25. Raven

Chapter twenty-five

Raven

It’s barely daybreak; the sheets beside me are cold, meaning Ezra’s long gone, but I don’t move. I lie there, staring at the ceiling, letting the quiet of the room settle over me as I replay the events of the past week in my head.

After that night at the club, he’d been returning to the room a lot earlier. Late evening conversation becomes our thing, and the nights end with sex and sleeping in each other’s embrace— with his hand on my stomach.

I love you.

I clutch the blanket tighter to my chest as my thoughts drift back to the way his eyes locked with mine that night… the raw intensity of his words like he’d been carrying them for months.

Maybe he had. Maybe I had, too.

He’d said the words many more times in the past week, and every time they elicit the same flutter of butterflies in my stomach.

Heat creeps up my cheeks at the memory of him saying it last night while pounding into me. I bite my lip, trying to fight the smile tugging at the corners of my lips. But it’s there—undeniable.

This is what Ezra does to me— he makes me feel, makes me think… makes me let go of rational thoughts. A quiet chuckle escapes my lips, swallowed by the silence of the room. Who knew I would fall so hard for my kidnapper. The one of whom I was scared to death.

I sit up, my chest bare as my fingers drift to my neck, where the delicate gold necklace Ezra gave me yesterday morning sits. It’s simple yet holds so much meaning— a small mama bear and cub pendant resting gently between my breasts.

Suddenly, I hear a vibration from the bedside table. I reach forward to pull open the drawer in time to see the burner phone screen light up. A feeling of guilt gnaws at me as I see it’s yet another text from Harper demanding to know where I am.

Letting out a sigh, I shut the drawer. I can’t deny that, at this point, I’ve been procrastinating giving her a response.

I’m not exactly sure what to share with her. It’s unsettling to think about how she’d react if she knew the truth—that I was taken by Ezra and now I’m pregnant.

Do I really want to leave everything behind? My job? And Harper…

Despite Ezra’s overly caring gesture, there’s one thing we haven’t talked about—me. He’s made his expectations for the genders known. He wants twins—one boy and one girl. Last night, he also mentioned how we should make a list of baby names. But we haven’t talked about what’ll happen to me…my freedom.

And maybe…just maybe, there’s no need to. Maybe I should stay and give this a chance.

I may be selfish— prioritizing my own desires over the expectations of those who care about me. Harper… But then this… this is what I truly need.

I’m happy with Ezra…and we can work this ?all of this? out.

Instinctively, my hand rests on my stomach, and a small smile tugs at my lips. It’s okay to be a little selfish in the pursuit of my happiness.

Getting out of bed, I wrap the blanket around my unclad body and pad barefoot to the window. Outside, the field stretches endlessly as the grass begins to catch the first hints of daylight.

For the first time, I’m choosing me. For the first time, I found love— true love— outside of my work and Harper. And I’m giving it a chance, even if it comes with its dangers… even if it makes me a fool.

Of course, what is love without being foolish?

As I think, an unwanted thought slowly infiltrates my mind. The stranger at the pharmacy. My palm instinctively finds my stomach again.

Something similar has happened to me, and I hate to see it happen to someone else. I recall the words of the stranger. Something similar….it means he’s probably been in the same shoes before. Was it this mafia? Another?

What’s his….connection with Ezra? Is there even any? No. Of course, there must be….which is why I need to tell him.

I won’t leave. Despite the dangers lurking in the shadows, I won’t run. I want to be with Ezra…

So he needs to know about the stranger.

“No more secrets,” I say out loud to myself.

I must speak with Ezra.

Like I conjured him, the door clicks open, and I turn, my heart skipping as Ezra steps into the room. He looks... tired.

His collar is unbuttoned, his hair a tousled mess like he’s been running his hands through it all morning. The moment his eyes meet mine, the tightness in my chest loosens just a little.

“You’re awake,” he says, his voice rough like he’s been talking all morning, but there’s a warmth beneath it that soothes the worry inside me. “I thought you’d still be asleep. Did I wake you when I got up?”

I shake my head, a smile lifting my face. “No. I woke up a few minutes ago.”

He crosses the room in a few strides and wraps his arms around me, burying his face in the curve of my neck. His breath is warm against my skin.

“I missed you,” he murmurs, his voice muffled.

The smile on my face widens as I run a hand down his back. “I missed you, too.”

I let out a quiet exhale, sinking into his comforting embrace. The warmth radiating from his body envelops me, and for a moment, everything else fades away. As he rocks me slightly, I steal glances at him.

His hair falls across his forehead, and the contours of his strong jawline catch the light. My man is so effortlessly good looking. It feels good to say that… It feels good to finally acknowledge it… my man.

We stay like that for a few seconds, neither of us moving. When Ezra eventually pulls back, I know I have to tell him---about the stranger, about my decision to stay.

“Ezra, there’s something I need to tell you.” My voice comes out in a whisper.

“What is it?” he inquires softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

But before I say another word, his phone buzzes. He glances down at his pocket briefly, then hesitates, keeping his hand in place instead of reaching for it. His eyes linger on me, and for a second, I think he’ll ignore it.

But the buzzing sound doesn't relent. His jaw clenches. With a reluctant sigh, he finally reaches into his pocket and pulls out the device. One look at the screen, and a flicker of frustration crosses his face.

He lets out a breath, running a hand over his jaw. “It’s Elio…work.”

I nod, swallowing the words that I’d been ready to spill. “Go ahead,” I manage, though every fiber of my being screams for him to stay, to just listen.

He leans forward, placing a chaste kiss on my forehead. “We’ll talk when I get back,” he promises, already halfway to the door.

I watch him slip out, the door clicking shut behind him. I sink back into the bed, drawing my knees to my chest as I settle into the soft sheets beneath me. My arms wrap loosely around my legs, and I let out a slow breath, resting my chin on my knees.

Maybe this is a sign. Maybe now isn’t the right time.

Ezra has enough on his plate. He probably has threats I can’t even begin to comprehend. He doesn’t need one more thing to worry about right now.

With a sigh, I place my hand on my stomach, rubbing slow circles.

I’ll tell him when he returns.