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She grinned, taking my hand in a firm grip. “Guilty as charged. Mind if I join you?”

I gestured to the empty stool beside me. “Be my guest.”

As Sofia settled onto the seat, I took a moment to study her. She was younger than Dante, probably in her mid-twenties, with a fresh-faced beauty that belied the darkness of her family name. From what I remembered from the files, she was the only Reyes not directly involved in the cartel’s illegal activities.

“So, Eva,” Sofia began, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “I have to ask - what’s the deal with you and my brother?”

I nearly choked on my drink, caught off guard by her bluntness. “I’m sorry?”

She waved a hand, laughing. “Oh, come on. I saw the way he was looking at you the other night. And he hasn’t stopped talking about you. Dante doesn’t get that...intense about just anyone.”

I bit my lip, choosing my words carefully. “To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. We only just met.”

Sofia nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Well, whatever it is, it’s got him all twisted up. I haven’t seen him this distracted in... well, ever. And I think it’s good for him.”

I felt some satisfaction at her words, even as I tried to tamp it down. Dante’s interest in me was a means to an end for me, nothing more. But as I studied Sofia’s face, I saw nothing but sincerity in her warm brown eyes.

“It’s just refreshing, you know?” she continued, leaning closer as if sharing a secret. “Seeing Dante with someone like you instead of those escort women he usually hangs around with.”

I raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. “Escort women?”

Sofia waved a hand, rolling her eyes. “Oh, you know the type. All flash and no substance. They are just arm candy. But you? You seem different. Real.”

I fought back a twinge of guilt at her words. If only she knew the truth - that I was the furthest thing from real, that my entire persona was a carefully crafted lie designed to infiltrate her family’s inner circle.

But I couldn’t let my true feelings show. Instead, I offered Sofia a small, enigmatic smile. “I’m flattered that you think so, Sofia. But like I said, Dante and I barely know each other.”

“Well, we’ll just have to change that, won’t we?” she said, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I have the perfect idea.”

I tilted my head, curious despite myself. “Oh? Do tell.”

“Every couple of months, my family gets together at our estate in Palm Beach. It’s an entire weekend of sun, fun, and way too much tequila.” She grinned, her excitement evident. “You should come with us!”

I blinked, taken aback by the unexpected invitation. A chance to spend an entire weekend with the Reyes family in the heart of their inner sanctum? It was an opportunity I couldn’t afford to pass up.

But I couldn’t appear too eager. I had to play my cards just right.

“Oh, Sofia, I don’t know,” I said, hesitating. “I wouldn’t want to intrude on your family time. And I’m sure Dante wouldn’t want me there.”

Sofia scoffed, waving away my protests. “Nonsense! You wouldn’t be intruding at all. And trust me, Dante would love to have you there. He’s just too stubborn to ask you himself.”

I hesitated, letting the moment stretch out as if I were genuinely considering her offer. My mind was jumping in excitement, already planning my next move.

“I don’t know, Sofia,” I said again, my voice soft and unsure. “It’s a lovely offer, but...”

“No buts!” she declared, her eyes sparkling with determination. “I insist. You’re coming with us, and that’s final. Dante will just have to deal with it.”

I let out a little laugh, shaking my head in defeat. “Well, how can I refuse when you put it that way?”

Sofia beamed, clapping her hands together in delight. “Perfect! I’ll text you the details. Oh, this is going to be so much fun. You’ll love Palm Beach, Eva. And I know you and Dante will hit it off.”

I smiled back at her, letting her enthusiasm wash over me. If only she knew the actual reason behind my acceptance, the dangerous game I was playing.

But I couldn’t dwell on that. I had to focus on the task at hand, on the opportunity that had just fallen into my lap. A weekend with the Reyes family, a chance to observe them in their natural habitat, to gather intel that could bring their entire empire crashing down.

I knew it was a risk, but it was a calculated one, a gamble I was willing to take.

However, getting close to Dante was one thing, but being invited into the family’s private world? That level of intimacy raised the stakes in ways I wasn’t entirely prepared for. I needed Agent Morrow to help me plan my next move.