Page 68 of Fierce Hearts

Leo moved to stand beside Meredith, sliding his arm around her waist, his expression unreadable. "Gray around? We're here to speak with him."

"He's taking a call." I didn’t want to say how I wanted to be in the know if it was in regard to me. I wasn’t going to go pushing against the head of the Donati family.

As if summoned, Gray appeared behind me, and I stepped aside.

"Perfect timing," Canzio said, his voice carrying the weight of authority despite its casual tone. "Grayson, we need to talk. Leonardo has some updates."

"Of course, Sofia, is it okay if they come inside?" Gray asked, and I nodded, finding it sweet that he was asking me and not just inviting them in.

"Great, follow me." Gray flicked his head, and the two other men filed past me, although Meredith remained.

"I brought some donuts, thought we could use them," she said as she bent over to pick up a bag I'd not even noticed.

"Sounds good." I turned and headed for the living area, Meredith following along and joining me as I sunk onto the couch.

"So, how is it having Gray around? I feel like we'd be bickering like mad," she said with a grin, attempting to ease the tension settling over us.

"He's great, actually. Helps out a lot." I stared after the men to where they'd disappeared down the hall.

"Guess he has to step it up with a baby on the way," she said as she opened the donut bag and offered me one. "How are you handling it all, Sof? And don't say it's fine."

"What am I supposed to say, Mer? It's a hard situation all around," I murmured, taking a donut but casting glances down the hall. "Any idea what they're talking about?"

"They wouldn't say, but they have a plan," she answered before taking a bite out of her donut.

"Wonder how much blood will be spilled with their plan," I muttered as I lifted the pink glazed donut to my lips. "I hate not knowing what's going on."

"I know, same here," Meredith said with a sigh as she followed my gaze down the hall. "I wish I could fix it all for you right now."

I smiled softly, turning my attention to her, knowing that worrying over whatever they were talking about was going to get me nowhere.

"How's the theater restoration coming along?" I asked in an effort to distract myself.

Meredith's face brightened, and I knew she was ready to find a way to keep my mind busy. "It's amazing, Sofia. We've uncovered the original moldings beneath all that awful 1970s paneling. And the stage—you should see it. Leo found a restoration specialist who worked on Broadway theaters."

"That's wonderful." I meant it, despite everything. Especially with how she was lighting up as she spoke about it.

"The main chandelier arrives next week. Imported from Italy. We’re using the old original one for one area, but this one is for the main area. And the seats—" She stopped, studying my face. "Are you actually listening and keeping your mind busy? Am I actually distracting you, or just filling the room with words?"

I smiled and shook my head. "I am, actually. It's nice to hear about normal things. Beautiful things being restored instead of lives falling apart."

Meredith took my hand, her green eyes serious. "Do you need to talk? Really talk? I'm here, Sofia. Whatever you need to get off your chest."

The lump in my throat made it hard to swallow. "I just—I feel like such a mess, Mer. Everything's happening so fast. The pregnancy, Gray moving in, this engagement with Juan..." I lowered my voice, glancing down the hall. "It all happened so quickly. And now the Donatis are involved. I never wanted to drag anyone into my family's problems."

"You didn't drag anyone anywhere," Meredith insisted. "Gray chose this. We all did."

Before I could respond, the doorbell rang again.

Leo appeared from the hall instantly. "I'll get it."

I exchanged a look with Meredith. We weren't expecting anyone else.

Leo returned moments later, holding a cream-colored envelope between two fingers like it might be contaminated. His expression had darkened.

"Special delivery," he said, handing it to me as I stood.

The heavy card-stock felt expensive, the Ference family crest embossed in gold on the back flap. I slid my finger under the seal and pulled out an invitation.

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