Page 91 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“So, now is the time to decide. Do you want to know the baby’s gender?”

Nora turns to me, and I kiss the back of the hand I’m holding. “I’m happy either way, amore. You decide.”

She smiles before turning toward the technician and giving her a little nod.

“There you go,” the technician says with a smile, pointing to the screen. “You’re having a girl.”

A girl.I feel a warmth flood through me, something fierce and proud. I blink, feeling a burning sensation in my eyes, and I realize I’m on the verge of tears. A daughter.Ourdaughter. I’m not sure if I’m more terrified or more elated. But as I turn to share my joy with Nora, I catch a hint of something in her expression—worry, maybe even doubt.

The technician wipes the gel from Nora’s belly. “I will leave you a moment and print the images. Join me when you are done.”

“You don’t get your heir,” she whispers so quietly I barely hear it as she looks down at her stomach. “You needed a boy, Rafaele. We can try again… later.”

The words cut through me, and my chest tightens.Over my dead body, I think but don’t say, holding back the urge to tell her right here and now that I’ll never risk her life again. My decision is already made—I’ll be making sure there is no “next time.”

I brush a strand of hair from her face, giving her a look that I hope shows how certain I am. “Who says I need a boy?” I ask, my voice filled with quiet conviction. “This little girl will be the most feared mafia boss the world has ever seen.”

Nora’s eyes widen, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Women don’t lead,” she says softly, as though the words are etched deep in tradition.

“Should they?” I counter, my eyes never leaving hers.

She searches my face, and after a beat, she nods, her voice a whisper. “You know, I think so.”

“This one will,” I say with absolute certainty. “She’ll be as unhinged as me and as bright as you. Lethal.”

A quiet laugh escapes her, and her hand drifts to her belly as I press a kiss to the small bump. “Are you really happy?” she asks tentatively.

I meet her eyes, brushing my lips over her stomach again. “I’m more than happy, amore. I couldn’t have dreamed of anything better.”

She runs her fingers through my hair, smiling. “My husband, the feminist.”

I help her up, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders as we prepare to leave. The relief I feel at having a daughter, at breaking the cycle, is profound. I’m not humoring her—I mean it when I say our girl will be the boss. She will be extraordinary.

Once we collect the sonogram images, we head downstairs, finding Paolo waiting in the lobby.

“I told you you didn’t need to wait,” I say, shaking my head.

He grins, unfazed. “I know, but I wanted to see if I’m going to be an uncle or an aunt.”

Nora bursts into laughter, and I roll my eyes. “You’re an idiot.”

But she grabs his hand, her eyes shining with excitement. “We’re having a little girl!”

“Oh, I’m definitely going to be an aunt, then!” He claps me on the shoulder, his grin widening. “And let me tell you, I’m thrilled. It’s karmic justice. This will be years of endless entertainment for me.”

“Paolo…” Nora chides, laughing.

“Just wait until she starts dating. That’ll be the real show.”

I scoff, pulling Nora gently toward the door. “She won’t be dating.”

Nora gives me a look of pure disbelief while Paolo’s grin only grows. “See what I mean?” Paolo laughs. “This is going to be fantastic.”

“You’re joking, right?” She nudges me as we step outside, looking amused but skeptical.

“Not in the slightest,” I say firmly, placing a hand on the small of her back. “This girl stays home forever.”

Paolo cackles, and Nora sighs, throwing her hands up with a laugh as she slides into the car.

---