Chapter 59

Ava’s POV

His words hung in the air like a bomb that hadn’t gone off yet.

“I’d rather lose him than lose you without ever trying.”

My chest constricted, the sound of my heartbeat thundering in my ears.

I should’ve screamed at him, thrown him out of my office, reminded him of every reason why this, whatever this was, could never, ever happen.

Instead, I stood frozen, the heat of his confession burning through me like wildfire.

He wasn’t supposed to say that, not Ezra, not the man who had shoved me away with walls made of steel and loyalty, who had made it painfully clear that I was forbidden and yet here he was, standing in front of me, his voice low, his eyes fierce, like he meant every syllable.

“Ezra,” I whispered, my throat tight. “You can’t…”

“I can,” he cut me off, stepping closer, his shadow swallowing mine.

His scent, woody, musk, and something unmistakably him and it hit me like a punch. It was intoxicating and dan