Page 27 of Bratva Prince

Chapter Eight

Sofia woke before dawn.For a few moments, she lay motionless beneath the blankets, staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling.Her heart kicked painfully against her ribs before reason caught up with panic.She dreamt of the attack again, even though it happened two days ago.

She could still hear the gunfire echoing through the halls, recall the assassin’s hands around Dimitri’s throat.The recoil of her handgun.The look on Dimitri’s face after she’d pulled the trigger.

Slowly, she released a breath and rubbed a hand over her eyes.Sleep had become a luxury since the attack.Every creak of the house seemed louder, and every unexpected noise had her reaching for the gun hidden beneath her pillow.

A sharp knock sounded at her bedroom door.She sat upright immediately.

“Come in,” Sofia said.

One of the household staff entered, her expression polite but slightly nervous.

“Mrs.Volkov, your father called this morning.Mr.Volkov thought you’d want to know immediately,” she said.

Sofia blinked.“My father?”

“Yes.He requested to speak with you.”

The woman excused herself a moment later, leaving Sofia alone with her thoughts.Sofia wasn’t surprised he had called.

News of the attack would have reached the Marino family within hours.Men like Emilio Marino always knew when blood was spilled.

Whether he’d called because she was his daughter or because she was now one of the most important political assets in his organization was another question entirely.Sofia already suspected the answer.Still, a small part of her couldn’t stop wondering.

Sofia called her father back.His secretary answered and informed her he was busy.She also told Sofia that Emilio was expecting her at the Marino estate two days from today.Sofia ended the call and got ready for the day.After a shower and change of clothes, she looked for Dimitri.

She found him in his office.Morning light spilled through the tall windows behind him, highlighting the dark wood and leather.

He stood near the window with a tablet in one hand, reading through reports with the same intense concentration he seemed to bring to everything.His bruises were fading, she noted.Unfortunately, that did very little to make him less distracting.Dimitri glanced up when she entered.

“My father called,” Sofia began.

“He wants to see you?”Dimitri asked.She wasn’t surprised he already knew.The staff had probably informed him.

Sofia crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway.

“He wants to inspect his investment,” she said with a shrug.

Dimitri smiled.“That’s a cynical way to describe your father.”