Page 85 of Fierce Hearts

"Least we could do," Canzio said simply, while Maria just bowed her head slightly.

I focused back on my mother as she cupped my cheek, her gentle smile breaking as she looked at me.

"I know the Ference family well enough from my time with Antonio. Their treatment of women..." She shook her head. "You would have given Juan heirs, and then died of 'natural causes' within a few years because you're from a rival family. Even if there's an alliance in place."

The blunt statement made my stomach turn. "You think Ernesto believed that too?"

"I think Ernesto would agree to anything that preserved his power and position." Her voice was hard with certainty. "He'd probably even support it."

I held her gaze, realizing it to be true as my heart sank. I'd thought perhaps Ernesto was only looking out for the family, but with Marco's death and the truth around it, this fit right in. And it hurt, not to mention it made me sick to my core.

Canzio's phone rang, cutting through the moment. He excused himself briefly, stepping into the hallway. When he returned, his expression was grave.

"It seems Ernesto and Juan are not taking this setback well," he announced to the room. "My sources tell me they were planning an assassination attempt—against me and Leo."

"What?" Leo straightened, his hands balling into fists as Meredith gripped his hand tighter.

"They've been trying to find someone within our organization they can turn," Canzio continued. "Someone they can buy off or manipulate. They believe if they remove the head of the Donati family, and its heir, they can destabilize us enough to eliminate the threat we pose."

Gray actually laughed, though there was no humor in it. "They really think they can take on the Donati family? Take you off the board?"

"It seems they're realizing it's no easy task. They may be reaching out soon to try for an alliance instead," Canzio said, and both Leo and Gray scoffed.

"The audacity," Meredith muttered.

I shook my head, anger burning through my shock. "Ernesto doesn't deserve to lead the family. He never has." I swallowed, forcing myself to keep my emotions in check as best I could, but it was difficult. "I hate worrying about my cousins, about all the women bearing the Savoca name. And now this? He's going to get so many people killed, just like he did years ago when he got a handful of Savocas killed."

Canzio exchanged a look with Leo. "We found evidence of that as well. The ambush wasn't a mistake—it was calculated. A move to gain loyalty and favor with the Ferences. After that incident, Ernesto began funneling money into offshore accounts."

I closed my eyes as the pieces fell into place. My poor aunt, Caterina, had lost her eldest son that day, and her husband, and my father's other brother had died along with his wife and his young son. "This was all put into motion years ago, wasn't it? So many people have been pawns in his game, just to get him where he wants to be."

My mother took my hand, her grip tight. "That's why I begged you to come with me after your father died. You were supposed to take Antonio's place, Sofia. You were his heir. I was terrified Ernesto would find a way to eliminate you and take control of the family."

I'd known I'd be a target for that position, a position Marco had stepped into in my place, and now died for. But to think my own flesh and blood would try to take me out… so much for family.

"A woman leading a family is not unheard of," Maria said, her voice matter-of-fact. "And you would have allies, should you choose to challenge Ernesto."

My mother frowned. "That's not what I want for her. Sofia got out?—"

"And look where that's led," I interrupted, having already been thinking over it. I'd decided I was going to fight for my new family, and this idea had been lingering, one I was weighing. "Look what Ernesto has done to our family. How many more will suffer under his leadership?"

The room fell silent as everyone stared at me. I'd been thinking about this—about reclaiming what was rightfully mine, about changing the direction of the Savoca family. It was something only few people had the ability to do. Hell, I was the only one who could really do it, who could challenge my uncle considering I'd been the original meant to replace my father.

"I want things to be different," I said slowly, "For the children in our family. For the women. For everyone bearing our name." I turned to my mother, taking her hand in mine. "Do you think any of my family would side with me?"

"Sof… I don't want this for you," she said softly, fear and unease evident on her face.

"I know, but I'm the only one who can change it for everyone else now. Do you think anyone would support me? You got close with some of the family despite being a Passeri, right?"

She sighed, glancing down at our joined hands.

"Possibly."

Leo stepped closer. "I suspect many obey Ernesto out of fear rather than loyalty. If the truth about his actions came to light—Marco's murder, the ambush, the offshore accounts—it could shift allegiances quickly."

"We'd need proof," Gray added. "Solid evidence they couldn't dismiss."

Canzio nodded. "If this is the path you choose, Sofia, you'll have the full support of the Donati family behind you."

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