Page 60 of Fierce Hearts

"I negotiated what you wanted," he said, signaling for the check. "You can continue your work as a nurse, and you'll be permitted to return to Ironstone to visit your friends when you wish. Isn't that what you asked for?"

I bit my tongue. Yes, I'd asked for those things when it became clear I had no choice about the marriage itself. But I hadn't seen the full agreement, hadn't been consulted on any other terms. And I wasn't about to trust Ernesto any more than I'd trust a rattlesnake.

"There's nothing else you need to fret about," Ernesto continued, his tone suggesting the matter was closed.

I ground my teeth, knowing that snapping at him was futile. Besides, this whole thing was just to buy time. This wasn't going to happen.

It couldn't.

The drive back to my house passed in tense silence. I stared out the window, watching the countryside give way to suburbs and then to the familiar streets of Ironstone. The weight of the ring on my finger felt heavier with each passing mile, but I tried to focus on Gray's words, on his promise to make sure this didn't happen.

I hated relying on others, but right now, I was out of options.

When Ernesto's car finally pulled up to my house, he turned to me with an expression that almost resembled sympathy. "This is for the best, Sofia. For the family."

I didn't bother responding. What was there to say? And we both knew how he truly felt. This was all working out exactly how he wanted it to be. I was just a pawn to him, a means to an end.

I stepped out of the car without a backward glance and walked to my front door. Only when I heard Ernesto's car pull away did I let my shoulders slump.

The moment I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, Grayson appeared from the living room. He trailed his gaze over me, looking for a single hair out of place. He seemed content with his assessment as he strode over to me, pulling me into his arms.

I melted into his warmth, his strong arms anchoring me to him, filling me with a sense of safety as I let the tension drain away.

"How did it go?" he asked, his voice gentle as he kissed my temple, like this was our life every day.

I looked down at the monstrosity on my finger, my blood burning once more. "I feel like my life has just been stripped away. I know it's just to buy time, but…"

"That's not the case," he said firmly, his arms tightening around me. "We won't let that happen."

"I know."

"Leo and I are sorting it out," he murmured into my hair. "We're going to fix this."

I wanted to believe him. God, how I wanted to. But a small part of me was filled with doubt. Juan Ference and my uncle were powerful men, and they'd not take kindly to any meddling.

"I'll be staying with you for a while," he added, his voice rumbling against my ear where it pressed to his chest.

That snapped me out of my momentary weakness. I pulled back, staring up at him. "What? Why?"

"To make sure you're looked after and safe." His eyes flicked between mine, hardened with resolve. "Especially while you're carrying my child."

"I can take care of myself," I muttered, my walls slamming back into place. I didn't want to need him. Needing people only led to disappointment. Meredith had been the only one I'd allowed past my walls, and letting Gray in fully was not something I was ready for. Not yet.

Accepting his help, telling him the truth, they'd been hard things to do.

But pretty much moving in? That was something that was supposed to be a conversation.

"I know you can," he said as he cupped my cheek. "But you don't have to do it alone. I want to help you, Sofia."

"So what? You're just moving in without talking to me about it first?" I arched a brow at him as I took a step back.

"Sof, are you upset that I want to be there for you?"

"No, I'm upset you think you can call the shots in my own house!"

Without waiting for his response, I headed upstairs to my bedroom. The moment I stepped through the doorway, I froze. A suitcase sat on the floor near my dresser, clearly packed with men's clothing.

Gray appeared in the doorway behind me. "I had some of my things brought over already, maybe we should?—"

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