His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 351

Vincenzo

“Vincel”

I opened my arms to my little brother and pulled him into my embrace. “Luis, how was school?” I asked, pinching his check. He was fourteen-but he was still my baby, no matter how old or tall he would get. “School was good!”

It had only been three years since I woke up from my six months coma, so I had a lot of catching up to do. Every minute was precious, and I, unfortunately, learned that the hard way. I knew it when my own father shot me without giving it a second thought.

I had no mother and no father. All I had were my brothers Nic and Luis. Of course, there were other Garcia’s, especially uncle Bruno and his wife, aunt Nettie-but all they could see when they looked at me was my dad. I hated that man, and I hated mirrors because I could not blame them. I did look like that man, but one thing was sure. I was nothing like him.

I got into the car and smiled at Luis as he took a seat. His backpack, which had always been way bigger than him, seemed miniature.

“Don’t stare at me!” Luis spoke. “Let’s go.”

Growing up with a monster as a father was something I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. Fabio Garcia was an embarrassment to all of us, and it was somehow a miracle how Nic, Luis, and I had turned out to be decent. Nic fled when he had the chance and had only returned after our father left this earth.

My life was perfect until mom passed away. After that, dad had changed a lot and never became the same. He ruined our name, haunted away our entire family, and even though he paid for his actions, the scars were still there.

It was almost impressive how dad had managed to build the Garcia’s into one of the top crime families on the east coast from scratch, just to make us the most hated family in the city in less than a split second.

While he was six feet under, my brothers and I had to deal with the consequences.

“Where do you want to go, Luis?” I asked. “Do you want to go home, or do you want to go to Nic?”

“The Alfonzo’s!” Luis spoke. “Luke and I almost reached the top rank of super dragon imperial, and he asked me to come over to trade some items!”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“A video game.” Luis rolled his eyes. “Just drive. You wouldn’t understand.”

The Alfonzos were one of the most powerful families in the city and the family who took care of Luis when I was in a coma. Hearing the name ‘Alfonzo’ was a painful thing to me because all I could think of was Serena Alfonzo.

The woman who had been my one-sided love since the day I’d met her. My best friend, Christian, deserved happiness, and he had finally found it with her. They had two beautiful children, and they were happy. I was hurt but also willing to give up my happiness for their own and would do it all over again.

I had promised myself to stay away from Serena, but being best friends with her twin brother, Beau-who was the split image of her, was not that helpful. He looked like her, talked like her, and behaved like her. So

how could I ever forget about her? How could I ever ignore her?

“Excuse me, mister top rank. “I chuckled, smacking Luis over his head.

It wasn’t long before we arrived at the Alfonzo mansion. I could tell by the car, which was covered with colored markers, that Beau was also present. He had a set of wild twin toddlers who loved drawing on vehicles, which was one of the many reasons why I did not want any children.

They definitely had it from their mom, so perhaps that was the reason why the two of them were not together anymore. His ex, Isobel,

was someone I grew up with, just like Christian-but somehow our lives were completely different.

Christian was happily married, Isobel and Beau were co-parenting, and even though it was by choice-1 was still bachelor.

I would never allow myself to love anyone the same way dad loved mom. Her passing destroyed him, and it ultimately turned him into a monster.

The idea of losing someone important and taking it out on my children was terrifying. I would rather play it safe and not take any risks.

Perhaps Serena was on my mind because I knew I couldn’t have her. I knew she would never be a danger to my vows.

“Look, it’s Ethan and Emma!” Luis pointed at the two toddlers who were running circles around their dad. “He’s hopeless.” I chuckled at the sight of Beau, who was trying to control his twins.

They obviously had more traits from their mom and were extremely active and loud. “Come on, let’s help him.

We got out of the car and walked to Beau. “You should control your children. They shouldn’t be controlling you!”

Beau had finally noticed our presence and stopped chasing the twins. “Vince, I’m happy to see you.” He smiled. “And Luis-it’s been ages!”

he somehow became best friends with Christian and even started working for him.

part of me was jealous, but there was also a part of me that was grateful. He had evolved from a cold stone to a loving father, and it

Luis

hand through his hair and kissed his cheek. “You need to stop doing that.

I laughed at a startled Beau who could

inside, bye!” Luis ran off. “Luke

and Matteo-I’m sure they missed you!” Beau called out, but Luis was

gone.

and their video games.” He shook

people who loved and treated Luis as their own. Having someone like them to look after Luis, who had never got

for.

They had been running circles around me, and I was slowly getting dizzy. Unlike Beau, they listened

twins. They looked at me

Beau frowned. “You should get some

“Never.”

destroying them, the same way dad was out

never allow

inside?” I asked, hoping he would forget his comment.

He spoke, avoiding the conversation. I knew how bad he felt about

him even more. Forcing yourself to be happy with someone that can’t treat you with the

who has known her since we were kids—I was also the first to acknowledge

have you been holding up?” I sighed, showing my sympathy.

happy, and I am-but at the same time, I’m also experiencing this strange

couldn’t answer my questions with more than two words. A

from my arms and ran to their mom, who

car.

to face her ex. I

hissed softly. At that moment, Isobel raised her head and gave us an uncomfortable nod as the twins

know you were here.”

am!” I said, scratching my head. I despised awkward and embarrassing situations, so I tended to keep to myself. If those two hadn’t rushed into a forced relationship after an unexpected

a woman’s finger, and all of this was

yesterday, so no sweets today. They just woke up from their naps. Emma needs to cut her bangs, Ethan’s

I snickered.

What was this!

A book report!

Isobel brushed her hand through her hair. “I know how to raise my children. I don’t need

would remain single.

would remain single.

would remain single.

I was around, the kids never even thought about ruining cars with markers.” He spat. “But that was

Oh, shit.

children for me.

you aren’t around?” Isobel placed her hands on her hips. Because it

one-sided

not wanting to be around these

and I should go. Isobel sneered. “Emma, Ethan-say bye-bye to daddy.” She told the twins. “From what I’ve heard, he’s got quite the life now that I’m not keeping him hostage, anymore, so god knows when you’ll see him

reaction out of him, to make him seem like

but

was

daddy loves you.” Beau gave the twins one last hug. The two jumped up

had always found it funny how parents would teach their

that very same reason. I grew up thinking I loved my dad and followed him

could go back in time and avoid all physical contact with Isobel, I would’ve,” Beau spoke as Isobel drove off. “That would’ve been

myself to be

I’d rather love the one I shouldn’t love from a clear distance than wishing I could go back in time to save myself from misery.

you coming?” Beau

first.” I checked my phone. “Nic is calling me.”