Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
GRAYSON
"G et in," Leo ordered, opening the back door of a sleek black SUV.
I guided Sofia inside, sliding in beside her while Meredith took the other side. Leo shut the door and moved to the front passenger seat, speaking quietly into his phone as Jackson took the driver's seat and started the engine.
Sofia trembled against me, her breathing shallow and quick. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.
"It's okay," I whispered against her hair. "You're safe now."
"No." She shook her head, her voice breaking. "No, it's not okay."
Leo turned in his seat to face us. "Roman's driving my father. We're heading to a safe-house just outside the city."
"How do you think they'll take this?" I asked.
"Neither one of the families will risk bringing the Donatis down on them, they won't act right away." Leo's expression was masked, but I knew what this all meant. Canzio had made himself a target for the families to buy us time. Time we needed to get more information to bring Ernesto down. From what I knew, the Ferences feared the Donatis, more than the Savocas, who had more of a reach thanks to their larger organization and dealings. But we were still bigger, and had more resources at our disposal.
Sofia pulled away from me slightly, her jaw hardening as she shook her head. "I shouldn't have let you all do this. I should have?—"
"Don't," I cut her off, pulling her close and kissing her temple. "Don't say that."
"You don't understand," she insisted as she buried her head into my shoulder. "I'm scared of what happens next, Gray. This isn't just about me. There are people—my cousins, the women in my family—they'll suffer for this."
The car glided down the long concrete drive lined with oak trees that obscured the night sky overhead, leaving behind the Sharville estate and the chaos we'd created.
"Sofia," Meredith reached across to take her friend's hand. "Everything will be okay, I'm sure Canzio and Leo thought of all of this."
"You can't know that." Sofia's voice hardened. "You don't know what Ernesto is capable of. And the Ferences." She turned to Leo. "This will cause issues between the families. I'm grateful for what you've done, but I'm terrified for the Donati family for stepping in the way you have. And my own family is now at more risk, this is what I wanted to avoid."
"We can handle ourselves, Sofia. As for your family, my father made himself clear. And we've been keeping an eye on both the families ever since they left Ironstone, we believe we know how they'll respond to this. Attacking their own will not be the first thing they'll consider. Not at a time like this. Is it possible your female family members may take a small blow, possibly, but the Savocas can't risk losing a single member now, so they won't put lives on the line. They may not have the same morals as we do, but they know their women are the ones who provide them with their future, their children. This was a calculated risk." Leo stared hard at Sofia until she nodded, then he turned back in his seat.
The car fell silent as Jackson navigated through the darkened farmland back to the city. After about forty minutes, we pulled up to a modern house nestled among trees, set back from the road with a long, winding driveway.
"We're here," Jackson announced unnecessarily.
He exited and checked the perimeter before letting us out of the car. The house was larger than it appeared from the driveway, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sleek design that seemed at odds with its secluded location.
Once inside, Sofia sank onto a plush sofa in the living room, toying with her grandmother's rings she still wore. Meredith sat beside her, while Leo paced near the windows, occasionally checking his phone.
I knelt in front of Sofia, taking her hands in mine. "Are you feeling okay? Do you need anything?"
She shook her head, then paused. "Water, maybe."
I found my way to the kitchen, familiar with the layout of Donati safe-houses. They all had a similar design—open concept, multiple exits, reinforced windows. I returned with a glass of water, which Sofia accepted gratefully.
Headlights swept across the living room as another car pulled into the driveway. Moments later, Canzio Donati entered, followed by two of his men who took positions near the entrances. Roman would remain outside, likely coordinating a team to set up a perimeter with Jackson.
Canzio moved with the confident grace of a man accustomed to power. He surveyed the room before his gaze settled on Sofia.
"Ms. Savoca," he greeted her with a slight nod. "I know you may think we've put some of your family in danger, but we don't believe that to be the case."
Sofia straightened and nodded. "I hope you're right. Thank you for what you did tonight, I just pray it works out how you planned. It can't be undone now."
Canzio removed his suit jacket, draping it over a chair. "It was necessary. We needed Ernesto on edge, and for him to know we suspected foul play with his son. For his own people to know that it didn't seem right." He looked at Leo. "The situation is contained for now, but I believe Ernesto and Juan will try something."
"It'd make sense. Juan will be pissed we ruined his alliance plans, the Ferences want the Savoca reach in the port, and Juan securing that would have made his rise to power in the family cemented. As for Ernesto, he will be pissed about Sofia going against him and for us digging into Marco's death and losing out on the money he'd gain from this alliance. He was relying on the entire deal to solidify him as the new family head, to bring about trust and loyalty in the Savocas after his mess up all those years ago when Antonio unnamed him as underboss. He'll make mistakes now." Leo checked his phone once more, and I knew the Donatis were keeping an eye on many things now, waiting for the shift to begin, for Ernesto to screw up.
"They'll band together against a common enemy—the Donatis, most likely, rather than turn on one another." Canzio's expression remained neutral despite the potential threat. "They both believe we overstepped. In their minds, this was a family matter we had no right to interfere with."
Sofia made a small, distressed sound as she pulled a cushion into her chest. "This is too much. I should've just gone along with it." Her voice dropped as she stared down at her hands. "I shouldn't have kept the baby, I should've protected everyone."
My blood ran cold at her words.
"No," Canzio said firmly. "You're essentially carrying a Donati baby, Ms. Savoca. That changes everything."
Sofia looked up at him, her face weary and defeated.
"I will handle this," Canzio continued. "You need to focus on your health right now. The stress isn't good for you or the child."
"But—"
"No buts." Canzio moved to pour himself a drink from the bar cart in the corner. "This situation is not your doing, Sofia. It is a play by men who do not value the opinions and lives of their women, who treat them as a currency or means to an end." Canzio swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his gaze settling on me. "Grayson, it's time you made a choice."
"What choice?"
"About taking on the Donati name." Canzio tipped his glass to me. "It could help shape everything going forward." He downed the drink before setting the glass down on the cart.
The room fell silent.
The Donati name. Leo had said a few times I was like a brother to him, essentially a Donati, but I'd waved it off.
Now, here was Canzio, offering me a name that came with respect and power. But it was also a name drenched in blood and darkness, a name many knew and not for good reason. Sure, they had morals and a code, but they were still a crime family.
I glanced at Sofia, at the tightness of her brow as she stared at me.
With her pregnant with my child, with enemies circling...
"If it's truly for the best," I said slowly, "then I'll take the name. I'll become a Donati in full, with a legal name change."
Canzio nodded, satisfied. "I'll see it done." He turned to Sofia. "Everything will be okay, Ms. Savoca. I have a plan. We just needed a little more time. This will cause havoc, but we'll contain it." He drained his glass and set it down. "Leo, you'll come with me. We need to sort things out."
Leo nodded, moving to take Meredith's hand.
"I want to stay with Sofia," Meredith said, looking between her husband and Sofia. "If that's okay."
"Of course." Leo nodded. "The house is secure, we've got a perimeter set up and our best men here. You'll all be safe."
"We'll update you all," Canzio said as he headed for the door, Leo following close behind. Before leaving, Leo paused beside me, clasping my shoulder, and giving me a slight bob of his head.
I smiled and nodded in return, the silent exchange one of reassurance and brotherhood.
After they left, I moved to sink onto the couch beside Sofia, Meredith plopping into the armchair with a heavy sigh.
Sofia leaned against me, exhaustion evident in every line of her body. "You didn't have to do that," she murmured.
"Do what?"
"Agree to take the Donati name. I know what that means for you."
I pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I did have to do it. For you, for our baby, for us. The Donati name carries weight, protection."
"It also carries danger," she countered.
"A danger we were already in." I sighed. "Sofia, I've been part of this world for years. The only difference now is making it official."
Meredith watched us, concern etched on her features. "You should rest, Sof. It's been a long night."
Sofia nodded, but made no move to get up. "I can't stop thinking about what happens next. Ernesto won't let this go."
"Let Canzio handle Ernesto," I said firmly. "Right now, your only job is to take care of yourself and our baby."
"Gray's right," Meredith added. "Come on, I'll help you find something comfortable to change into. I'm sure there's some clothes here somewhere."
Sofia allowed Meredith to lead her toward one of the bedrooms, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I moved to the bar cart, pouring myself a small measure of whiskey. The weight of the decision I'd just made settled on my shoulders—not uncomfortably, but noticeably. Grayson Donati. It sounded strange, foreign, yet there was a rightness to it I couldn't deny.
I glanced over my shoulder as the front door opened, but relaxed when Roman strode in, assessing the home carefully.
"Everything is quiet, nobody followed us," he stated.
"Shouldn't you be going with Leo and Canzio?" I asked.
"They want me here, they took Jackson instead." He moved to the window in the living room, gazing out at the darkened garden and tree cover.
"You've been with the family a long time," I said, not really expecting a response.
"Yes," he replied simply.
"Was it worth it? Giving your life to them?"
Roman considered this as he turned his head, his expression thoughtful. "They gave me purpose when I had none. Protection when I needed it. A future for my daughter." He shrugged. "I would say yes, it was worth it."
I nodded, sipping my drink. "And now I'm one of them. Officially."
"You always were," Roman said. “Leo told me the plan. The name just makes it known to everyone else."
The simplicity of his statement struck me. He was right—I'd been a Donati in all but name for years. This was just acknowledging what had always been true. Sure, I'd not gotten my hands as bloody, not really, but they were dirty in other ways. I was Leo's connection to the world, to the legitimate businesses and people he needed to use for cover. I was the charming face, the one who used honey to hide the blood and darkness of the Donati name.
Meredith returned, looking tired but composed. "She's changing. I found her some clothes. Sweatpants and a plain tee, someone should make sure the safe-houses get some women's clothing."
"Thank you," I said. "You should get into something comfier too, have a shower. It's been a long evening."
She gave me a small smile. "Yeah, that it has been." She hesitated, glancing at Roman before she refocused on me. "Are you really okay with taking the Donati name?"
I set my glass down. "I am. It feels like the right move, especially now."
"It's a big step."
"No bigger than the one I took when I helped take down our father. I joined this world that day, and I've been a part of it ever since." I met her gaze steadily.
"The Cassaro name will die out if you do." She looked torn, but I just shook my head.
"Is it a name worth saving? The Donati have been there for us, they are our family." I cocked my head at her, and she nodded softly.
"Our father would roll over in his grave," she muttered, but her lip quirked in the corner as she shook her head.
"Good, let him." I glanced toward the hallway where Sofia had disappeared. "I never thought I'd have this—a family of my own. Now that I do, I'll do whatever it takes to protect them."
Meredith stepped closer and squeezed my arm. "You're going to be a great father, Gray."
The words sent a surge of emotion through me—fear, pride, determination all mixed together. Father. I was going to be a father.
"I hope so," I whispered.
She smiled before heading into the kitchen, sifting through the cupboards and setting about making tea.
Sofia reappeared a few minutes later, dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt that hung loose on her frame. Her face was washed clean of makeup, her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. She'd never looked more beautiful to me.
I crossed the room to her, taking her hands in mine. “Feel better?”
“A little. Still tired," she admitted. "And uneasy."
"I know." I led her to the couch, sitting beside her. "But we're going to get through this, Sof. All of us, together."
She leaned her head against my shoulder, her body relaxing slightly. "I never wanted to drag you into my family's mess."
"You didn't drag me anywhere. I walked in willingly." I stroked her hair gently. "And I'm not going anywhere."
Meredith brought Sofia a cup of tea, settling into an armchair across from us. "Try to drink this. It might help you sleep."
Sofia accepted the cup with a grateful smile, dimples and all. "Thank you, Mer."
We sat in comfortable silence for a while, the events of the night settling around us like dust after an explosion. But right now, we were safe, and we were together.
And that was enough.