Page 105 of Fierce Hearts

I showed the message to Gray, whose expression darkened.

"Tomorrow?" He shook his head. "That's too soon if he decides to set up a meeting then."

"If that's what he chooses, then so be it. I imagine he'll want to immediately,” I said. "Ernesto's planning to run, so we need to keep him from doing it. Hearing about your death will make him take pause, and then I'll reach out. It'll shift everything."

"I hate this," he muttered.

"I know." I leaned in to kiss his forehead. "But it's our best play."

"Right, letting the woman of my unborn child walk into a meeting between mafia families dictating her future, while I'm lying in a hospital bed pretending to be dead."

My stomach clenched as I looked over at my mother, her face lined with unease. In a few hours, the world would believe Grayson Cassaro was dead. And tomorrow, if all went according to plan, Ernesto Savoca would join him—for real.

Gray let out a long breath. "Well, I've never been dead before. Should be an interesting experience. Will there be a funeral? Wonder if I could go in disguise. Doubt many people can say they attended their own funeral."

I laughed. "Only you would joke about this."

"If I don't, I'll try to get out of this bed and follow you, stitches be damned." His tone was light, but his eyes were serious. "And we both know that would be a terrible idea."

"The worst," I agreed.

CHAPTER27

GRAYSON

Istared at the ceiling of my hospital room, counting the tiny holes in each tile to keep from losing my mind. The painkillers they'd given me dulled the throbbing from my stab wounds, but did nothing for the ache in my chest.

Sofia was gone. She'd left with her mother at midday, preparing to walk straight into the lion's den tonight after Ernesto had accepted her request to meet and discuss the arranged marriage alliance. And here I was, trapped in a hospital bed while the woman carrying my child faced down two of the most dangerous men in her life.

The door swung open, and Leo stepped in, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Any news? Anything happening?" I asked, pushing myself up despite the pull of stitches in my side.

"Not yet. Everything's on schedule." He closed the door behind him. "The news of your death is spreading. Ernesto sent his condolences to Sofia with some flowers to her house, the manipulative bastard."

I clenched my jaw. "I hate this, Leo. I should be there with her."

"We've been through this. She'll have protection. I'll have men nearby."

"It's not enough." I swung my legs over the side of the bed, ignoring the flash of pain. "I need to be there."

Leo placed a hand on my shoulder. "Gray, you've got three stab wounds."

"And?" I shrugged his hand off. "If it were Meredith walking into that meeting tonight, would you stay here?"

His expression hardened, then softened just as quickly.

"No. I wouldn't."

"Then don't ask me to."

Leo stared at me for a moment before nodding. "I'll make sure you get removed from the hospital without suspicion."

Relief flooded through me. I knew he'd understand. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. Sof and Mer will have my ass for this." He pulled out his phone. "I'll have Roman bring you clothes and help with removing you."

I smirked a little. Leo was scared of no one, didn't care about the opinions of others. Save for Sofia and my sister. He gave a shit what they both said and thought. He was a true brother, and real man there.

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