Page 99 of Dark Mafia Vows

I chuckle softly. “Are you ready?”

She tilts her head up to look at me, her eyes filled with warmth. “More than ready.”

I kiss her forehead, pulling her closer. “Me too. It’s going to be perfect, Ginny.”

For the first time ever, I believe it. That everything is going to be perfect. That we are finally getting our happy ending.

And this is only the beginning.

EPILOGUE

Five years later

Loud laughter echoes through the house as we gather around the dinner table, plates scattered with the remnants of Rosa’s delicious lasagna.

I still don’t know how to cook. I’ve tried to learn since, well, I’m a mother now, but the kids—brutally honest, those ones—much prefer Rosa’s cooking.

They love my baking, though, and won’t stop gushing to me about how they’ve made lots of friends in their kindergarten because I keep sending sweet treats for the whole class. Some of the mothers even come to my bakery, referred by my kids' teacher.

The dining room feels warm, alive, and filled with a kind of contentment I could never have imagined five years ago. Dario sits across from me, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he watches Nicolas, one of the twins, trying to tell a joke he’s told a million times.

“Why don’t eggs tell jokes?” Nico asks, barely able to contain his giggles as he waits for the punchline.

His twin, Sofia, rolls her eyes, trying to hide the soft smile tugging at her lips. She’s quieter, more thoughtful, and already too smart for her age. “Because they’ll crack each other up,” she answers dryly, beating Nico to it.

Nico’s laugh erupts before he can even finish the joke himself. His loud, infectious giggles bounce off the walls, filling every corner of the room with joy. He’s always been the loud one, full of energy and mischief, a complete contrast to Sofia, who watches the world with careful, observant eyes.

Dario shakes his head, grinning as he wipes his mouth with a napkin. “That’s the third time today, Nico. I think you need some new material, buddy.”

Nico pouts, but the mischief gleaming in his eyes shows he’s already planning his next joke. “But it’s funny, Daddy!” he insists, his mouth full of lasagna.

Sofia rolls her eyes again but doesn’t say anything, and I can’t help but chuckle at the way she mirrors Dario’s calm demeanor, while Nico’s wild energy seems to come from...well, me, I think.

Rosa walks into the dining room with that familiar motherly smile on her face. She’s been a constant in our lives, and after all these years, I think she loves our children just as much as we do.

“It’s a good joke, Nico,” she says kindly, ruffling his dark curls before collecting the empty plates. “But tomorrow, I expect a new one.”

Nico beams up at her. “You’ve got it, Rosa!”

As we finish up, Dario stands and stretches, reaching for Sofia and Nico’s hands. “All right, bedtime, you two.”

Nico groans dramatically, throwing his head back. “Nooooo, I’m not tired!”

Sofia just stands, already making her way toward the stairs. “Come on, Nico. We have school tomorrow,” she says sensibly, her voice soft but firm.

Dario and I exchange a glance—amusement mixed with pride. Our family may not be perfect, but it’s ours, and I wouldn’t trade this life for anything in the world.

Upstairs, the night settles into a usual yet chaotic rhythm. We’ve fallen into a routine. Dario tucks Sofia into bed first. She’s already half asleep by the time her head hits the pillow. I watch from the doorway, my heart swelling as Dario brushes a kiss on her forehead.

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” he whispers.

She blinks up at him, her dark lashes fluttering, and offers him the smallest, softest smile. “Goodnight, Daddy.”

In the other room, I struggle to get Nico into bed. He’s bouncing off the walls, still full of energy despite it being late. “Come on, buddy,” I say, finally catching him in my arms and lifting him onto the bed. “It’s time to sleep.”

“But I’m...” He lets out a big yawn, “...not tired.”

I shake my head, laughing softly. “Sure, you’re not.”

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