Chapter 59: More Than One

Chapter 59: More Than One
Haden

I watched closely as Maxim strolled out of the familiar warehouse like he didn’t have a damn care in the world.

My temples started to throb.

The weight of it all, what it meant, what it confirmed, was starting to crash down like a freight train I couldn’t outrun.

My grip tightened around the pistol resting in my lap. The urge to get out and end him now was damn near unbearable. But that would be too easy. Too clean. And right now, I had more pressing matters to handle.

The Bratva were already spiraling. Ghidorah blowing up one of their estates sent enough shockwaves to shake their foundation. The rest of their properties were locked down like Fort Knox now, but that didn’t matter to me.

Explosions weren’t my thing.

Torture was.

My jaw clenched as the warehouse doors creaked open again.

This time, Riccardo stepped out. That smug glide in his walk, that arrogant calm like he hadn’t just buried a knife in our back. My head pounded harder.

There are two things we don’t tolerate in this life: traitors and rats. And Riccardo had just earned himself both titles.

If Dante’ had any hand in this, he was as good as dead too.

I watched Riccardo walk toward his car, silent, still. Calculating. It would take two steps to close the distance, one bullet to end him.

But Nonna’s voice echoed in the back of my mind like a ghost.

“Keep a clear head, Haden. We must get all the information before we attack.”

I exhaled slowly through my nose. She was right. If Riccardo was a rat, chances were he wasn’t working alone. We needed to sweep through our people. Where there’s one rat... there's a nest.

I started the engine, eyes still on Riccardo.

This wasn’t over. Not even close.



I leaned against the doorframe, waiting for Ella to emerge from the bathroom. Morning sickness had her held hostage, and she'd banned me from stepping foot inside.

“You sure you don’t want me to come hold your hair back?” I called out through the door, teasing.

“No, Haden!” she yelled back before gagging again.

I chuckled under my breath. She was miserable, but beautiful.

A few moments later, the toilet flushed, water ran, and finally the door cracked open. My smile lifted on instinct.

She stood in a fitted yellow maxi dress that hugged her curves just right, her skin glowing even under the bathroom light. Her curls were pulled into a high puff, highlighting every one of her delicate features. She looked exhausted but radiant.

Her eyes met mine, suspicious. “What?”

“You’re just so beautiful,” I murmured honestly.

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the twitch in the corner of her mouth.

“I don’t feel beautiful,” she mumbled, heading to the vanity.

“Well, you are.” I walked over, wrapping my arms around her waist and pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder.

Today was her first OB appointment. I could barely sit still thinking about it. Seeing our baby, our little nugget for the first time?

That was going to wreck me in the best way.

“My face is breaking out,” she said, frowning as she reached for a pair of gold earrings.

“Still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

“So you agree I’m breaking out?”

I blinked. What?

“What? No, baby, I'm saying you look perfect.”

She gave me a blank stare, slipping into her sandals without a word.

I followed, biting back a smirk, and leaned down to kiss the back of her neck.

Her skin rippled with goosebumps.

I smiled against her.

“You know you’re my perfect girl,” I whispered into her ear. “I’d never lie about that.”

She glanced back at me. The frown was gone now, replaced by a soft, quiet look.

She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t have to. I could see it in her eyes.



I couldn’t stop smiling as I watched Ella blink between the monitor and the doctor.

“I’m sorry, can you say that again?” she asked.

“You’re having twins, Ms. Stevens.”

“Twins,” she repeated, turning to me.

I just shrugged, my grin stretching across my face.

The doctor smiled. “Rest is going to be very important for you. Dad, make sure she isn’t stressing too much.”

“She won’t lift a finger if I can help it,” I said without hesitation. My baby girl was about to be spoiled beyond belief.

Ella blinked again. “Wait. So I’m really carrying twins?”

“Yes, Joella. You’re having twins,” the doctor repeated with a warm laugh.

“I can’t believe you did this to me,” she mumbled, causing both the doctor and me to laugh.

“Hey, your egg decided to split,” I teased.

She rolled her eyes but her smile was soft. “Well, we’re done then. Two was my max.”

I smirked but said nothing. She was a solid six short, but we’d cross that bridge later.

“You two are going to be great parents,” the doctor said as she handed Ella her paperwork. “Congratulations.”

Back at home, I sat in the family room while Ella and her mom scrolled through baby clothes on Stella’s phone, already deep in planning mode.

I leaned back in my chair, watching them with a permanent smile etched into my face. It still hadn’t fully hit me yet, twins. My twins.

A pair of hands landed on my shoulders, breaking my thoughts.

“You look content,” my father said as he settled into the seat across from me.

“Putting it lightly.”

He chuckled, eyes warm. “Wasn’t expecting to be a grandpa yet.”

I shook my head. I’d been ready four years ago. Ella hadn’t been, but now? Now the timing was perfect.

“Our house is almost done,” I said.

“You taken her to see it yet?”

“Not yet. And keep your voice down, it’s a surprise.”

Dad smirked. “You always were a planner.”

Before I could respond, a knock came at the door. I rose to answer it, pulling it open to find Nonna standing there.

She wasn’t alone.

“What’s going on?” I asked, stepping aside so she could enter.

“I’ve been digging into what you sent me,” she said, her voice calm but cold.

She locked eyes with me.

“It’s time for us to do a cleanse.”