Page 34 of Valentine's with the Cartel

I wanted to believe him too. I had to.

So as the next contraction crashed over me like a tidal wave, I clung to Rafael's words, letting them anchor me against the relentless tide of pain and fear that threatened to sweep me away.

I could do this. We could do this.

Rafael's hands were steady and sure as he guided me through the most intense pain I had ever experienced, his eyes never leaving mine even as he murmured words ofencouragement and love that seemed to seep into my very soul. He was my rock in this stormy moment, the one constant amidst the chaos.

"Push now," he urged as he positioned himself between my legs, ready to catch our firstborn child as it emerged from my body. "You're doing amazing, baby. Just a little bit longer and we'll have him out."

I gritted my teeth against another wave of agony, bearing down with all my might even as I clung to Rafael's arms for dear life. The pressure was immense, like trying to push a watermelon through a straw, but somehow, our baby slipped free into his waiting hands.

It happened so fast, faster than I thought.

"He looks so precious," he breathed, cradling the squirming infant against his chest with an expression of pure adoration that made my heart swell even as I gasped for breath. "Our first son."

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of them together—my strong alpha and our dear child bound by blood and love already.

But then another contraction seized me, stealing my momentary respite and forcing me to focus once more on the task at hand. The second baby was coming fast now, his tiny body eager to join his brother in this world. With some luck, everything was going to be okay with him too.

"Here he comes," Rafael growled, positioning himself again as I bore down with all my might. "Push, Anan—push him out for us."

And so I did, gritting my teeth against the pain and straining every muscle in my body until finally, with a last desperate cry, our second son slid into his waiting arms.

"He's perfect, just like his brother," Rafael murmured, gazing down at the tiny baby wriggling in his hands even as hequickly cleaned him off before wrapping him tightly in one of the towels he had prepared earlier.

I couldn't help but laugh through my tears at that, leaning back against the seat with a sigh of relief as the worst of the labor seemed to be over.

But then Rafael's expression turned serious, his eyes darkening with determination even as he reached out to take my hand in his own. "Anan," he began, his eyes shining differently, telling me he was about to tell me something he'd been thinking about for a long time. "I promise you this—what happened today will never happen again."

I blinked up at him, confused by the sudden shift in his demeanor. What was he talking about? He had to clarify.

"I mean it," he continued, squeezing my hand tightly as if to emphasize the sincerity of his words. "You should never have been left alone and vulnerable like that—especially not when you were carrying our children."

He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing on with renewed fervor. He regretted leaving me alone so he could deal with the problem of other missing fentanyl shipments.

"So I swear to you now—I will change the way we run things within the cartel," he vowed, his gaze burning into mine. "No more putting my own needs above yours or risking your safety for the sake of business. From this moment forward, our family comes first—always."

I felt a warmth spread through me at those words, filling me with hope and love even as I struggled to grasp their full implications.

"What does that mean?" I asked softly, searching his face for any hint of uncertainty or doubt. But all I found was pure conviction and resolve.

"It means," he said, choosing each word, "that I will delegate more responsibility to my most trusted lieutenants—men whohave proven themselves loyal and capable over the years. They can handle day-to-day operations while I focus on what truly matters."

He paused, his gaze flicking briefly towards our newborn sons before returning to me with a soft smile.

"I want to be present for every moment of their lives," he continued, "from their first steps to their first words—and everything in between. And that means being there for you too, my love—supporting and cherishing you as you deserve."

I felt tears well up in my eyes at the pure emotion in his voice, overwhelmed by the depth of his commitment even as I struggled to process it all.

"Really?" I whispered, hardly daring to believe that this was truly happening. "You won't go back on your word?"

Rafael chuckled, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead before pulling me close against him once more. "I never break my promises," he murmured into my hair. "And I will make sure you have everything you need and deserve from now on."

As we sat there in the backseat of the car, our sons cradled safely in Rafael's strong arms while I leaned against his chest, I knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter for us.

Rafael's Epilogue

Around 7 years later…

---