Michael’s chewing slowed, his eyes narrowing. “Something happen to him?”

“Not exactly. He left, and we didn’t part on good terms. It’s been hard on me.”

“Well, I can’t help with that, but I can keep those dickheads off your back.”

I offered him a small smile, suddenly exhausted from the ebbing adrenaline. We finished our lunch together, getting to know one another, and slipped into an easy friendship.

Each day, he joined me for lunch and talked to me in the halls. Like me, he didn’t seem to have other friends. It wasn’t at all the same as what I shared with Nico, but it helped to dull the pain. I was sure Michael sensed I was a little broken, but he never brought it up. He was the buoy in the middle of my storm, and I clung to him for dear life.

The thrill of reuniting with Sofia was doused in a bucket of ice water when I woke alone the next morning. I quickly dressed and went in search for her but found her mother instead. Carlotta hid her surprise at seeing me, informing me that Sofia had stepped out. I excused myself with what little pride I had left and slunk from the house.

Talk about awkward.

At least it hadn’t been Enzo. I had known I was taking a chance by staying the night with his daughter right under his roof, but there was no way I was letting her slip away from me. When I told her what had happened, her protective barrier visibly crumbled. I had unguarded access to my Sofia, the girl who had loved me unconditionally, and I wasn’t wasting the opportunity.

Being with Sofia was as perfect as I’d always imagined. I only wished she’d stayed with me the entire night. Clearly, we still had some work to do.

What the fuck happened? Why did she run from me?

After returning home to shower and change, I sat in my car outside the meet location and racked my brain about what had gone wrong. Had she been upset, and I was too lust-crazed to notice? How could she welcome me inside her when she’d never been with anyone else, then leave without a word? The way I’d broken things off with her had been horrific, but if that was the issue, why did she have sex with me at all?

None of it made any sense, and it was pissing me off. I wanted more than anything to find her and demand answers, but we had our meeting with the Russians, and I couldn’t miss it. Despite my oath, Sofia would always come first. However, I wouldn’t break my promise to the family unless it was necessary. There would be plenty of time for answers.

The other thing that had gnawed at me all morning was Sofia’s safety. If I didn’t know where she’d run off to, I couldn’t keep her safe. When I finally got my hands on her, we’d have more than one topic to discuss. I was pleased to have been included in our meeting with the Russians, but considering everything else I had going on, I was also anxious to get it over with so I could sort out the rest of my shit.