Page 32 of Broken Vows (Empire City Syndicate #2)

Melinda

"Dr. Chen," I call softly. "How's she doing, really?"

"Better than expected for thirty weeks. We'll need to monitor her closely, but her initial assessment is encouraging." She continues working, stitching me back together. "You did good, Melinda."

Time passes by in a fog as I sleep and recover from the adrenaline and fatigue.

Vincent eventually returns to my side, our daughter in the incubator on wheels beside him being pushed by a careful nurse.

"She's incredible," he says, voice thick with emotion.

"She’s a fighter" I feel tears fill my eyes again as my heart expands at the sight of my tiny, perfect daughter.

The world narrows to this. Her eyes are closed, but her breathing is steady.

"What should we name her?" I ask.

Vincent considers. "Maria. After my grandmother.—She and my grandfather are the ones who built this family with honor."

"Maria Russo." I test the name. It fits. "Strong name for a strong girl."

Vincent sits beside me and we just watch our tiny daughter. His hand smoothes my hair, thumb brushing my cheek.

Vincent's phone rings, cutting through the quiet intimacy of the moment. He glances at the screen, then at me.

“I… I ordered a hit.” There’s so much weight to those words, I don’t even want to know right now.

"Take it," I tell him simply, adjusting so I can see Maria more clearly..

Vincent steps away and answers, voice clipped. "Sal."

I can't hear the other end of the conversation, but I watch Vincent's face change—surprise, then something that might be relief or satisfaction. I fight the rush of panic that floods my system, robbing me of the peace this moment has carried.

Something big just happened.

“You’re certain?” Vincent asks, his voice ice. A pause. “Good. Then clean it up and wait for my orders.”

He exhales, slow and deliberate. “If he’s dead, I want to see the body. No loose ends.”

He hangs up. Whatever softness was there a second ago is gone for now.