Page 71 of Fierce Hearts

"Promise me you'll be careful," I said, looking up at him. "All of you."

"We always are," Leo answered, which wasn't the reassurance I was looking for.

Meredith moved to my side, taking my hand. "It's going to be okay, Sofia. They know what they're doing." Although even her voice betrayed her own unease at the situation.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The weight of everything—the pregnancy, the engagement, the revelation about Ernesto possibly killing Marco—pressed down on me.

Canzio checked his watch. "We should go. I have another meeting across town." He turned to me. "Sofia, it was a pleasure to finally meet you properly."

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Donati."

"Canzio, please. We're family now, in a way." He nodded at me before focusing on Leo.

As Leo and Canzio headed for the door, Meredith hung back. "I'll come by tomorrow, okay? Girls' day. No crime family talk allowed."

I managed a smile. "I'd like that."

She hugged me tightly before following the others.

Gray walked them out, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more. I sank back onto the couch, the forgotten invitation discarded onto the coffee table by Gray. One week until I had to go to this engagement announcement before a bunch of the Ference family and my own. One week for Gray and the Donatis to gather whatever evidence they needed against Ernesto.

One week before everything changed again.

CHAPTER18

SOFIA

The pale blue dress Meredith had helped me pick out felt like armor—beautiful, delicate armor that did nothing to protect me from the eyes that followed my every move. I stood in the grand ballroom of the Sharville estate, clutching a flute of sparkling water that I wished was champagne. The Sharville estate, a place used to host many events, was right in between the two cities of Ironstone and Vintmere, so it had been chosen as the ideal location, a neutral place for such a gathering of the two families. The crystal chandeliers overhead cast everything in a deceptive golden glow, as if we were celebrating something joyous rather than the sale of my future.

"You're doing great," Meredith whispered, appearing at my side in a stunning emerald dress that matched her eyes. "Just keep breathing."

"I'm doing my best, I hate it." I took another sip of my water, scanning the room for Gray as I ran my thumb over the band of the engagement ring I wore. I'd not touched it since the day I'd picked it off the bed and set it on my nightstand, but it had mocked me every single day I'd woken up and seen it. Now, I had to showcase it to the world.

Gray stood several feet away, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored black suit. Our eyes met briefly before he turned back to his conversation with another guest. We'd agreed to keep our distance tonight until necessary—he was here as Meredith's plus-one, not mine.

Thankfully, no one recognized him. After all, these were the crime families, who dealt with the faces of the illegitimate sides of their businesses. Not the legitimate ones, where Gray would only be known from.

"Any word from Leo?" I asked Meredith.

She checked her phone. "They're close. A few minutes away."

Juan Ference finally approached, appearing from the crowd, his expensive cologne announcing his arrival before he reached us. He wore a white dinner jacket that looked straight out of a Bond film, complete with a crimson pocket square that matched the family crest displayed throughout the room. A man who wanted everyone to know exactly who he was.

"Sofia, you look radiant." He took my hand without permission, his lips lingering too long against my skin. "Everyone is waiting to meet you. Please, let us meet with our guests."

"Of course." I nodded at Meredith as Juan took my arm, leading me around to meet with the many guests. I plastered on a smile, making small talk and remaining civil despite how my skin crawled and sickness swam in my gut.

"Sofia, this is my father, Pietro, and my mother, Francesca."

I smiled at the older couple, his father moving in to kiss each cheek, his mother following suit. I found myself staring at her, at the worn lines of her face and the glassy look in her eye. A woman hiding in her own skin, I realized, plastering on the same fake smile I wore.

"You're a beautiful woman, I'm sure you'll provide us with equally beautiful children," Pietro said, his gaze rolling over me in a way that made me want to recoil. His accent was far thicker than Juan's, and I could tell his dark hair was just a toupee to hide his balding. Everything about this man was bothering me, but I nodded, having to fight the urge to scowl.

"Of course."

He smirked, looking to his son with a strange satisfaction. "Your cousin wants to have a word, Juan, in private."

Juan nodded, releasing his grip on my arm as he strode off with his father, leaving me alone with Francesca.

---