Page 75 of Deception & Desire

She smiles at her oldest friend gratefully. “I know this hasn’t been the most conventional situation, and for the part I played in making it necessary…I’m sorry.”

Her gaze flickers over to Teo and then her father before she steadies herself once more.

“But today is about celebrating good news.” Her gaze finally lands on me, and I feel the heat of it all the way across the room. “And so, I have one last announcement to make.”

Her words trail off as she places a hand on her belly, and suddenly, there’s a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Leon and I are having twins.”

A ripple of gasps and laughter spreads through the room. Cassandra squeals, Isabella claps, and Marco—even in his half-drunken stupor—grins like he’s won the lottery.

But I can’t hear any of it. My world narrows to Mia—her smile, her joy, the way she glows under the soft light.

My family.

My chest swells with so much emotion it’s almost unbearable. I feel like the future isn’t just a dark void but something bright and real, something worth fighting for.

“Boss.”

Dante’s voice cuts through my reverie, and I turn reluctantly, tearing my eyes away from Mia. He’s standing at my side, his usual smirk replaced with something softer.

“Come on, man,” he says, nudging me toward the corner of the room. “I know that look. You’re totally gone for her. It’s written all over your face.”

I bristle instinctively, but Dante raises a hand. “Relax. I’m not here to give you grief. I just…I’ve seen you these past few months, Leon. Hell, we’ve all seen it. You’ve been fighting like a man with nothing left to lose. But now? Look at her. Look at what you have.”

I glance back at Mia. She’s laughing with Isabella and Cassandra, her hand still on her belly, the picture of happiness.

“You’ve got something rare,” Dante continues, his voice quieter. “And you don’t get many chances at that in this life. Stop pushing her away. Go talk to her. Be happy, for once.”

His words hit harder than I expected. Happiness feels like such an optimistic prospect; it barely feels like it could even be obtainable anymore.

But for Mia? For our family? Anything. I would do anything.

I nod, clapping a hand on Dante’s shoulder. “Thanks.”

But before I can take a step toward her, the room shifts.

The hum of conversation turns to murmurs, the air thickening with unease. And then?—

The explosion hits.

21

MIA

My ears are ringing as I slowly come to my senses.

Vaguely, I’m aware I’m on the floor, back pressing into something hard and uncomfortable as I gasp for breath through the thick dust. The deafening sound of the explosion still echoes in my skull.

My hands instinctively fly to my stomach, protectively cupping it as I blink my eyes open.

Nothing makes sense. One moment, I was facing my family and my friends. Every person who ever meant something to me. The next, I’m staring up at the ceiling.

Whatever is left of it.

I stagger to my feet shakily, struggling to find my balance on the crumbling rubble.

The room around me is now a chaotic mess of fallen furniture, shattered glass, and splintered wood. The walls are cracked, the windows blown out. The decorations I’d insisted on now lie limply on the floor.

Where is Leon?

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