Page 90 of Fierce Hearts

"The Ference family would likely back off without him pushing for this alliance. But here's the problem - if it traces back to us in any way..."

"War," I finished. "And Sofia can't do it either, not now. They'd still blame us, say it was a Donati move."

"Exactly. It needs to come from within. The family needs to handle their own."

I thought about the support Sofia had already gathered. She'd called Canzio on the drive home, requesting the evidence for Marco's murder, and then forwarded it to Caterina so she could reveal it to Marco's mother, Julia, if necessary. Not to mention to provide her with the proof as well so she could see how her own brother had been the one behind the murder of her family. "Maybe we can work with that. I'll talk to Sofia, see what she thinks."

"Be careful, Gray. And keep her safe."

"Always." I ended the call, staring at the door and thinking about the woman on the other side - carrying my child, caught in this dangerous game of family politics and power. We needed a solution that wouldn't start a war, but would remove Ernesto permanently.

I headed back out to find Sofia. We'd find a way to get this all sorted.

* * *

I foundSofia in the living room, her mother beside her on the couch with a blanket draped across them both. They both looked up when I entered, and I could see the strain around Sofia's eyes despite her attempt at a smile. They had hot chocolates and some movie playing, but it was clear neither of them had been watching it.

"Everything okay?" Sofia asked.

"Just got off the phone with Leo." I sat across from them on the armchair, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. "The meeting with Ernesto and Juan went about as well as expected."

Sofia's eyes narrowed. "How so?"

"They wanted an alliance with the Donatis. They offered territory, shipping routes, businesses." I hesitated, watching her face. "And Ernesto tried to offer another Savoca woman to me as compensation for losing you."

Gabriella made a sound of disgust. "That man has no shame. Who did he offer?"

"No names were mentioned, likely someone from outside the main family. But the fact that he's willing to trade family members like commodities..." I shook my head. "We need to deal with Ernesto, and soon."

Sofia nodded slowly. "We've been talking about that. The problem is, if the Donatis take him out?—"

"It starts a war," I finished. "And even if you did it, they'd still blame us. It would need to come from within the family."

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Sofia shifted, reaching for her hot chocolate and taking a gulp. "I think Julia or Caterina could help us. They both have reason to want him gone."

Gabriella nodded in agreement. "Julia lost her son. Caterina lost her husband and eldest boy years ago in that ambush Ernesto orchestrated. A mother will always want to protect her children and get justice for them."

I considered this. Julia seemed the more unpredictable option. "I worry Julia might be too soft. Too emotional. Would she have the resolve to go through with something like this?"

"She might," Sofia said, "if she knew the truth, and if she's as devastated as I think she'll be, she might be the one to take action against Ernesto."

"A mother avenging her son," I said.

Gabriella nodded slowly. "The family would rally around her. Even those loyal to Ernesto would understand a mother's grief."

"Exactly. If Julia acts out of grief and rage after learning who really killed Marco, it solves our problem without starting a war," Sofia stated.

I wasn't entirely convinced. "That's assuming Julia has it in her to kill her own husband.”

"You'd be surprised what a mother is capable of when it comes to her children," Gabriella said quietly.

"Caterina seems like the more reliable choice," I said. "She's already on board with you taking over, and she's survived in this world a long time. She seems like she's got the stomach for it. Not that I've met Julia."

"You're not wrong there. Ultimately, either one of them opting to deal with him is a good solution to this. Both avenging their own families. Although, from Julia with how recent it was, I feel like it would hit differently. From Caterina, well, it's been no secret she's never been close with Ernesto. Whereas Julia is his wife." Sofia reached for her phone. "I should reach out to Caterina again. Ask to meet sooner rather than later. Discuss this option as well."

I watched Sofia's face as she composed a message to Caterina using their secure channels. There was a new hardness there, a determination I hadn't seen before. This wasn't just about her and our baby anymore—this was about justice for her family.

"Has Caterina ever killed for the family? I know she's made some calls when needed, but that's not the same as actually having blood on your hands," Gabriella said as she looked hard at Sofia.

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