Page 36 of Surprise Twins for the Mafia Heir

I nod. “You can live out the rest of your pregnancy in peace with fresh air and good food. And these assholes don’t have to keep looking over their shoulders.”

Jodie rolls her eyes. “I sure would like to have him out of my hair, Nick.”

“Who said I would want to go with him?” Rosa protests. “I don’t trust Vinny.”

I step forward. “And this is where I ask that you try, Rosa. You’re not just someone I love. You’re carrying our babies. I need us to be safe.”

I exhale and wipe sweat from my brow. “I also trust my grandfather.”

Rosa has tears in her eyes and quietly grabs the bag from me. I can tell the smell hits her as a small smile creeps on her face. Without a word, she retreats to the dinner table and savagely begins eating. Even if it may have cost us, I’m satisfied to see my plan has worked.

“Vinny! Vinny! Wake up!” A bright light burns my eyes and I bolt awake with Jodie standing over me. She tosses a bag at me and drags me out of the bed.

“What the hell, Jodie?” I hiss.

“Dr. Carmy is dead. We have to get you and Rosa out of here,” Jodie says in one breath. I don’t have time to process what she’s saying. I immediately put my shoes on and quickly follow her with the bag she threw at me. Rosa is already in the trunk of the truck with Nick in the driver’s seat.

“You will both be covered in the trunk. I’m taking you to the border and then you’re on your own,” Nick says. Rosa is shivering underneath the cover as I squeeze in beside her.

“It’s gonna be alright,” I whisper as Jodie slams the trunk closed.

Rosa doesn’t say a word.

I’m in and out of sleep until Nick opens the trunk and uncovers Rosa and me. I squint my eyes away from the bright lights. It’s not sunlight though.

“We’re not there yet, but at least we’re away from your dad’s bloodhounds,” Nick says. “You two should get up and stretch your legs. The next couple of hours might be brutal.”

I help Rosa up and she slides out of the trunk. “Gas station?” she asks.

“Truckstop — and thankfully, this one is empty,” Nick says. “I’m gonna get a few things.” I sheepishly follow behind him into the small store. We silently grab a handful of chips, candy, energy drinks, and gum.

“Remember when we’d skip school and go to Raymen’s spot?” Nick asks out of the blue.

I snort. “Yeah, and then get busted by the cops.”

Nick smiles. “Things were so easy back then.” The cashier begins to check us out and a lump forms in my throat.

“You didn’t have to do this, Nick,” I whisper. “You’re risking your life.”

He takes the small bag of junk food and shrugs. “It’s the right thing to do. We were brothers once.”

We walk out of the door and back towards the truck. “Once?” I repeat.

Rosa is back in the truck, looking up at the starry sky. She looks exhausted and guilt washes over me.

“Too much has happened for things to ever be the same but I figured one last effort couldn’t hurt,” Nick says.

I don’t feel good about the tone in his voice or the gleam in his eyes. It’s like he knows something I don’t. “Nick, is there something—”

“I’m getting you to where you need to be, then after that you need to care for Rosa. Mexico won’t be a one-and-done. You never know what your dad has planned. You also can’t be too sure your grandfather is fully loyal,” Nick says. “Rosa is the most important thing. Don’t screw up.”

The compassion in his voice almost makes me want to ask why his loyalty has sprouted for Rosa. Then again, it's Rosa. She has that effect on everyone. I keep my questions to myself and get back in the trunk with Rosa. Once we’re boxed in, we’re back in darkness.

“Vinny?” Rosa suddenly asks.

I search for her hand in the darkness and finally find it. She doesn’t pull away. “Yeah, Rosa?”

There's a brief silence before she speaks. “Do you think I’ll be happy in Mexico?”

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