Page 57 of Fierce Hearts

He sighed, hugging me tighter and nuzzling his face into my hair. The tenderness of the gesture made my chest ache.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked softly, his fingers threading through my hair and making my skin prickle in a welcome way.

"No, not really," I admitted. This was unfamiliar territory for me—waking up with someone who actually cared.

I'd never had a real relationship before. There had been casual flings, short-term encounters that satisfied physical needs without emotional entanglement. I'd convinced myself that was all I could ever have. My family background made anything more seem impossible.

And then there was Bryce.

My throat tightened at the memory. Not just from my nightmare, but the real memory behind it. The young man, only a year older than I was, whom I'd murdered on my father's orders. To prove myself worthy of the Savoca name, to prove my loyalty.

I'd fallen for him in school, given him my virginity, whispered secrets against his skin. Only to discover he was being used by the Malatestas—a rival family of ours in Ironstone, one that the Donatis had also had issues with after my family had left. There was belief they possibly were the ones behind my father's death ultimately, but they'd never claimed it. They were smarter than that. We’d never found out who had ultimately been behind his death.

Bryce had taken my heart, claimed to love me, and all the while, he'd been a rat.

So I'd killed him, even as he'd begged me not to.

I would never know if he'd truly loved me. But his death had been the catalyst that eventually drove me from my family. I'd pursued nursing, desperate to balance the badness I'd dealt by saving lives instead. To give back what I'd taken in a way.

"It's pretty early, but it's morning. Are you hungry?" Gray's question pulled me from the dark well of memories.

"Too worried to be hungry." I stared at the ceiling, reality crashing back. "I'm supposed to go with my uncle today for the proposal."

Gray sighed heavily, his breath warm against my skin. "I know. I wish I could say you don't have to, but we need the time we can buy with it." His hand slid to rest protectively over my stomach. "Breaking an engagement is easier than a marriage. Better than you turning down the proposal and putting yourself at risk. As long as you'll be safe there."

"I'll be as safe as can be. Can't go killing the bride-to-be before the wedding to forge the alliance," I said with a scoff. Neither party would be that stupid, and especially not in Donati or Malatesta territory. This city wasn't theirs, and they weren't about to forget it.

He shifted behind me. "I wish I could go with you, I don't like this at all."

I rolled over to face him, taking in his stubbled jaw and sleep-tousled hair. Even rumpled from sleep, he looked unfairly handsome. "I know you want to be there for me, to help, but this isn't your fight, this is my family."

Gray cupped my face, a smirk spreading across his face. "Sof, shut up." His tone was gentle despite his words. "We're in this together now, whether you like it or not."

I managed a small smile at this, finding comfort in him right now. I didn't want to do this alone, even though I didn't want anyone else to get hurt because of me.

But like he'd said, I couldn't make those choices for those around me.

His smirk faded into a soft smile as his thumb brushed over my cheek

"You know, Sof, I knew you were what I wanted long ago. Finally having you at the wedding sealed it for me. I tried to fight my feelings until now, but I won't anymore."

I blinked, staring at him, completely lost for words as my heart skipped several beats. He wanted me and had feelings for me for a long time? More than just our one night, more than some passing thing? Sure, I'd always been drawn to him too, but...

He pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I'm going to order some breakfast for you, I'm just going to run to the bathroom."

I watched him head into my ensuite, my mind reeling. Before I could process his declaration, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I grabbed it, my stomach dropping when I saw Ernesto's name.

Of course. Perfect timing, as always.

"Hello?"

"I'll be coming by within the hour to collect you." His voice was cold, businesslike. "Be dressed appropriately. You'll want to make a good impression for Juan Ference." With that, he hung up before I could respond.

Fantastic.

"Fuck." I closed my eyes, massaging my temple before I slid out of bed. Gray needed to be gone before he got here. I'd get this out of the way, and then I'd see what Gray and Leo thought was a good way to deal with this mess. I shoved down the sickness that rose at the idea of them getting involved and putting themselves in harm's way. I knew better than to think I could stop them.

But it sure as hell didn't mean I had to like it.

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