Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
GRAYSON
I stared at the ceiling of my hospital room, counting the tiny holes in each tile to keep from losing my mind. The painkillers they'd given me dulled the throbbing from my stab wounds, but did nothing for the ache in my chest.
Sofia was gone. She'd left with her mother at midday, preparing to walk straight into the lion's den tonight after Ernesto had accepted her request to meet and discuss the arranged marriage alliance. And here I was, trapped in a hospital bed while the woman carrying my child faced down two of the most dangerous men in her life.
The door swung open, and Leo stepped in, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Any news? Anything happening?" I asked, pushing myself up despite the pull of stitches in my side.
"Not yet. Everything's on schedule." He closed the door behind him. "The news of your death is spreading. Ernesto sent his condolences to Sofia with some flowers to her house, the manipulative bastard."
I clenched my jaw. "I hate this, Leo. I should be there with her."
"We've been through this. She'll have protection. I'll have men nearby."
"It's not enough." I swung my legs over the side of the bed, ignoring the flash of pain. "I need to be there."
Leo placed a hand on my shoulder. "Gray, you've got three stab wounds."
"And?" I shrugged his hand off. "If it were Meredith walking into that meeting tonight, would you stay here?"
His expression hardened, then softened just as quickly.
"No. I wouldn't."
"Then don't ask me to."
Leo stared at me for a moment before nodding. "I'll make sure you get removed from the hospital without suspicion."
Relief flooded through me. I knew he'd understand. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. Sof and Mer will have my ass for this." He pulled out his phone. "I'll have Roman bring you clothes and help with removing you."
I smirked a little. Leo was scared of no one, didn't care about the opinions of others. Save for Sofia and my sister. He gave a shit what they both said and thought. He was a true brother, and real man there.
I leaned back against the pillows, trying to steady my breathing. The pain was manageable—fear for Sofia was not.
"Do you truly think this plan will work?" I asked. "Or are Sofia and the Donati family going to be in more danger than we want to admit?”
Leo tucked his phone away and met my eyes. "Sofia knew the risks. She's thought it all through, weighed all the options. I've discussed it at length with my father, and for the outcome we all desire, this is the best course of action right now."
"It may be the best, but I still hate it. This is Sofia's life on the line, Leo. And our child's."
"I won't let anything happen to her." The conviction in his voice was absolute.
"I want to be there with the Donati men on standby." I pushed myself fully upright, swallowing a groan. "I'm well enough to fight for my family. I'd rather die than lose everything."
Leo looked me over, assessing. After a moment, he nodded. "I understand."
"When can we leave?"
"Roman will be here in twenty minutes. We'll need to move quickly after that."
I nodded, then reached for the water beside my bed.
"Gray," Leo said quietly, "you know Sofia is stronger than she looks. She was raised in this world."
"That's what scares me." I took a sip of water. "She knows exactly what these men are capable of, and she’s still going in there. Any other woman wouldn’t.”
Leo didn't argue. He knew I was right.
"The way she handled herself at the engagement party..." I shook my head. "She stood there and faced down Ernesto like she wasn't terrified. But I felt her clammy hand when I held it."
"Fear doesn't make her weak. It makes her human."
"I know." I stared down at my hands. "That's why I need to be there. Because I'm afraid too, and I refuse to let her face it alone."
"Gray, there's some things I need to discuss with you about this plan of Sofia's. I know how badly you want her protected. So I've made some calls, altered the plan a little."
"How?" I snapped my gaze to his. "Does Sofia know?"
"No, she can't know. She needs to be kept in the dark for this."
"What did you do?"