Page 100 of Fierce Hearts

"I will give you my blessing, as long as you promise to always stand by her and make sure the Savoca ways change."

"Thank you."

Relief swept through me as she patted my hand, offering me a soft smile. "I think, when you decide to ask her, you should do so with this." Gabriella slid a ring off her finger and offered it to me. It looked old yet elegant, the main diamond glistening in the center, rubies embedding in the gold on either side. "It was my mother's, she was a woman Sofia would have adored, the Passeri were much like your own family I believe, and my parents were devoted to one another. Their love was one I hope you both mirror, powerful yet gentle."

"Thank you." I took the ring, smiling as I turned it in my fingers.

"It's a family piece, she used to love it when she was younger, she wears several of her Grandmother's rings from my side already. I told her stories about her grandparents a lot when Antonio wasn't around. She will adore it." Gabriella's face was a mix of emotions, her eyes glistening softly.

"It's perfect, thank you." I pursed my lips and offered it back. "Perhaps I can get it off you after I'm out of the hospital? I don't exactly have pockets right now."

She chuckled and shook her head as she took it back. "Of course, I'll get a box for it too."

"So what now?" I asked after a moment, looking to Leo, hating how helpless I felt while Sofia was getting things done.

"You get better. Fast. Because she's going to need you at full strength for what's coming." Leo didn't bother to sugarcoat it. It wasn't something he knew how to do.

"Then get me whatever I need to make that happen. Pain meds, physical therapy, whatever they say will get me better fast. I'm not spending one more day in this bed than absolutely necessary."

A hint of a smile crossed Leo's face. "There he is. I was wondering when the stubborn bastard I know would show up."

"Never left," I replied. "Just took a short nap."

I would be there for Sofia and our child. No matter what it took, no matter what I had to sacrifice. They were my family now, and I would protect them with my last breath if necessary.

But first, I had to heal.

CHAPTER26

SOFIA

Ispent most of the day at Grayson's bedside, my fingers intertwined with his as he drifted in and out of consciousness. They'd put him on medication that was helping him with pain, but it was also making him sleep. The steady beep of the heart monitor had become a comforting sound, each tone confirming he was still with me.

To think I'd come so close to losing him. I'd really come to want him around, falling hard for him.

I couldn't lose him.

"You need to go," Meredith whispered, checking her watch. "Daniel's waiting downstairs."

I pressed my lips to Gray's forehead. "I'll be back soon."

His eyelids fluttered. "Be careful," he murmured, his voice heavy with sleep. A part of me wished I could succumb to such a medicated sleep as well, to slip into comforting dreams away from this reality.

"Always am." I squeezed his hand one last time before grabbing my purse.

I needed to be the strong one now, for both of us, and the little one I was growing.

Daniel stood by a black SUV in the hospital parking lot, his face masked as he opened the door for me. "Ms. Savoca."

"Thank you, Daniel. For killing that bastard earlier." I slid into the passenger seat.

"Just doing my job." He started the engine.

"I know, but still, thank you."

"Any time, Ms. Savoca."

The drive to the agreed meeting place was quiet, the latest hit songs playing softly over the radio as I mulled over how this meeting would go. Julia and Caterina were both on board, ready to deal with Ernesto, but we needed to figure out exactly how it would be done, how to make sure no one else was hurt by him or in the crossfire.

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