"There's no one else I'd trust. You've been my brother for twenty-three years. You've saved my life more times than I can count." I met his eyes. "I want you to be part of their lives. Officially."
"It would be my honor, fratello." He gripped my shoulder. "I swear on everything I am—on our brotherhood, on Eva's memory—I will protect these children with my life. They will never face a threat alone."
The oath landed with the weight it deserved. Domenico invoking my sister's name—Eva, gone fifteen years now but never forgotten—meant he understood exactly what he was promising.
"We know," I said simply. "Why do you think we asked?"
Valentina was crying silently, one hand still on each baby.
Domenico pulled gifts from the glittery bag—tiny onesies that said "Godfather's Favorite" in Italian, soft blankets, and stuffed animals.
"The elephant is for Eva. The lion is for Ezio. So they remember their Uncle Domenico loves them."
"They're perfect," Valentina said through tears. "Thank you, Dom."
"Always, Valentina." He squeezed her shoulder. "You did well. Both of you."
We stood together—two exhausted parents, one loyal brother, two fighting babies.
Family.
For one perfect moment, everything felt okay.
Then Domenico's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, frowned, and stepped into the hallway.
I watched through the window as his expression transformed from confusion to horror.
He was back in seconds, face ashen.
"Alessio. Outside. Now."
The tone made my blood run cold.
In the hallway, he showed me his phone.
News alert: MARCO DELUCA ESCAPED ADX FLORENCE. COORDINATED BREACH—MULTIPLE POINTS OF ENTRY. FOUR GUARDS DEAD, TWO CRITICAL. SUSPECT ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
Again. The bastard had done it again. Different method this time—not a transport ambush but a direct assault on the most secure federal prison in the country. Someone had spent serious money making this happen.
"When?" I asked.
"Two hours ago. The professional team hit the facility at shift change—explosives on the east wall, coordinated assault through three entry points. His people ambushed the van, killed the guards, got him out before response teams could mobilize." Domenico's jaw was tight. "FBI's scrambling, but he's in the wind."
"Does he know we're here?"
"If he still has people inside the system, he knows exactly where you are."
I looked through the window at Valentina holding our babies' hands, unaware that the monster who'd tried to kill her had escaped. Again.
"Get her out of there," I said. "Quietly. Don't scare her."
Domenico coordinated with Rodriguez while I returned to the NICU.
"Hey," I said softly. "We need to head back to your room."
Valentina looked up and read the truth in my eyes immediately.
