Page 57 of Merciless Obsession (The Bloodline #2)

“Ezra, good to see you.” A man walked up to him.

“Gerald, how you doing?” Ezra shook the guy’s hand.

It was interesting to see Ezra flick on his professional persona.

“This is my fiancée, Ziora?” My eyes widened and shot to him. Nothing on his face showed he was joking.

“Fiancée? I wasn’t aware you were engaged. Nice to meet you.” He nodded at me.

“Baby, this is Gerald, he’s a judge.”

I cleared my throat. “Hello,” I muttered once I gathered myself.

Ezra was obviously past delusional and couldn’t be reined back in.

“And where’s that wife of yours?”

Gerald looked around. “Around here somewhere. You know Marianna, always the social butterfly.” The two laughed.

The two got lost in a brief conversation and it wasn’t until Ezra’s arm went around my waist that I tuned back in.

“Still aiming for Supreme Judge next year?” Ezra asked.

“I am, and I hope to have your vote.”

They spoke a little more before Ezra excused us. “Let’s find our table,” he mentioned.

After locating table eight, Ezra pulled my seat out, allowing me to sit down after I placed my purse on the back of the chair, then took a seat next to me.

“You told him I’m your fiancée.”

“I know what I said.” He reached out for the pitcher of water and poured some in the glass in front of him.

“But I’m not your fiancée. You haven’t even asked me to be your girlfriend.”

Ezra moved to grab the glass in front of me and filled it with water.

“Does that matter? I mean can’t we just agree that we’re together.”

I pressed my lips together. “No. I don’t know how your previous relationships went but that’s not how it works.”

Ezra ran his eyes over my face before lowering them down my body. “Is that right?”

“Yes!”

He licked his lips slowly and tucked his bottom lip between his teeth. I shifted in my seat as my pussy thumped at the gesture.

“Okay. We’ll finish this conversation another time. I see someone I need to speak with.” He leaned in and pecked my lips.

My mouth opened to speak but he stood and walked away from the table before I could.

I pushed a deep breath out and lifted my hand to get the attention of one of the waiters walking past. I grabbed a flute and thanked him before bringing it to my mouth.

I scanned the room, looking at all the mingling people.

A few people I recognized, a mix of everyday people and different city officials.

On the stage the band was playing on was a banner that read ‘Mental Health Awareness’ which I assumed the money tonight was being raised for.

I sipped the champagne again and bunched my face. It wasn’t my favorite thing to drink but it’d do.

Spinning around I went into my purse for my phone. I had no desire to mingle with anyone here.

“Maria, this is my fiancée Ziora. Ziora, Maria, she runs the Silver Stone Gazette .”

“Nice to meet you. You must be a special woman to lock down a bachelor like Ezra.” My eyes narrowed. The smile on her face was clearly fake.

“I must be.” I matched her fake smile.

“I told Maria you were interested in spreading the word when it comes to the missing girls going on in The Sticks and she volunteered to talk to you about possibly posting an article in the Gazette,” Ezra mentioned.

My eyes shifted back to the light skinned woman. Her lips were painted red, which looked good with the gold dress she wore on her petite frame. Her hair was pinned up with bangs that went across her forehead.

“I’ve been trying to get the newspaper to bring attention to this matter for years and haven’t heard back.” I crossed my legs under the table. “Why now?” My head cocked to the side.

“Things are happening every day in the city. We can’t make time for every little thing.”

“Little thing? Missing girls aren’t a ‘ little thing’.”

“The good thing is now she’s willing to report it,” Ezra cut in.

Rolling my eyes I took another drink of my champagne. This woman had obviously slept with Ezra before or had a crush on him. I didn’t think he would bring a woman he’d been with over to meet me so I was assuming the latter.

Eventually Maria walked off and Ezra went off to talk with someone else. The whole night he made sure to come back to the table to check in on me as he mingled. Every so often he would bring someone over to meet me or bring me over to someone.

Even if I didn’t want to be here, it was fascinating seeing Ezra work the room.

People easily gravitated to him. He was charming, smiling, and easily conversed with anyone.

It was clear to see how he got to where he was in his career.

Still, it was like seeing a whole different person.

I’d never seen him in this form before. It was attractive and had me seeing him in a different light.

Eventually the music paused and the mayor went on stage to give a small speech, thanking everyone for coming and explaining what tonight was for. Ezra grabbed my hand, giving it a slight squeeze when he noticed the disdain on my face. Everyone clapped as the mayor gave a wide grin.

“He’s so fake,” I huffed.

“Good thing tonight’s not about him.” My eyes swiveled to Ezra. “I’m glad you agreed to come with me tonight. You have every woman in here jealous because of how good you look.” His eyes gleamed with affection. My heart skittered inside me.

“Stop.” My cheeks flushed.

He pecked my lips once, then twice. “I’m just telling the truth. You’ve caught the attention of a few guys too but I have to play nice tonight. Since I’m the only one who can touch, I’ll let them keep breathing.” I swallowed hard.

“You two are so cute. Look how he looks at her,” the woman sitting across from us at our table gushed to her husband.

“Thank you.” Ezra lifted my hand and kissed the back. “But she’s the one that makes me look good.”

My skin grew hotter.

“Ziora, right? What is it that you do exactly?” the gentleman with her asked.

I tore my eyes away from Ezra’s heated gaze and faced him. “Uh, computers. I specialize in software engineering.”

Interest filled his face and he leaned in. “Software engineering? Does that mean you create apps?”

I nodded. “Among other things.”

Waiters came through the double doors with carts filled with food and started bringing them to the tables.

“That’s impressive.” He looked at Ezra. “Not a lot of women work in that field.”

I shrugged. “I’ve never been the one to play by the rules, in fact I enjoy breaking them.” I flashed him a grin, causing his wife to giggle.

“I like her,” she replied.

“My Ziora is the smartest woman I know when it comes to computers,” Ezra bragged with pride, poking his chest out.

Plates were brought to our table. I glanced down at the grilled parmesan chicken, mashed potatoes, and asparagus, along with a dinner roll.

After saying grace we dug into the food. I thought the food would be bland, but surprisingly it was flavorful and the chicken juicy.

Ezra, who was more familiar with the couple across from us, made small talk.

I learned he was a psychiatrist Ezra had used in court before and now headed the psychology department at the private university across the water.

His wife was the head nurse at the main hospital.

While they talked, I was texting Inaya. She thought it was hilarious that I was at this ball.

She knew how I felt about most of the people here.

My attention traveled and I laid eyes on both the chiefs of police, from this side of the bridge and The Sticks. They were speaking with the police commissioner. I made a note to speak with Bolden. I wanted to know if the connection of the girls and the center was ever made.

At some point I excused myself and went to the bathroom. On my way back I saw the mayor in conversation. He was grinning and nodding at the man talking to him.

When the man walked off, I quickly made my way over to him. I made sure to turn my phone’s recorder on and held it in my hand.

“Mayor Adams,” I addressed him.

He turned to me. “Hello. I’m sorry, I don’t recall your name.” He held his hand out.

“We haven’t met. My name is Ziora.” I gave him a weak shake.

He flashed that fake politician grin at me. “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for attending tonight.” He pulled away and went to leave but I stopped him.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about something.”

He raised a brow. “I’m all ears.”

“Are you aware of all the missing girls over in The Sticks?” The mayor looked caught off guard by my question but quickly fixed it.

“Yes it’s a tragedy and we’re doing everything to get a handle on the situa?—”

“How are you getting a handle on it if girls are constantly being snatched up? Did you know there have already been two this year? Based on past numbers, one or two more will go missing before the year is over. This has been going on for years and yet Chief Bolden and his team have done nothing about it.”

“Did I hear my name?” A frown formed on my face as Chief Bolden appeared.

“I’m here asking our mayor how come he hasn’t made the safety of adolescents a priority. I haven’t seen or heard one statement from him addressing the issue, and since local law enforcement can’t handle it, then someone needs to step up and do it.”

Chief Bolden squared his shoulders and glowered down at me. “Do you have an issue with how I do my job Ms. Lambert?”

“You’re familiar with this woman, Hugh?”

“I am, sir. She’s been causing trouble for me and my men for years.”

“Only because you and your men refuse to do your job,” I shot back, then turned to the mayor again. “You’re up for reelection next year, correct? How would citizens feel knowing your concern isn’t on missing children? Do you think they’ll want to reelect someone like that?”

Mayor Adams’s jaw ticked. He cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. “Your concerns are valid and have been noted.”

“But is something going to be done? In fact…” I turned to Chief Bolden. “Are you aware the community center has been a common denominator with all the girls? Whoever is taking them finds them there.”