Page 37 of Surprise Twins for the Mafia Heir

“I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you are,” I reply quickly. “I love Mexico.”

Rosa squeezes my hand. “Will our babies love it?”

“It’s half of me, so it’ll be half of them too,” I say. “They’ll have a better shot at learning Spanish and knowing the beautiful parts of our culture.”

Rosa laughs. “I’d like that…little bilingual babies.”

I move closer, wrapping my hand around Rosa’s waist. “Rosa, I love you.” There’s another silence. I worry she won't sayit back. Why would she? Look at where she is because of me. But Rosa eventually says, “I love you, too, Vinny.”

That’s all I need.

Three months later

Life has been slow. It feels like it’s been paused. Just like the last time I lived in Mexico, I eat good food and spend time with my grandfather. But the best part is spending time with Rosa every day. Watching her stomach grow is the best gift. The glow she has is beautiful and I see a new side of her. She spends some days picking food in the market and other days she relaxes. She’s no longer looking over her shoulder and that brings me a lot of ease.

My grandfather certainly is happy to have me back. Our nights always end with a beer on the back patio that overlooks the countryside. It’s a world away from the chaos in New York.

“She seems happy here,” he says one night.

I nod. “The babies will be born on Mexican soil so that makes me happy.”

My grandfather grunts. “Good. That’s all I ever wanted for all of you.” The wind picks up as I drink the last of my beer.

“I still don’t know if Rosa wants to be with me,” I mutter.

“Of course she does. You’re a family now and once those kids get here, she’ll need you even more,” he replies. “You just need to do your part in making that decision easy for her.”

Rosa isn’t easy to get through to. She’s stubborn and still has walls. “The most I can get is a hug.”

My grandfather smirks. “That’s because you don’t know how to romance her. How are you forgetting the romantic side of pursuit?”

The last time I pursued a woman I was in my early twenties. Women usually come after me. Rosa won’t chase me though. I’m going to have to get creative with her. The following day, I plan it out to the last detail.

Rosa finds me in the afternoon, staring inquisitively at the note I left on her bed. “What’s this all about?”

I shrug. “What does it say?”

She tries to hide the smirk on her face. “Be ready at 7?”

I nod. “There’s a gift under the bed, too.”

“What kind of gift?” Rosa folds her arms across her chest.

I’m fighting the urge to let her know how excited I am. “I can’t give it all away, Rosa.”

Rosa folds the note up and tucks it in her pocket. “Fine, I’ll be ready at 7.”

The restaurant I have chosen is similar to the coffee shop where I took Rosa when she was being held captive. It overlooks the ocean and has the best food in Jalisco. There’s even a live band. Rosa’s dress — coral and green and handmade by a local tribe — looks breathtaking on her. Once we eat and enjoy the food, I see the color returning to her cheeks.

“You can tell me what all this is for now,” Rosa says.

I smile and reach over to take Rosa’s hand. “I love you.”

She rolls her eyes. “What did you do now?”

“No, Rosa, I’m serious. I want a life with you and I want you to know I’m committed to you,” I promise her. Rosa looks away and takes a long sip of guava juice.

“That’s a lot to take in, Vinny,” Rosa says. “You broke my trust that night you tried to kill me.”

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