Page 21 of Finding You

“He’s obsessed and unpredictable. Which doesn’t make sense to me. He’s a nice-looking guy who could probably get any woman he wants. Especially with his wealth and the connections he has around the state of Texas.”

Zion didn’t like hearing her ex was unpredictable. Unpredictable could mean a lot of things, like the guy was craycray or stalkerish. Zion wasn’t picking up fear vibes from Raven, but she was definitely frustrated with Maximus.

As for the guy being able to get any woman he wanted, it was clear he wanted Raven. Which was understandable. Raven was a gorgeous woman with a slamming body, and when she was angry, there was a fire inside of her that was hot as hell. So yeah, Zion could understand a man having a hard time letting go.

“He’s not just obsessed with me,” she continued, “he’s like that with the twins also, and it makes me uncomfortable.”

Unease crept through Zion, but he kept his mouth shut. Why would the guy be obsessed with the babies? And once again, the thought that the man might be the father floated around in his mind.

But from what he knew of Raven, he didn’t think she was the type of woman to play games. Besides, she’d gone with him that morning to get the paternity tests. Despite his need to have the results before moving forward, Zion honestly couldn’t see her pushing him to have the paternity tests done if she didn’t think the twins were his.

Still, he had to be sure himself.

“I’m not sure if he’s showing such an interest in the twins because he thinks it will help him get back with me. He isnottheir father, and he knows that, but he’s not backing off. I honestly thought once he realized I had moved on with my life that he’d do the same.”

She shook her head and stared out across the space at a father trying to get his toddler son away from the water fountain. The man tried talking to the little boy, blocking his view of the water, but nothing seemed to be working. Finally, he picked up the kid and carried him away kicking and screaming.

“Instead of the kids being a deterrent for Maximus, they’ve been like a magnet,” Raven continued, then turned to Zion. “I don’t know what to do about him. Technically, he hasn’t done anything wrong. So, getting the police involved is out of the question. But he won’t respect my wishes to back off and stay away. He’s been coming around more and buying the twins tons of stuff which I keep sending back.”

“Does he have children, and what does he do when you send the items back?” Zion asked, wondering if something else was wrong with the guy.

“No, he has no children, as far as I know, and he fusses a little about me sending the supplies and other baby stuff back. He tries to appeal to my single mother status, saying he’s sure that we can use the stuff he sends. He’s right, but I will never take anything from him. I want him out of my life, and I’m trying to put as much distance between us as possible.”

They talked for the next few minutes, Raven sharing more instances of things he’s done or bought for the babies. To anyone else, it might sound like a friend trying to help her out with the kids, but she genuinely sounded concerned.

“Do you think he’d do something to the twins?” Zion asked, not wanting to put the thought in her mind if she hadn’t thought about it.

Still, it was a question that needed to be asked. He and his parents had already agreed they’d help her anyway they could, but if this guy was unhinged, they needed to know.

Considering how long it was taking her to respond, he was starting to think that was exactly what she was concerned about. “Raven?”

“I don’t think he’d do anything to Drew and NayNay, but Zion, I honestly don’t know. He has the financial means to do whatever he wants, and I won’t put anything past him.” When he started to speak, she placed her hand on his thigh but quickly removed it. “With that said though, he hasn’t given me reason to believe he’d do anything to harm them.”

Zion nodded. “Okay. Well, if that changes, let me know.”

She didn’t say anything. Only stared at him until she said, “Why? If you don’t think the twins are yours, then why do you even care?”

He caught a twinge of hurt in her voice, but she met his eyes and kept her head held high. This woman was definitely not helpless. Nor was she a weakling or a pushover. No, she had an inner strength that reminded him of his mother and sisters. Feminine and delicate on the outside, but strong and mighty inside.

That was something Zion could appreciate. He had fallen hard for her in Vegas, but the few interactions they’d had since running into each other again was allowing him to see another side of her. A side of her that he liked.

“Raven, despite what you might think, I care about you and the babies,” he said, reaching for her hand and glad she didn’t pull away as he gently rubbed the back of it with the pad of his thumb. “I already told you that no matter the results of the tests, I want to be here for you guys. I also want to put this out there… Now that you and I have reconnected, I’d like for us to spend more time together. Get to know each other better.”

It probably wasn’t the best time to tell her that, but Zion didn’t like games. He was interested in her, kids or no kids, and he planned to shoot his shot. All she could do is tell him to go to hell. Yet, he sensed the attraction between them was still as strong as before, even if he’d been pissing her off.

She looked at him in surprise, opened her mouth to respond, then closed it. She searched his eyes as if trying to determine if he was serious. Instead of telling her that he was, he planned to show her if she’d let him.

He brought the back of her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Tell you what, don’t say anything. Just think about it. I know we still have stuff to work out, but I’m a true believer that things turn out the way they’re supposed to.” He stood and pulled her up with him. “I hate how I ruined our dinner, but I’ll make it up to you. I promise. For now, how about I take you home? I mean back to the B & B, if you’ll let me.”

She pulled the strap of her purse onto her shoulder and looked at him. “I appreciate that. As for everything else you said, let’s see how things turn out with the tests. Then we can revisit this conversation.”

Zion nodded, and for the first time since learning about the twins, he hoped they were his.

Chapter Ten

Raven stood in her Aunt Nancy’s brightly painted but small kitchen, leaning her hip against the counter with her arms folded. As she waited for the water for their tea to heat up, she glanced into the living room where her aunt was playing with Andrew while Zanaya slept.

It had been over a year since Raven had seen Aunt Nancy, and she was glad she’d made the trip over. In her early seventies, her aunt was doing well, except she had taken a fall a few months ago around Christmas. Although she claimed to be feeling fine, Raven had noticed her limping when she had opened the door for them earlier.

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