Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
GRAYSON
I carried 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.
She complied without argument, which told me more about her emotional state than words could. The Sofia I knew would have had a sharp comeback ready.
"I'll be back shortly," I said, tucking the blanket around her. "Just rest. Play a game on your phone, read, or watch TV. I won't be long—just going to the kitchen to make a call and get you a tea or hot chocolate. Which would you like?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "To who? And hot chocolate."
"I'm going to take care of everything," I assured her, deliberately avoiding the question. "You need to rest, take care of yourself and our baby. I don't want the stress causing any issues."
She scoffed. "Easier said than done."
I leaned down and kissed her forehead, lingering there for a moment. When I pulled back, her expression was confused, vulnerable in a way I rarely saw.
"Try," I said simply, then turned and headed for the kitchen.
Downstairs, I pulled out my phone and dialed Leo. He answered on the second ring.
"What's happening?" His voice was tense, alert, ready for anything.
"A lot, Leo." I began making the hot chocolate as I spoke. "Ernesto Savoca is forcing Sofia into an engagement with Juan Ference."
"Fuck." The single word carried the weight of understanding. “So it’s forced, not a choice, that changes things.”
The Ference family's reputation was well-known in our circles—particularly how they treated their women. Something neither of us would want for someone we deemed family. Someone who was now my family in even more ways.
"That's not all." I took a deep breath, still processing the information myself, my heart tightening as I said the words. "Sofia's pregnant. With my child."
The line went silent. I could almost see Leo pinching the bridge of his nose, processing this new complication. Something he knew would alter everything going forward.
Because it would alter everything if he was in my shoes.
"What's your plan?" he finally asked.
"I'm moving in with her, first of all. We need a protection detail set up immediately. And we need to find a way to get her out of this engagement without starting a war between the families."
I wedged the phone between my shoulder and ear as I stuck the mug of milk into the microwave and started it.
"This is a fucking mess, Gray." Leo's exasperated sigh came through clearly. "I'll make some calls, see what I can find out about Ernesto's real motivations here, what his end goal is, if it is just an alliance or something more. But we need to be careful. The Donatis have no current feud with either family now that they're no longer in Ironstone, but since you're essentially considered a Donati in my father's eyes, this could drag us all into it if they find out about the baby."
I watched the timer countdown on the microwave. "I won't ask her to get rid of it. I don't want that, and neither does she."
"I never said that," Leo replied sharply. "I'd never even consider it. Sure, it'd be the easy out, but that's not how this should go." He paused. "I know you feel for her. And if it had been Meredith... well, I wouldn't have let her get rid of it either."
The microwave beeped, and I pulled the mug out, phone still cradled against my shoulder as I heaped some chocolate powder into it.
"Meredith told me about when Sofia helped her with the morning-after pill," Leo continued, his voice softer. "I don't hold it against either of them—Sofia for acting fast, or Meredith for taking it. It was a precaution, not an abortion. They did what they thought was right at the time, going off what they knew and making their informed decision at the time."
"I didn't know about that," I admitted. "But thank you for not holding it against either of them."
"It's a completely different thing, like using protection, not aborting an already forming life."
"It'd only be early days, it wasn't that long ago that we were together." I counted the days in my mind. Over two weeks, so she'd only just have missed her period. "Not even three weeks I guess."
She was in the dangerous time too, where stress or anything could cause a miscarriage, and the thought had my blood boiling. I wanted to make all of this go away for her, to not risk the growing life we'd created.
"She could miscarry with all of this stress, Leo," I ground out, running a hand down my face.
"I'll help you both to the full extent that I can," Leo said firmly. "We'll get this sorted. Focus on her right now."
"Thank you." The simple words couldn't convey my gratitude.
"You're family, Gray. And so is Sofia—she was before the baby, because she's essentially Meredith's sister." There was a pause. "Oh, and by the way... congratulations."
A smile tugged at my lips despite everything. "Thanks."
"You'll make a fine father."
The line went dead as Leo hung up, the soft smile remaining as I carried the hot chocolate up to Sofia. The domestic act felt strange yet right—caring for someone in this simple, tangible way.
Caring for the mother of my child.
When I returned to the bedroom, Sofia was propped against the headboard, scrolling through her phone with a furrowed brow.
"Doomscrolling isn't going to help," I said as I set the hot chocolate on the bedside table.
"Yeah, well, it keeps me distracted," she muttered before glancing up at me and offering a small smile that made her dimples appear. "Thank you. You didn't have to do everything you've been doing…"
"I wanted to." I sat on the edge of the bed. "You need to relax and take care of yourself."
She sighed as she reached for her mug. "This whole thing is insane. Talk about being up shit creek without a paddle."
I chuckled and shook my head as she took a gulp of the hot drink.
"Who did you call?" she asked after swallowing.
"Leo," I admitted. "He's going to help us figure this out."
She stared down at her mug, frowning at it like it was partially responsible. "I still don't see how we can sort all this out. Getting rid of the baby and just doing my duty is probably the best option to keep the peace?—"
"No." The word came out louder than I'd hoped, her gaze snapping up to meet mine. "I don't want that," I said more gently. "Nor do you, it seems."
Her eyes searched mine as her face softened. "No, I don't, but it's the logical, easy choice."
"Since when have you ever liked easy? You could've left the country with your mother when your father passed, but you chose to stay and to study, to become something more in the place you called home," I reminded her.
"I guess I'm a little too stubborn sometimes," she agreed, but then her face fell. "This could become a big mess, Gray. If you and Leo get involved… I wanted to handle this without the Donatis."
"That baby is mine, and the Donati are my family, now more than ever. Leo is my brother, he will want to protect his niece or nephew as well."
"Right…" She drew her lower lip between her teeth, and I fought the urge to kiss her, wanting to relieve some of the distress and turmoil she was enduring right now.
"Sof, I know we said no strings… but this, this changes things," I said carefully, watching as her brow furrowed. "Perhaps we should re-evaluate what we mean to one another."
She shook her head, lifting the hot chocolate for another sip, as if she was using it as a makeshift barrier between us. "I don't want to go back into that life, not by my family or by you."
"It doesn't sound like you have a choice anymore," I said, hating the truth of my words. "The only say you get is how you go back into that life. Even by remaining Meredith's best friend, you were choosing it."
She closed her eyes, and I could see how everything was crushing down on her. It was too much—it would be for anyone.
"I'll stay with you tonight, keep you company. I'm not going anywhere, this is no longer your cross to bear alone. You have more people here for you than you realize, Sof."
"That's what scares me, Gray," she whispered, her jaw clenching as she fought the urge to get upset. "People who are willing to protect me and fight for me are putting their lives in danger. It's not what I want, I don't want anyone's blood on my hands."
"Sometimes, that choice isn't yours to make. I made that choice all those years ago for Meredith too, as did Leo. She couldn't have stopped us if she tried. That choice was ours to make, not hers. I just wish she'd told us so we could've protected her sooner. Saved her from what she went through. I'm glad I'm learning this now, and not…" I gritted my teeth, not wanting to even think of what I'd do if I were to find out about her wedding after the fact. Or to learn of her death or abuse at Juan's hands.
He'd be a dead man walking until I got to him.
She sighed, her shoulders sagging, but those sweet eyes opened to meet mine.
She knew she was fighting a losing battle by trying to take that choice away from us. Even Meredith wouldn't allow it. I was sure Leo was talking to her right now in regard to it all, and probably voicing his displeasure at her not informing him immediately of what she'd learned. But their relationship was not one I was going to get involved in. They'd figure it out, Leo loved her too much.
"I know. Thank you. But Gray, tomorrow… I'm supposed to go to his proposal," she mumbled.
"I know. I think, for now, we will need to go through with that. There's not much we can do overnight, but an engagement can always be called off. It'll buy us more time," I said carefully as she finished off her hot chocolate.
"Great, super keen for that," she groaned as she set her mug down.
"We just need more time. We'll handle this Sof. I'll handle it. Everything will be okay," I assured her.
She gave me a strange look, like she wanted to believe me, but she wasn't willing to. How could I promise her such things? She knew better than to believe my words.
Except, in this case, I was going to make sure of it.
“Sof, I want to ask, since you looked you so scared in regard to your uncle… did he, did he hurt you?” I dared to ask, and her brows knitted together as she pursed her lips.
“The Savoca men are hard on their women, but they’re hard on everyone. You don’t do as your told of be defiant, and you’re punished. Both my uncle and father didn’t care what gender you were, you got punished for disobeying or arguing. That’s all,” she said carefully, and my chest tightened as I ground my teeth.
“How Sof? What’d they do to you?” I asked, but she shook her head.
“The past is the past, Gray. Let’s leave it there. I did my therapy to get past it, but it doesn’t erase it either. Neither of them were good men, I can say that much.”
I nodded, knowing now was not the time to push, but my hatred for her uncle only grew.
If I had it my way, I wanted him buried. If he hurt her like my own father had hurt Meredith, then he deserved the full wrath of the Donatis alongside my own. He’d pay for it.
But for now, I’d accept her answer. Hopefully, one day, she’d tell me what happened.
"Rest, Sof. I'll stay with you. Get some sleep, it's been a hectic time for you."
"Okay, thank you," she said quietly as she slid down under the blanket.
I rose and circled the bed, sliding under the blanket behind her so I could spoon her.
"Are you okay with this?" I asked as I wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Yes," she whispered as she turned the lamp off, not resisting as I pulled her closer and nuzzled her hair. If anything, she relaxed even more, all the tension releasing from her body as I held her close.
I held her like that, spooning her as her breathing gradually slowed and deepened, her body so warm and fitting perfectly against mine. She fell asleep faster than I expected—exhaustion from stress, likely, and perhaps the pregnancy too.
In the quiet darkness, my mind spun. A life with Sofia. A child. A family of my own.
I'd never truly believed I could have that. My position in Leo's family, my own family history—it all seemed to preclude the kind of normal life others took for granted. But now, with Sofia carrying my child, that possibility existed. It was real and tangible and within reach.
And I refused to give it up.
I tightened my arm around her, an intense wave of protectiveness rippling through me. This wasn't just about wanting Sofia, though I did want her—desperately. This was about protecting what was mine. My child. This woman who'd worked her way under my skin and into my heart.
I would do whatever was necessary to keep her safe. To keep them both safe.
Even if it meant becoming the monster I'd never thought I could be.