Page 21 of Mafia's Broken Omega

"Cord is crazy for you. He was cranky without you here and you staying will save countless lives. He got a little trigger happy when you were gone."

I raised a brow.

“Oh, nothing too terrible. He was just a dick. We were afraid he was gonna run himself into the ground at the rate he was going.”

“I thought he didn’t care. I never would have–”

Jeremiah put his hand over mine. “No one blames you. You did what you had to to protect your child. You’re here now. That’s what matters.”

“I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

13

AVERY

The Ferrini family compound seemed more like a castle than a regular house. And the fact that it had a full birthing center was crazy but helpful when it came to discreet medical appointments.

Cord guided me from wing to wing, down marble stairs, and then we were finally in an exam room. The midwife waiting with Jeremiah knew exactly how to make us feel like part of the family as she measured and weighed and wanded me.

"All healthy." She pointed at the baby on the monitor that my entire world now revolved around. “But I can’t quite get a money shot.” She frowned at the screen as she fiddled with dials and angles. “But next time I see you, we’ll try again.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Cord pulled my hand to his lips and kissed it. “Healthy is all that matters to us.”

“Call me if you need anything.” She nodded at me and then waved. “Have a great afternoon.”

Cord helped me up and then gave me a hug. “I’m so proud of you, Avery.”

“What?” All I did was lie there, it wasn’t like I’d run a marathon. “Why?”

“For being so strong.” He kissed my chin. “And for keeping our baby healthy.”

I pressed a hand to my stomach and could almost feel the warmth spread out to my fingers. "It's really happening, isn’t it?"

Cord’s hand covered mine with an uncharacteristic softness in his eyes that made me truly believe he was as invested in this as I was. "It is. We’re doing this. Together."

“Yeah, together.” It still felt foreign to say, but I wanted to believe what he said. I just had to keep saying it and hope that someday it would sink into my thick skull.

We slipped out of the Ferrini home without too much fanfare. Jeremiah smiled and waved as we passed, but he didn’t stop us. He probably knew we needed to spend some time alone.

Cord pulled me closer. "Don’t worry about anything today. It’s a happy day."

"It’s hard not to worry when things are so precarious. What if they find us or try?—"

"No one will hurt you or our baby. Ever." Cord always knew what to say to reassure me. Even when he was just saying what I needed to hear and had no idea what was actually gonna happen. They’d been following up on leads but nothing solid. The risks were still there.

"I hope not." I blew out a long breath as I climbed into the back of his car. "Because this little family of ours is starting to grow on me."

He grinned, and I saw a hint of the man who was more than just a powerful boss and alpha. I saw the man who was as excited about being a father as I was. The man who wanted everything I did. As my mate.

And then he kissed me, deeply and with so much intensity I got a little dizzy. “Wow.”

He chuckled. “Don’t seem so surprised. I’ve kissed you before.”

“I know, but now it feels different.” I leaned toward Cord as his driver started the engine. “It feels like we really are a family.”

He kissed my temple and held his lips there. “We are a family, Avery. I know it’s hard for you to believe, but you’re it. You’re mine, omega. Both of you.”

I just leaned against him as we started to drive.

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