Page 171 of Merciless Obsession

Lucas’s face pinched and he snatched up the folded paper. “I can tell none of you believe me but I saw her. After all these years I found proof she’s alive and she’s in the city and I’m going to find her!” He didn’t bother to wait for anyone else to speak before turning and storming out of the room.

“Is he going to be okay?” I asked after a minute of silence.

“Fuck,” Nazai groaned, dropping his head. “I told our parents he was gonna crack one day.”

“And I’m supposed to be the crazy one.” Ezra snorted.

“Always entertaining with this family,” Inaya mentioned, looking around the table.

After the show from Lucas, the meeting concluded. The brothers huddled up and spoke among themselves while us girls went upstairs.

“We should have another lesson soon,” Cashlynn said, leaning on the counter in the kitchen. She bounced her eyes between me and Inaya. “A war’s gonna happen soon, and if you don’t know how to defend yourself, you’re gonna end up dead.” There was no laughter in her face or her tone.

Cashlynn turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving me and Inaya.

“She kind of scares me but she’s such a badass.” Inaya snickered.

I faced her. “Nothing ever fazes you. I wish I could be like that.”

Inaya’s face fell. “Well, you know how I grew up. I learned to be tough and use my resources from a young age.” She shrugged.

I understood. Inaya’s childhood wasn’t so cut and dry but she used her upbringing to her advantage. There was so much more to her than met the eye.

The guys came upstairs and Ezra let me know we were leaving. Balancing on my crutches, I followed him.

“Is your brother going to be okay?” I asked once we were in the car.

Ezra faced forward and stared at the farmhouse. “He’s a Tavarez and we don’t fold. Whatever he’s going on about, he’s got the family to back him on and help him get through it.” He pressed the button to start the car.

Family.

The word still was new to me, but the more time I spent around this group, the more I was starting to believe in the term.

EPILOGUE

Ziora

I finished applying lotion to my arms when my phone vibrated, gaining my attention. I paused and shifted my eyes over. A smile played on my lips as I picked it up and clicked the text.

Lovable Psycho

I see you got my gift. It looks good on you.

Lifting my eyes, I stared out the window. The flash of a camera went off across the street, causing my stomach to tingle.

Me

Are you ever going to show yourself to me?

Placing my phone down, I ran my hand down my chest and lightly brushed over my stitches. I was trying to stay out of my head when it came to the new scars that covered my body.

The full moon stood tall in the night sky. The street had a few cars coming and going, and a couple walking their dog passed my house. It was peaceful. The most peace I’d felt in a long time. Inhaling the amber vanilla from the burning candle, I turned,putting my ass to the window. With the red, matching thong, my bare ass was on full display. My eyes wandered around my old bedroom. Ezra ended up having my old bedroom set moved back for us to have some fun.

Picking my vibrating phone back up, I giggled at the text. First it was a picture of me from behind.

Your ass looks great, but it’ll look even better with my teeth imprinted in it.

I bit down on my bottom lip and squeezed my legs together. It had been too long since we’d played like this and I didn’t know what Ezra had in mind. All he told me was he wanted to play and to shower when he pulled up to my townhouse. I was surprised when I walked upstairs to see my bedroom put back together. Everything else was still gone, but this room was like nothing was ever moved.