Page 74 of Merciless Obsession (The Bloodline #2)

Sighing, she shook her head. “No. I can manage.” Smirking, I shook my head, knowing that would be her answer.

“So stubborn and unable to accept help.” I walked toward the door of my office.

“I can walk. I don’t need to be treated like I’m immobile or something.”

“Immobile or not, I’d carry you around all day if you asked me.” I winked at her. Her cheeks reddened and her eyes rolled but a smile played on her full lips.

We walked out of my office to the front door. “Where are we going?”

“Outside.” I unlocked and opened the front door.

I allowed her to step outside first then walked onto the porch behind her. “C’mon, baby.” I stepped down and held my hand out for her. She narrowed her eyes and reached out hesitantly. I helped her down the steps and walked the stone path to the driveway.

“Ezra.” She stopped. One of her crutches fell.

The sides of my mouth curled upward. In the driveway was a brand new, white Mercedes Benz GLE 450 . The inside was a custom white and pink interior with her name stitched into the headrests. A red bow rested on top of it.

“Whose car is that?” she asked, her voice shaky.

“Yours, Bumblebee. Brand new, never been driven.”

“But, but why?”

“Your old car was totaled. You’re gonna need a new one once you’re cleared to drive. I could have just hired a car service but I’m working on that compromise thing you mentioned and I knew you wouldn’t like that.”

With her mouth still open, she turned to face me. “Flies are gonna get inside there if you don’t close it.” I tapped her bottom lip.

Her teeth scraped across it. “C’mon, let’s check it out.”

I held her hand and helped her over, not bothering to get her fallen crutch. Opening the door, I reached in and grabbed the keys resting in one of the cup holders.

“I can’t believe it,” she whispered.

“If you don’t like the colors, we can get them redone.” I took a seat and pressed the gas and button to start it.

Climbing out, I moved out of the way so she could sit down. “Purrs like a beauty, doesn’t it?”

Ignoring me, Ziora examined the car. I knew she was trying not to show it but her eyes were beaming as she took everything in.

“What’s the catch?” she asked, facing me.

“Why would there be a catch?” I crossed my arms and tilted my head.

Her eyes narrowed. “Because you’re letting me use a brand new car.”

I shook my head and moved in. Reaching over her, I went into the glove compartment and pulled out some forms.

“I need your signature on these. The car is yours, Bumblebee. There’s no catch.” I handed her the papers along with a pen.

“Seriously.”

“Along with those forms are papers to add you to my bank accounts, the deed on my house, medical forms, and all my other paperwork.”

“Ezra…”

“Sign here.” I pointed.

Ziora stared at me in disbelief. “Why are you doing all of this? The car is one thing but bank accounts, your house?”

“ Our house ,” I corrected. “And because I want to. As my future wife you’ll be able to lay claim to everything I have.”

I went into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. “These are yours too.” I handed her two cards, a credit card and a debit card. “There’s no limit on the credit card and the debit card is free to be used however you want; the funds are endless.”

Still staring at me in shock, Ziora aimlessly signed the forms. I flipped through them, pointing and showing her where to sign until we got to the end.

“See how easy it is when you listen to me.” I grabbed the stack of papers. I laid the cards on her lap. “And one last thing.”

Ziora shook her head. “No, Ezra, this is too much, seriously.”

“Open the center console.” I nodded toward it.

Pushing out a deep breath, Ziora turned and opened the pink console. “A phone?”

“Yours was destroyed in the crash so I got you another one on my plan.” Her eyes bounced from the phone to the cards to me.

I checked my watch. “Now I need to go or I’ll be late for court.” Leaning in, I kissed her and pulled back. “Let me help you back inside.”

She swallowed hard and nodded slowly. I never thought I would leave Ziora speechless but it seemed I had. Locking the car, I helped her back into the house, making sure to grab her crutches on the way.

Once inside I put the papers she signed inside my briefcase.

Ziora was sitting on the couch staring into space.

I leaned down, gripped her chin, and forced her to meet my eyes so she understood me.

“The past couple of weeks have been rough on you, but it’s my job to make your life easier.

I take care of what’s mine, always remember that.

” I pecked her lips. “My beautiful masterpiece. Enjoy what I’m giving you and don’t fight me.

As much as I would enjoy it, you’re still recovering, so I’m playing nice.

River’s guys will be here within an hour.

If you need to go anywhere, let them know and they’ll take you.

They know to stay outside since you don’t like them hovering around you. ”

My phone vibrated in my pocket. “I have to go. Since you’re off concussion watch, you can have your laptop and computers back too. I set up the room close to my darkroom for you. You’ll see everything from your office inside and like it was. The files from Ryan are in there too.”

There was more to learn about this trafficking ring. Since we learned it was more than just sex being sold, we needed to look at it with fresh eyes. When I spoke to Inaya at my parents’ house, she suggested letting Ziora get back to normal to help lower her guard more.

I turned and grabbed the plastic bag off the coffee table. “For you too.”

Her eyes dropped and she slowly opened the bag. A smile played on her lips seeing a bag of suckers inside.

My phone went off again and I pulled it out of my suit pants pocket and checked the screen. Seeing it was my investigator, I answered and put it to my ear.

“Yeah?” I gave Ziora one last look over before turning to leave.

“I got news on Orlando,” he started.

While he revealed the news he learned, I walked out of my house to my car.

Orlando’s case was turning out to be more challenging than I expected.

His dad called my office every week wanting updates and Orlando wasn’t taking the charges seriously.

It was a good thing Felix’s case was wrapping up because going forward I would be working day and night to prove that Orlando was innocent and getting the jury to believe it.