Page 73 of Merciless Obsession (The Bloodline #2)

EZRA

“ I ’m happy we all were able to gather here together,” Mom mentioned as we sat at the large table full of food. “With everyone having their own lives and being busy, it’s important to take the time to enjoy family.”

It was Thanksgiving and Mom demanded everyone’s attendance. One thing she prided herself on was family and coming together. She didn’t care how crazy and hectic what we did was, she never let us get a pass on missing family gatherings.

I reached over and grabbed Ziora’s hand.

She was next to me with Inaya next to her and Emmet on the other side.

At first she declined coming to my parents’ house.

It was clear the thought made her uncomfortable.

Family wasn’t a big thing to her since she was estranged from hers but she would get used to being around mine and realizing she was now part of it.

Nazai, Cashlynn, Carson, and Lucas sat across from us and Mom and Dad were on the ends of the table. River had another out of town meeting to handle so he was absent.

“Inaya, is it?” Mom asked. “You seem to have taken a liking to my youngest son.”

Instead of shying away from my mom’s observation, Inaya smiled brightly and sat straight. “You’re correct. Emmet is just my type.” She batted her lashes.

Emmet grunted.

“And what is your type exactly?” Dad asked.

“Strong, smart, layered, and keeps me on my toes. I also think your son is attractive and could benefit from having me in his life.”

“Is that so?” Amusement filled Mom’s voice as she brought her wine glass to her mouth.

“Yes, ma’am. He’s playing hard to get but I’m just as stubborn. We’ve even worked a case together, right, Emmet?” She batted her lashes at him. Again, he just grunted and continued to eat his food.

Lucas snorted from across the table. “And here I thought Ezra was the only stalker in the room.”

I cut my eyes in his direction. “Stalking, as you call it, got me my Bumblebee, so I encourage Inaya’s determination.”

“I don’t think it’s stalking if the person wants you to come after them.” Inaya shrugged. “Sometimes you have to go after what you want to get what you want. Emmet hasn’t told me he’s not interested, so why give up?”

Ziora stifled a laugh and shook her head.

Dad didn’t look amused. He turned his attention to Ziora. “And Ziora, have you thought about what we spoke about? How are you adjusting?”

My eyes cut in Dad’s direction. “I took what you said and I still stand on my position. Ezra never hid who he was from me, even before you told me. I realized that maybe it’s what I needed in my life.”

Pride spread through my chest. I lifted her hand and brought it to my mouth. “There is no maybe. I am what you need. There will be no one else.”

This time Dad grunted and took a drink from his glass.

“And are you recovering well?” Mom asked.

Ziora nodded. “Lucas removed my neck stitches this week. Now I’m just waiting for my side ones to get taken out and my foot to heal.”

“Which won’t happen if you don’t start taking it easy,” Lucas interjected. “I already had to restitch your incision.” He glared at her.

“I told you I’ll be more careful from now on.”

“Have you learned who tried to kill her?” Dad turned to Nazai.

“No but?—”

“No, none of that. We aren’t here to discuss all that right now.” Mom shut the conversation down. “Cashlynn, how’s my grandbaby doing? You two should know what you’re having by now, correct?”

Nazai and Cashlynn made eye contact. “Well, now that you mentioned it…” Nazai started. “We wanted to wait until everyone was together and there’s no time like the present.” His hand went to her stomach. “We learned that we’re having a baby girl!”

“Finally!” Mom gushed, clapping her hands. Her face lit up. “With having all boys I mourned the missed opportunity of having a girl. As much as I love you all, I always wanted a little girl.”

“Yeah it’s going to be different. I was prepared for a boy, but a little girl is cool too.” Nazai gave a bashful grin and ran his hand over his head.

“Congrats, hijo. Be ready to have your guns ready.” Dad grinned.

“They’re already polished and loaded.” Nazai chuckled.

“I wanted another boy to play with,” Carson pouted.

“Maybe next time.”

Cashlynn whipped her head in my brother’s direction with a balled up face. “Don’t make bullshit promises.”

He chuckled. “I did it once. I can do it again, Wildfire.” He winked, causing Cashlynn’s hardened expression to grow harder.

“And Cashlynn, are you fully prepared to change your life to become a mother?” Dad questioned.

“Why would I have to change my life?” She looked at him like he was speaking Chinese.

“Well, you’re about to be a mother. Certainly you can’t continue going on like you did before your pregnancy.”

“Again, why? Your son wanted this baby, so maybe he should be the one to change.”

“As a mother it will be up to you—” Dad started, this time in Spanish, until Mom’s voice cut in.

“?Suficiente! We are not going to ruin our first time all getting together. This is a time to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company.” She shot a hard glare in Dad’s direction.

I chuckled. “I know that look, padre. Looks like you’re in trouble.”

?Tu cállate!” she snapped at me.

I tucked my lips into my mouth to hide the grin threatening to form.

“Carson…” Mom started.

The rest of the evening went peacefully because no one wanted to upset Mom. I was a fearless man but seeing Nora Tavarez mad tested that. She kept the conversation light with questions to get to know Ziora and Inaya.

At the end of the evening, while everyone was preparing to leave, Nazai stopped me and our brothers. “We contacted the number. Emmet was unable to get a location but they gave us a meeting time. Three weeks from now. They’ll send details with the location and time.” His eyes bounced around.

“They sent an encrypted link to communicate on after the initial text was sent. Must be how they keep from being traced. The chat was set to delete fifteen minutes after final contact,” Emmet said.

“It seems they didn’t suspect it wasn’t Winston texting them, so for now we’re good. We’ll come up with a plan to make sure we can get these guys.”

We all agreed.

“While we’re all here, we have a job tonight. We’ll meet at the Barn at eleven and go from there.”

“On Thanksgiving?” I frowned.

“Unfortunately, little brother, the sick fucks we take out don’t take a break just because of a holiday.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

The girls came into the living room with Mom, all holding to-go bags.

I approached Ziora. “Give that here.” She was still on crutches.

“I got it.”

“And now I got it.” I took the bag. She was determined to do everything on her own and hated when someone tried to help her.

“You women nowadays,” Mom muttered, shaking her head. “Always want to be so strong and independent. Never allow a man to lead and be a man.”

“Not me. I would make a wonderful trophy wife.” Ziora’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

“There’s nothing wrong with being able to handle things on your own. Women aren’t here just to lay on our backs and have babies,” Cashlynn mentioned.

Mom waved her off. “That’s not what I’m saying and you know it. Marriage is about partnership, and if you never accept what your spouse has to give, then how can you be considered partners?”

“Tell ’em, Mama.” I smirked.

My mom was the strongest woman I knew. She kept my dad grounded and the family together even during dark times. If there was anyone who could show Ziora how to stop fighting everything I had to give her, it was my mother.

____

I was in my office getting ready to leave for court when the door was aggressively pushed open.

I lifted my eyes and they landed on Ziora who stood in the middle of the walkway with her eyes fiercely peering into me, dressed in one of my shirts and her hair in a messy bun of curls on the top of her head.

I licked my lips, loving the unkempt display in front of me.

“Did you come to see me off?” I closed my briefcase, giving her my attention.

Today, I was delivering my closing statement for Felix’s case. After requesting a few recesses because of what happened with Ziora, it was time to end this once and for all.

“Ezra,” she said coolly but tightly.

“Yes.” I grinned.

Her lips pressed together and her eyes tightened. She hobbled into my office and lifted her left hand.

“What the hell is this?” The engagement ring I had made for her shone brightly on her left hand.

Walking around my desk, I leaned on the corner and crossed my arms in front of me. “It’s the beginning of our future together.”

I had to pay an express fee to get the process sped up but it was worth it. The ring looked perfect on her delicate finger.

“Beginning of our future? What does that even mean?” Her eyes bulged.

Wetting my lips, I pushed off the desk and walked toward her. Reaching down, I grabbed her left hand and examined it.

“We’re engaged so it was time to bring proof of that into play. Do you like it? I know you’re not the flashy type so I stayed subtle with the diamond, but if you want bigger than?—”

“The diamond size isn’t the issue, Ezra, the engagement ring is. This is crazy! We’ve only been together a few months.”

“And when you know, you know. Call it love at first sight.”

Her lips thinned. “Ezra…”

I released her hand and stood straight. “You already agreed to be my wife and I told you a ring would follow. I’m not taking it back and you’re not taking it off your finger either.”

She opened her mouth to speak but snapped it shut and looked down. “This is too much.” Her lashes fluttered and she gazed back at me.

“It’s not enough.” I lifted her hand and kissed her ring finger. “Me and you will make magic together. This ring is only the beginning.” I kissed her finger again before releasing it and spinning on my heels.

I walked to my desk and grabbed my briefcase. “Since you’re downstairs, follow me outside. I have one last surprise for you.”

“Ezra.”

“Or I can carry you.” I faced her and raised a brow.