Page 61 of Merciless Obsession (The Bloodline #2)

“My Bumblebee isn’t the flashy type, but I still want it to be noticeable so everyone knows she’s taken,” I said, looking at the different diamond cuts. “I want it to look elegant and not too heavy on her finger. She has delicate hands. Cost isn’t an issue.”

“I think I have the perfect thing for you.” He reached down and pulled out two diamonds.

“The princess cut is a popular one. It’s subtle, yet still beautiful enough to draw attention.

I’m thinking we could do a center stone, around two carats, on a white gold band with smaller diamonds that go halfway down each side. ”

I stroked my chin, envisioning what he was saying.

“And you can do a matching wedding band.”

Rob nodded. “For the both of you.” He picked a ring out of the holder and handed it to me. “I’m thinking something like this.”

I examined the ring, picturing it on Ziora’s finger. “I want diamonds on the holder of the center diamond too,” I mentioned. “You can do engraving too, right?”

Rob nodded and wrote something in his book.

We continued the meeting and the more we talked the more excited I got.

Knowing that Ziora would soon be wearing my ring on her finger made my body erupt in excitement.

My pulse raced through my veins, choking me.

A raw sense of possession wrapped around my heart, leaving no indication of letting go.

____

“One more hour until the big two seven!” Nazai bragged, patting me on the shoulder, grinning.

“All jokes aside, I’m proud of you, Ez. The name you’ve created for yourself in the courtroom is one of your own.

I know your goal was to follow in Dad’s footsteps, but you’re creating your own legacy and making one hell of an impact. I’m proud of you, bro.”

He wrapped his arm around my neck, pulling me into a brotherly hug. I laughed and nudged him off. “I appreciate it, but enough with all the mushy stuff.”

Nazai laughed and released me. He grabbed the bottle of Ace of Spades I had been drinking, handing it to me, then grabbed his own glass. “To Ezra!” he shouted over the music.

Everyone in the section lifted their glasses. “To Ezra!”

I grinned and brought the bottle to my mouth.

We were upstairs in The District, in his private section.

My brothers were all in attendance, along with Cashlynn.

Ziora and Inaya were here too but ran to the bathroom.

Nazai stood and walked to where Cashlynn was sitting with a mug on her face.

I assumed part of her attitude was about whatever she did to piss Nazai off.

I watched him lean over and whisper something in her ear while palming her belly.

She brought the bottle of apple juice to her mouth and stared ahead, listening to him.

“How you feeling, Ez?” River took the seat Nazai just rose from.

Snatching my eyes from the couple, I turned to face him, taking another drink of the bottle then speaking.

“I can’t complain, Riv. I’m alive, young, rich, and got a beautiful woman on my arm. What more can a guy want?” My hand ran over the top of my head and my mouth tipped into a grin. The atmosphere was lively and everyone was having a good time.

Riv nodded and his eyes scanned the club.

Half-naked girls walked around the floor in front of us.

Nazai requested no dancers in the section, in fear of his wife acting out, but I wasn’t tripping.

I had the woman I wanted at my side. A girl was on the main stage upside down on the pole while bills flooded the stage.

“I know you said it’s under control, but I need to ask. You and Ziora, you sure about this?”

“What you mean?”

“I mean, you talking about getting an engagement ring made and marrying her, but the two of you are still new. Do I need to be worried?”

I squinted. “No you don’t, and you don’t need to go running to padre either.

” I took another sip of the bottle then moved my eyes to the entrance.

One of River’s guys went with Inaya and Ziora to the bathroom, so I knew they were in good hands, but still I didn’t like her out of my sight with all these people around.

“Look, we might not be blood, but I consider you my brother. If I think you’re about to do some shit that’s gonna need to be cleaned up again , then I want to get ahead of it beforehand.”

I turned back to him. “I know, and I’m telling you, you have nothing to worry about. Me and Ziora are on the same page. There’s no one to get between us so things won’t pan out like last time.”

River stared at me for a long moment before finally nodding. “A’right, I just had to check.”

“I swear I don’t know who worries more, you or Nazai.”

River grinned. “Fuck you. It’s my job to make sure everyone is safe and out of trouble.” He patted my shoulder.

“And you do that job well. But I’m not some young reckless kid anymore. I got more control than I used to.”

I turned to the entrance again and the ladies were coming back inside.

My dick twitched as I stared at Ziora and the red dress she wore that hugged her body and circled around her neck.

It was asymmetric, stopping at mid-thigh on one side and the longer side went to her knee, paired with thigh- high black boots.

“Now this is how you bring a birthday in!” I grabbed her once she was close enough and pulled her onto my lap. “I can’t wait to have you to myself tonight.” I nuzzled my face into her neck.

“Ezra.” She shifted on my lap, attempting to shy away from me.

“No need to be embarrassed, Bumblebee. It’s all family here.” I slid my hand up her warm thigh. Goosebumps prickled her skin.

“Your friend’s really into Emmet, huh?” River asked. I lifted my head and looked to where Emmet was sitting. Inaya sat flashing a sultry smile his way. Her legs crossed at the knee as she held a glass of liquor in her hand and used her other to run it along his arm.

“Inaya’s not the one to give up. Plus, the more he ignores her, the more she’s gonna try.”

“Emmet likes it,” I mentioned.

Ziora turned to me. “Why do you say that?”

“Because I know my brother. If he didn’t want to be bothered, he’d easily shut all her flirting down. He might be quiet but he’s far from a pushover. Emmet likes your friend, he’s just awkward.”

She looked at the two again. “As long as she’s not wasting her time.”

I tightened my hold on her. “She’s not. Now enough of them. I’m the birthday boy. I should have your attention.” I nuzzled her neck again and bit into her skin.

“We still have time before it’s officially your birthday.”

“Minor details. Here.” I held the bottle up for her to take.

I was glad Ziora decided to join me tonight. If I had to track her down, I would have, but luckily she took my threat seriously and came on her own.

“Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean you can control my every move!” Cashlynn snapped. I lifted my head just as she stormed out of the section with Nazai on her tail.

“Nazai better watch out. He keep pissing sis off and she’s gonna fuck him up.” River chuckled.

“I keep warning him to chill,” Lucas said, coming over. He brought the glass of brown liquor to his mouth and balled his face up.

It was nice for all of us to take a step back and enjoy ourselves. We’d been so invested in all the shit with The Veil that we hadn’t been able to have a night out to enjoy ourselves like we used to do.

Eventually Nazai and Cashlynn came back to the section, she was no longer wearing a frown and the dress she had on was slightly wrinkled. I smirked, knowing my brother must have taken her to his office and straightened things out.

“E, aren’t you happy you came out tonight?” I sat next to him.

He glanced at me and shrugged before drinking from his glass. “You don’t have to lie. I know even you enjoy a night out sometimes.”

“Do you think I should take Inaya home tonight?” he asked, catching me off guard.

My brows shot up and my mouth curled into a grin. “Baby bro. I knew you were interested in her.”

“It’s clear she’s not gonna give up.”

“And you like her, right?”

He was quiet for a second. “She piques my interest.”

Chuckling, I patted his back. “Go for it, Emmet. You need to live a little. I think Inaya will help you do that. Just like I did for Ziora.”

Emmet didn’t respond. He leaned back and observed the room. We both knew I was right so hopefully he took my advice.

“A’right, can I get everyone’s attention!

” Nazai said into the mic in the middle of the section.

“Ezra, get your ass over here!” Grinning, I tapped Emmet’s leg, then stood, walking over to my oldest brother.

The music had stopped and the club’s attention was on us.

Everyone in the section gathered around us.

Ziora stood at my side, I reached out for her hand.

“Tonight is a special occasion. My little brother, the pain in the ass out of all of them, is celebrating another year!” His arm went around my neck.

“Ez, I told you this earlier but I’m proud of you and all you’ve accomplished.

So everyone get a drink and lift them in the air. Ladies, bring the cake out!”

The lights dimmed and a spotlight fell on the section. A few seconds later two girls with sparklers came walking toward the section with another girl behind them holding a cake.

“To Ezra! Happy birthday!” Everyone shouted happy birthday and cheers broke out.

I turned and hugged my brother. “Thanks, man.”

“I’m my brother’s keeper. I always got you, Ez.” He hugged me back.

We broke apart and I stared at the cake. “I know Mama’s gonna do another later today, but for now, make a wish,” Nazai prompted.

Grinning, I did as he said before blowing the candles out on the cake.

“Happy birthday, Ezra!” Star called out and leaned in close. She looked like she was about to attempt to kiss me and I dodged her, mushing her face away, causing her to stumble back.

“Star, don’t be disrespectful. You see my fiancée’s here!” I frowned and reached for Ziora again.

A bewildered look formed on her face. “Fiancée?” she shrieked.

“You heard me.” I leaned over to kiss Ziora.

“Star, head out of here,” Nazai commanded.

She looked like she wanted to protest. “Now, Star. Go work the floor.” He nodded.

Star’s eyes bounced between me and Ziora before she huffed and stormed away.

“My bad, Ez, I didn’t even think when I had her come in here.”

I waved him off. “I’m not worried about Star.” I turned to Ziora who was watching me.

“You two have history?” she asked.

One corner of my mouth rose. “Something like that. But that’s my past. My eyes are only focused on the future.” I pulled her into me.

Star might have been my favorite dancer in the past but she didn’t hold a candle to Ziora.

“Can we cut the cake?” Cashlynn’s voice rang out.

Tittering, I pecked Ziora’s lips then turned, still holding her hand. “I gotchu, sis.”

The night was going just as I planned. Bringing it in with my loved ones and leaving all the bullshit outside the club.

____

“Lucas, call Ziora and see where she is,” I slurred when we got to my front door.

“I will once we’re in the house.”

Ziora and Inaya left The District a little after twelve. She promised she’d meet me at my house later but I hadn’t heard from her.

“I don’t know why I got stuck making sure you got home.” He snatched my phone from me when I went to unlock it.

I frowned. “Because we look out for each other.”

Going into my jeans pocket, I pulled my keys out. Lucas grabbed them from me and unlocked the door.

Pushing the door open, I was shocked to see my lights on because I knew I had turned them off before leaving.

“Someone’s here,” I mentioned, straightening up.

“What?”

“Someone’s—” I paused and stepped forward, kneeling and picking the picture up.

“Ezra?” Lucas called out.

My dick bricked as I stared at the black and white picture of Ziora lying in bed in lingerie.

Looking forward, I saw another Polaroid picture then another leading to the steps.

“Never mind, you can go.” I stood.

“What’s in your hand?”

Bringing the photo to my chest, I shook my head. “Nothing for you to see. I got it from here.”

“Whatever.” He handed me my phone. “I’ll see you at Mom and Dad’s later.”

Nodding, I waited for him to leave and shut the door behind him. Instantly, I turned back to the trail of photos.

“What do you have up your sleeve, Ziora?” I picked up the next photo. This one was of her covering her bare chest in just a thong.

I continued to follow the trail and pick up pictures as I went.

My heart pounded roughly the more photos I picked up.

My nerves buzzed as if they were shot with a large dose of adrenaline.

Anticipation built in my stomach when I got to my bedroom door.

Soft music could be heard on the other side.

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside.

I froze, not expecting what was waiting for me on the other side.