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I exhaled, looking at him with a hollowed expression. His words, though tough, were on point. I was at war with myself, torn between the risk of endangering the Blades and the need to end my father's reign of terror. My gaze fell onto the folder again, its contents stark reminders of the monster who bore my blood.
"I know," I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. The weight in my chest grew heavier. "I just...This isn't exactly how I envisioned confronting my father. I'm not sure if I can do it."
Stephen gave me a stern look before softening his features. "You're stronger than you think," he said, his tone firm yet encouraging. Stephen returned his attention back to the file, pulling out a handful of photographs and newspaper clippings.
"Take a look at these," he said, spreading them out across the table. Grainy black and white photos of my father meeting with unknown men, shaking hands, exchanging briefcases.
I felt a lump forming in my throat as I picked up one of the photos. My father, looking younger but just as menacing underneath the gazebo at our beach house. It was a location I recognized because it was where we celebrated every family event.
"That's him, isn't it?" I asked, offhandedly tracing a finger over the blurry figure in the image. Stephen nodded in confirmation. "You’ve been watching him for…how long?”
“It’s been a long time,” he said.
I felt numb. The man I'd always known as my father was a criminal, a monster. And here I was, embedded in this nightmare, the only potential savior for my brother and the Blades. I let out a shaky breath, realizing that the Blades were counting on me. My mind was made up. Even if I had, at one point, hesitated–I wasn’t anymore.
I was absolutely certain.
"I'll do it," I said, my voice stronger than before. "I’ll testify against him; I will provide whatever evidence you need."
Stephen looked at me, his deep blue eyes softening for a brief moment. "It won't be easy.”
“Fuck easy,” I said. “If we don’t put him away, I’ll kill him myself.”
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.”
“Good.”
"Yeah," he sighed, and the pain lacing his voice startled me into looking up at him. He was watching me with an inscrutable expression, his eyes holding a world of secrets I couldn't begin to fathom.
"But Sofia," He began, carefully shifting my attention back to the folders. "Your father is not going down without a fight. He's always been one step ahead, planning his moves meticulously."
"He's the Viper," I responded, my voice soft but steady. I was growing more confident by the minute, the daunting task before me somehow solidifying my resolve.
Stephen nodded. "Exactly. He's dangerous, shrewd, and not someone to be taken lightly."
I just stared at the folder, willing myself to absorb the full gravity of his statement. My mouth went dry as I swallowed, a desperate attempt to stave off the rising panic.
"I can do this," I said, more as a reassurance to myself than anything else.
Stephen’s gaze didn't waver from mine. He warned, "You need to be ready for whatever he throws at you."
“It’s either bring him down or…” I trailed off, remembering the way Teo’s arms felt around mine. The thought was too painful to complete.
Stephen sighed again. “I probably shouldn’t do this, but if the Blades are in Orlando, I might be able to take you to them,” he said. “Not for long.”
The sudden suggestion caught me off guard. "Really?" I asked, unable to keep the hope from seeping into my voice. Seeing the Blades again, seeing Teo again. I needed to face them now, while I still could.
Stephen nodded, his expression serious. "Only for a short visit. You're still under federal protection and we can't risk your safety by keeping you there too long."
I nodded, understanding but undeniably grateful for this small mercy. "Thank you, Stephen."
He simply shrugged, offering me a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He was part of this world too - tasked with protecting me and bringing down my father. It wasn't fair on him either.
But I didn’t care.
I was going to see the guys again. And if it was going to be the last time that was going to happen, I was going to make it work.
Chapter Nineteen: Teo
