Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
SOFIA
I watched the door of the small café, unable to shake the unease that had clung to me for the past few days since I'd last met with my aunt. The quaint establishment sat halfway between our two cities—neutral ground. Gray had wanted to come, but I'd convinced him this needed to be a family conversation. Just me and Caterina.
When she walked in, she looked like a woman of power, one who had survived too much, had endured pain that she didn't deserve, and had come out stronger.
Stronger. People said what didn't kill you made you stronger. I believed it forced you to harden, but not in a good way. A defense mechanism that wasn't something to be proud of.
"Sofia." She nodded as she reached me, and I rose to give her a hug, drawing in her soft perfume as she embraced me back.
"Thank you for meeting me again so soon." I squeezed her hand as we sat down. "What cover did you use to come here?"
"I told the family I'm looking at holiday properties in the area. It gave me reason to be away without suspicion."
The waitress took our orders—herbal tea for me, espresso for her—and Caterina's eyebrow rose.
"How far along are you?"
"What?" I baulked.
"Please, herbal tea? No one drinks that shit," she smirked knowingly, and I scoffed. Of course that was how she'd assume such a thing.
"Still early days," I said quietly.
She nodded knowingly. "So this is why you've had a change of heart. Children change everything, they make us want to do better, be better."
"Yes, they do. And because I'd either need to get rid of it or die as soon as Juan found out with this arranged marriage," I added.
She cocked her head at me, a glimmer of sadness washing over her face before she masked it. "Men try to control us for their own gain. My Gio, may he rest in peace, did not. He did not think like the other men, which is why I married him. He was softer, followed orders, but chose me always. It's why Davide cannot lead, he takes after his father too much. Even with my guidance, he'd not be fit to take Marco's place, or yours. But I'm sure you already considered it and came to the same conclusion," she said as our drinks arrived, along with a few pastries.
"Honestly, it was down to Bianca, Davide, or I, being the last of the main line, apart from you, of course."
"Yes, and I'm also not willing to take on that role. I have skeletons in my closet that would be used against me, and I'm no longer in my prime. A part of me wishes I could, for your sake, for Bianca, Cara, Rosette, and Julia. But I'm not the one for this position," she said softly before taking a sip of her espresso.
"I understand. Which is why I have another idea, one that will prevent any bloodshed hopefully. I know we're hoping to simply overthrow him with numbers, but that could cause in-house fighting, even deaths," I added, and she nodded knowingly, the corner of her lip quirking upwards.
"Something tells me this isn't something easy, it'll require blood being spilt," she said as she leaned back in her chair. She'd been in this world too long, knew how it worked.
"Yeah. But first, how's Julia? You said Bianca spoke with her, and then you had to. You said she was handling it as expected, but do you think she's with us?" I asked, dreading the answer.
Caterina's face darkened. "She's destroyed, Sof. She didn't believe Bianca at first—accused her of making up stories." She stirred her espresso absently. "I had to show her the evidence myself. The bank statements. The phone records. Everything."
"And?"
"She broke down completely. Then something... changed in her. I've never seen such rage in Julia before." Caterina sipped her coffee. "She's staying with me now. Ernesto hasn't been home, thankfully. He's too busy plotting with the Ference family."
"Do we have enough people on our side?"
"More than you'd think. The women of the family have been waiting for change for generations." Her eyes met mine, searching. "So what is it you wish to do? Have Ernesto killed?"
I sighed, sipping my tea and glancing out the window, glad we were tucked in a quiet corner away from other patrons. "It has to be within the family, and not by me. If I do it, and they learn I'm pregnant and with Grayson's child, they'll deem it a Donati attack."
"They would," Caterina agreed, studying me as she smiled softly. "You remind me of your father, Sofia."
I stiffened. "I'm nothing like?—"
"In the good ways," she clarified. "Antonio knew when to make the hard calls for the family. But where he stopped at maintaining the status quo, I can see you want to change things. That's what the Savoca family needs."
The comparison to my father sent conflicting emotions through me. I'd spent years trying to escape his legacy, but perhaps I did have some of his hardness needed for these kinds of times.
"We need to move quickly," I said. "Before Ernesto realizes what's happening."
Caterina nodded. "I agree. But there's something you should understand.” She reached across the table, taking my hand. "I will help you end my brother's reign. But Julia deserves the first chance at him."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"He killed her son, Sofia. Her firstborn." Caterina's voice cracked slightly. "As a mother who's lost a child, I can tell you there's a specific kind of rage that comes with it. A mother's vengeance. I've had years to come to terms with my loss, Julia… her loss is fresh."
I thought about the tiny life growing inside me, how fiercely I already wanted to protect it. "You think she'll kill him?"
"I think she deserves the opportunity to decide his fate, if she wants to be the one." Caterina's eyes were hard. "After what he's done to this family—to all of us—he needs to pay."
I nodded slowly. "And if she can't go through with it?"
"Then we proceed as planned." Caterina's face hardened. "But first, we give her the chance to confront the monster who murdered her son."
* * *
The following morning, I tried to relax as Dr. Kenner moved the ultrasound wand inside me. Gray sat beside me, his hand gripping mine as we both stared at the small monitor.
"Everything still looks good," Dr. Kenner said with a reassuring smile. “The subchorionic hematoma is resolving, it should be healed in another week completely.”
I exhaled slowly, relief washing over me. I'd suspected things were still going good despite the mess that was my life right now, but getting confirmation was a bonus.
“Try to take it easy still, but in regard to sex, I think it’s safe to resume that now,” she said with a wink, and I rolled my eyes with a smile. It wasn’t exactly a priority of ours lately, and Gray had been far too focused on my care than his pleasure.
“There’s no rush on that,” Gray said with a chuckle. “Sofia’s health comes first.”
“Of course, I’m just saying it’s safe, although don’t be too rough just yet. However, I want to get you started on a comprehensive prenatal plan," Dr. Kenner continued as she removed the wand and cleaned it off. "Given your recent scare, I'd like to see you every two weeks for the first trimester, then we'll reassess."
"Whatever you think is best," I said.
She handed me a folder. "I've outlined everything here—diet recommendations, exercise guidelines, prenatal vitamins. My receptionist has already scheduled your next appointments."
I nodded, having already started the vitamins Gray had researched and bought for me. He'd been on the ball lately, making me nutritious breakfast every day, my mother assisting as well. The pair of them were determined to see me resting and my baby growing well. It was something I found myself adoring, although I couldn't shake the niggle of guilt. Having people care for me was a hard one to accept.
After finalizing the details and collecting my paperwork, we headed toward the hospital exit. Gray walked close beside me, his hand resting protectively on the small of my back.
"That went well," he said, pressing the elevator button. "I was worried?—"
"I know." I leaned against him, glad that we'd gotten good news. "Me too." He kissed the top of my head knowingly, holding me closer.
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside just as Gray's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, smiling softly before firing off a text.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Just Leo checking in. Told him all was good."
"Right, I should let Mer know, she wanted me to." I pulled out my own phone, firing off a text as well. I knew we were likely seeing them later, so I wanted to enjoy my time alone with Gray. My mother was at home preparing dinner for us all, and I was doing my best to not contact Caterina again. She'd said once she had enough backing of men in the family, then they'd make their move, orchestrate it so we were all present. We were still working out the details, but with Leo and Canzio's second meeting with Ernesto and the Ferences looming closer, I was getting anxious.
We exited through the hospital's main doors into the parking garage. The air was cooler here, damp with the scent of concrete and exhaust. Gray guided me toward where our driver was waiting, scanning our surroundings the way he always did. Always ready, always prepared.
We were halfway to the car when I heard footsteps behind us, my heart skipping a beat as I glanced back.
"Gray!" The masked man moving in had my stomach knotting as I gripped Gray's hand tight.
Gray was already pushing me behind him in one swift motion as we turned to face the man in a dark hoodie, his masked face hidden beneath it. The glint of metal in his hand made my heart stop.
"Wallet and keys," the man demanded, his voice rough.
"Take it easy," Gray said, his voice calm despite the knife pointed at us. "We don't want any trouble."
"Purse," the man barked, gesturing toward my handbag with his knife. "Now."
There was no way this was happening, not here. This had to be a planned attack.
I heard the car door of our own vehicle being flung open, our driver, Daniel, ready to come to our aid.
I hoped he shot this prick down.
I started to slip my bag off my shoulder, but Gray held out his hand, pulling his wallet from his pocket. "Here, take this. There's cash, cards?—"
The man lunged forward, not seeming to care about the money at all, and Gray moved to protect me.
Too bad it looked like the man had been going after him. There was a struggle, a grunt of pain, and then Gray staggered backward against me.
I flinched as gunshots sounded off, and the masked man crumpled to the ground. I glanced back at Daniel, his gun still raised while he closed the distance between us.
Too bad my focus was now on Gray as he collapsed in front of me, falling to his hands and knees.
"Gray!" I knelt down, my gaze moving to where he was pressing his hand to his side. Where blood was already spreading across his shirt.
Oh god no.
"I'm okay," he said through gritted teeth, but his face had gone pale.
"No, you're not. Daniel, we need to get him inside, now!" I barked as Daniel reached us. He was still checking the area, and I wondered how this man had gotten past him. We should've had more security with us.
Not that it mattered right now.
Gray's eyes were unfocused, his breathing shallow. There was too much blood spreading from his wound, and I moved his hand aside to cover the wound with my own, keeping the pressure on it. From the feel of it, he'd taken a few stabs.
Fuck.
"Sofia," Gray whispered.
"Don't talk. Save your strength." I applied more pressure, feeling his warm blood seeping between my fingers. Daniel was already hooking his arm under him, barking into his radio for backup and to inform the Donatis of this attack, that there was body now.
I barely even glanced at the man who'd come for us, focusing on Gray as I helped Daniel carry him to the hospital entrance.
"Need to tell you..." Gray turned his head to me, gritting his teeth. "I love you."
My vision blurred, but I blinked the tears away as we got closer to the entrance. "Don't you dare say that like you're saying goodbye."
"Not goodbye." His breathing was labored. "Just need you to know. In case?—"
"No 'in case,'" I snapped as Daniel hit the elevator button. Thankfully, they opened immediately, and we stepped in. "You're going to be fine. Our baby needs you, Gray. I need you."
His lips curved into a weak smile. "Love you both."
"I love you too," I whispered, knowing that I meant it. "So you can't die now, understand? I won't allow it."
Gray's gaze drifted to where my hands pressed against his wound. "It's different," he murmured.
"What is?"
"My blood. Seeing my own blood right now, after everything. It'd normally have me so… distressed." His voice was faint. "But now, it's almost... calming. Not like before."
"That's the shock talking," I said, glancing desperately around as the elevator opened on the main floor. "Just stay with me."
Daniel was shouting for help now, and thankfully, everyone was quick to react.
Hospital staff swarmed around us then—nurses I recognized, a doctor I'd worked with in the ER. They moved me gently aside, taking over with practiced efficiency.
"Several stab wounds to the right flank, significant blood loss," I reported automatically. "He's going into shock."
They loaded Gray onto a gurney, cutting away his shirt to reveal the ugly wound beneath before applying pressure. I walked alongside, holding his hand until we reached the doors to the emergency surgical suite.
"You can't go any further, Sofia," one of the nurses said gently, placing a hand on my arm.
"He's going to be okay," I said, more to myself than to her. "Tell them he's going to be okay."
"We'll take good care of him."
I watched as they wheeled Gray through the doors, my hands still covered in his blood.
This wasn't a random attack. This was either Ernesto or the Ference family, making it look like a simple robbery gone wrong.
My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and called Leo.
"Gray's been stabbed," I said when he answered, my voice steadier than I expected. "We're at Ironstone Memorial. He's in surgery now."
Leo's response was immediate. "We're on our way already, Daniel alerted the team. He said there's a body. What happened?"
"Someone attacked us in the parking garage. Stabbed Gray when he tried to protect me. Daniel shot him dead." I swallowed hard. "This wasn't random, Leo."
"I know." His voice was grim. "Stay where you are. Don't go anywhere alone. We'll be there in fifteen minutes. There's men headed to you nearby. I'm going to call Daniel, we need to deal with the body. He's to stay with you, but a team will deal with it."
After hanging up, I called my mother next, glancing back to find Daniel on the phone.
"Mama," I said when she answered, switching to Italian. "It's started. Gray's been hurt."
"Where are you?" Her voice hitched with panic.
"The hospital. He's in surgery." I lowered my voice. "This was Ernesto or the Ferences, I'm sure of it."
"Are you hurt? The baby?"
"We're fine. Gray protected us." My voice caught. "I need you to contact Caterina. Tell her we're out of time. We need to do this."
"I will." My mother's voice hardened. "This ends now, Sofia. No one else will get hurt."
"Yes," I agreed, a cold resolve settling over me.
After ending the call, I made my way to the surgical waiting area and sank into a chair, finally allowing myself a moment to process what had happened. Gray had been stabbed protecting me. He'd told me he loved me while bleeding in my arms.
I looked down at my hands, still stained with his blood. This was the reality of the world I'd been born into—violence that touched everyone I loved.
I closed my eyes, exhaustion and fear washing over me in equal measure. Gray had to survive. Our child needed a father. I needed him.
The sound of hurried footsteps minutes later made me look up.
"Sof!" Lisa knelt down before me, taking in the blood on me. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, someone attacked Gray," I said, feeling far too detached now.
"I'm sorry, Sof. Here, let's go get you cleaned up, sweetie."
I allowed Lisa to pull me up and lead me away, taking me past the nurse's station then into a washroom. She helped clean the blood from my hands, bagging my shirt and helping strip me down. Another nurse, Jasmine, knocked on the door and passed Lisa some hospital wear, which she helped me dress into.
"Hey, you're okay, and he's got the best care here, you know that," Lisa reassured me as I struggled to meet her gaze.
I can’t lose him.
She helped lead me out of the washroom and back to the waiting area, although my mind was in a haze now.
Frantic footsteps had me glancing up as Meredith rushed toward me, Leo close behind her.
"Sofia!" Meredith pulled me into a tight hug. "Are you okay? Gray?"
"I'm fine," I assured her, clinging to her familiar presence as Lisa stepped aside. "Gray… he's in surgery."
"Any news?" Leo demanded as he focused on Lisa.
"He just went in, they're operating on him. It happened right outside the hospital, which is the best place ultimately," Lisa answered.
"Will he be okay?!" Meredith snapped.
"Mer, they can't promise anything," I mumbled, and Meredith nodded, tears breaking free as she hugged me tight.
"He's going to be okay," she assured me, although I had a feeling it was for the both of us as we sunk into the seats.
"Please keep us updated," Leo said, and Lisa bobbed her head.
"If you need anything, anything at all, please ask," Lisa said as she touched my arm, offering me a small smile. It was the one thing we all hated about this job, how useless we could feel when things were out of our hands.
"I've set things in motion," I murmured as Leo knelt down before us both, placing a hand on Meredith's leg. "My mother is contacting Caterina. This ends sooner rather than later."
"Sofia—" Leo started, concern etched on his face.
"No." I cut him off. "I'm done waiting. Your meeting is coming up with them in what, three days? Gray is in surgery because of me, because of Ernesto. I won't let anyone else I love get hurt."
Meredith squeezed my hand. "What can we do?"
"Stay with me," I said, suddenly feeling very tired. "And pray Gray pulls through."
As they settled beside me in the waiting room, I bowed my head, letting the tears I'd been holding back finally fall. I prayed for Gray, for our unborn child, for the strength to end this once and for all.
Ernesto had no idea what he'd just unleashed upon himself.
Some people were determined to dig their own graves.