Page 140 of A King’s Obsession

They'd spent months carefully arranging their exit, settling accounts, dividing their money, and transferring control of their old operation to a trusted member of their crew.

They'd walked away clean, without a war or anybody coming after them.

And they'd taken the money they were able to move into legitimate investments and built something even bigger.

King Enterprises had become a name people recognized for business instead of fear.

Their original club in Westhaven was still thriving, and they'd opened three more locations in Miami, New York, and Atlanta.

California was next.

Between the clubs, restaurants, commercial properties, and other investments, they had more than enough to keep themselves busy.

But what impressed me most wasn't the money.

It was watching those two men come home every night to their families.

No guns sitting on tables. No secret conversations. No disappearing for hours without explanation.

Just two husbands raising their children and enjoying the lives they'd worked so hard to build.

I was proud of them.

Especially mine.

---

“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention?”

Ezra's voice carried through the restaurant as he stood near the center of the room with a microphone in his hand. Conversations gradually faded, and guests turned in his direction as he waited for the room to settle.

I looked up from my conversation with Ashlynn just as he found me in the crowd.

That familiar smirk spread across his face.

Oh, Lord.

“First, I wanna thank everybody for coming out tonight. Three years ago, my wife and I decided to build something together. And anybody who knows my wife knows that wasn't always the easiest damn thing to do.”

The room erupted in laughter.

I folded my arms, raising my eyebrows at him because I already knew where this was going.

“Ezra!”

He grinned. “See what I'm talking about?”

Malachi laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink.

“But seriously,” Ezra continued, his expression softening as he looked at me, “I've built a lot of businesses in my lifetime. Made a whole lot of money. Had things most people could only dream about.”

He paused, lowering the microphone slightly as his eyes stayed on mine. The teasing expression disappeared, replaced by something that made my chest tighten.

“But none of that shit compares to what I got waiting on me when I walk through my front door.”

My smile softened.

“My wife gave me something I didn't even know I needed. A home. A family. A reason to stop chasing shit that could've cost me everything.”