Page 50 of Set Up By the Cartel

"It's the baby,"I managed to choke out between clenched teeth."He's coming now."

Mateo swore, scooping me up into his arms as if I weighed nothing. He carried me towards the door, calling out instructions to the guards stationed outside our temporary home. Within minutes, we were speeding towards the hospital, sirens blaring as they cleared a path for us.

At the hospital, nurses rushed to greet us, wheeling me into a delivery room and hooking me up to various machines. Mateo never left my side, his hand clasped tightly in mine as he offered words of encouragement and support. I didn't know what I would be doing now without him. He made all the difference. IfI were worried I wouldn't make it, I would be feeling a heavy weight intent on crushing me.

Hours later, after what felt like an eternity of pushing and panting and screaming, our baby finally entered the world, letting out a lusty cry that filled the room. Tears streamed down my face as I cradled our son in my arms, marveling at his tiny fingers and toes and the perfect bow-shaped mouth that already promised a life full of mischief. He was just like me and his father.

Mateo stood beside me, his own tears flowing freely as he gazed upon our creation."He's beautiful,"he whispered, reaching out to stroke the soft fuzz atop our son's head."Perfect, just like his father."

I looked up at him, my heart swelling with love and gratitude. We had truly created something special, born from the fact that we were fated mates. Never before in my life had I felt so right.

This was our little Oliver.

Mateo's Epilogue

Years later…

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the backyard as I sat on the porch swing, Oliver perched on my lap. He was growing so fast, it seemed like only yesterday when I held him for the first time. Now, he was almost three years old, chattering away in a language that was uniquely his own.

Kael sat beside me, his hand resting lightly on my thigh. He was still as beautiful as the day we met, even after all the trials and tribulations we had endured together. The love that shone in his blue eyes was a constant reminder of the bond we shared.

I thought back to the man I used to be, a ruthless and unfeeling leader who cared for nothing but power and wealth. That version of myself seemed like a distant memory now, replaced by the husband and father I had become. It was hard to believe that I could have ever been so cold and callous, so driven by darkness and greed.

But then again, maybe it wasn't so surprising. Growing up in the cartel, I had never known any different life. My father had taught me that the only way to survive was to be stronger, crueler, and more cunning than everyone else. That worked forme in the past. And I had taken that lesson to heart, using it to carve out a place for myself among the most powerful and dangerous men in the underworld.

But now, looking at my son's innocent face, I couldn't help but wonder if there might have been another way. A better way.

"You're deep in thought,"Kael said softly, interrupting my reverie."Penny for them?"

I smiled, brushing a strand of hair off his forehead."Just thinking about how far we've come,"I replied, pulling him closer."About how lucky I am to have you and Oliver in my life."

Kael leaned into my touch, his eyes shining with affection."We're lucky to have you too,"he murmured."You've changed so much, Mateo. You're not the same man you used to be." I truly wasn't.

I nodded, knowing that he spoke the truth. I had changed, in ways that sometimes shocked even myself. I was still a force to be reckoned with in certain circles, but my priorities had shifted dramatically. My life didn't revolve around the cartel anymore.

Now, instead of worrying about expanding my empire or crushing my rivals, I spent my days planning birthday parties and playdates, attending parent-teacher conferences, and reading bedtime stories. It was a far cry from my former life and so much more fulfilling.

I looked down at Oliver, who was busily gnawing on one of my fingers. His teeth were sharp and his grip surprisingly strong. I couldn't imagine my life without him, without the light and joy he brought into our world.

"You know,"Kael continued, his voice taking on a wistful tone,"sometimes I worry that we haven't done enough to protect him. That someday, someone from your past will come looking for revenge and put our little family in danger again."

My heart clenched at the thought, a familiar pang of fear and guilt washing over me. What he said was a possibility. I knew therisks we faced, the enemies we had made during my time with the cartel. But I refused to let that fear consume us, to allow it to taint the happiness we had worked so hard to build.

"No one is going to hurt our son,"I vowed, my voice low and steady."I promise you that. I will do whatever it takes to keep him safe, no matter what. He is my future, and I will not let anyone take that away from me."

Kael searched my face for a moment, as though trying to gauge the sincerity of my words. They were some of the most sincere words I had ever spoken.

Then, slowly, a smile spread across his lips."I believe you,"he said softly, pressing a kiss to my cheek."Because I know how much you love us, how much you would do to keep us safe."

And it was true. Love had changed everything for me, had given me a reason to be better, to strive for something greater than the empty pursuits of power and money. It had shown me that there were more important things in this world — things like trust, loyalty, and family.

Oliver squirmed in my lap, letting out an indignant cry as he tried to grab at the butterfly that flitted past his nose. I laughed, watching as he chased after it with an enthusiastic grin plastered on his face. In that moment, I knew that every sacrifice, every hardship we had faced along the way had been worth it.

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