Page 99 of Nanny's Baby for the Italian Mafia Boss

I do as he says, and another memory tickles my mind, taking me back to the day a stranger saved me. I smile when I realize Matias never had anything to do with the fire.

“It was you,” I rasp. “You saved me then, and you’re saving me now. You were always meant to be my hero.”

Manic laughter has me turning my head. Micheal is crawling on the ground, trying to get to me and Matias, but Gianni is right next to him, following his crawl with small steps.

“Throw him in the car and let him burn. I want him to know what hell feels like.”

“You got it, Matias.” Gianni picks a bleeding Michael up, and throws him against the car. The flames ignite his clothes, and the screams I hear aren’t from my parents.

They aren’t mine.

They are his.

And I never thought screams would sound so damn good.

“I’ll always save you, Sophie. Not even fire will keep me away from you.”

I notice his skin is red and raw from being burnt. “Your arms—”

“—Are fine. As long as I can still hold you, I’ll gladly take all scars and endure every flame.”

I press my head against his chest. It’s over. I can finally be free of my past and look forward to a future that burns bright.

Epilogue

Matias

Ten months later

I have scars to match Sophie’s now. My forearms got burnt the moment I pulled her out of the car, but I wasn’t going to let fire stop me. I’m glad I didn’t, because now, I have a beautiful family.

“They still look like potatoes to me,” Ella says, staring at the twins in their crib.

Both boys.

Angelo and Andre.

“They do not look like potatoes,” I scoff, tilting my head at my sons.

They do, but I won’t admit that. They have the chubbiest cheeks.

“Did you check everything off your list for today?” I ask her.

Ella rolls her eyes. “What is this, my first rodeo?” she lifts her arms in annoyance.

“Where do you learn these sayings?”

“That isn’t important. I called Grandma and Grandpa. They will be here soon for dinner. Gianni is watching security. Mommy is still sleeping.”

“She deserves all the rest after dealing with these two.” I lift Angelo into my arms, then Andre, taking a seat in the rocking chair. “It’s important that a man doesn’t see taking care of his children as a burden, but a gift. Sophie, or any woman for that matter, shouldn’t have to do all the work. You remember that, Ella Bella.”

“Boys are gross. I don’t want babies.” She sticks her tongue out. “Yucky.”

“That’s right. Keep that in mind.” I watch her as she goes back to ogling her little brothers when my phone rings. I pull it out of my pocket to read the exact name I’ve been waiting to see for months.

“Dovnic. How… are things?” I ask awkwardly. I’m working on my small talk, which Sophie claims is good for me.

“I know you asked about the O’Briens. Apologies for it taking so long. But, I wanted to personally announce the good news that they’ve been taken care of.”

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