror, and a small smile played at the corners of his mouth.
"Good morning," he said, crossing the room to stand behind me. His hands settled on my shoulders, warm and heavy through the thin material of my sweater. "Sleep well?"
"Very," I replied, meeting his gaze in the reflection. "Though I missed you this morning."
His smile widened slightly. "Had some business to attend to. But I'm here now." He bent down, his lips brushing against my neck in a feather-light kiss that sent shivers down my spine. "I have news."
I turned to face him, curiosity piqued. "What kind of news?"
Vince moved to sit on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside him. I joined him, our thighs touching as we sat side by side.
"We need to travel tonight," he said, his tone shifting to something more businesslike. "You, me, Luca and a few others. There's a situation in Chicago that requires my personal attention."
"Chicago?" I echoed, surprised. "For how long?"
"Two weeks, give or take." His hand found mine, fingers intertwining. "It's important business, Sophia. And I need you with me."
The intensity in his eyes made it clear this wasn't a request. Whatever was happening in Chicago, Vince had decided I would be part of it.
"What about everything here?" I asked, gesturing vaguely to encompass the mansion, his business operations, everything.
"That's the other part of my news," Vince said. "My sister Elena is arriving today. She'll be taking care of everything while we're gone."
"Your sister?" This was the first I'd heard of any family. "I didn't know you had a sister."
A shadow passed over Vince's face, there and gone so quickly I might have imagined it. "There's a lot you don't know about me yet, Sophia. But you will, in time."
He squeezed my hand gently. "Elena is more than capable of handling things here. She's been involved in the family business since we were teenagers. In some ways, she's even more ruthless than I am."
The thought of someone more ruthless than Vince was difficult to imagine. "Will I get to meet her before we leave?"
"Of course. She's arriving this afternoon." Vince's thumb traced circles on the back of my hand. "She's looking forward to meeting you. I've told her about you."
That made me nervous. What exactly had he told her? How did he describe our relationship? As his assistant? His lover? His possession?
"Don't look so worried," Vince said, reading my expression with his usual uncanny accuracy. "Elena will like you. And even if she didn't, it wouldn't matter. You're mine now, and that's all that counts in our family."
There it was again—that possessiveness that both thrilled and terrified me. I belonged to Vince Harris, for better or worse. And now I was about to meet his sister and travel with him to Chicago for mysterious "business" that I was certain involved something illegal and probably violent.
"What should I pack?" I asked, deciding to focus on the practical rather than the existential crisis brewing inside me.
"Everything you need for two weeks. Formal wear for a few events, casual clothes for day-to-day. The weather in Chicago is unpredictable this time of year, so bring layers."
"I'll have Tony help you pack," Vince continued, oblivious to my discomfort. "Our flight leaves at nine tonight."
"Private jet?" I guessed.
Vince's lips quirked in amusement. "Of course. I don't do commercial flights."
He stood, pulling me up with him. "I have meetings until Elena arrives. Why don't you take Mr. Barksalot for a walk in the gardens? The fresh air will do you good."
At the sound of his name, my dog's ears perked up, his tail beginning to wag hopefully.
"What about him?" I asked, nodding toward Mr. Barksalot. "Is he coming with us to Chicago?"
Vince considered this for a moment. "No, I think it's better if he stays here. Elena loves dogs; she'll take good care of him. And it's a short trip—we'll be back before you know it."
I felt a pang at the thought of leaving my furry companion behind, but I nodded in agreement. "Okay."
Vince cupped my face in his hands, his touch surprisingly gentle for a man capable of such violence. "Don't worry about anything, Sophia. I've got it all under control."
He kissed me then, a soft, lingering kiss that made my heart race despite everything. When he pulled away, his eyes were intense, searching.
"Trust me," he said quietly.
And that was the problem, wasn't it? I wanted to trust him. Part of me already did. But the burner phone hidden in my makeup bag was a constant reminder of my betrayal, of the deal I'd made with Liliana.
What would happen in Chicago? Would I have opportunities to gather more information for Liliana? Would I be able to contact her without Vince knowing? And what about his sister—would she see through me the way Vince sometimes seemed to?
"I trust you," I lied, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.
Vince smiled, apparently satisfied, and kissed me once more before heading for the door. "I'll see you at lunch. Elena should be here by then."
After he left, I sank back onto the bed, my mind racing. Two weeks in Chicago with Vince and Luca. Two weeks away from the mansion, from the routine I'd established here. Two weeks of being even more closely watched by Vince.
And what about Liliana? I needed to contact her, to tell her about this development. But how? Vince would be with me constantly in Chicago. The thought made my stomach twist with anxiety.
Mr. Barksalot jumped onto the bed beside me, nudging my hand with his wet nose. I scratched behind his ears absently, grateful for his uncomplicated affection.
"What am I going to do, buddy?" I whispered.
He tilted his head, his dark eyes seeming to understand my dilemma even if he couldn't offer any solutions.
I sighed and stood up, deciding to take Vince's suggestion and walk in the gardens. The fresh air might help clear my head, and I needed to think clearly now more than ever.
The gardens were beautiful in the morning light, dew still clinging to the petals of exotic flowers. Mr. Barksalot trotted happily beside me, occasionally darting off to investigate an interesting scent before returning to my side.
By the time we returned to the mansion, I felt calmer, more centered. I had a plan—or at least the beginnings of one. I would find a way to contact Liliana, to tell her about Chicago. And then I would go with Vince, play my part, and continue gathering information. All while trying to ignore the growing feelings I had for him, feelings that complicated everything.
Tony was waiting for me in the suite, ready to help me pack for the trip. As I selected clothes and he carefully folded them into a sleek suitcase, I found myself wondering about his story. How had he come to work for Vince? Did he know the full extent of what his employer did?
"Have you met Elena before, Tony?" I asked casually as he packed a pair of heels.
He nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "Yes, Miss Sophia. Miss Elena visits occasionally. She's... quite something."
"What do you mean?"
Tony seemed to choose his words carefully. "Miss Elena has a strong personality. Very much like Mr. Harris in some ways, but also very different. You'll see when you meet her."
That wasn't particularly illuminating, but I sensed Tony wouldn't say more. The staff here were loyal to Vince—fiercely so. I wondered if that loyalty extended to his sister as well.
As noon approached, I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach. Meeting Elena felt significant somehow, like crossing a threshold into a deeper level of Vince's world. I checked my appearance one last time in the mirror, smoothing my sweater and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
"You look lovely, Miss Sophia," Tony assured me as he closed the packed suitcase.
I smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you, Tony. For everything."
He nodded and left me alone with my thoughts. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. Meeting Elena. Traveling to Chicago. Continuing my dangerous dance between Vince and Liliana.
One step at a time, I told myself. Just take it one step at a time.
With that thought firmly in mind, I headed downstairs to meet the woman who might give me a new perspective on the enigma that was Vince Harris—his sister, Elena. And perhaps, in understanding his family, I might finally begin to understand the man himself.
As I descended the grand staircase, I heard voices from the main living room—Vince's deep, commanding tone and a woman's voice, lighter but with the same underlying note of authority. My heart rate picked up as I approached the doorway, pausing for just a moment to gather my courage before stepping inside.
The woman sitting across from Vince rose as I entered, and I was struck by the family resemblance. Elena Harris had the same dark hair as her brother, though hers fell in loose waves past her shoulders. She shared his strong jawline and high cheekbones, but her eyes were a warm brown instead of Vince's icy blue. She was beautiful in a striking, almost intimidating way.
"Ah, here she is," Vince said, his eyes softening as they landed on me. He extended his hand, and I moved to his side, feeling the warmth of his palm against the small of my back. "Elena, this is Sophia. Sophia, my sister, Elena."
Elena's smile was warm but assessing as she offered her hand. "So this is the famous Sophia. My brother has told me quite a bit about you."
I took her hand, noting her firm grip. "It's lovely to meet you, Elena. Though I have to admit, Vince hasn't mentioned you before today."
Elena laughed, the sound musical and genuine. "That doesn't surprise me. My brother has always been selective about what he shares." She shot Vince a look that was half-teasing, half-reproachful. "Even with those closest to him."
Vince's arm slid around my waist, pulling me slightly closer to his side. "I was waiting for the right moment," he said, his tone defensive but light. "And now seemed appropriate, given the circumstances."
"Of course," Elena agreed, her eyes still on me. "Chicago is no small matter. You'll need someone you trust to hold down the fort here."
There was something in her gaze that made me wonder exactly what she knew about me—about my arrangement with Liliana, about my search for the truth about my parents. But that was impossible. No one knew about that except Liliana and me.
"Shall we have lunch?" Vince suggested, breaking the moment. "I'm sure you're hungry after your journey, Elena."
"Starving," she confirmed, linking her arm through mine as we moved toward the dining room. "And eager to get to know Sophia better. We have so much to talk about before you leave."