Page 76 of Sexting the Don

"Mandy, I'm sorry. I should've been there. I should've protected you better," he confesses, his voice thick with emotion.

“I was the one who left,” I tell him.

“Why did you go? Were you afraid to tell me about the baby?”

I close my eyes and let it all out. “I was afraid, but that’s not why I left. I overheard you talking with someone about using me and my mom as bait to lure my father out of hiding.”

I open my eyes to find Enzo staring at me in disbelief. “I don’t know what you think you heard, but that wasn’t it. It was suggested, and I shot it down. I could never do that to you, Mandy. God, I wish you’d come to me right away so I could’ve set you straight.”

I shake my head, feeling like a fool. “I should have known.”

"I promise you, from here on out, I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe, to make sure you and our baby are protected."

My heart swells at his words, tears welling in my eyes.

"I love you, Mandy. So damn much," he says, rising to his feet, then leaning over to pull me into a gentle embrace.

Just then, the door opens again, and the doctor steps in, her expression apologetic.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we’d like to do an ultrasound to confirm everything is okay with the baby."

Enzo nods, his hand tightening around mine. "Do what you need to do, Doctor."

As the ultrasound starts, the room fills with the soft, rhythmicthumpof a heartbeat. My breath catches in my throat at the beautiful, reassuring sound.

Suddenly, there's another heartbeat. Distinct yet just as strong.

The doctor smiles, turning the screen toward us.

"Looks like you're having twins," she announces.

Tears stream down my face, a mixture of joy and shock. Enzo, equally overwhelmed, kisses the top of my head. "Twins," he whispers, his voice filled with awe.

As we cling to each other, listening to the rhythmic beat of our babies, the room seems to glow with happiness and the promise of new life.

Everything that happened today, although terrifying, fades into the background as we focus on the incredible future unfolding before us.

The morning sun sneaks through the blinds, warming the bedroom, and I stretch out in the king-size bed, feeling a strange peace despite the events of the past few days. I can’t help but think of Jimmy; the relief of knowing he’s gone is still prevalent.

Enzo walks in, holding a steaming cup of tea.

He saunters over with that charming smile of his, giving me a kiss that starts on my lips and makes its way to my belly. "Good morning, beautiful," he says, handing me the tea. "Decaf, of course. Doctor’s orders."

I chuckle, taking the cup. "You’re going to spoil me rotten, aren’t you?”

He pulls up a chair, his eyes never leaving mine.“Absolutely. I hope you don’t think this is too presumptuous of me, but I called La Serna and Natalie." I raise an eyebrow, surprised by his initiative. "They both told me to tell you to take all the timeyou need. When you’re ready, if you want to go back, they’re waiting."

"That’s really sweet of you, Enzo. Thank you," I say, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness.

He smiles at me, then adds another piece of news. "And your mom, she’s resettling into the guest house. This is her home now, too."

I’m overwhelmed, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. "You’ve done all that?" I manage to say, my voice cracking with emotion.

"Yes. I want you both to feel secure, to have a place where you know you’re safe and cared for," he explains.

Sipping the tea, I let his words sink in. It’s more than I ever expected, more than I thought I deserved. "Enzo, I don’t know what to say."

"Just say you’ll think about what makes you happy and let me provide it for you," he says, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "That’s all I want."

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