Page 108 of Fierce Hearts

Juan nodded. "This is for the best. I assume the Donati family has been informed of our arrangement?"

"They have been," a familiar voice said from behind me.

I turned to see Leo entering the room, and confusion coursed through me. He was supposed to be with Gray. What was he doing here? What was going on?

He moved past me, heading towards the two men of the hour.

I tried to hide my shock, but considering Ernesto's smug look, I'd not covered it fast enough.

"Leonardo," Ernesto greeted him as he stood to the side of the table. "I'm pleased you could join us."

"I wouldn't miss it," Leo said, his face unreadable.

Ernesto turned back to me. "You see, Sofia? Everything is falling into place."

My skin prickled with unease as I glanced at Leo. Something wasn't right.

"Did you handle all the hospital arrangements?" Ernesto asked Leo.

Leo nodded. "It's been taken care of."

What hospital arrangements? My mind swam as my stomach twisted even more. This wasn't part of the plan.

Ernesto's smile widened. "I think it's time we put our cards on the table, don't you?" He gestured to the Ference man who had escorted me in. The man placed my handbag on the table and pulled out a knife.

My breath caught. I hadn't put that there. My mother—had she? No, that made no sense. She knew they'd search me.

But no one else had had access to my handbag.

Had it been planted? No, there was no logical reason for it being planted.

Why? Was everyone lying to my face? Was everyone playing me?

"Did you really think you could kill me in a room full of people, Sofia?" Ernesto asked, amused. "I'm disappointed. Your father taught you better than that."

I glanced at Leo, trying to read his expression. Had he betrayed us? Betrayed Gray and Meredith? I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't. They trusted him, Gray had trusted the life of his sister to him, and Meredith had married him.

He couldn't possibly be playing us all, right?

I decided to trust the plan, even if I no longer understood what it was.

"You'd be surprised what a woman with my medical background could accomplish," I said coolly.

Ernesto laughed. "Juan, it seems your new wife has spirit. You can break that however you see fit."

Sickness churned in my gut as Juan smirked.

One of Ernesto's men approached Ernesto, leaning down to whisper in his ear. Ernesto nodded, his smile growing.

"Ah, perfect timing. The family wanted to be here when you learned the truth, Sofia. You don't have the connections you think you do."

The door opened again, and my heart hammered wildly as Caterina and Julia entered, followed by several trusted family members—the very people who had promised to support me, that Caterina had said would back me. Had they turned? Was this all falling apart?

I hated not knowing what was going on now.

"As you can see," Ernesto continued, "your little rebellion has been crushed before it began." He turned to Leo. "The Donatis were quite eager to solidify our alliance, gain the assets and connections we could grant, all for a little bit of blood."

My blood ran cold, my mind spinning.

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