Page 120 of Fierce Hearts

I pulled ingredients from the refrigerator, setting them on the counter before reaching for a knife. The blade slipped as I cut through an onion, slicing into my thumb.

Blood welled immediately, bright red against my skin.

I paused, anticipating for the familiar tightness in my chest, the racing heart, the tunnel vision that had plagued me for years. But nothing came. Just a calm awareness of the cut, a mental note to clean and bandage it before continuing.

This change had begun the night I'd been stabbed protecting Sofia. Something had shifted inside me when I'd seen my own blood pooling beneath me on the pavement. The panic that had ruled me since helping get rid of my father had transformed into a strange serenity. Blood was no longer a trigger for terror but a reminder of life, of humanity, of the sacrifices worth making.

I rinsed my thumb under cold water, applied pressure with a paper towel, then reached for the first aid kit we kept in every room—an implementation from Sofia after she reached six months pregnant. Apparently that was when she’d begun to get more uneasy and weary, wanting to be extra careful.

As I wrapped the band-aid around my thumb, I reflected on how much had changed in my life. From the moment I'd spotted Sofia sitting alone at Meredith's wedding reception, something had called to me. Not just her beauty that always drew me in, but something deeper. Like a strange part of me had subconsciously known that it was going to become the best thing in my life, asking her to dance.

I'd never expected our one night to become forever. Never imagined that the woman who'd been so determined to keep me at arm's length would become my wife, the mother of my child, my partner in both business and life.

The ringing phone interrupted my thoughts. I answered it on speaker as I continued preparing dinner.

"Gray? It's Mer."

"Hey, sis. How's the show going?"

"Brilliantly. Full house again." The pride in her voice was evident. The theater restoration had been completed two months ago, and every performance since had sold out. "How are my brother and sister-in-law doing? And my perfect nephew?"

I laughed. "We're settling in. Marcello's currently being spoiled by his grandmother."

"And Sofia?"

"Exhausted but strong. You know Sofia."

"I do indeed." Meredith paused. "I stepped out during intermission to check in. When can I visit? I miss you all already."

“You were there for his birth, Mer.” I laughed.

“So, he’s family, you all are,” she shot back.

I carried the phone back toward the nursery. "Sofia, Mer's on the line. She wants to know when she can invade our peace again."

Sofia's tired laugh warmed the room. "Give us a day to rest, Mer. But the show must be going well?"

"It's perfect. Leo's actually enjoying himself, if you can believe it. He's in the box with Canzio and Maria."

The mention of the Donati patriarch and his wife made me smile. They'd embraced Sofia completely after our marriage, especially since they both wanted to be involved in our child's life. Maria had showered Sofia with advice and support throughout her pregnancy, making sure never to overstep with her own mother, while Canzio had helped ensured our business transitions went smoothly.

"I'll bring pastries when I come," Meredith promised. "Those ones from Bellini's that Sofia was craving last month."

"You're a goddess," Sofia replied. "Now go back to your show. Give Leo our love."

After we hung up, I returned to the kitchen to finish preparing a simple meal of pasta and salad. I arranged everything on a tray and carried it back to the nursery.

Gabriella had placed Marcello in his bassinet and was straightening the already immaculate room. "I'll leave you two to eat," she said. "I'll be in the guest room if you need me."

Once she'd gone, I set the tray on the small table between our chairs and took Sofia's hand in mine.

"How are you really feeling?" I asked softly.

Sofia squeezed my hand. "Like I've been hit by a truck, but also like I'm floating. Is that normal?"

"I think creating a human being entitles you to feel however you want."

She laughed, then winced slightly. "Don't make me laugh. Everything hurts."

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