Page 27 of Merciless Obsession

“That’s cute and I respect it, but you have nothing to worry about. Isn’t that right, Bumblebee? Tell your friend you’re safe with me.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I squinted. He stared down at me with impishness beaming in his dark eyes. My stomach did a somersault. Ezra was a walking ball of caution tape, with beaming red lights that told me he wasn’t someone I should underestimate, but then again, neither was I.

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” She peeked at Ezra one last time before turning to leave.

“Alone at last,” Ezra said.

“You can go too.”

Ezra spun me around so we were face to face. “Don’t you meanwecan go now?”

“No, I said what I meant.” My chin lifted upward. “I’m not going to be your hostage anymore.”

One corner of Ezra’s mouth lifted in a crooked grin. “I didn’t see you as a hostage. You were my toy I kept to play with. I think our time together was fun, don’t you?”

“You truly are insane. Are your clients aware of this version of you?”

“My clients don’t give a shit as long as I keep them out of prison and a needle out of their arms.” He lifted his hand and brushed it through my hair. “Onlyyouget to see therealme, Bumblebee.”

I swallowed hard as my heart pounded roughly. It threatened to leap out my chest.

“Lucky me then, but why me? What about me caught your eye so heavily?”

“Why not you? I like challenges and you are the biggest one I’ve come across in a while. You intrigue me, to keep it simple.”

It didn’t make sense to me, he hardly knew me.

“Don’t think because I agreed to work with your family that we’re anything more than associates. I’m using you guys to get what I need and that’s it. Whatever you think is going to happen with us isn’t.”

Ezra looked unbothered by my declaration. He pulled his phone out and checked the screen. “I unfortunately have to go. I have an early morning.” He gazed at me for a moment. “You can stay here for now, but it’s only temporary, so don’t get comfortable.”

My face scrunched.

Ezra stepped back and dug into his pocket. I was surprised when he pulled my phone out and handed it to me. “You can have this back now.”

Slowly I reached for it.

It bothered me that I couldn’t get a read on Ezra. The way he talked and moved had me always wondering what was next.

“Are you done stalking me then?”

The smile he gave me caused the hairs on the back of my neck to raise. “You have a good night, Bumblebee. Make sure you lock up behind me.”

I held my breath when he stepped forward and leaned down. I went to speak when he gripped my chin and tilted my head upward. “Make sure you think about me tonight because you’ve captivated my dreams for weeks now.”

It caught me off guard when he kissed me. My body froze for a minute and buzzed with epinephrine. It had been a long time since I kissed someone. It was too intimate for me and usually involved feelings. Those were something I didn’t need or have time for. Blinking rapidly, I pushed him and glared at him.

“Don’t touch me without my permission!”

He licked his lips and smirked before stepping past me. When the door opened then closed I allowed myself to release the heavy breath building inside me. Slowly my hand lifted andmy fingers brushed against my lips. It was brief but the touch of his lips against mine lingered.

Clearly Ezra was never taught boundaries or he just didn’t care about mine. It was nerve-racking, and irritating, but also a part of me, somewhere deep down, was enthralled by the attention.

“Get it together, Ziora,” I coached under my breath.

Turning around, I locked my door and turned my alarm on. Stepping further in, I did a sweep with my eyes. It had been weeks since I’d been here. What was once my sanctuary now felt foreign to me. Ezra and his brothers had come in when I wasn’t here and invaded my space and my privacy. In order to feel centered again, I needed to take control and regain my sense of peace back.

Heading upstairs, I went to my bedroom. I squinted. Since he brought me things from my house while I was captive, I knew he had been in my room, but seeing it with my own eyes caused my stomach to tighten. Heading for my ensuite bathroom, I went into my medicine cabinet and grabbed the orange bottle. It had been a long time since I had to take my anxiety meds, but with all the things out of my control lately I couldn’t put it off anymore. I opened the bottle and poured a pill out, staring at it for a second.