While James was heading back to the hospital the tension was thick elsewhere.
"We need to accept the truth…this is over." Marco De Luca said, pacing back and forth in the room, biting his fingernails.
"We are still the Circle, and we will remain as we were before." Sophia said to Marco, but he neither listened nor looked at her.
"That’s not true." Isabella Russo said, her gaze fixed on Sophia. "Victor is dead, and James almost died too. But worst of all, they killed Rafael. And I’m sure he won’t give a damn about us when he burns the city down."
Marco stopped and looked at them. "That’s true. He didn’t even tell us about Lucian’s daughter, nor that he was planning to leave the market." He stepped closer to the table. "And don’t forget, you were the target, not Hans and Rafael."
"Yeah, and we were lucky we didn’t leave our houses that day." Isabella added.
Sophia stayed silent for a moment, deep in thought.
She knew it was true, she could have died. But what weighed on her most was the guilt. She felt responsible for Hans and Rafael’s deaths. She had been the one who asked Hans to come to her house for those documents.
"Not only that, but Victor was the one holding everything together. If we can even call it that, he was our leader, the key element in all of this. If he were still alive, we could’ve restrained James… but now he’s dead." Marco slammed his hands on the table.
"I think it’s time to say goodbye and leave the Circle." Isabella said. "With Victor, we had the upper hand, more people, more information. But without him, James could wipe us out at any time, and I’m sure his anger blinds him."
"Exactly!" Marco agreed. "He was the kind of boss who stayed in the shadows, controlling everything from behind. But now, as Isabella said, his rage has blinded him. Maybe he’s already started killing off whoever he finds. And that just puts us even more in the government’s crosshairs."
The room was suffocating, thick with unspoken fears and the weight of everything that had collapsed around them.
"We need to be realistic about this. Staying here is suicide. James is not the same man he was before."
Sophia’s gaze snapped to him. "Oh? And what exactly does that mean?"
Marco runed toward her. "It means he’s lost it. You saw what happened! He barely survived! Rafael is dead! Victor is dead! And you want to pretend like everything is fine?"
Sophia tilted her head. "You think James lost something?" She let out a laugh shaking her head. "No, Marco. He found something. You just don’t like what it is."
"Are you even listening to yourself?" Isabella asked, leaning forward. "He almost died in the street, Sophia! You think he’s thinking straight? You think he’s going to let all this go and act like nothing happened?"
Sophia’s smirk didn’t falter. "I don’t need him to act like nothing happened. I want him to remember. And when he does, there won’t be a city left standing."
Marco let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "And you think that’s a good thing?"
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"James is the only one who understands what it takes to stay on top. He’s not playing games anymore." She said.
Marco’s jaw tightened as he threw his arms up in frustration. "Jesus Christ, Sophia, do you hear yourself? The government is breathing down our necks! The feds, they’re all waiting for an excuse to wipe us out!".
"Then let them try."
Isabella let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You’ve lost it."
"No." Sophia looked at her deep into her eyes. "You two are the ones who are lost."
"We’re done, Sophia. This entire thing is over. Victor is gone. We had power, information, connections, now, we have nothing."
Sophia laughed. "You think you had power? You had comfort. You had Victor playing leader, telling you what to do, protecting you like children. Now that he’s gone, you’re scared."
Marco’s hands clenched into fists. "You’d rather die than admit this is over, wouldn’t you?"
"You think James cares if we live or die?" Isabella cut in with frustration. "You think he’s sitting there, planning on how to keep us safe? He’s going to come back and see that we’re just obstacles. And then what?" She leaned closer. "Do you really think he won’t pull the trigger on us?"
Sophia didn’t blink. "I don’t need him to care." She tilted her head. "I just need him to win."
Marco’s face twisted with barely contained anger. "We were the Circle, Sophia! We built this! We were on top and ruled the city!"
"No, Marco. He built this. He let you play pretend, but it was always his game."
Marco entire body was tense, his eyes darting to Isabella, who looked just as tense as he did.
Finally, after a long pause, Sophia spoke again.
"Go. Run. Hide. See how far that gets you." She looked at Marco. "But if you think for a second I’m going to betray the only man who ever gave a fuck about me, you’re dead wrong."
"You’re going to fight for him?" Isabella asked.
"No." She smiled. "I’m going to fight against you."
Isabella and Marco stiffened.
"You think James is your enemy?" Sophia continued. "Then I am your enemy too. And trust me, Marco, Isabella…" her voice dropped to a whisper. "...you won’t survive this war."
Marco shook his head and started laughing into Sophia’s face.
"Silas Ricci, Dante Castillo, and Damien Montoya." He stepped closer to Sophia. "I’m pretty damn sure they’ve formed an alliance too. What do you think happens when a crazy ass weapons smuggler, who deals in fuckin’ RPGs notice that James is vulnerable.
Isabella’s eyes widened slightly. She had considered the possibility, but hearing Marco say it out loud made it real.
Marco continued, "It’s not just James we have to worry about. It’s the entire goddamn underworld! If James goes off the deep end, if he keeps pushing the way you think he will, Ricci and the others won’t hesitate to wipe out whatever’s left of us."
Sophia tilted her head, her expression eerily calm. "Let them come."
"You’re insane. Absolutely fucking insane."
Sophia’s smirk didn’t waver. "You’re the one who’s scared, Marco. You’re talking like a man who’s already lost."
"Because we have lost, Sophia!" Marco snapped, stepping even closer. "James…he’s not the same! You keep acting like he’s some invincible force, but he’s not! He’s a man…a man who’s wounded, a man who’s blinded by rage. And you think that’s a good thing?"
Sophia’s eyes darkened. "It is when the people responsible are still breathing."
Isabella shook her head while standing up. "You’re not listening. We’re not talking about getting revenge, Sophia. We’re talking about survival. Even if James somehow tears through everything, what happens when the government steps in even more? The military, the special forces, we are not untouchable even if some of them are in James’ pocket, there will always be someone that pretends like a hero."
As she finished it she walked toward Marco who had already opened the door.
"You’re bitches."
They stopped looking back at Sophia.
"Bitches who just leeched off James. His pockets are so deep, you two can’t even fucking imagine the sheer power he holds. And yet, you two, running your mouths, saying you know him?"
Marco smiled again looking into her eyes. "You think sucking his dick makes you better than us?"
Sophia laughed. "No, Marco. I think not betraying him makes me better than you…and well if he wants it I suck it without a question." She winked at him.
Isabella scoffed. "Betraying him? Are you even listening to yourself? We’re trying to survive!"
"By running? By acting like cowards the moment things get tough? That’s not survival, Isabella. That’s just pathetic."
Marco stepped closer, his hands curling into fists. "You act like you’re loyal, but you’re just blind. James doesn’t give a fuck about us, Sophia. He didn’t even tell us about Lucian’s daughter." He stepped closer. "He didn’t tell us he was planning to leave the fucking market! We were nothing to him, and you still want to sit there and act like he’s some kind of god?"
Sophia’s smirk didn’t waver. If anything, it grew sharper. "And yet, here you are, still talking about him like he’s the only thing that matters. Funny how that works."
Isabella crossed her arms. "James isn’t untouchable, Sophia. You know that, right? You keep acting like he’s going to walk back in and fix everything, but what if he doesn’t?"
"Then I’ll still stand by his side." Sophia said firmly.
"You’re willing to die for him?"
"No, Marco. I’m willing to kill for him. And that’s the difference between me and you."
Silence.
"Lucian was one of the biggest mafia bosses. He had everything in his pocket, the police, the judges, agents, and yet he still got arrested and stabbed to death like nobody." He looked deep into Sophia’s eyes. "But before that when he was at the top you know what happened right? He got paranoid, started killing off his own allies. That’s exactly what James is walking into, Sophia."
She stood up for the first time and stepped before Marco.
"James isn’t Lucian…" She said looking into Marco’s eyes, "...he is much worse."
"You’re insane."
Sophia only smiled. "And you’re a bitch."
For a second, it looked like he might snapm but instead, he turned away.
"We’re no longer part of the Circle." He looked back. "And when the day comes, I will pull the trigger without hesitation."
Sophia’s smile widened. "Then you better hope that day never comes." She took a slow step forward, her smile never fading. "Because if that day comes, Marco, you won’t get the chance to pull the trigger."
She went past them and added.
"Enjoy your life while you can."
With that, the Circle that was created to restrain James crumbled to pieces.
Those who were once allies became enemies.