Nino Falcone

The next morning at eight, we all gathered in Minneapolis, but Dante and his men hadn't arrived yet. Remo, Savio, and I clasped each other's forearms, our tattoos pressing together.

"Let's fight them, Remo. I'd rather die than hand you over to them," Savio broke the silence.

"You can die another time, Savio. Today, I must pay for my sins," Remo replied. "Nino, you'll make an even better Capo for the Camorra."

"She didn't come back for you, Remo. She stayed in Minneapolis. You'll be dying for no reason; they won't let you near her," I reasoned with him.

"I will be dying because she wants it."

"God damn it, Remo, be sensible for once," I said, frustrated.

"I'm going in there, and Adamo will come with you. End of discussion," Remo declared as the outfit men pulled up and exited the car.

Savio and I got into the car, aiming our guns through the window in case something went wrong. Adamo was dragged by Samuel; he could barely stand, but most of his cuts were bandaged up. I wondered who had done that.

"Please, Remo, don't exchange yourself for a failure and disappointment like me," Adamo pleaded with Remo.

"You're not a disappointment. Among all of us brothers, you deserve death the least. Now go to Nino and let him treat the rest of your wounds," Remo assured him.

Samuel shoved Adamo as he hobbled over to the car. Then, he punched Remo in the face. Every instinct told me to shoot at them, but I couldn't disregard what Remo wanted. Samuel then kneed him in the balls before knocking him out with the back of the gun.

They dragged Remo into the car and drove away. Adamo had tears in his eyes.

"Why? Why did he do that?" Adamo asked, still not believing he was worthy of being saved.

Savio went over and hugged him. "Because you're his brother."

I began treating the remaining wounds. "Who did these bandages? They're done really well."

"Hope did them. She's not like you guys describe her. She's very nice. She stayed with me all night yesterday just to make sure no one else hurt me. Even Serafina was there. I only hope that she stops Remo from being killed too."

"She won't. He kidnapped her best friend, and Serafina wants him dead, so Hope won't go against that," I said with a solemn look. Even hearing Hope's name makes my heart swell. It's a new feeling but not entirely uncomfortable. But will I ever be able to forgive her for not saving Remo?

A few hours had passed, ensuring Adamo was safely back home, and we were still in Minneapolis, awaiting further news. That's when I received a phone call from the Sugar Trap informing me that Serafina had called.

"Do you think he's dead?" Savio's voice broke as he asked.

"I don't know, but we have to contact her back," I replied, trying to rein in my anger.

I dialed the number they left for me and put the phone on speaker. After a few minutes, she answered.

"Hello? Nino?" Her voice came from the other end.

"Why have you called? To gloat? That you finally brought down Remo Falcone?" I asked, trying to contain my anger.

"No, actually, we got him out. We need a place to meet up with you before Dante changes his mind and comes after us."

I looked at Savio, who looked as shocked as me. She actually helped Remo. "Where are you right now? And who is 'we'?"

"We're almost 15 kilometers from the point where they captured Remo. We've stopped by the road now because Hope said he won't make it if we don't stop the bleeding." Her voice broke with distress.

"I'll send you a location of a safe place here where we can come get you. Continue driving as soon as she's done stopping the major bleeding."

"Aye aye, captain." This time it was Hope who spoke up before Serafina hung up.

About an hour later, we landed in a clearing, waiting for Hope and Serafina to arrive. I couldn't believe I was going to see Hope after fourteen months. We had our guns pulled as soon as we saw a car approaching, in case this was a trick.

Serafina got out of the back and pulled open the passenger seat where Remo lay unconscious. Hope soon got out as well. As soon as our eyes met, she gave me a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. I wondered why. Had she moved on? I had no time to dwell on that.

"This better not be a trap." Savio said venom in his voice.

I went over to help Savio get Remo when a cry rang out. I froze for a few seconds. In the back seat were two children, not even a year old, a boy and a girl. They looked just like Remo. Then it struck me-they're Remo's children. Hope and Serafina immediately went on high alert.

"Don't worry, we won't hurt them," I assured them.

"Fuck! Remo has kids? I'm an uncle?" Savio said, struggling to comprehend all this.

As Savio and I helped Remo into the plane, Hope and Serafina carried the kids and got in. I sat down and started treating the rest of the wounds. Hope handed the boy over to Savio and came to help me. He was in a really bad state, but he'd make it.

After the worst of his injuries were patched up, I went to sit down in the seat facing Savio and Serafina. Hope sat down next to me, looking exhausted.

There was a very awkward silence.

"What are their names?" Savio asked, looking down at mini Remo.

"That's Nevio, and this is Greta," Serafina said softly, looking down at the kids with so much love.

Nevio started to reach out for Hope, struggling to get out of Savio's lap. She instantly took Nevio over into her lap. He started playing with the tattoos on Hope's wrist. Then his eyes caught the tattoos on my hands, and he leaned over and started pinching at them as though he could take them out of my skin.

"Looks like your tattoos attract kids," Hope laughed out, her smile actually reaching her eyes this time. God, I missed her laughter so much. Hearing it made my heart feel like it was going to explode. I'm able to feel an overwhelming amount of emotions around her. I slowly pulled up my shirt sleeve so Nevio could get a better look at my tattoos. He seemed delighted and instantly crawled into my lap.

"Great, he abandoned me as soon as he saw your tattoos," Hope muttered, causing Serafina to laugh.

"That's how I feel every time he abandons me for you," she said, still amused by the fact that Nevio actually rejected her.

I just shook my head with a small smile on my face. I looked over at Savio to see him having a staring contest with Greta. Greta watched him cautiously, like she didn't trust him, while Savio had confusion and admiration on his face. Our family was finally complete.