Chapter 13 - Sophie's Choice|
At the ferry terminal, Sophie heard the connection die.
For one terrible moment, she stood motionless beside Enzo's vehicle, unable to hear anything except the pounding of her own heart.
Then she wiped her eyes and turned to the security team.
"How many entrances?"
"Three," Enzo answered. "Two visible, one through the maintenance corridor."
"How many people inside?"
"At least six."
"How many can we confirm?"
"Four."
Sophie nodded.
"Then we plan for six and assume there are more."
Enzo looked at her with surprise.
"Mrs. Moretti, you should stay here."
"My son is in there."
"I know."
"Then stop telling me where I should stand."
She had no intention of storming into the terminal blindly. She had learned enough from Luca's mistakes to know that courage without information was merely another way to lose someone.
Enzo showed her a floor plan. Sophie noticed a narrow service passage leading to the upper walkway, where Bianca had appeared.
"Can your people secure that corridor?"
"Yes."
"Then do it quietly. No gunfire unless there's no other choice."
Enzo nodded and relayed the instructions.
Sophie took out her phone and called a number she had memorized years earlier: Detective Hannah Brooks, a former investigator who had helped Marcus recover stolen company records. Hannah answered on the second ring.
"Sophie?"
"I need help getting my son out of a kidnapping without turning this into a massacre."
Hannah listened as Sophie explained the situation. She promised to contact the appropriate authorities and coordinate a safe perimeter, though she warned that the Moretti name would make every decision complicated.
"We need evidence," Hannah said. "Can you get me the original ledger?"
"Yes."
"Then don't let them destroy it. And Sophie? If you have a chance to leave safely with Theo, take it. Don't wait for Luca to make the decision."
Sophie looked toward the terminal.
"I won't."
Inside, Bianca was still demanding Luca's signature. He had refused to sign, but his silence was beginning to cost him. One of the guards dragged Theo toward a side door.
Luca moved instinctively.
Bianca fired a shot into the ceiling.
Theo screamed.
"One more step," she warned, "and the next bullet won't miss."
Luca froze.
Outside, Sophie heard the gunshot through a distant microphone Enzo had placed near the ventilation system.
She looked at the security chief.
"Go."
Enzo's team moved toward the maintenance entrance.
Sophie followed the second group, carrying a small flashlight and the copy of Adrian's ledger. She had made a decision. If Bianca wanted the original records, Sophie would give her something to look at—but not the truth.
Inside the terminal, Sophie emerged behind a row of crates.
Theo saw her first.
"Mom!"
Bianca spun around.
Luca turned at the sound of his son's voice.
For one heartbeat, the room held perfectly still.
Then Bianca pointed the gun at Sophie.
"Of course," she whispered. "The wife finally decides to be useful."
Sophie raised the ledger.
"You want this? Let my son go."
May you like
Bianca's eyes locked on the book.
And Luca realized that Sophie had just become the most dangerous person in the room—not because she carried a weapon, but because she understood what Bianca wanted.
