The Don’s Soulmate

54. Sofia

Chapter 54

Sofia

My head throbs as I blink awake, vision swimming. The room spins and blurs. Where am I? I try to bring a hand to my aching temple, but my arms won't move. Panic surges through me as I realize I'm tied to a chair, thick ropes biting into my wrists and ankles.

"Hello?" I call out, my voice hoarse. "Is anyone there?"

Silence. My heart pounds as memories start flooding back - Viktor's charming smile turning cold and cruel, the glint of his ring as his hand swung at my head when I tried to leave. Oh god.

"That bastard," I spit out, yanking at the restraints. The ropes only tighten, digging painfully into my skin.

I scan the dimly lit room, searching for anything I can use: an old desk, some shelves, nothing within reach. Think, Sofia. You have to get out of here.

Ice floods my veins. Carlotta. Sweet, innocent Carlotta who wouldn't hurt a fly. Viktor’s interest in her starts coming back. He only used me to get to her at Ugo’s behest.

Viktor’s gone. There’s only one place he could be headed. Fuck. I have to warn her and Ettore before he reaches them.

I twist my wrists, feeling for any give in the ropes. My fingers brush against a rough edge - a loose thread? I tug at it frantically, ignoring the burning pain as the fibers slice into my skin.

"Come on, come on," I mutter. The thread unravels slightly. Hope flares in my chest.

I picture Carlotta's face - those striking green eyes filled with fear, her wheat-brown skin pale with terror. Her baby. No. I won't let that happen. She's been through too much already.

Gritting my teeth, I pull harder at the thread. My wrists feel raw, but I ignore the pain, focused solely on escape. On saving my friends from whatever Viktor has planned.

The ropes bite into my flesh as I struggle, my desperation mounting. Sweat beads on my forehead trickled down my face. I blink it away.

"Damn it, Viktor," I hiss through clenched teeth. "You won't get away with this."

My mind races, replaying every interaction with Viktor. How could I have been so blind? The charming smiles, the attentive gestures - all a carefully crafted ruse to get to Carlotta. Bile rises in my throat at the thought of how easily I fell for it.

Some friend I am, I think to myself bitterly. I practically gift-wrapped her for him.

But self-pity won't save Carlotta. I scan the room again, searching for anything I might have missed. There - a glint of metal beneath the desk. If I could just reach it...

I rock the chair, inching it forward bit by bit, painstakingly. My muscles scream in protest, but I push through the pain. For Carlotta. For the girl who's more a sister than a friend.

The chair teeters dangerously as I stretch my leg, straining to hook my foot around the metal object. Just a little further...

With a final burst of effort, I manage to snag the object - a letter opener. It clatters to the floor, and I quickly maneuver my bound hands to grasp it. The cool metal against my skin sends a surge of hope through me.

"Come on, come on," I mutter, sawing frantically at the ropes.

My heart pounds in my chest, each second stretching into an eternity. Finally, I feel the ropes give way.

"Yes!" I exclaimed, leaping to my feet.

The rush of freedom is intoxicating. I stretch my arms, relishing the ability to move freely again. But the moment of triumph is short-lived as reality comes crashing back.

"Carlotta," I breathe, my renewed panic spurring me into action.

I pat down my pockets, searching for my phone. Empty. My stomach drops as I realize the implications.

"No, no, no," I mutter, tearing through the room. "Where is it?"

Drawers fly open, papers scatter, but my phone is nowhere to be found. The sick feeling in my gut intensifies as I picture Viktor using it to track down Carlotta and Ettore.

"Think, Sofia, think!" I command myself, running my hands through my hair. "There has to be another way to warn them."

My eyes land on the landline phone on the desk. It's a long shot, but it might be my only chance. I snatch up the receiver, my fingers trembling as I dial Carlotta and Ettore's motel room number from memory.

"Please pick up," I plead, each ring amplifying my anxiety. "Come on, Car. Answer the phone!"

The phone rings endlessly, each unanswered call echoing my growing desperation. I slam the receiver down, my mind racing.

"Screw this," I mutter, grabbing my car keys from the dining table where we sat. "I'll have to warn them in person."

I burst out of the room, my long legs carrying me swiftly down the stairs and out to my car. The cool night air hits my face, but I barely notice it. My hands shake as I fumble with the keys, finally managing to unlock the door.

"Come on, come on," I urge, sliding into the driver's seat.

The engine roars to life, and I peel out of the driveway, tires screeching against the pavement. My heart pounds in my chest, matching the rhythm of my racing thoughts.

Adrenaline courses through my veins, sharpening my focus. The familiar streets blur past as I push the speedometer higher, weaving through late-night traffic with reckless abandon.

"Get out of my way!" I shout at a slow-moving car, honking aggressively as I swerve around it.

My mind flashes to Ettore, his intense blue eyes and scarred knuckles. But against Viktor and his men, even Ettore might be outmatched.

"Faster," I urge myself, taking a sharp turn onto a narrow side street leading to a route into the outskirts, a shortcut I’ve learned from Grandma back when she was alive. "I have to get there faster."

I screech to a halt outside the motel, tires smoking. My heart hammers against my ribs as I leap from the car, not bothering to lock it. Every second counts.

"Please be okay, please be okay," I mutter, sprinting across the parking lot to the back entrance.

My heels click frantically against the concrete as I race up the stairs, taking them two at a time. The corridor stretches before me, seeming endless. Room 214 – there it is.

I skid to a stop, pounding my fist against the door. "Carlotta! Ettore! Open up, it's Sofia!"

Silence. My stomach twists with dread.

"Come on, guys, please!" I plead, banging harder. "We're in danger. Viktor's coming!"

Still no response. My mind spirals with horrific possibilities. Are they hurt? Captured? Or worse...

"Dammit, Ettore!" I shout, desperation clawing at my throat. "I know you're in there. If you don't open this door right now, I swear I'll—"

A shuffling sound from inside cuts me off. Hope flares in my chest, quickly tempered by fear. What if it's not them? What if Viktor's already here?

"Carlotta?" I call out, softer now, pressing my ear to the door. "Is that you?"

My fingers tremble as I reach for the doorknob, torn between the urge to burst in and the fear of what I might find. The lock clicks, and I hold my breath as the door slowly begins to open.

The door swings open, revealing Ettore's towering frame. His usually calculating eyes are droopy, and his hair is tousled.

"Sofia?" he growls, his voice rough with sleep. "What the hell—"

I push past him, my eyes frantically searching the room. There, on the bed, I see her. Carlotta sits up, her long black hair a tangled mess around her face. Her striking green eyes, still heavy with sleep, blink in confusion.

"Sofia?" Carlotta mumbles, her soft voice laced with worry. "What's going on?"

Relief washes over me like a tidal wave, so intense it nearly brings me to my knees. They're here. They're safe. I didn't fail them.

"Oh, thank God," I choke out, tears welling up in my eyes. I rush to the bed, throwing my arms around Carlotta. Her warm, familiar scent envelops me, and I can't hold back a sob. "I thought... I was so scared..."

Carlotta's arms wrap around me, her touch gentle and soothing. "Shh, it's okay. We're here. What happened?"

I pull back, wiping my eyes. "It's Viktor. He—"

"Viktor?" Ettore interrupts, his voice sharp. I turn to see his expression darken and that familiar anger flash in his eyes. "Who is Viktor?"

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "He's a guy I’ve been seeing. But he’s working with Ugo. I found out and tried to leave, but he attacked me and left with my phone. He’s coming. We're all in danger. We need to leave now."