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"But it's not enough," I insisted, my words tumbling out into the silence. "We're playing chess with a man who considers people as pawns and has no qualms about sacrificing them for his own gain."
“You’re right. That’s exactly why we’re working on the case.”
"I know you are," I replied, gripping the mug tighter. "But this is my life, my family. Everyone I care about is in danger!" Emotion choked my voice, twisting my words into a pleading whisper.
Stephen looked at me for a moment, sympathy softening his features. "Sofia, I get it," he said quietly, reaching across the table to place his hand over mine. The gesture was simple but surprisingly comforting.
My gaze darted between his face and his hand.
"We're doing everything we can," Stephen said, his voice hardening. "We've got more evidence than ever before. With your cooperation, we can protect you and bring your father down."
"But what happens in the meantime?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What about Teo?"
"You're safe here, Sofia," Stephen assured me, his gaze never wavering from mine.
“What about them?”
“I promise you that we’re doing everything we can to keep them safe,” he said.
"Your promises are comforting, Stephen, but they aren't bullet-proof," I retorted. "I know my father. He won't stop until he has what he wants."
Stephen sighed heavily, his fingers drumming on the oakwood table. His gaze fell away from mine and he leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Trust me, Sofia, we are prepared for him," he said finally. "The Blades aren't exactly easy targets and we have surveillance on your father's movements."
“But he’s going to find out I’m gone soon.”
“Yes, he’s going to,” he said. “He’ll either think you escaped with Victor or he’ll think I grabbed you and put you somewhere secure, which is half true.”
I studied his features for a second. I wondered if this, too, was about a paycheck for him.
He paused, studying me carefully. "The important thing is that he'll believe you're out of his reach. And while he's busy searching for you, we'll have the opportunity to gather more evidence against him."
My coffee had turned cold, but I took a gulp anyway, desperate for something to do with my hands. Stephen was watching me intensely, his blue eyes sharp and alert.
“So what do you have right now?” I asked, eager to get to work. At least working would distract me from the knot forming at the pit of my stomach.
"We have enough to start building a case," Stephen began, his eyes momentarily flicking down to the manila folders spread out on the table. "Your father has been smart, covering his tracks, but he's not infallible."
I watched him closely as he reached over and pulled a folder towards us. The label read 'Viper', in stark, unforgiving letters.
My heart thudded in my chest as Stephen flipped it open, revealing pages upon pages of reports and photographs. "We've got evidence of money laundering, illegal arms dealings, even human trafficking," he said, his voice hard. “And obviously the murders.”
“If you have all this evidence, why haven’t you brought him in yet?” I asked as I studied the pages he’d handed me.
"We need more, something concrete," Stephen admitted, his fingers absentmindedly drumming against the wooden table. "We've been building this case for years and your father's gotten better at covering his tracks. We need something solid to pin him down. A confession, a witness, anything that will ensure he goes down for good."
I shook my head, frustration gnawing at me. "How many more people have to die before that happens?" I snapped, surprising both of us with my outburst.
Stephen remained silent for a moment. "We're doing our best, Sofia," he finally said.
"I know," I whispered, looking away from him. The horrifying reality of my situation was setting in and it felt like I was being suffocated by it.
Stephen cleared his throat slightly before continuing. "The Blades are looking out for themselves too. Getting involved may put them at risk, but they've survived so far by being resourceful and alert."
“That doesn’t mean they’re invincible,” I shot back, my hands shaking as I placed the file down on the table. “Every single one of them is a target now because of me.”
Stephen looked like he wanted to say something comforting, but he paused, obviously struggling to find the right words. There was a tenseness around his eyes that hadn’t been there before. “I’m sorry to be blunt, but you’re just going to have to get over it. You said it yourself. How many more people have to die? Now you can do something to stop people from dying. So do your part.”
