Page 91 of Wicked Ambition

“Absolutely. When our eyes meet, I see a lifetime together.”

“Because of the baby,” Ayla said.

He was looking deeper than the surface, and Oz could see the insecurities her parents embedded within her. “Because of you, Pollita. Even if you weren’t pregnant, I’d be saying the same things that I’m saying now. I love you. The baby is just a bonus.”

For a moment, Ayla studied him, and then she relaxed into his embrace. “I love you, too, Oz. So much.”

“Thank God. You were scaring me there for a minute.”

Ayla’s smile faded. “I’m sorry I talked Io into changing places with me.”

“And I’m sorry I manipulated you.”

“Like you said, we’re a pair.”

Oz returned to rubbing her back. “You already know I’m Army Special Forces, so at least I don’t have to convince you to marry a man you think is a mercenary.” Ayla leaned back, studying him. “Yes, that was a proposal. Marry me, Pollita, and let’s create our own family.”

“I like that idea. Yes, Oz, I’ll marry you.” She stopped him before he could kiss her. “Just so you know, I want more than one baby.”

His lips curved. “I’m up for that job. As many as you want, I’m in.”

Oz leaned down, sealing his promise with a kiss.

Chapter 36

Ayla hovered close to her twin. They were still in each other’s clothing, but it seemed silly to take the time to change. Oz knew who she was. It was impossible to stop the smile.

The dining room was painted bright yellow with white support poles spaced evenly along the wall. The table was big and the wood darkened with age. There were four chairs along either side, two at the head, and two at the foot. The floor was the same red terra cotta tiles, but she hadn’t seen a room in the house without it yet. A sad-looking ceiling fan with three small blades sat above the center of the table.

Io leaned against the wall watching Oz and BD as they discussed the situation.

“How long do you expect us to keep them here? Until Ivanov and his empire are toppled? Until someone finds a treasure missing for more than two hundred years?” BD’s voice was calm and reasonable, and that made his questions more unnerving.

Oz frowned. “Until Archer can find bodyguards who can be trusted.”

“Which, given Ivanov’s reach, might take months. We can’t babysit for that long.”

“What’s the alternative? Send them back to LA and hope for the best?”

BD looked as if he might contemplate doing just that. Ayla stiffened, but she trusted Oz to take care of her. He wouldn’t allow her—or her twin—to be at risk.

Io straightened and stepped forward. “Captain, you know as well as I do that finding incorruptible bodyguards will be nearly impossible. I will not have my sister in danger.”

“Captain?” BD asked.

“You’re too old to be a lieutenant and too young to be a chief warrant officer.”

BD raised his eyebrows.

Lips curving, Io said, “You interrogated me. Did you think I wouldn’t figure out you lead a Special Forces team?”

“Youfiguredit out?” BD sounded skeptical. He shot a scowl at Oz.

“Your sergeant didn’t say anything. Neither did my sister.” Io folded her arms at her waist. “You’re not the first Green Berets I’ve met.”

“Archer didn’t mention anything?”

“Archer knows?” Io nodded and then smiled ruefully. “Of course he does. Archer operates on a need-to-know basis and he’s stingy with his intel, Captain.”