Chapter 2 RELUCTANT EMPRESS

The night air seemed to hold its breath as Sophia's Tesla drove through the Ricci estate's iron gates. A warning prickled over her skin: tonight will change everything.

Just complete the lecture and head home. Do not get sucked in.

However, her father's urgent summons could not be ignored. Not when Antonio Ricci uses terms like "crucial" and "future of our family."

The mansion loomed before her, a testament to the blood money that her father had laundered into legitimacy over the years. The windows shone with light, an odd sight for a Tuesday evening. Her stomach constricted. Whatever it was, it wasn't simply dinner.

Sophia smoothed her charcoal pencil skirt and straightened her back when Marco, her father's most trusted guard, opened the thick oak door. The familiar aroma of lemon polish and Brunello wine rushed over her.

"Dr. Ricci," Marco nodded with extraordinary respect. "They're waiting in the dining room."

They?

Her heels clicked against the marble as she followed Marco through the large lobby. Voices whispered behind the closed doors of the formal dining room, which was only used for large family gatherings and business discussions.

Sophia breathed deeply. She had escaped this world once. She built her own life. Whatever her father desired, she would gently decline and go on her way.

When Marco opened the door, all talk ceased.

The long mahogany table shone under crystal lights. Her father, Antonio Ricci, sat at the head, his silver hair slicked back and his black suit perfect. His aged face lit up at the sight of her, yet the weight in his eyes persisted. Five of her father's capos, or highest-ranking lieutenants, surrounded him. Uncle Vito ran the docks. Cousin Paolo took charge of their company building. Leonardo ran the nightclubs. Giuseppe handled "security." Dominic is her father's consigliere.

Only family gatherings and war councils brought them all together.

"Sophia," her father said as he stood with arms out. "My beautiful, brilliant girl."

She accepted his hug, the familiar aroma of expensive cologne and cigars surrounding her. "Father. When you mentioned dinner, I had no idea we'd have company.

His low chuckle did not reach his eyes. "Some matters require witnesses."

Dominick pulled out the chair to Antonio's right, her mother's former seat. Sophia's heart raced with worry as she reflected on her honorable status.

"Please," Antonio motioned. "Sit. "We have a lot to talk about."

Sophia took a seat, very aware of the men's admiring gaze. "I have midterms to grade tonight, so I hope this won't take long."

A server approached and poured deep red wine into her glass, while others handed out antipasti platters.

"Always rushing," Antonio said, shaking his head. "Academia has made you impatient, cara mia."

"It's kept me busy," she replied, keeping eye contact. "And fulfilled."

"Fulfilled," Uncle Vito scoffed. "Teaching economic theories to spoiled brats who've never had to earn a dollar."

Sophia's jaw stiffened. "I prefer to call them the future business leaders of America."

"Let's not argue before we've even started our meal," Antonio said calmly. "We're here to celebrate tonight."

"Celebrate what?" Sophia's gut was filled with dread. Antonio lifted a glass. "To the future of the Ricci family."

The others lifted their glasses. Sophia hesitantly followed suit.

"For thirty-five years," Antonio explained, "I've created this company into what it is today. Our reputable enterprises thrive. Our protection extends throughout the Midwest."Our name commands respect."

Murmurs of agreement circle around the table.

"But no man lives forever," he continued, his tone becoming melancholy. "And succession must be planned carefully."

Sophia's wine glass had frozen halfway to her lips. Is that what this was about? She had believed that her cousin Marco would eventually take over. He had been working alongside Antonio for years.

"Father-" she began.

Antonio raised his hand. "Let me finish, Cara." He looked around the table. "I've considered every alternative. Marco lacked vision. Paolo is excessively hot-headed. And putting in outside leadership would undermine what we've accomplished.

The man shifted unfortunately .Power transitions were typically risky times for organizations like theirs.

"The Racci family requires someone with intelligence. Strategic thinking. Someone familiar with both traditional and modern economic practices." Antonio's dark eyes fixed on hers. "Someone like my daughter."

Silence echoed around the room. Sophia's heartbeat thundered in her ears.

"No." The word escaped before she could adjust her tone. "Not."

"Sophia-" "I left this life for a reason." She carefully set down her glass. "I created my path. I teach. I publish. I have tenure. "I am legitimate."

"And how do you think you attended those Ivy League schools?" Paolo sneered. "The family paid your way."

"I earned scholarships-"

"Which covered a fraction," Antonio said gently. "Everything you have, everything you've achieved, was built on the foundation this family provided.

"The sincerity of his comments ached. Even though she withdrew herself, she profited from Ricci's money, connections, and security.

"I have no interest in running a criminal enterprise,"

she stated, her voice falling. "I'm not equipped for it."

"Not a criminal enterprise," Antonio clarified. "An empire in transition." You have the ideal foundation to finish what I started: making our enterprises entirely legitimate over the next decade."

Sophia stared at him. "You expect me to think you want to get clean? "

After all these years?" Antonio leaned forward, his voice falling to a near whisper. "Times are changing. The traditional ways are no longer profitable. We need to evolve or die. And you, with your economics doctorate and business connections, are uniquely qualified to drive that evolution."

"This is insane," Sophia said, pushing back her chair. "Find someone else."

"There is no one else!" Antonio's composure finally broke. "No one with your mind, your education, your understanding of both worlds."

"I won't do it."

"Blood is blood, Sophia," Dominick explained calmly. "You can't escape who you are."

"Watch me." She stood.

"Sit down," Antonio demanded, his tone leaving no space for debate. "You haven't heard everything yet."

Something in his voice-vulnerability beneath the steel-caused her to softly lower herself back into the chair.

"I'm dying, Sophia."

The entire globe tilted. "What?"

Pancreatic cancer. "Stage four." His expression remained stony. "Six months, maybe eight."

Grief and shock met in her chest. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" We may obtain other perspectives and treatments-"

"I have seen the best specialists. "It is too advanced." He reached for her hand. "I've made peace with it. But I can't die peacefully knowing that everything I've built will collapse in chaos and slaughter."

Tears welled up behind her eyes. Despite everything, even her rejection of his world, she adored her father.

"The Salvatore family is already making moves," Giuseppe reported coldly. They believe Antonio is getting feeble. This morning, they hijacked one of our shipments on the south side.

Antonio nodded. "Vultures circle when they sense weakness. Without a clear succession plan, we will be at war within weeks after my death. Dozens will die. Businesses will burn. And everything I've built-everything intended for you-will be in ashes."

"Emotional manipulation won't work on me," Sophia said quietly, her heart squeezed.

"This is not manipulation. Reality." Antonio's eyes drilled into hers. "You possess the education and intelligence to reform this organization. Make it something you'll be proud of. "Something truly legitimate."

"And if I still refuse?"

The room became deathly quiet. "Then I have no heir," Antonio replied simply. "And everything burns."

Before Sophia could react, the dining room doors sprang open. Marco hurried in, his face ashen.

"Boss," he panted. "We just received word. The Salvatores have taken hostages at our Kinzie warehouse"They're demanding a meeting."

Every man at the table tensed, automatically reaching for concealed weapons.

Antonio's gaze never left Sophia's face. "Cara Mia, this is your first decision as my heir. "Do we negotiate or retaliate?"

Six pairs of eyes focused on her, waiting, judging, condemning, or accepting her next words.

Sophia sensed the invisible chains of her birthright tightening around her. The life she'd created, the freedom she'd won, were falling under the weight of blood obligation.

There was no getting away. Not tonight. Not with her father dying and enemies approaching the gate.

The Ricci empire would have its empress, whether she desired the crown or not.