Shadows of Naples: Code Lightning.

Sofia sat at a small café table, feeling a faint tension. She had almost gotten used to meeting with Javier, but today’s conversation was especially important. Luca had secretly gone to him and asked to talk to her about her condition after the kidnapping. Sofia knew the clan worried about her, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to discuss it. Javier arrived right on time. Without a word, he sat down across from her, placing the coffee cup he had picked up on his way over. “Hi,” Sofia greeted. Javier stayed silent. “Luca came to me,” he began directly. Sofia sighed and rolled her eyes. “And what did he tell you?” “That you’re not yourself,” Javier replied, watching her closely. “That after the kidnapping, you’ve been distant… even thinking of stepping down as donna.” Sofia was quiet for a moment, stirring her coffee. “Is it true?” “I just… don’t know if I’m doing things right,” she finally admitted, eyes fixed on the dark liquid in her cup. “Sometimes it feels like everything’s slipping out of control.” Javier leaned back, studying her. “We don’t have the luxury of doubting ourselves, Sofia. If you start hesitating, others will see it. Alicia’s waiting for exactly that.” Sofia’s eyes snapped up. “I know that.” “Then what are you afraid of?” She opened her mouth to answer — but then noticed movement outside the window. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw a man in a dark coat draw a gun… Pointed straight at Javier. Without thinking, Sofia leaped up. “Javier!” she cried, lunging forward and shoving him to the ground. A shot rang out. The sound tore through the air — and Sofia felt something hot and sharp rip into her side. Her body jerked in pain. “Sofia!” Javier’s voice was full of panic as he saw blood soaking through her light shirt. Chaos erupted in the café — people screamed, overturned chairs, ran for the exit. The attacker, realizing he’d missed, bolted down the street. Javier glanced up just in time to see the man disappear around the corner. He could have chased him — but something far more important held him back. “Damn it, Sofia, hold on!” he pressed his hands over the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. Sofia gasped, her breathing shallow and uneven. She tried to speak, but only a weak moan escaped. “Javier…” she whispered, her fingers trembling as they clutched his hand. “Don’t talk.” His voice was low, rough — angry at himself for missing the danger. “You’ll be okay, you hear me?” He grabbed his phone, calling for a car. “You saved me…” his voice cracked as he looked at her. Sofia gave a faint smile — then her eyes slowly closed. Javier felt his chest tighten with cold dread. “Sofia!” he shouted, shaking her gently, but she didn’t respond. Her hand slipped from his wrist, leaving a bloody mark. Panic flared inside him, but he forced himself to focus. People were still screaming, but all he saw was her. He scooped her up in his arms and ran outside — nearly colliding with his own guard. “To the hospital. Now!” His tone allowed no argument. The guard already had the car ready. Javier climbed into the backseat, cradling Sofia’s head in his lap. Her face was pale, her breathing faint. “Don’t close your eyes, do you hear me?” he whispered, brushing her cheek. “You’re strong, Sofia. You’ve survived worse. Don’t you dare give up now.” But she didn’t answer. The car roared forward through the narrow streets. Javier held her hand tightly. “Stay with me… please…” For the first time in his life, he felt real fear — not for himself, but for her. --- When the car screeched to a stop outside the hospital, Javier didn’t wait for help — he carried her inside. “She’s been shot! She’s losing blood!” His voice was sharp, almost threatening. Doctors rushed over. Two orderlies brought a stretcher, and Javier had to force himself to let her go. “We’ll take care of her, sir.” He walked beside the stretcher until the surgeons stopped him at the operating room doors. “You can’t go further,” one of them said firmly. “She has to live,” Javier growled. “We’ll do everything we can.” The doors closed, leaving him in the cold hallway. He didn’t know how long he sat there, staring at those doors. Guards came and went — Tyler, Luca — speaking to him, but all he heard was the ringing in his ears. Finally, the doors opened, and the doctor appeared. “She lost a lot of blood, but we managed. The bullet went clean through. Surgery was successful. She’s stable, but still unconscious.” For the first time in hours, Javier breathed deeply. “Can I see her?” “She’s not awake yet. But yes.” Without another word, Javier went inside. Sofia lay motionless on white sheets, pale and fragile. An IV line ran from her hand, her chest rising faintly with each breath. Javier sat beside her, leaning forward. “You scared me,” he muttered softly. He didn’t know why he said it. He didn’t know why his fingers found her hand and held it. “Please… just wake up.” He sat there, eyes never leaving her face, his hand still wrapped around hers. --- Hours later, he was still there. Shadows darkened his eyes, exhaustion pulling at his features. Yet he couldn’t leave. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you,” he whispered. “When I saw that bullet… I thought I’d die right there. You’re… you’re more than an ally to me. More than a friend.” His gaze drifted over her calm, pale face. “I waited for this — for something like this to happen — but never thought you’d become… this important to me.” He sighed, voice trembling. “I was scared. Scared to admit it, even to myself… let alone to you.” He paused, running his fingers gently along her hand. “When we met again, I didn’t know what would happen. I thought you’d just be another rival. But everything changed… and you changed me. I don’t know if I can live without you. I don’t think I could.” He bowed his head, a heavy realization shadowing his face. “You’re everything to me, Sofia. My strength. My heart. Please… don’t leave me. You have to wake up.” His voice broke to a whisper as he gripped her hand tighter, holding on as if his will alone could bring her back.