Page 82 of Fierce Hearts

I wanted to believe him, but the weight of guilt pressed down on me. "If anything happens to your family because of me?—"

"Our family," he interrupted. "You're carrying a Donati, remember? That makes you family too."

I sighed, knowing he was trying to reassure me. A Donati baby. Gray wasn't a true Donati, but he would take the name. So that would change things. My uncle would not be pleased in the slightest if he discovered that detail. "What are we going to do?"

"You," he emphasized, "are going to rest and focus on getting better. Canzio, Leo, and I will handle Ernesto and the Ferences."

"But—"

"No buts," he said firmly. "Doctor's orders. No stress, remember?"

I sighed, knowing he was right but hating feeling so helpless. "Will you at least keep me updated?"

"Of course." He leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to my forehead. "No more secrets between us."

I reached up to touch his face, feeling the stubble that had grown. "No more secrets," I agreed.

Gray's phone buzzed again. He checked it and frowned.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Roman says there's movement at all the locations where they're watching both families. Cars leaving, heading in different directions."

A chill swept over me at his words. "It's starting, isn't it?"

Gray nodded grimly. "Yes. But we're ready for them."

I believed him. I wanted to get through this, to build something real together—a family, a future.

I placed my hand over my abdomen, where our tiny baby still clung to life despite everything. "Then we'll be ready too," I whispered. "Won't we, little one?"

Gray's hand covered mine, warm and steady. "Yes," he said softly. "We will."

CHAPTER21

SOFIA

Ilay in the hospital bed, watching Gray sleep in the uncomfortable chair beside me. Despite everything, I felt a strange calm. The bleeding had stopped hours ago, and the cramping had subsided to almost nothing. Our baby was still with us—still fighting despite barely being more than an idea forming in my stomach.

The door opened quietly, and Leo stepped in, his eyes immediately finding Meredith's sleeping form on the couch before settling on me.

"Hey," he whispered, moving closer. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," I said softly. "The doctor says everything is fine, that the little one is still there and growing."

His face softened with the slightest touch of relief. "Good. That's good." He glanced at his watch. "I came to take Meredith home. She needs to shower and get some real sleep."

Meredith had dozed off, her head at an awkward angle that would surely leave her with a stiff neck. I felt a rush of gratitude for my best friend, who hadn't left my side through any of this. Nor had Gray.

"What about everything else?" I asked, unable to stop myself.

Leo's expression tightened slightly. "The movement Roman and his team reported has settled for now. There were meetings—both families gathering their people. We're keeping an eye on everything."

I nodded, trying not to let the anxiety build again. "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me." Leo's voice was firm but gentle. "You're family now. We protect our own."

Family. The word held such weight right now. For years, I'd run from what family meant to me—obligations, violence, control. But now, with Gray, with the Donatis, with the tiny life inside me, family meant something different. Something I wanted to fight for.

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