Page 63 of Fierce Hearts

"I know." She pushed the vegetables around her plate. "But if Ernesto or Juan find out?—"

"We have a family doctor, the Donatis, I mean. We could get him to do this, keep it all quiet and off the record," I suggested.

"He's also an obstetrician or gynecologist?" She arched a brow at me.

"Dr. Gatlin is a man of many skills, I'll make a call and see if he can do it. If not, he'll know someone, someone we can use who will keep it off the record," I answered, already pulling my phone out.

"I'm not sure?—"

"Sof, we need to make sure your baby is growing healthy and there's no complications. Our baby," I said firmly, and she nodded in resignation.

It was strange, seeing her so robotic at times, that fire I adored now waning amidst this mess.

I paced the living area, her gaze burning a hole into my back as I got ahold of the doctor.

To my relief, he had experience in pregnancies, and could come around tonight. Perfect.

"He'll be here in just over an hour," I said once I hung up, and she frowned.

"He's coming here? Not exactly sterile, don't you think?"

"It's your house, we can set up the best area that you're comfortable in. Unless you have a better idea?" I shot back.

"Here is fine, I have some disposable medical sheets, we can set up one of the rooms or something, he probably wants to do a full exam…" her voice trailed off as her brow furrowed in thought.

"Well, you finish eating and then go shower and get in comfortable attire and we'll start getting it set up."

She nodded, and I watched her slowly finish her meal, my heart pulling.

I wanted her back to her old self, for this whole mess to be over with.

I'd never felt so goddamn helpless in my life.

My phone buzzed with a text from Leo just as Sofia headed upstairs to shower.

My father wants to talk with you eventually, I had to fill him in. In a meeting right now.

I frowned at the screen. Canzio Donati wanting to talk was something I needed to be careful with. Perhaps he didn't want us getting involved in this mess. Leo must have been digging too much, drawing his attention. After all, Canzio was the main head of the family, nothing slipped under his radar.

Should I be worried?

I texted back.

No.

I'd have to accept that then and just wait until I heard from Canzio.

Almost an hour later, I sat beside Sofia on the couch, watching her pretend to be engrossed in some medical drama. I couldn't help but smile sadly at the irony—a nurse watching fictional doctors while we waited for a real one to arrive. She was leaning into my shoulder, the throw draped over us both.

The doorbell rang, and I squeezed her shoulder before standing. "That'll be him."

Dr. Gatlin was a tall, lean man in his fifties with salt-and-pepper hair and a face that somehow managed to look both stern and kind. He carried a black medical bag that looked straight out of the 1950s, though I knew it contained state-of-the-art equipment.

"Grayson," he greeted me with a firm handshake. "It's nice to see you again. Where's the lady of the hour?"

"You as well, and this way." I led him into the living room where Sofia had straightened up, switched off the TV, and was now sitting rigidly on the edge of the couch. "Dr. Gatlin, this is Sofia."

Sofia stood and extended her hand. "Thank you for coming, Doctor."

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