Page 49 of Merciless Obsession (The Bloodline #2)

Her eyes cut into slits. “Don’t bullshit me, Ezra! I know when you clone a phone you get everything the main phone gets. Did you kill him?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Bumblebee. But if you were meeting a guy at a hotel and he didn’t show up, then luck was on both of your sides.”

“What if I told you I didn’t want to sleep with you anymore and wanted someone else?”

I smiled, but nothing about my smile was friendly.

My blood ran hot. “The fact that you think we’ll ever be over is comical.

It’s even funnier that you believe I’ll ever let you be happy with another man or allow anyone but me to get that close to you.

If you want to see proof of my love, then try me. ”

Ziora snorted. “Love? You don’t love me, Ezra. I don’t even think you know what love is. What you feel for me is obsession and possession. You think of me as an object and not a person. That is not love.”

“Call it whatever you want.” I shrugged and stroked her chin. “But know I’ve never felt like this before. You and you alone are my muse, my masterpiece, my toy, my beautiful obsession. ”

She inhaled a sharp breath.

“Since I was a kid I’ve been told to act, look, and be a certain way in the public eye.

Every day I wake up and put a mask on and be someone I’m not.

I love both of my jobs, but even with my brothers I don’t show my true self.

” My hands moved back to her ponytail and I wrapped it around my hand and pulled.

“With you I’ve removed that mask and have shown you the real me.

Only someone special to me gets to see that side of me, Bumblebee. ”

Her eyes fluttered when I pulled her ponytail again. “I don’t ever want to hear about you trying to take your life again. I don’t take well to my toys being taken away from me either.”

Ziora needed to realize just how deep my feelings ran for her. The more I was around her, the stronger they grew. Her accepting that would make things easier.

“Get rid of the phone,” she said tightly.

“I’ll think about it.” I leaned over and pecked her lips before releasing her hair. I had no plans of getting rid of the cloned phone, but that would be my secret. “You done being mad at me?”

She rolled her eyes. “I was never mad at you. I was mad at myself. ”

That statement confused me.

The truck grew quiet while more bodies started to clear out of the house. Eventually Winston’s house emptied. The lights went out and the house fell silent.

“Now’s our time,” I said. “You got the cameras?”

“Doing them now.” She removed her laptop from her bag between her legs.

Reaching behind us, I grabbed the duffle bag in the back seat. Placing it on my lap, I unzipped it and took out a mask similar to mine.

“Put this on.” I tossed it on her lap. “Let’s get to work, baby.

” I lifted Wilma and kissed her before sliding her into my front hoodie pocket.

I grabbed my gun and silencer, screwing it on.

Next I grabbed two pairs of leather gloves, tossing a pair to Ziora then putting one on.

Lastly I grabbed a pair of handcuffs and my mask.

The whole time I felt Ziora’s eyes keep glancing my way.

“Cameras done. No one will see us.”

“That’s my girl.” I placed the black cap on after my mask and grabbed the locksmith kit then opened the door. “Let’s go.”

Ziora exhaled deeply and pushed her door open.

I checked our surroundings before nodding toward the house.

Making our way across the street I couldn’t help but smile under my mask.

I wondered if Nazai felt this thrilled and aroused when he killed with Cashlynn.

The thought of killing already excited me but this was entirely different.

More intense. My blood pumped with anticipation and epinephrine.

“Keep watch,” I said and kneeled once we were on the porch.

I unzipped the small bag and took the tools out, working on the lock.

“Got it.” I pushed the door open and stood up.

Looking around, I widened the door for Ziora to step into the house then followed her, shutting it behind us.

I shoved the kit in my hoodie pocket. My nose scrunched seeing the mess surrounding the living room.

“This guy’s a pig.” Ziora balled her face up.

There were liquor bottles scattered on the floor along with a knocked over ashtray with ashes scattered near it close to the coffee table where lines of coke along with a few bags rested.

Next to the coke were half eaten and empty containers of food.

The stale smell of cigarettes, too much cologne, and musk caused my stomach to churn.

The beige carpet looked as if it could use a good cleaning.

The walls were bare outside of a large TV and a few random paintings of naked women.

I stepped closer to the couch. It was dark brown, worn, with a few burn holes on the pillows.

How someone could live like this amazed me.

Just being in here for the few minutes had been made me crave a shower.

“Trash, live like trash.” I turned, grabbed her hand, and pulled her along. My gun was in the other hand. I checked each room downstairs, finding them empty, then we headed upstairs.

I glanced back at Ziora, expecting to see nervousness on her face, but instead I found determination. She was focused and alert, eyes clear of any doubt.

I couldn’t help but smirk. It was odd, I didn’t have normal emotions, but Ziora still caused intense feelings inside me.

My heart always did an erratic dance, my pulse constantly felt like I was shot with speed, and then there always seemed like the sun was only centimeters away, beaming down on me.

The first three rooms upstairs were empty. The beds were unkempt, indicating someone had been in them. Two had used condom wrappers on the floor.

“Did they have a damn orgy in here?” Ziora whispered.

“I wouldn’t be shocked.”

Finally, we reached Winston’s room. He was laid out naked on his back, snoring loudly. One arm hung off the bed, the other over his face. I pushed the door open wider. He hadn’t even bothered to turn the light off before he passed out.

Ziora gasped. At first I thought it was because of the guy’s dick, which pissed me off because it was visible to her, but then I faced her and saw her staring across the room. My eyes followed hers. In a large dog cage was a girl, balled up with a thin throw blanket over her.

“This is so wrong. I can’t believe he has her caged up like some dog.” I glanced at the bed to make sure he was still asleep then walked to the cage. When the girl noticed us, she shot up and scurried to the back of the cage. On the door of the cage was a thick chain and heavy lock.

“Oh my God.” Ziora’s voice cracked.

In my line of work as a lawyer and the family business I’d seen some sick shit, but this made my stomach turn.

The girl had clearly been beaten frequently.

Her body was black and blue, along with healing bruises on certain parts of her.

Her bottom lip was split, eye blacked. There was a collar around her neck attached to a leash bolted to the wall.

Her eyes were wide and full of fear, darting around.

“It’s okay, we’re here to help you, Tiffany.”

At the sound of her name, the girl flinched. Her body trembled and her mouth quivered.

“You are Tiffany, right? Tiffany Jones?” The girl’s eyes shot to the bed.

“Don’t worry about him. He won’t hurt you anymore.” The girl didn’t look like she believed me. She pulled the blanket in front of her. He didn’t even have her wearing clothes.

My blood boiled. “Fuck this,” I mumbled and spun around. The worst kind of predator was one that hurt kids.

Storming to the bed, I noticed the coke lines and a rolled up hundred-dollar bill next to them.

Grabbing the guy’s arms, I lifted them and brought them to the headboard.

Thankfully he had one of those ones with multiple bars.

Cuffing one hand, I threaded it through the bars then cuffed the other. Winston didn’t flinch.

Stepping back I removed the safety, lifted my gun, pointed it toward his groin, and pulled the trigger. I didn’t hit his dick, although I should have taken a page out of my sister-in-law’s book. Instead I shot close to it.

Winston jumped out of his sleep with a stentorian howl.

“Wake up, muthafucker!” I pulled the trigger again, this time hitting him in the thigh.

“Fuckkkkkk!” He attempted to move, but with his hands restricted, he was stuck. “What the fuck!”

His eyes were unfocused and looking around wildly. When they landed on me, they bulged. “Who the fuck are you?” he gritted. His breathing grew heavier.

“Your worst fucking nightmare. You like caging up and abusing little girls, huh?” Stepping toward the bed, I pressed my finger into the wound, causing him to cry out.

“Pl-please! Wait!” he begged.

Sweat coated his body.

“Do you want money? I got money, man!”

I laughed. “I don’t want your fucking money.”

“Where’s the key to the lock and the collar?”

“On the wall next to the bed. Please, I need a doctor.”

I glanced over my shoulder. “Bumblebee, get the key.”

“You can have her. I was getting tired of her anyway. Take her off my hands and we’re even.”

My mouth curled downward. “Do I look like a fucking pedophile?” Facing him again, I lifted my gun and sent it across his face, causing him to cry out again. He attempted to break free, his face pale and full of panic.

I turned to watch as Ziora freed Tiffany. “It’s okay. We’re not gonna hurt you,” she assured Tiffany when she whimpered.

“Where did you get her from?” I asked, focusing back on Winston. He was panting profoundly now. Blood gushed from his wounds.

“Wh-what?”

“The girl. Who did you buy her from? The Veil?”

“The Veil?” His eyes ballooned. “L-l-l-look, man. I-I di-didn’t talk. Tell them I didn’t t-t-talk.”

“So it was them?” Ziora was now next to me with Tiffany at her side.

She had found a T-shirt to put on her. It swallowed her thin frame.

Now that she was closer, I realized how hollow her cheeks were, the dark, sunken circles under her eyes.

She was hugging herself, shaking like a leaf, and blinking quickly as she stared at Winston.

“No, no. I just… fuck. My leg, please. I’m get-getting dizzy.”

Dragging my tongue across my top teeth, I lifted my gun and aimed. “Unless you want another bullet, then talk. Where the fuck did you buy the girl?”

“I-I have a guy. I don’t know who he is. I text the number and...” He paused and winced, swallowing thickly.

“And what?”

He coughed violently. “And I make an order to get my car detailed then they tell me when and where to leave the car.” Another fit of coughs.

“It’s always a new location,” he gritted.

“I leave the money in the glove box and keys in the car. Someone comes and picks my car up. When they come back I get a text to let me know I can pick my car up. The girl’s in the car when it’s returned. ”

I looked around until I found his phone. Picking it up off the nightstand, I turned it to his face to unlock it.

“What’s the number under?”

“Car detailer. I need a doctor, please, man.”

Ignoring him I went to his contacts and found the number. “Who’s behind everything?”

“Fuck! I told you I don’t know, man. A buddy of mine put me on to it. I never see any faces or get names.”

His body was visibly pale.

I turned to the girl. She was cowering against Ziora who was hugging her protectively.

“Do you have any questions for him?” I asked Tiffany.

She quickly shook her head. I eyed Ziora. “What about you, beautiful? Anything?”

She stared at Winston in disgust. “Just hand me the phone and finish this up.”

A half grin split my face. “Can do, baby.” I handed her the phone. She turned and led Tiffany out of the room. “Take her to the truck. When you get inside, call Lucas and let him know we’re on the way.”

Now that it was just us two, I could fully release my wrath on Winston. Like he knew it, his eyes widened with fear and his body trembled even more.

“Now that the ladies are gone… Let’s have some fun, shall we?” Digging in my front pocket, I pulled Wilma out with only one thought running through my mind. Winston deserved to suffer just like Tiffany and all the girls before her.

“No! No!” He screamed and fought to break loose. “Someone help!”

I looked around and noticed a sock on the ground. Picking it up, I shoved it into Winston’s mouth to shut him up.

“Now let’s begin.” It felt like my body had been electrocuted as my atoms quivered with glee. Nothing made my day more than ridding the world of another sick pervert.