Page 52 of Fierce Hearts

"Gray," she gasped against my mouth as she moved above me, her nails digging into my shoulders through my shirt.

I gripped her hips, guiding her movements, losing myself in the feel of her. This wasn't like our night at the hotel—that had been exploratory, controlled despite its passion. This was raw, primal, a claiming of each other in the midst of chaos.

When she came, her body tensing around mine, I followed immediately, burying my face against her neck to muffle my groan.

We stayed like that, connected and breathing heavily, as the reality of our situation slowly filtered back in. Sofia was still straddling me on her kitchen floor, her forehead resting against mine.

"I'm going to take care of you," I promised as I held her. "I'm going to find a way to fix this. We're going to have this baby and sort out everything with your family."

Her body trembled as she clung to me, like she was fighting back tears. "I don't know how we can do that. I don't know if having this baby is…"

My heart lurched as I sucked in a breath. "You want to get rid of it?"

"It's the smart decision with all of this, but… no." Her voice was so low, so fragile, but relief swept over me.

I held her tighter, one hand cradling the back of her head. "I'll handle it. Trust me." I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "I'm going to protect you and our child. No matter what it takes."

CHAPTER13

GRAYSON

Icarried Sofia up the stairs, her body light against my chest. She remained quiet, her head resting against my shoulder. The vulnerability in her posture struck me—this strong woman who'd fought so hard to escape her family's world now trapped in such an insane mess of a situation.

A woman who had stolen my heart without even knowing it.

In her bathroom, I set her down gently on the edge of the tub and turned on the faucet.

"You don't have to do this," she murmured, her voice defeated and drained.

"I want to." I knelt before her, carefully removing her clothes. This wasn't about sex—this was about care, about showing her she wasn't alone anymore. That I was here for her, no matter what.

I helped her into the bathtub, my gaze settling on her stomach, imagining the small life forming within. A life that was equal parts both of us. There was no visible sign of the life growing inside her, but knowing it was there changed everything about how I saw her.

A child. I'd wanted one, one day, but this life didn't seem right to bring one into.

And yet, here we were, the universe laughing at us while we tried to wrap our heads around this situation.

We'd figure it out. It wasn't a question of if, it was how.

I grabbed her shampoo—something floral and expensive—and worked it through her hair, my fingers massaging her scalp. So much like that morning we’d been together, but it had been knowing that was where things ended. This, this was where something new started.

For now, I'd focus on her. I'd call Leo when I got a chance, and we'd decide the best move to make.

Her pregnancy would change everything. The child she carried was mine, and I wasn't about to lose either of them. Not now, not when it was so obvious how we felt for one another, how badly she wanted this baby as well despite her logic.

You couldn't argue with your heart.

My newly bandaged hand was getting wet, but Sofia had used a waterproof one thankfully, although I still imagined it'd be smart to change it once we were done here.

"You're good at this," she said, eyes closed as I took care of her.

"I have many hidden talents." I kept my tone light, wanting to ease the heaviness between us.

She sighed and relaxed into my touch as I washed her body, my hands gentle over her skin.

After the shower, I wrapped her in a plush towel, drying her with the same care I'd used to wash her. I found a nightgown in her dresser—silk, because of course Sofia wouldn't own anything less—and helped her into it.

"Into bed," I instructed, pulling back the covers.

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