Page 220 of Made in Love and Blood

“I only did what she—”

“Keep saying that. It won’t change how there isn’t a universe where I exist that I will ever sit at another table with you and not kill you. I will kill you. Do you understand me?”

Carmine folded his arms over his chest. “So, what? I stay out of your way, and you’ll stay out of mine? That’s it?”

“I better never know that you exist after today. You’re not welcome in New York. We will not do business with Chicago anymore. And our protection for your dealings is officially withdrawn. Be grateful I didn’t kill you. I still want to. The only reason I won’t is because I made a promise to my wife. Between us, it no longer matters. But you and me? Carmine, we’ve got problems for life. Take your leave. Now.”

Carmine’s chair screeched as he stood. Someone came to stand in the doorway at the same time. Sissy.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly, her gaze taking in the scene but settling on Salvatore quickly enough, “I know the rules for today.”

Which meant nothing good if she broke them.

“What is it?” Salvatore asked.

“It’s your wife. Larkin contacted me. Carina is in labor.”

•••

Nico had never been to Vermont.

He hadn’t ever seen the inside of Rutland Medical Center where he currently scoured for any sign of Frankie, even though he knew they weren’t on the same floor.

Yet, it felt like he did.

From the moment the helicopter pilot said they’d crossed into the state of Vermont, Nico swore he could feel her. The closer they got, landing on the hospital’s helipad after a call was put through to request permission, the stronger that feeling became until it was her heart he felt. The beats coming straight through the tile.

Larkin met them on the roof and easily directed them into the building and through the hallways until they had to stand at an elevator. Only then did the man talk.

“She did great, but she’s not awake,” he told Salvatore.

The wedding band on Salvatore’s hand took the brunt of whatever he didn’t say.

“And the baby?” he asked lowly.

Behind them, Nico tried to stay out of the way.

He just needed to see Frankie. After everything, it’s all he wanted.

“What about the baby?” Salvatore asked again, stronger the second time.

“It’s all good, boss man.”

“Thirty-five weeks—”

“Sal...” Larkin’s hand found the man’s shoulder, squeezing tight. “They’re both doing great.”

Nico wouldn’t fully realize the slip in Larkin’s words until later, as he stood on the other side of a pane of glass to view the two babies laying side by side in a large incubator. One wore a pink hat, the other, blue.

They’re both doing great.

On the other side of the glass, a nurse opened the side where the larger of the two babies, the boy, could be easily reached. As she carefully took him out, mindful of the tubes and wires that helped his underdeveloped lungs and monitored his vitals, Frankie smiled up at Nico.

So brightly, it ached. He hugged her tighter to his side. She hadn’t left it yet.

“There were two?” he asked her.

“All along, I guess.”