Shadows of Naples: Code Lightning.

The precinct smelled of coffee, wet asphalt, and the usual police clutter. James Ward sat in his office, drinking his second cup of coffee that day, flipping through a report on a failed shooting at a city restaurant, when a shadow appeared in the doorway. “Hope your coffee’s strong,” came the familiar, confident voice. “Sofia?” James stood up. “You’re not supposed to be…” “Alive? I know. And let’s keep it that way for most people. That’s why I’m here.” She sat down across from him. “A couple of days ago, someone tried to kill Javier and Luca at the restaurant. The attack was organized by Alicia. I was informed and I went there—I saw her men and intervened. But I couldn’t reveal myself. If anyone finds out I was at that restaurant, everything falls apart.” “So… you want me to—” “Cover the case. Officially—nothing happened. No witnesses, no footage, and absolutely no mention of a ‘woman who opened fire.’ I also need your continued support. Cover. And for you to always be reachable. We’re heading into a lot of filth.” “You’re serious?” “James…” She leaned forward. “You know I trust you. And you know how this system works. I’m not asking for anything you can’t do. But this time… it’s bigger. We need an experienced ally. And you’re exactly that.” James fell silent, glancing at the case file. After a long moment, he nodded. “Alright. But it won’t be easy.” “With me, Sergeant, nothing is ever easy.” --- Sofia left the precinct and immediately dialed a number. “Javier, pick me up outside the police station. Please.” “What? You’re… at the station?” Javier’s voice was sharp, alarmed. “Sofia, what happened?” “I’m fine. Just come. I’ll explain,” she answered softly. A few minutes later, a black Maserati screeched to a stop at the entrance. Javier jumped out, scanning the building anxiously. When he saw her, he rushed over. “What are you doing here? Were you questioned? Are you hurt?” Sofia placed her hands on his shoulders, looking into his eyes. “Calm down. I wasn’t arrested. There’s someone here I trust. My ally. James Ward—the police sergeant. He… works with us. Secretly.” “With us?” Javier looked stunned. “Yes. I helped him solve a case. And he… agreed to join our side. His presence is our protection from within the law. Right now he’s covering the entire situation at the restaurant. The attempt to kill you, Luca… and me. But no one can know I was there.” Javier fell silent, processing everything. Then he sighed and pulled her into an embrace. “Alright. If you trust him—then I trust him too.” “Thank you,” she whispered. “Let’s go home, Stellina,” he said, opening the car door for her. They drove toward Javier’s estate, leaving behind a street where, day by day, darkness was blending more tightly with the law. --- The estate felt calm. After an intense morning, the silence was almost unnatural. Sofia sat on the couch in Javier’s office, wrapped in a blanket, while he poured coffee for both of them. “You scared me today,” he said, handing her a cup. “I thought you were in danger.” “In a way, I was,” she replied, taking a sip. “But now I have an ally right in the heart of the system. James is smart, experienced, and most importantly—loyal.” “And he’s really on our side?” Javier sat next to her, leaning his arm on the back of the couch. “You trust him?” “I do. He passed the test. I saw how he handled his case. He didn’t break when everything around him was falling apart. And he took risks to find the truth. You know, he met Elena…” “My cousin?” Javier raised a brow. Sofia smiled. “They’re seeing each other. And that only strengthens his link to us. He’s one of the few who can help us fight Alicia and her dirty schemes. He already wiped all traces of the restaurant incident. And my presence there.” “So… we have someone inside the police,” Javier leaned closer, “and you’re back beside me. That’s all I needed.” Sofia placed her hand over his. “We haven’t won yet. But now we have more chances.” He smiled quietly, meeting her eyes. “As long as you’re with me—I’ll walk through anything.” “I’m with you, Javier. Until the very end.” --- Evening settled softly, but the air still carried the tension of recent events. Sofia sat in Javier’s room, wrapped in a light blanket. Her phone rang—James Ward. “Hello, James.” “The case is closed, Sofia. No mention of your presence in the restaurant, all reports cleared. You’re safe—at least from the police side.” “You’re a true ally, James. Thank you. I owe you one.” “Just be careful. I have a bad feeling this isn’t over.” “I understand.” She had barely set her phone down when it rang again—Lorenzo. “Lorenzo?” “Sofia, listen closely. Alicia has started suspecting something. She’s acting strange. Since the restaurant incident, she keeps asking me about that day—when I was supposed to kill you.” “She doesn’t believe you did it, does she?” “No. She won’t say it directly, but I see it. Her stare, her questions… I’m going to disappear for a while. I’ll stay with my parents in Palermo. Just to buy some time.” “Good. Thanks for warning me. And be careful there.” “You too. Stay in the shadows, Sofia. She might uncover the truth any moment.” Sofia looked out at the starry sky and whispered: “The game is just beginning.” --- She had just put the phone down when Javier entered the room, tension in his eyes. “Who were you talking to?” he asked, coming closer. “First with James,” she said calmly. “He told me the case is closed. The police won’t dig into what happened at the restaurant anymore.” Javier exhaled in relief. “Good… And the second call?” Sofia paused before meeting his gaze. “Lorenzo. He said Alicia started suspecting something. She doesn’t believe I’m dead. And he… he left for Palermo to stay out of sight.” Javier clenched his jaw, trying to mask the worry. “Damn… She’s starting to move. We’ll have to be even more careful.” “I know,” Sofia whispered. “But we’ll manage. We’ve come too far.” Javier pulled her closer, lowering his voice: “I won’t let her take you from me again. Not this time.” Sofia rested her head against his chest, letting his warmth calm her. “She definitely suspects something,” she whispered. “If Lorenzo felt the tension, it means it’s serious.” “We knew this secret wouldn’t last forever,” Javier said, running his fingers through her hair. “But we still have time. We just need to plan. Step by step.” “You think she’ll take action?” Sofia asked, lifting her eyes to his. “She never sits still. If she suspects something, she’s already digging. She might even send someone to check. Or…” “…or set another trap,” Sofia finished. “We can’t afford another one.” “And we won’t, Stellina,” he said softly. “But from now on, you’re not stepping outside without guards. Not one step alone.” “Even if I just go to the terrace for coffee?” “Even then,” he said with a half-smile, though his tone was firm. “Because you’re my universe. And I’m not risking losing you again.” Sofia leaned her forehead against his chest, allowing herself one quiet moment of peace. “Alright,” she whispered. “We’ll play this game… But this time—by our rules.”