Shadows of Naples: Code Lightning.

The darkness in the corridor was thick, like the night air before a storm. Sofia kept her hand on her gun, her eyes fixed on the outline of the figure that appeared in the doorway. As she stepped forward, the light fell on her face. “Alícia…” Sofia whispered, her voice a mixture of surprise and anger. Alícia stood calmly, the same cold smile that had haunted Sofia in her dreams for so long. She appeared unarmed—or at least, that’s how it seemed. Her hands hung loosely at her sides, but a threat gleamed in her eyes. “So, my dear Sofia, you’re still alive. And you even came for your ‘little find,’” Alícia nodded toward Federico’s sister, who was being held by James, shielded by his body. “Step back, Alícia. The show is over,” Sofia said firmly. “Oh, on the contrary. It’s only beginning. This little meeting is just a prologue. Can you imagine how long I’ve waited for the moment we meet again?” Alícia took a few slow steps forward, closer to the light. “How do you like our little house? Cozy, isn’t it?” Javier raised his gun, but Sofia barely gestured for him to stop. “You still have a chance to walk away. We don’t want blood… not today,” Sofia said, though her voice trembled with tension. “Don’t want blood?” Alícia laughed dryly. “And what about all that’s already been spilled? Don’t be naive, Sofia. If you came, it means you’ve already made your choice.” Her eyes sparkled. “Now let’s see if you’re ready to pay its price.” In that instant, the corridor filled with noise—armed men appeared behind Alícia. Sofia shouted: “Now!” The first shots tore through the silence like ripped fabric. James and Javier covered Sofia and the girl, shooting fast and precise. Luca threw a smoke grenade, and everything was engulfed in thick white fog. Alícia vanished into the smoke like a shadow. “Back! To the black exit!” Javier shouted. They moved quickly, leaping over fallen guards. Bullets whistled past their ears, but they managed to reach the waiting truck. Sofia glanced back, hand pressed to her injured shoulder. She saw a figure emerge from the smoke—Alícia. Their eyes met, and for a moment, time stopped. Alícia smiled and whispered through the smoke: — We’ll meet again. This is only the beginning. The van doors slammed. The engine roared, and the team vanished into the night’s darkness. Behind them remained smoke, blood, and a woman who had once again turned their war into a personal game. --- The main gate of Javier’s mansion slowly opened, allowing the black van, which had just burst through fire and smoke, to enter. The vehicle stopped near the front entrance, and James immediately jumped out, opening the rear doors. “We’re home,” he rasped, his voice carrying an indescribable relief. Federico was already waiting on the steps. His face was pale, anxious, until he saw her—the small, exhausted girl with tear-streaked eyes. “Little sister…” he breathed. The girl froze, then rushed forward, hugging her brother as if afraid he would disappear again. He held her tightly, closing his eyes. “I thought I lost you,” he whispered. “I knew you’d save me,” she replied softly. In the living room, bathed in warm light, everyone felt, for a brief moment, that the world hadn’t completely fallen apart. Luca and James silently stepped aside, giving space to this reunion, their faces softening from the harsh tension of the previous hours. Javier turned to Sofia. She stood, slightly swaying, clutching her shoulder, already stained with blood. “You’re hurt,” he said seriously. “It’s nothing,” she replied, attempting a smile. “Not the first time.” “But today… it’s not nothing. Let’s go,” Javier said gently, taking her hand and leading her upstairs. His office was spacious, with dark wooden furniture and the scent of leather and coffee. He seated her in a chair by the bookshelf and brought out a first-aid kit. “Tell me if it hurts,” he muttered, focusing on the tools. “And if I say it hurts, will you stop?” she joked softly. “Maybe. But I can’t promise.” Sofia flinched slightly as he cleaned the wound, clenching her jaw instead of crying out. Javier noticed. “You always hide the pain like this?” he asked, bandaging her shoulder. “And you always care so much for the injured?” she replied, looking into his eyes. “Only for the special ones.” Her gaze softened a little. She gently placed her hand over his. “Thank you, Javier. Not just for the bandage.” He looked at her silently, but the ice was gone from his eyes—only warmth remained. The moment between them hung, quiet and sincere. Javier lowered the bandage, checking if it was tied too tight. Sofia stayed silent, her eyes fixed on his face. His hands touched her shoulder with a gentleness unbefitting the hardened mafioso everyone knew. “Sometimes I think…” she began softly, “…if it weren’t for all these wars and blood, we might have met differently. Somewhere in a café. Just… by chance.” Javier looked up at her. He didn’t smile, but there was a deep softness in his eyes. “If I had seen you in a café… I would have known immediately that I couldn’t walk past.” She chuckled lightly. “And I probably would have pretended not to notice. But I’d glance out the window, just to see if you were still there.” He leaned closer, slightly lowering his head. “And I would have waited… as long as it took.” Her breathing deepened. She slowly raised her hand, running her fingers along the edge of his jacket. “Javier…” He leaned closer, their faces now only inches apart, breath to breath. Their gaze was like a taut string, stretched to its limit. And then—click—the door opened. “Um… sorry…” came James’s familiar voice, then a brief pause. “Am I… intruding?” Javier slowly turned his head, still close to Sofia. She only gave a faint smile, not moving away. “No, it’s fine, James. Come in,” she said calmly, a playful note in her voice. James raised an eyebrow, understanding everything, and carefully stepped back: “Then… I’ll just leave this on the table and… disappear.” He placed a folder on the edge of the desk, nodded, and left quietly, closing the door behind him. Javier chuckled softly. “Maybe fate is hinting that it’s too early.” She met his gaze. “Or maybe—it’s just telling us not to waste the moment when it comes again.” Their eyes met again. This time—without words. Sofia looked at the closed door where James had disappeared, then turned to Javier. He stood very close, silent, yet his eyes radiated tender confidence. “So…” he said in a low voice, “where were we?” Sofia didn’t answer with words. Her eyes, full of emotions, spoke for her. She stepped forward, closing the tiny distance between them. His hand brushed her cheek, fingers slid to her neck, her palm rested on his chest. And in that moment, they kissed. Not restrained. Not cautious. It was a kiss that carried everything—fear, tension, tenderness, desire, and the forbidden feeling that had grown between them for so long. A kiss that broke barriers and erased lines between enemies and lovers. She hugged him tighter, feeling her heart beat in unison with his. Her back pressed against the edge of the desk, and Javier gently held her to him, lips never parting. For that moment, there was no war, no plans, no betrayal—only the two of them.