Page 83 of Deception & Desire

I gasp, my head falling back against the pillow as tears stream down my face. Leon presses his forehead to mine, his hand never leaving mine.

“She’s beautiful,” he whispers, his voice breaking.

But it’s not over. Another contraction seizes me, and the process starts again. Leon doesn’t waver. He stays by my side, whispering his praise through my painful delirium.

Minutes later, the second cry fills the room.

“And a boy!”

For a moment, the world feels still, the cries of our twins the only sound. Leon kisses my forehead, his hands cupping my face as he stares into my eyes.

“You did it,” he says, his voice thick with emotion.

The doctor brings the twins to us, tiny and perfect, before swiftly tending to clean up.

Leon climbs onto the bed next to me so that they can settle between our arms. He looks at them like they’re the most precious things in the world. “Hello,” his voice breaks with emotion. “Hi.”

“Look at them,” I find myself choking out in amazement. “They’re here. They’re so real. Hello. Hello. I’m your mama. Hi baby, hi. This is your papa.”

Leon turns back to me. He brushes a damp strand of hair from my face, his eyes shimmering. “This is our family.”

I can feel my face crumpling under his gaze. “God, Leon. I want that so badly. Can you just…pretend for a moment? Please, I need you so much.”

My hands reach up to wipe at my face, only to be captured gently by my wrists.

“Why would I pretend?” he says so softly. “I want this too. Mia, I’ve been in love with you for months. This isitfor me.”

My breath catches. “Stop it. Don’t be cruel.”

“My entire world is here on this bed. I don’t want anything else.”

My heart shatters and rebuilds in the same breath. Tears stream down my face as I reach for him, pulling him close.

“I can’t lose you again,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “Please, just stay.”

“I will,” he promises, his lips pressing softly to mine. “I will. Mia, please. Tell me, what are their names?”

I swallow back more tears as I gaze down at my two beautiful children.

“This is Elizabeth Rose,” I kiss her forehead before turning to my son. “And this is Luca Marco.”

24

LEON

In the aftermath of the attack on the Cartel warehouse and the birth of my children, things become…oddly gentle.

The war simmers rather than burns. Amos Rubio’s retreat leaves cracks in the Cartel’s operations that we quickly exploit. Closing in, one day after another, toward our final stand.

But it’s work I’ve already planned ahead for. Teo continues to keep our territory secure as Rocco leads the push. Both have threatened me with grievous bodily harm if I decide to return to the field.

Allowing my focus to remain firmly on Mia and the babies.

Every day, I wake with a single purpose: to ensure my family is safe and thriving. The twins sleep soundly in their cribs—tiny, perfect reminders of a future beyond this chaos—and Mia, my Mia, is slowly recovering.

I hover over her constantly.

At first, she was too weak to protest, and I took full advantage, bringing her meals, fluffing pillows, sitting beside her as she fed Liza and Luca.

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