Chapter 25 : He Wasn’t Always This Way

*Sophia’s POV*

I stood beneath the hot pelting water of the shower, the droplets washing away the tension in my back from sleeping on the floor in the villa. I stepped out, toweled off, and made my way to the closet.

I bent over and tried to pull the elasticized waist up my thighs when three sharp knocks echoed through my apartment. I froze, one leg in and one leg out of the leggings, wondering who the hell would be looking for me. All the danger over the last few days made me paranoid.

"Just a minute," I called out.

I reached into my closet and grabbed a navy hoodie with frayed cuffs that hung past my fingers. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror; I looked like a street urchin, but I didn't care. I walked across the room to the door, shook my head, and opened it.

"Hi, Giorgio," I greeted the intimidating man, "What's up?"

"Jacopo told me to tell you he's gone out for the day. I'm supposed to escort you to wherever you need to go," he replied, his voice deep and grave.