Page 135 of Merciless Obsession

I spoke to them a little longer before they left, revealing they would be back at a later time.

“Dumbasses,” I mumbled when we went back to the seats.

“Someone tried to kill her or scare her.” Cashlynn spoke for the first time.

“But why?” Inaya asked

“She’s hasn’t hidden the fact that we’re digging into The Veil. I’m sure they’re not too happy about it.” Cashlynn rubbed her stomach.

“We should have expected this,” Nazai said. “It’s clear they’re willing to do whatever it takes to stay a secret.” He pulled his phone out again and tapped the screen. “I need to talk to River.” He walked off with the phone to his ear.

“Your girl is reckless. Her playing Nancy Drew put a target on her back. She should have been more discreet,” Cashlynn continued.

I glared at her. Normally I would agree but that wasn’t what I wanted to hear right now.

“Ziora has never been the one to hide. She’s direct with everything she goes after,” Inaya said.

Leaving them, I walked off and went to one of the chairs, taking a seat. I pulled my phone out and texted Emmet for the video. I wanted to watch it again.

Time passed and my patience was starting to run thin. No one had come out and told us anything. The two bodyguards Nazai kept around had escorted Cashlynn and Carson home. Myfoot bounced rapidly as I balled and unballed my hands. I itched to go out and find answers for myself. Getting my hands dirty and causing some harm kept playing over in my head.

“Ezra.” My name being called made me look up. Lucas approached us and I jumped out of my seat, rushing toward him.

“About damn time. What’s going on?” I rushed out.

The expression on his face was serious, causing me to grow more antsy. Inaya and Nazai joined my side. “Relax, little brother. She’s stable and being moved to recovery.”

“Don’t tell me to relax,” I gritted. “Y’all were in there for a long time and no one would tell me shit!”

Lucas looked unbothered by my outburst. “As I was saying…” He pulled the cap off his head and used the back of his hand to wipe his forehead. “She suffered some scrapes and bruises. A piece of glass lodged itself in her neck but missed her carotid artery, thankfully.” Inaya gasped. “Her spleen ruptured so I had to remove it, there also was some internal bleeding and she had a collapsed lung.”

The more my brother explained Ziora’s injuries, the stronger the thoughts of murder grew inside me.

“Lastly, her right foot was crushed under the hood of the car being impacted I assume. It was fractured in two different places and her ankle was shattered. The ortho surgeon was able to stabilize it with a plate and some screws.”

By now I was hotter than the sun. “I want to see her!” I said tightly.

“She’s getting set up in?—”

“Now, Lucas. I want to see her now.”

“When she’s in her room, you’ll be allowed back, Ezra.”

“I want her in a private room too. Someone did this on purpose.”

Lucas’s brows furrowed. “I’m already ahead of you with the private room, but what do you mean this was done on purpose?”

I unlocked my phone and handed him the phone with the video on display.

“Shit.” His eyes widened. “What the fuck?”

“Exactly.” I grabbed the phone. “I don’t know who did this but I’m planning to find out.” Ziora thought I kept track of her before but that was light work to how I was about to be. She’d be lucky if I allowed her to use the bathroom without me at her side. Someone tried to take her away from me, and when I found out who, they’d beg for death.

____

Inaya and I waited in Ziora’s room once they finally allowed us to see her. Nazai had left and Lucas had to make rounds but said he would be back.

When I walked into Ziora’s room and saw the swelling, cuts, and bruising on her, I saw red. Her right leg was propped up. On her neck was a long, purple and red line with fifteen stitches keeping it closed. Her nose was swollen and bruised as well. Lucas said it wasn’t broken but badly bruised, probably from hitting the steering wheel or door.