Page 114 of Mafia King's Forbidden Obsession

“Why are you here, Ezra?”

The playful banter dissolves into something more serious. “You don’t want me here?” There’s an edge in his voice as he steps forward and grazes my arm.

I swallow hard, my heart rate quickening. “You know that’s not what I meant,” I murmur, my voice softer than I intend as I meet his gaze. “You’ve been gone for two weeks, Ezra. Okay, maybe not entirely, since I keep spotting the guards you sent to watch me.” I roll my eyes as I glance back at him.

Ezra scratches the back of his head. A spark of amusement flickers in his eyes. “You saw them, huh?”

“Yeah. Big scary men with tattoos are sort of hard to miss,” I mutter, looking back at the sauce. Just then, I remember something. “How did you get me a leave of absence?”

He doesn't respond. From my peripheral vision, I see the corner of his lips lift up as his eyes burn holes in the back of my head.

He shrugs as though it’s not a big deal. “Well, when I figured out you weren’t the mole, I took steps and contacted your supervisor. I didn’t want them looking into your whereabouts and knew if I didn’t give them some reason, you would be kicked out of the program.”

“How did you do it?” I question, turning slightly and raising a brow.

He has a smug smirk on his face. “Never underestimate the power I have. With or without the mafia.”

“Right.” I roll my eyes yet again. “Same mafia, it seems, you've chosen over me,” I mumble the last part.

Ezra’s face softens as he turns me around to face him. His stare holds a vulnerability I’m not used to seeing from him.

“That’s why I’m here, Raven,” he says slowly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I’ve come to the realization of what’s important in my life. What I need to fight for every day I wake up, and what I dream about in my future.”

“And what is that?” I lift a brow, not registering his words at first.

He whispers with a soft smile, “You, Raven. You and our baby.”

What?

I blink, my mind racing. Is he leaving behind all he’s worked for his whole life?

For us?

“You...” I stutter, trying to process everything, shock and disbelief colliding in my chest.

Ezra nods, his eyes never leaving mine, causing my heart to skip a beat. Right now, it feels like I’m the only person in his world.

Without thinking, I throw my arms around his neck, drawing him close in a tight embrace. Instantly, he envelops me in his arms, and I bury my face into his shoulder. “I can’t believe it,” I murmur, against his skin, my voice catching in my throat.

A single tear escapes, slipping down my cheek. “I can’t believe you did that.”

His hand gently cradles the back of my head, softly running his fingers through my hair. “I’d do it again a thousand times,” he whispers, his warm breath caressing my ear. His hand moves to rest on my stomach. “For you and our child.”

Glee blooms in my chest as his words settle in.Our child. The thought makes my heart swell, the reality sinking deeper with each passing second. Everything we’ve been through, everything that’s happened, it led to this. To him, to us. I can feel the love and strength in the way he holds me like nothing in this world could break us apart now.

I pull back just enough to look into his eyes, a wide grin on my face. “Ezra,” I begin, my voice trembling slightly, “I went for an ultrasound.” I pause, savoring the moment before dropping the bombshell. “We’re having twins.”

He freezes, his expression shifting from confusion to shock.

For a split second, his face is blank, processing. Then, slowly, his eyes widen and his jaw drops. “Twins?” he breathes, his voice almost inaudible.

I nod, my heart swelling at the pure wonder in his eyes. “Yes, Ezra,” I say softly. “Twins.”

A huge smile spreads across his face. He sweeps me off my feet before I can respond, twirling me around the kitchen in pure joy. I can’t control the laughter that escapes me, my head falling back as happiness bubbles up inside me.

“We’re having twins!” Ezra shouts, spinning me like we’re in some romance movie.

When he eventually sets me down, he embraces me tightly. I place my ear to his chest, sensing the strong beat of his heart in my ear.