Page 29 of Surprise Twins for the Mafia Heir

“You have my word that the full amount will be sent to you once I’m safe,” I promise. Sue sighs, eyeing the wallet like it’s full of germs.

“Where exactly is safe, Vinny? I’m sure those idiots are on my tail,” Sue says.

“Don’t worry about that. Just locate Nick and I’ll figure out the rest.”

It takes five reheated coffees and seven hours for Sue to resurface from her office with the final news. I have the nerve to ask her how she did it, but I don’t. I don’t need the details. All that matters is that she located Nick’s exact whereabouts.

“Looks like he’s been hiding out in some safe house judging by the fact it’s underneath a store,” Sue confirms. “If I were you, I’d get there at night so no one sees you. I’ll let you stay here until it’s safe to leave.”

I frown, not sure what the catch is. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with my shit?”

Sue pours herself a coffee. “It’s been a while since I got to do what I’m good at. I remember how old you were the last time I saw you, too. It’s a shame you have to resort to such measures.”

My own coffee is cold on the table across from me. “I don’t have time to worry about my misfortune. I’ve been lost for so long that knowing what I want to do feels right.”

I spend the remaining time at her house until nightfall and finally set out on the dark road. The commute is long but I don't let it get to me. I eventually make my way to the Brooklyn safe house where Nick is hiding out. It’s underneath a small convenience store run by an immigrant family. I glide my way in and find the exact spot where Sue told me the entrance would be. Miraculously, before I barge in, I hear Nick’s voice as he jokes with one of the workers. I don’t waste any time.

I speed around the corner and pull out my gun, ready to kill him on the spot. Nick is calm though. He doesn’t hold up his arms or beg for me to think about what I’m about to do. I hear three guns cock behind me; the store owner and two other men all aim at me.

“I’m guessing you worked hard to find the exact location,” Nick says. “Which is what I wanted you to do. I tried to make it easy for you to find me.”

My entire body is shaking. “Why? So, you could tell me to my face that you killed her?”

Nick shakes his head. “Rosa is alive, Don, alright? Remember, that’s what you begged me to do. To keep her safe.”

“Spare me the act, Nick! You’re a mole! I know everything!”

Nick frowns. “Everything? There’s no way you know everything, Vinny. But I promise, you will. This just isn’t the time for you to come and see her.”

I eye the small entrance towards the safe house. I want to push past them and find Rosa. Then we can run away and forget any of this happened. “Just let me see Rosa.”

“She doesn’t want to see you right now. You tried to kill her, remember? You were going to carry out the order your dad gave. Now, if you’re smart, you’ll turn around and leave the country. Because since you’re out, I’m sure your dad is on the hunt for you and he won’t stop until you’re dead,” Nick tells me.

He’s right. But I don’t want to leave without Rosa. None of my thoughts are logical. Heat is rushing through me. I eventually drop my gun.

“This isn’t over,” I say through gritted teeth.

“I believe you,” Nick says. “I’ll make sure she’s okay.”

“Why should I believe you?”

Nick shrugs. “Why should anyone believe you?”

He has a point. Up until now, I haven’t been honorable in anything I’ve said or done. It’s no wonder that Rosa hates me. I ease out of the front door until I’m back on the street. There’s only one place I can head now and I’d be lucky if I last a day there.

CHAPTER 17

Rosa

“Four months on the dot,” Dr. Carmy chirps as he takes off his stethoscope and places it on the counter. I look at my reflection in the huge mirror across the room — a small stomach bulges from under my Winnie the Pooh shirt. The clothes Nick got me a month ago are already too small. It doesn’t help that I can’t shop freely without him freaking out that I’ll be spotted. Somehow, months have flown by and I still haven’t been found by the Montoyas. Apparently, Nick’s hideout spot is a lot better than I anticipated. I severely underestimated how serious the underground protection union is.

I didn’t find out about it until a pixie-looking woman showed up in the living room with an earpiece and clipboard. Nick followed behind her, referring to her quietly as, “Jodie”. Jodie runs the protection squad and met Nick when he landed back in New York. What's most shocking is I’m not the only scared, parentless expectant mom on the run.

“Never thought the first trimester would be spent living in a hole,” I complain as I follow Dr. Carmy back into the main area. Jodie is already there with Nick and four cups of coffee.

“Better safe than sorry,” Dr. Carmy says as he sits down at the table. Jodie is a woman of few words. She takes a quick sip of hercoffee, her eyes scanning me up and down before settling on my stomach.

“Any word from Vinny?” she asks, although I know she’s really asking Nick.

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