Page 114 of Fierce Hearts

SOFIA

Iwoke to an empty bed, my hand instinctively reaching for Gray's warmth, only to find cold sheets. Blinking away sleep, I pushed myself up and listened. The soft clink of dishes from downstairs told me where he'd gone.

After a quick trip to the bathroom, I padded downstairs, following the scent of coffee to the kitchen. Gray stood at the counter, his back to me, carefully making me a decaf coffee.

"You should be resting," I said, making him turn. "You're still injured."

He smiled, the morning light catching the sliver of silver threading through his dark hair. "Good morning to you too."

"I'm serious, Gray." I crossed my arms over my chest. "You aren't going to heal if you keep pushing yourself."

"I'm making coffee, not running a marathon." He gestured to the mug in front of him. "Decaf, of course."

I narrowed my eyes. "Why are you up making me decaf coffee? We could’ve slept in a little.”

"Because," he said, adding a splash of cream just the way I liked it, "we have plans today."

"Plans? Gray, everything just happened. Ernesto, the families?—"

"Exactly." He handed me the mug. "And now things are sorted. We're celebrating."

"I need to sort out things with my family, Gray, there's so much we need to figure out, how to start making changes, moving the operations?—"

"And that can all wait one more day. Caterina got in contact with me, she has my contact details too. She said it seemed most of the family are placated and awaiting what changes will be put in place. But there's no great rush, take the win and recoup, she will keep everyone in line for now, Davide has helped her get many of the men in line. You heard how many of them were worried for their own daughters and sisters considering Ernesto's leadership. Only the older ones were stuck in their ways, and Caterina said she'll take care of them. She wants you being careful with your pregnancy."

"Right…" I said slowly as I took a sip, savoring the warmth. How did she intend to take care of them? Would she tell them they had a choice, to die or adapt? It wasn't something I wanted to stress too much about right now. I did want to take this win. "Fine. What are we celebrating then?"

"Everything." His eyes sparkled in a way that made me wonder what he was up to. "Get dressed. Something nice. We're going out."

"Where is everyone?" I asked, realizing how quiet the house was. Was everyone still sleeping? A quick glance at my phone showed it was a normal morning time, probably well past the time most people got up.

"They've already gone out."

That seemed odd. Without waiting to say goodbye? Now I definitely thought something was up.

"All of them? Even Mer?"

Gray nodded, turning back to the counter to clean up. "All of them."

"That's... suspicious."

"Just go get ready," he said, casting me that lopsided smile that made my chest flutter. "Please?"

Something was definitely up, but the soft "please" did me in. "Fine. Give me thirty minutes."

I took my time getting ready, curious about what Gray had planned. I even pulled out my curling iron, something I only bothered with for special occasions. My dark hair fell in soft waves down my back, and I chose a simple navy sundress that felt comfy yet looked perfect.

When I came downstairs, Gray was waiting in the foyer. He'd changed into casual dress pants and a light blue button-down that made his green eyes pop. His face lit up when he saw me, a smile breaking across his face.

God, I loved how he lit up when he saw me.

"You look beautiful," he said, voice low as he pulled me close for a gentle kiss. “I like how we both went with blue.”

"You clean up pretty well yourself," I murmured against his lips. “And you can’t go wrong with blue. Now, where are we going?"

"You'll see."

Daniel drove us just out of the city, and Gray held my hand, his thumb running over my skin soothingly. I watched him from the corner of my eye, noticing how he kept glancing at me, a small smile playing on his lips each time.

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