Chapter 6 Truth

• The darkness inside the penthouse seemed endless, like the shadows themselves were alive, stretching across the floor and wrapping around Sofia as she tried to find a moment of peace. She had finally slumped onto the large leather couch in the living room, exhaustion winning over her fear.
• She had no idea what time it was, and the city outside remained a blur of distant lights. Her eyelids grew heavier with each passing second. Despite her determination to stay awake, to remain alert in this unfamiliar place, sleep crept up on her like a thief, pulling her under until she could no longer resist.
• She awoke suddenly, disoriented. The air was colder, and the room seemed darker than before. Sofia’s eyes fluttered open, blinking to adjust to the dim light. She heard the faint sound of the door creaking, followed by soft footsteps approaching. Her heart leapt into her throat as she sat up abruptly, fear gripping her chest.
• Marco stood in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the faint light from the hallway. His normally immaculate appearance was slightly rumpled—his shirt wrinkled, his hair a bit tousled. There were faint shadows under his eyes, suggesting a long, grueling night. Yet, even in this state, he exuded an effortless, rugged allure, like a predator returning from a successful hunt.
• Sofia’s fear returned, sharp and raw. “What… what happened?” she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.
• Marco’s expression was hard to read. He closed the door behind him, his movements deliberate. “A lot,” he replied simply, his voice low and gravelly.
• He walked across the room, his gaze fixed on Sofia with the same intensity she’d felt before. But now there was something else there—something darker, a mix of satisfaction and unyielding control.
• Sofia swallowed, her throat dry. “Why did you bring me here? You know I don’t have anything to do with… this.” She gestured vaguely around the room, her words filled with both confusion and anger.
• Marco studied her for a moment, his gaze sharp, as if he were assessing her honesty. “My suspicions are rarely wrong,” he said finally, a hint of amusement in his voice. “And it seems I was right about you, Sofia Reyes.”
• The mention of her last name sent a chill down Sofia’s spine. Her entire body tensed, her mind struggling to process what he meant. “How… how do you know my name?” she stammered.
• Marco’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “I know everything I need to know about you,” he said, his tone cold and assured. “Including the fact that you’re the daughter of David Reyes, the Chief of Police.”
• Sofia’s heart sank, her breath hitching in her throat. She had tried to hide her identity, hoping it would keep her out of Marco’s twisted games, but it seemed her attempts had been futile. “That doesn’t change anything,” she insisted, her voice shaking with fear and defiance. “My visit to the club had nothing to do with my father.”
• Marco’s gaze remained fixed on her, unwavering and merciless. “You expect me to believe that?” he asked, his voice filled with skepticism. “You just happened to stumble into one of the most dangerous clubs in the city, without any ulterior motive?”
• “Yes,” Sofia said firmly, trying to maintain eye contact despite the overwhelming intimidation she felt. “I was there with my friend, Carmen. That’s all.”
• Marco’s expression didn’t soften, but his eyes held a strange glint, as if he were intrigued by her stubbornness. “I believe you, Sofia,” he said finally, though his tone was far from reassuring. “But it doesn’t matter. The fact remains that you’re a valuable piece on this chessboard, whether you intended to be or not.”
• Sofia’s chest tightened, a mix of anger and desperation swelling within her. “You can’t just keep me here,” she protested, her voice breaking. “My father will come for me. Luca will too.”
• Marco stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “Let them come,” he replied calmly. “I’m counting on it.”
• His words were filled with a cold certainty, a confidence that sent a chill down Sofia’s spine. She felt trapped, like a moth caught in a spider’s web, every move leading her deeper into Marco’s control.
• “Why me?” she asked finally, her voice soft, almost defeated. “Why not just use someone else to get to my father?”
• Marco’s gaze shifted, a flicker of something darker crossing his eyes. “Because you’re not just leverage,” he admitted, his voice lower, more personal. “You… intrigue me.”
• The admission hung in the air, heavy and unsettling. Sofia felt a mix of fear and confusion. “Why?” she whispered, barely able to form the question.
• Marco’s lips twitched, as if amused by her naivety. “Because you’re different,” he said simply. “You’re not like the others in this world. You’re… pure.”
• Sofia’s breath caught at the word, a stark contrast to everything she associated with Marco. “Pure?” she repeated, disbelief clear in her voice.
• “Yes,” Marco replied, his eyes dark and unwavering. “Innocence is rare in my world. And I want to see how long you can hold onto it… before it slips away.”
• The weight of his words settled over Sofia like a heavy blanket. She felt a mixture of horror and something she couldn’t fully explain—a strange pull toward the darkness he embodied. It was as if Marco saw her as a challenge, a rare gem that he intended to possess, to corrupt.
• Sofia tried to push back the fear that threatened to consume her. “I won’t be part of your games,” she said, her voice filled with forced determination.
• Marco stepped closer, his eyes locked onto hers. “But you already are,” he whispered, his voice filled with a dangerous certainty. “And there’s no leaving now.”
• Sofia’s pulse raced, her body both repelled and drawn to the man standing inches away. She felt a strange heat rising within her, a mix of anger and a forbidden thrill. But she quickly pushed the feeling aside, reminding herself of who he was—what he was.
• Just as she was about to speak, the silence was shattered by the sudden, jarring ring of her phone. Sofia’s heart leapt, a desperate hope flaring within her. Marco’s eyes narrowed, his expression shifting from cold amusement to calculated interest.
• Sofia fumbled to grab her phone from her pocket, her hands trembling. She glanced at the screen—Dad. Relief surged through her, but it was quickly replaced by fear as Marco reached out, taking the phone from her grasp with surprising gentleness.
• “Give it back,” Sofia demanded, her voice filled with a mix of fear and anger.
• Marco ignored her, pressing the answer button and holding the phone to his ear. “Chief Reyes,” he said smoothly, his voice taking on a cold, sinister edge.
• There was a pause on the other end, then the frantic voice of David Reyes filled the room, distorted by the phone’s speaker. “Who is this? Where’s my daughter? Sofia!”
• Marco’s expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of dark amusement in his eyes. “Your daughter is safe,” he replied, his tone calm but menacing. “For now.”
• Sofia could hear the desperation in her father’s voice, the fear that mirrored her own. “If you hurt her, I swear—”
• Marco cut him off, his voice turning colder. “If you want her back, Chief, you’ll have to play my game.”
• Sofia’s heart sank, a sense of helplessness washing over her as Marco ended the call without waiting for a response. He handed the phone back to her, a sinister smile curling his lips.
• “Now,” he said, his voice filled with a chilling finality, “the game truly begins.”