Page 131 of Merciless Obsession

“I blacked out.” He shrugged. “When I came to, River was there and my dad arrived shortly after. I don’t remember calling him, but I guess I did and he called my dad. The husband was a big deal, some big shot in the business world and his absence would be noticed. Dad and River did what they needed to clean it up and keep it out of the press and that’s when he forced me to see someone, no longer ignoring the fact that I wasn’t like my brothers.”

Ezra talked about this event as if it was nothing to him. Like he wasn’t talking about a double homicide.

“Anyway, my dad told me the way I felt about Toya was unhealthy and it was something I needed to let go of before all that even happened.”

“He knew?” My brows shot up.

“Of course he knew. It wasn’t a lot he didn’t know when it came to his kids. Plus it wasn’t like I was trying to hide it. I could’ve care less that she was married. The more my dad told me to let it go, the more I held on. Eventually it was clear he was right, but…” Again, he shrugged.

His hand reached out and cuffed my cheek. “Don’t worry though, Ziora, Toya couldn’t hold a candle to you. You’re thefirst woman since her that I allowed to see this side of me. No one else’s skin has been touched by my ties or captured with my lenses. You are the one I’ve been looking for and no one will take that from you.”

“I wasn’t worried.”

One corner of his mouth rose. “Yes you were, but I have no issue assuring you.”

Why did his words make me feel so warm and tingly inside? It felt like a weighted, warm blanket was laid over me to calm any anxiety that might bloom inside me.

“How did you get in my house last night? Not that I’m complaining.”

“You aren’t the only one who can copy keys.”

He chuckled.

Truthfully, while snooping, I found a spare key and decided to keep it. If he was able to easily get inside my house, I felt I should be able to do the same.

“My mom always throws a birthday dinner for us and I want you to come with me to it tonight.”

“Oh. Yeah, sure.”

Another milestone had been unlocked in this weird relationship that we’d formed. It hadn’t been long since he kidnapped me and held me against my will, yet the way my feelings for him had grown made it seem like years had passed between us.

____

“I knew once Ezra saw those photos of you, he wouldn’t be able to control himself. I don’t know why you hate the camera so much, but you’re hot, Ziora!” Inaya bragged before biting into the flatbread.

It’d been two days since Ezra’s birthday and I was still in disbelief with how I chose to celebrate him. He told me he would be busy with court all day today, but he wanted me at his house tonight when he finished. Instead of listening, I planned on being at home and hopefully he would end up in the townhouse across the street.

“Yeah, well.” I blushed and picked up my margarita, bringing the straw to my mouth. “Anyway, anything new happening at the casino?”

She shook her head. “Nothing relevant at least. There’s another big poker game coming up right before Thanksgiving though. That’s normally when everyone has loose lips.” I nodded and picked up one of my nachos and brought it to my mouth. “Speaking of, did you get a text from Nazai?”

“About meeting tonight?” I wiped my mouth. “Yeah.”

“Do you know what it’s about?”

I shook my head. “No clue, but hopefully it’s something to move things along. I’m tired of waiting with no progress.”

“It’s kind of cool, huh?” Her eyes lit up. “We started doing this just me and you and now we’re like spies or something with a whole team behind us.”

I laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far, but I get what you mean. You know Tiffany? The girl me and Ezra saved? She emailed me.”

“Saying what?” Inaya wasn’t with us, but I informed her about Tiffany and what Winston was into. Before we separated, I gave Tiffany one of my burner email addresses just to stay updated with how she was doing.

“Nothing major, just that her dad was missing and the police are currently looking for him. Her mom has her starting therapy too. She said it’s been hard but she’s trying to adjust to being home. She asked if we found the friend her dad left her with yet too.”

“The guys took care of the dad and his friend, right?”

“The dad, yes. I don’t think they were able to find the friend. He was using an nickname and there was nothing to track back to him. His phone was a burner too.”