Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
SOFIA
T he pale blue dress Meredith had helped me pick out felt like armor—beautiful, delicate armor that did nothing to protect me from the eyes that followed my every move. I stood in the grand ballroom of the Sharville estate, clutching a flute of sparkling water that I wished was champagne. The Sharville estate, a place used to host many events, was right in between the two cities of Ironstone and Vintmere, so it had been chosen as the ideal location, a neutral place for such a gathering of the two families. The crystal chandeliers overhead cast everything in a deceptive golden glow, as if we were celebrating something joyous rather than the sale of my future.
"You're doing great," Meredith whispered, appearing at my side in a stunning emerald dress that matched her eyes. "Just keep breathing."
"I'm doing my best, I hate it." I took another sip of my water, scanning the room for Gray as I ran my thumb over the band of the engagement ring I wore. I'd not touched it since the day I'd picked it off the bed and set it on my nightstand, but it had mocked me every single day I'd woken up and seen it. Now, I had to showcase it to the world.
Gray stood several feet away, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored black suit. Our eyes met briefly before he turned back to his conversation with another guest. We'd agreed to keep our distance tonight until necessary—he was here as Meredith's plus-one, not mine.
Thankfully, no one recognized him. After all, these were the crime families, who dealt with the faces of the illegitimate sides of their businesses. Not the legitimate ones, where Gray would only be known from.
"Any word from Leo?" I asked Meredith.
She checked her phone. "They're close. A few minutes away."
Juan Ference finally approached, appearing from the crowd, his expensive cologne announcing his arrival before he reached us. He wore a white dinner jacket that looked straight out of a Bond film, complete with a crimson pocket square that matched the family crest displayed throughout the room. A man who wanted everyone to know exactly who he was.
"Sofia, you look radiant." He took my hand without permission, his lips lingering too long against my skin. "Everyone is waiting to meet you. Please, let us meet with our guests."
"Of course." I nodded at Meredith as Juan took my arm, leading me around to meet with the many guests. I plastered on a smile, making small talk and remaining civil despite how my skin crawled and sickness swam in my gut.
"Sofia, this is my father, Pietro, and my mother, Francesca."
I smiled at the older couple, his father moving in to kiss each cheek, his mother following suit. I found myself staring at her, at the worn lines of her face and the glassy look in her eye. A woman hiding in her own skin, I realized, plastering on the same fake smile I wore.
"You're a beautiful woman, I'm sure you'll provide us with equally beautiful children," Pietro said, his gaze rolling over me in a way that made me want to recoil. His accent was far thicker than Juan's, and I could tell his dark hair was just a toupee to hide his balding. Everything about this man was bothering me, but I nodded, having to fight the urge to scowl.
"Of course."
He smirked, looking to his son with a strange satisfaction. "Your cousin wants to have a word, Juan, in private."
Juan nodded, releasing his grip on my arm as he strode off with his father, leaving me alone with Francesca.
"He is not wrong, you are beautiful. I hope…" Francesa started, but then her words trailed off, a forced smile returning to her face as she shook her head. "You take care, Sofia."
She turned and moved off, leaving me frowning after her. What had she been wanting to say? What did she hope for?
Before I could follow after her, I spied Meredith waving me over to where she stood by an empty table with a few finger foods.
Thank God.
I headed over briskly, nodding at a few people I passed as they acknowledged me.
"What a creep," Meredith muttered behind her champagne glass. "He just feels so damn off."
"Tell me something I don't know." I glanced back in the direction of Francesca, but she'd disappeared into the crowd.
Gray appeared at my other side, careful to maintain a respectful distance. "Everything okay?"
"Peachy," I replied sarcastically. "Just enjoying being paraded around like a prize mare."
"Well Leo and Canzio are here, they'll be coming in a moment."
Relief flooded through me, quickly followed by a wave of nausea that had nothing to do with morning sickness. The plan was in motion. There was no turning back.
How would everyone take it? How would they react?
The Donatis coming into a public place like this, making a move of power. There was security here, but none of the families were allowed to have weapons on them. Part of it being a neutral place.
Uncle Ernesto materialized from the crowd, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Gray. He came to a standstill before me, finally drawing his gaze to mine. "Sofia, it's time."
The clinking of a glass to call for quiet had conversation dying down around me.
Ernesto gripped my elbow, his fingers digging into my skin as he steered me toward the center of the room where Juan waited with his father. The crowd parted for us, the last few conversations fading as attention shifted our way.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Ernesto announced, his voice carrying across the ballroom. "Tonight marks a historic occasion for our families."
I searched the crowd desperately for Gray, finding him near the entrance. Behind him, the double doors swung open, and Leo entered with Canzio Donati at his side. My breath caught as hope bloomed in my chest, along with fear and unease. Canzio's presence would change everything—the head of the Donati family would never make a public appearance without purpose. And a few of the guests closest to him were doing a double take.
Both families knew exactly who he was.
Ernesto continued, oblivious to the new arrivals. "It gives me great pleasure to formally announce the engagement of my niece, Sofia Savoca, to Juan Ference."
Applause rippled through the room as Juan took my hand, holding it up to show off the diamond engagement ring. The weight of it felt like a shackle. I didn't bother to plaster on a smile, not wanting to play my part any longer.
The Donatis were here, and everything was about to change. I met Leo's gaze, my heart skipping a beat as he nodded, and then I focused on Gray, on the way he jutted his chin out defiantly, a small smirk on his lips.
I prayed this worked out how they believed it would. Because there were far too many people here today, too many who could turn on them in an instant.
Would their status be enough to protect them?
"With this union," Ernesto proclaimed, "the Savoca and Ference families join in strength and purpose, honoring traditions that have sustained our communities for generations."
"How interesting," a deep voice cut through the applause, and I focused on my breathing, on maintaining my composure.
The room fell silent as Canzio Donati stepped forward, surveying the scene with cold calculation. "I was under the impression that Ms. Savoca was involved with my son's right-hand man, Grayson Cassaro."
Murmurs spread through the crowd as Ernesto's grip on my arm tightened painfully.
"You're mistaken, Donati," he said, false warmth in his voice. "Sofia has agreed to this arrangement. It's been decided."
Gray moved to stand beside Canzio. "Is that so? Perhaps you should tell them how you secured that agreement, Ernesto."
Juan's father stepped forward, his expression darkening. "What is the meaning of this interruption?" I met Francesca's gaze, and I could've sworn I saw a flicker of delight in those dull blue depths.
I pulled away from Ernesto's grip, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I never agreed to this marriage willingly."
"Sofia," Ernesto hissed, reaching for me again.
I stepped back, my heart threatening to burst from my chest. "No. I'm done being threatened and manipulated." I was hyperaware of everyone around me, ready to run at the first sign of trouble, or someone moving in to deal a blow. It was why I'd gone for my platform heels. Easier to run in.
The room had gone completely silent, the guests frozen in place as the drama unfolded.
"Threatened?" A woman stepped forward, and my eyes locked with my aunt, Julia, Ernesto's wife. "What is she talking about?" God, she looked so much older than I remembered. Her son's death had clearly done a number on her.
Gray moved to my side, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "Tell them, Sofia. Tell them what he threatened to do if you didn't comply."
I lifted my chin, looking directly at Ernesto. "He threatened my friends. My loved ones. He said if I didn't marry Juan, people I care about would suffer."
Ernesto's face flushed dark red. "You ungrateful little?—"
"Careful," Leo interrupted, his voice dangerously soft. "Those threats included my wife, Meredith. Sofia's best friend."
Canzio's expression remained impassive, but his eyes had turned to chips of ice. "Threatening a Donati, even by marriage, was a poor choice, Ernesto."
Juan stepped away from me, looking like he was about to say something, but Ernesto spoke before he could.
"It was for the good of both families," Ernesto snapped. "After Marco's death?—"
"Yes, Marco's death," Canzio interrupted. "A tragic ambush after dinner at his own restaurant, wasn't it?"
Ernesto stiffened, but Canzio turned his focus to Julia. "I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. Savoca. Outliving your children is not something any parent wants to endure. You have my deepest condolences.”
Aunt Julia's brows were pulled together, but she nodded gratefully, her hands clasped before her. My heart tugged for her, but I remained by Gray.
"You're overstepping, Donati," Ernesto warned as he stepped forward.
"No, Ernesto, I don't believe I am." Canzio straightened his jacket. "Now, I believe I will be taking Miss Savoca back to her home."
"You will not be ruining this alliance!" Ernesto shouted.
The room erupted into chaos. Security personnel appeared at the doorways, though whether they were Ference's or Donati's, I couldn't tell.
Ernesto's hand moved toward his jacket, and in an instant, Gray was in front of me, shielding my body with his. Thankfully, he only pulled out a knife.
So much for no weapons allowed.
"So much for no weapons, Ernesto," Canzio smirked. "Breaking the first rule of such an event, not a good idea."
Juan's father, Pietro, stepped between them, hands raised. "There will be no bloodshed here, as per the agreement between families."
At least someone had their head on straight in the two families, not that I'd trust him if he was the last man on earth.
"The Donatis were not part of that agreement," Ernesto hissed.
"And yet we came in unarmed, as per the security rules to get inside. Strange how you got in," Canzio said, his voice loud and ringing across the room.
I caught Julia's gaze, wondering just where my cousin was, Bianca. I'd not seen Cara here either, Marco's wife. Something that had been bothering me. I'd thought perhaps they were running late, but there was no trace of them.
"The engagement is off," I announced, keeping my voice level as I pulled the gaudy ring from my finger and set it on a nearby table. "I won't be part of this."
Ernesto's face contorted with rage, but he kept his mouth shut to my surprise.
This wasn't what I wanted. He'd hurt my cousins, or the Ferences would go after my family, including the children. We had to fix this.
"Now," Canzio continued. His voice remained even, but authority radiated from every syllable. "This engagement is indeed terminated. I suggest everyone enjoy the excellent food and beverages provided by the Ference family while we resolve this... misunderstanding. Am I safe to believe neither family will act until we have a joint meeting?" Canzio looked between Ernesto and Pietro.
"Of course," Pietro said, but I knew he was only agreeing out of knowledge of what the Donatis would do if he broke his word. As far as I knew, Pietro was at least a man of his word, unlike my uncle.
"Yes," Ernesto ground out when Canzio wouldn't look away from him.
"Good, if I hear that anything has happened, anything at all because of this, well, I'll be stepping in," Canzio said carefully. "So I suggest you both take time to cool off. We will meet in a week. I will set the location and inform you both."
The tension in the room was palpable as guests began to murmur among themselves. Juan's father nodded stiffly to Canzio before turning to address his guests, attempting to salvage what remained of the evening.
Gray's arm was around my waist as he guided me to the exit, Leo and Meredith with us, and Canzio taking up the rear.
He truly was an honorable man, but my mind was a mess, my stomach knotted.
What had we just done? And who was going to pay the price for this?
How were we going to stop the war I wanted to avoid?