Sofia hurried through the courthouse corridor, files tucked under her arm, mentally rehearsing her closing argument. The Rodriguez case had dragged on for weeks, a seemingly straightforward assault charge complicated by unreliable witnesses and circumstantial evidence. Today would determine whether her client walked free or faced five years in prison.
"Ms. Ricci!"
She turned to find her paralegal, Gabriella, rushing toward her, expression concerned.
"Your ten o'clock canceled, but you've got a walk-in waiting at the office. Says it's urgent."
"I don't have time for walk-ins today," Sofia replied, checking her watch. "The Rodriguez closing is in forty minutes."
"I told him that, but he was... insistent." Gabriella lowered her voice. "Actually, he was kind of aggressive. Security had to speak with him."
Something in Gabriella's tone made Sofia pause. "Who is he?"
"Anthony Vega. Says his brother was your client last year? Robbery case?"
Sofia's memory clicked into place. "Michael Vega. Found guilty, sentenced to twelve years." She sighed. "Tell him I'll meet with him tomorrow."
"I already tried. He said he'd wait, however long it takes." Gabriella hesitated. "Maybe we should call security again."
"No, it's fine. Family members get emotional." Sofia handed Gabriella her files. "Take these to courtroom three. I'll deal with Mr. Vega and be there in twenty minutes."
When Sofia arrived at her office, the man in the waiting area stood immediately. Anthony Vega was tall and wiry, with the same intense eyes as his brother, though lacking the charisma that had made Michael so dangerous. His agitation was visible in the way he shifted his weight from foot to foot, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.
"Mr. Vega," Sofia greeted him professionally. "I understand you wanted to speak with me, but I have court in thirty minutes."
"This won't take long." His voice had a tremor of barely controlled anger. "I want to know why my brother is serving twelve years when you promised six."
Sofia maintained her composure. "I never promised any specific outcome, Mr. Vega. The plea deal was rejected when additional evidence came to light."
"You said you could help him!" Vega stepped closer, invading her personal space. "You took our money and then you didn't do your job."
"I understand you're upset..."
"You don't understand shit." His voice rose sharply. "My brother's life is over because you failed him."
Sofia noticed her assistant reach for the phone, likely calling security. "Mr. Vega, I did everything legally possible for your brother. The jury found him guilty based on the evidence."
"Evidence you should have suppressed!" He slammed his palm against the wall beside her. "You think you're so perfect with your fancy office and your fancy boyfriend. I've seen the papers. Dating a Castellano while my brother rots in prison?"
The mention of Dante caught Sofia off guard. "My personal life has nothing to do with your brother's case."
"Maybe I should pay your boyfriend a visit," Vega sneered. "Ask him what he thinks about dating a lawyer who doesn't keep her promises."
A chill ran through Sofia. Not fear for herself, but a sudden concern for what might happen if this angry man actually tried to confront Dante Castellano.
"Mr. Vega, threatening me or anyone in my life won't help your brother," she said firmly. "If you'd like to discuss legal options for appeal, we can schedule a proper meeting."
"I'm done talking." Vega leaned closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You ruined my brother's life. Now I'm going to ruin yours."
Security arrived then, two uniformed officers appearing in the doorway. Vega straightened, his threatening demeanor instantly replaced with a cold smile.
"Just a friendly conversation," he said, backing away. "I'll be seeing you, Ms. Ricci."
As security escorted him out, Sofia maintained her professional mask, but her heart raced. Threats weren't uncommon in her line of work, family members often lashed out when cases didn't go their way. But something about Vega's intensity, the personal nature of his threats, felt different.
"Are you okay?" Gabriella asked once they were alone.
"I'm fine," Sofia assured her. "Just another unhappy relative."
"He mentioned Dante Castellano," Gabriella observed carefully. "That's the guy you've been seeing?"
Sofia sighed. Their carefully constructed relationship had indeed made several society pages over the past few weeks. "Yes. But that's not relevant to this situation."
"Maybe you should tell him about this Vega guy," Gabriella suggested. "Just as a precaution."
"There's no need to involve Dante." Sofia gathered her files. "Security has handled it, and I need to focus on Rodriguez."
She pushed the incident from her mind as she headed to court, channeling all her energy into her closing argument. By the time the jury retired to deliberate, she had almost forgotten Anthony Vega's threats.
Almost.
***
Sofia was reviewing case notes in her office that evening when her phone buzzed with a text from Dante: *Dinner tonight? I'm at La Luna.*
She hesitated. They'd settled into a rhythm over the past month, public appearances at social events, the occasional dinner where they might be seen. But spontaneous invitations weren't part of their arrangement.
*Working late*, she replied.
His response came quickly: *I'll wait.*
Sofia set down her phone with a frown. The case files demanded her attention, but she found her focus drifting to Anthony Vega's threats and now to Dante's unexpected invitation. After another twenty minutes of distracted work, she gathered her things and headed out.
The night air was cool as she left her building. The parking garage was nearly empty, most of the firm's employees having departed hours ago. Sofia's footsteps echoed in the concrete structure as she walked toward her car, keys in hand.
She was reaching for the door when she heard it, footsteps behind her, too quick, too purposeful. Before she could turn, a rough hand grabbed her arm, spinning her around.
Anthony Vega's face was contorted with anger, his breath hot against her cheek. "Thought we weren't finished yet."
Sofia's training kicked in. She'd taken self-defense classes after a particularly volatile client had threatened her early in her career. She twisted her arm to break his grip, simultaneously bringing her knee up toward his groin.
But Vega was ready. He blocked her knee and shoved her hard against the car, his forearm pressing against her throat.
"You think you're so smart," he hissed. "But you're going to help my brother, or I'm going to make you regret it."
"Security cameras," Sofia managed to say despite the pressure on her throat. "You're being recorded."
"I don't care." His eyes were wild now. "Nothing left to lose."
The sound of a car engine echoed through the garage, headlights sweeping across the concrete pillars. Vega glanced over his shoulder, momentarily distracted. Sofia seized the opportunity, bringing the edge of her hand down hard on his forearm while simultaneously twisting sideways.
Vega cursed as his grip loosened, but he recovered quickly, lunging for her again. Sofia's back hit the neighboring car as she evaded him, triggering its alarm. The sudden wailing filled the garage, disorienting them both.
The approaching car accelerated, tires squealing as it rounded the corner. Vega hesitated, torn between finishing what he'd started and fleeing from potential witnesses. The decision was made for him as the black Bentley skidded to a stop just yards away.
The driver's door opened, and Dante Castellano emerged, his expression a mask of cold fury. He assessed the situation in one swift glance, Sofia backed against the car, Vega advancing toward her again despite the alarm.
"Step away from her." Dante's voice was quiet but carried an unmistakable threat.
Vega turned, momentarily thrown by the interruption. "This isn't your business, man."
"Sofia is my business." Dante moved forward with predatory grace. "Which makes you my problem."
Something in his tone, his stance, or perhaps the absolute confidence in his eyes made Vega falter. But anger overrode his instinct for self-preservation.
"You're the boyfriend, huh?" He sneered. "Your girlfriend failed my brother, left him to rot..."
He never finished the sentence. Dante moved with shocking speed, closing the distance between them in two strides. One moment Vega was speaking, the next he was on his knees, Dante behind him, one hand gripping Vega's wrist at an unnatural angle, the other firmly at the base of his neck.
"Wrong choice," Dante said conversationally, though his eyes remained cold. "Now you have two options. You can leave and never come near Sofia again, or you can stay and discover exactly who you've threatened."
Sofia watched in stunned silence. This was the Dante she'd glimpsed that first night at La Luna, controlled violence wrapped in expensive clothing. The man who had cornered her was now completely subdued, his earlier bravado replaced with genuine fear.
"I-I'll go," Vega gasped, his face contorted in pain.
"Wise decision." Dante leaned closer to Vega's ear, his voice dropping so low that Sofia barely caught his words. "If you ever think about changing your mind, remember this: unlike Ms. Ricci, I don't operate within the constraints of the law. There would be no trial, no prison sentence. Just disappearance."
He released Vega with a slight push, sending him sprawling onto the concrete. Vega scrambled to his feet, backing away, eyes darting between Dante and Sofia.
"He's not worth it," Dante said, his attention now fully on Sofia. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, still processing what had just happened. "How did you know I was here?"
"Your assistant called me." He approached slowly, giving her space. "Apparently my number was on a list of emergency contacts in your office. She was concerned about this man's threats."
Sofia made a mental note to have a serious conversation with Gabriella about boundaries. "I didn't need rescuing."
"Clearly." Dante's expression softened slightly as he observed her defensive stance. "You were handling it. But I find I'm not particularly rational when it comes to threats against you."
The car alarm finally stopped, leaving them in sudden silence. Sofia became acutely aware of how close Dante stood, how his eyes moved over her with careful assessment, checking for injuries.
"You threatened him," she said quietly.
"I made him aware of consequences." Dante reached out slowly, his fingers gently touching the reddening mark on her throat where Vega's arm had pressed. "He hurt you."
The simple statement contained such dangerous promise that Sofia stepped back. "I don't need you to hurt people for me, Dante. That's not part of our arrangement."
"Some things transcend arrangements." His hand dropped to his side. "You should file a police report."
The suggestion surprised her. "You're advocating involving the authorities?"
"In this case, yes. A documented restraining order creates an official record of his behavior." A slight smile touched his lips. "I'm not entirely uncivilized, Sofia."
She found herself returning the smile despite the tension of the moment. "Just selectively civilized."
"Precisely." He gestured to his car. "Let me drive you home. We can collect your car tomorrow."
Sofia hesitated, her independent nature rebelling against the offer. But the adrenaline was beginning to fade, leaving her shaky and, though she was reluctant to admit it, rattled by the encounter.
"Dinner first," she decided. "I believe you mentioned La Luna?"
Dante studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Dinner first."
As they drove away from the parking garage, Sofia glanced at Dante's profile, illuminated by the dashboard lights. The man who had efficiently neutralized a threat minutes ago now drove with perfect composure, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting casually on the console between them.
"Thank you," she said finally. "For coming. Even though I could have handled it."
"I know you could have." He glanced at her briefly. "You're formidable, Sofia Ricci. But even the most capable people occasionally benefit from backup."
The simple acknowledgment of her strength, coupled with his matter-of-fact assistance rather than an attempt to dominate the situation, stirred something unexpected in Sofia's chest. For the first time since their arrangement began, she found herself genuinely grateful for Dante Castellano's presence in her life.
It was a dangerous feeling, one that blurred the careful lines she'd drawn between their pretense and reality. But as they merged into the evening traffic, Sofia allowed herself, just for this moment, to accept the comfort of not facing danger alone.
"La Luna has a private entrance," Dante was saying, his tone casual but his eyes still watchful. "Less chance of being recognized if you're concerned about being seen together after this."
Sofia considered this, then made a decision that surprised even herself. "No. The main entrance is fine."
Dante raised an eyebrow. "You're sure?"
"We're supposed to be a couple, aren't we?" She straightened her jacket, composing herself. "Couples have dinner together after work. It's perfectly normal."
What she didn't say, what she wasn't quite ready to acknowledge even to herself, was that tonight had shifted something fundamental in their dynamic. She had glimpsed a side of Dante that was neither the calculated businessman nor the dangerous enforcer, but something more complex, a man who would drop everything and come when she was threatened, who would protect her without diminishing her.
As they pulled up to La Luna, Dante handed his keys to the valet and came around to open her door. When he offered his hand to help her out, Sofia took it without hesitation, allowing her fingers to remain in his as they walked toward the entrance.
Just for appearance's sake, she told herself.
But the warmth of his hand around hers felt less like pretense and more like something she wasn't ready to name, something that made their four-month timeline suddenly seem both too long and not nearly long enough.