15. Raven

Chapter fifteen

Raven

The night of the attack, Ezra relocated us to a different mansion somewhere in Brooklyn. He insisted I stay in his bedroom and tripled the guards that patrol the area.

It’s been a week, and the mafia boss has been acting strange. Although he leaves the room before I wake up and returns late when I’m asleep, he keeps me under close watch.

He also makes sure I eat whatever I want— the guards now ask what I prefer before I'm served.

They also check in constantly just to ask if I’m okay. And at night, when Ezra returns, he simply lays next to me... There’s barely any conversation between us, no touching… nothing, but his care is obvious.

Sometimes I feel like there’s a hidden camera in here… somewhere… through which he watches me when he’s out.

It seems sweet and strange at the same time. And it’s even more strange that he didn’t return to the room last night. Usually, I’ll feel the bed dip, but I didn’t last night…

Realizing I’m starting to yearn for his presence, I snap back to reality. With a vigorous shake of my head, I bring a finger to my lips, and my thoughts spin in a different direction. I can’t wait for my ultimate plan of seducing him to work, or I may be at risk of yet another attack.

The plan this time is to find a phone to reach my best friend and call the cops, which is a one-way ticket out of here. But after days of searching the entire room unsuccessfully for a phone, that hope is quickly dashed.

Should I even really call the cops on him…? I mean, it’s not like he has hurt me…he even saved me.

Just as I have the thought, I quickly shake my head. That shouldn't be part of my train of thought. I shouldn't think that.

I’m still being held against my will, I recite mentally until I feel my breath cease with each word.

Great, just great. Now I feel weird about doing the right thing.

It's the right thing, right?

Leaving my question unanswered, I slowly sit up against the headboard. Ezra had said I could move around the mansion if I felt cooped up. He’d said it one morning— the only morning– I managed to see him leave.

If I’m free to roam around, I can easily get to the one place a phone just might be…Ezra’s study…I mean, every mafia boss must have one, right? When I'm convinced they should, I bunch the duvet to my ankles and get out of bed. Then I make my way to the door.

Somehow my heart is racing as I walk. I don't know if it's out of fear or anticipation. The second I hold the knob, flashes of the attack rush into my head, and I instinctively back away.

What if it happens again? What if going out of this room puts me in danger all over again? A knot forms in my stomach as I stare at the door.

But then again, I can’t wait until something worse happens. I can’t wait till I’m dead. Taking a deep breath, I push the fear aside and leave the room.

The moment I step outside, the mansion feels even bigger—like a giant, fancy cage.

The sunlight streaming in directly at me from the lined-up transparent windows makes my heart race with what I would term anxiety but awe as well. Ezra’s world is both beautiful and scary, but certainly not the one for me.

I pause for a second in front of the door, unsure of which way to go, as I realize his bedroom is in the middle of a hallway.

I glance at the two guards stationed nearby, considering asking them for directions, but I know that’d be the most foolish thing I’d ever do. They’ll definitely report back to Ezra, and like everyone else in the former place, they might just ignore me anyway.

The study mustn't be so far from his bedroom, though, I guess. With that, I turn to the left and find two more guards. They barely acknowledge me as I walk past, the soft carpet hushing my steps, but I feel their heavy stares on me.

As I reach the end of the hallway, another crossroads opens up—two corridors stretching in opposite directions. My eyes scan the area, but there are no guards in sight. I slow my steps, frowning. Ezra had tripled security throughout the mansion, so why was this section so quiet? The absence gnaws at me, a strange tension creeping in as I wonder what could be amiss.

A flicker of unease settles in my chest, but I shake it off. If no one's around, this is my chance. My pulse quickens as I push forward, knowing I need to search quickly before anyone shows up. I start opening random doors on my right, peeking into rooms that are either empty or filled with fancy furniture and paintings.

Not finding the study, I start on the left corridor, repeating my actions. Getting to the final door at the end of the hallway, I open it slowly, peeking inside. My heart skips a beat as I finally find it.

I glance down the hallway making sure it is still clear before pushing the unlocked door open, the creak echoing a little too loud in the silence.

I quickly enter the dimly lit room, closing the door behind me. The air smells of old paper and polished wood, reminding me of the life Ezra leads—full of shadows and hidden truths. I could even almost perceive the danger as well.

I have no idea how long I’ve got, but I’m going to make the time worth it by getting right into searching for what I came here for.

Walking to the desk, I immediately begin to rummage through the drawers, pushing aside pens and papers, my heart pounding with each sound. When I open the bottom drawer, which is bigger than the rest, my eyes land on a medium-sized fancy box tucked away inside. Curiosity pulls me in as I carefully take it out and pry it open, revealing a collection of items.

The first thing I notice is a simple, silver chain necklace with a heart shaped feminine charm attached to it. I lift an eyebrow at it as I think about who might have worn it.

Perhaps a woman he once cared for… or still cares for.

I scoff at the thought when I notice the blank paper with peeling, worn out edges the necklace is on. I push the necklace aside and pick up the paper, flipping it to see it’s actually an old picture. The man in the photo looks serious, his clean-shaven face hard and cold.

As I continue to stare at the picture, I begin to wonder what importance he could have for Ezra to keep his picture hidden in here. I consider the fact that the man is in the mafia and could be one of Ezra’s past important kills.

Shivering at the thought, I quickly put the picture back, my fingers brushing the soft lining of the box. My eyes drift to the teddy bear in the corner of the box, and my brows furrow as I take it out and study it.

The fur of the teddy bear is worn and dirty, with patches missing. A dark, crusted color is spread all through the fur but more concentrated on one of the arms. On a closer look, my breath hitches as I realize what it is…blood.

I throw the teddy back into the box, but something else catches my eye. It’s a small silver locket half buried under a small black nylon. I hesitate, not sure if I want to see more, but my fingers move before I can stop them.

I pull out the old yet shining object, holding it carefully in my hands. My fingers are cold as I pop it open, expecting something simple like initials or a date.

Inside is a picture of Ezra standing next to a beautiful woman with long, wavy, dark hair. Her black eyes, which seem to sparkle even in the faded photo, stare at Ezra with so much love in them that it’s almost…painful… to look at. My breath catches in my throat when I see the silver necklace from earlier around her neck.

I was right about the owner being a woman…

My eyes drift back to Ezra, who isn’t the cold, distant man I know in the photo. He’s smiling, actually smiling, and not just any smile. His eyes are filled with love, focused on the brown-haired little girl standing between him and the woman.

She’s holding both their hands, looking at Ezra with pure joy. Ezra is hunched to her level, handing her a teddy bear. The teddy bear in the box. Except in the photo, it’s clean, free of blood, and the girl reaches out for it like it’s the best gift in the world.

As I study the entire picture frame as a whole once more, memories from my past nudge their way in. Another image flits through my mind—several scattered pictures dumped in a box somewhere back home.

There’s my father, looking at me with a loving, proud gaze from my high school graduation day. And there’s that other picture, the one taken just a day before Mom...

I shake the thoughts out of my head before they unravel. I bring my focus back to the picture in my hands, grounding myself in the present.

I stare at it unblinking, and slowly, my heart sinks as the realization hits me. This is his family.

For the longest time I wonder why I haven't seen them around. Divorce? Or could the reason be that they’re no longer alive?

Maybe it's the realization that these people were once dear to him, but as I continue to gaze at the photo, I can now feel the love in it. I wonder what Ezra must have felt when it all fell apart.

As I suddenly feel a flicker of sympathy push its way into my head, I shut the locket, my thoughts halting with the quiet click of the metal.

Stop it, Raven. You’re here to find your ticket out of here, not have pity on the man who ‘kidnapped’ you.

I chastise myself as I shut the box and put it back into the drawer, pushing it close.

I need to focus on my escape. Taking another look around the room, I try to think more strategically. I scan the walls lined with bookshelves, but nothing seems to give anything away.

I move to the center of the study, rummaging through the cushion of the armchair and carefully placing them back in their original position to avoid giving myself away.

Suddenly, I hear the sound of footsteps treading down the hallway. Dread freezes me in my spot, and when I regain control, I sprint towards the door and crack it open before peeking out.

A guard is walking down the hallway, his posture relaxed but alert, like a cat ready to pounce. Panic rises within me at the thought that he's coming in this direction.

Shit!

I can’t let myself be caught now, I just gained partial freedom.

In a flash, I close the door quietly before searching for a place to hide in case he comes in here. I duck behind a tall bookshelf, holding my breath and listening hard. The footsteps grow louder, and I press my back against the cool wood, my heart pounding in my ears.

After what feels like an eternity, the footsteps pause and then fade away, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. I come out of hiding and glance around. When I realize there is nowhere left to check, disappointment washes through me.

Deciding to give up for now, I creep toward the door again, holding my breath and listening for any signs of life. Silence surrounds me, urging me to move forward. This is my chance.

But just as I step out, I nearly bump into the guard. His chest is to me, so I can guess he’s returning from wherever he’d headed. He stops abruptly, his posture now stiff and eyes narrowing at me.

“What are you doing in here?” His tone is sharp.

My mind races, the shock of being caught surging through me like a bolt of electricity.

“I… I thought Ezra had returned,” I stammer, forcing the words out as if they’re the truth. “I wanted to see him.”

The guard studies me, doubt written all over his face as his eyes run wearily over me. “He’s not here.” He folds his arm against his chest.

“I know, but I heard some noise and thought—” I swallow, the lie barely holding together as I try to keep my voice steady. “I just thought he was back.”

He presses his lips into a thin line and keeps observing me. For a moment, I fear he’ll see through my act. I don’t allow a chance for that to happen.

“I’ve been cooped up for so long. Maybe I’m picking up on imaginary sounds.” I force a laugh.

The intensity of the guard’s gaze reduces slightly, but he still looks unconvinced, and his arms don't leave his chest. “The Don doesn’t allow anyone to be here, and it’s still not safe for you to be out… alone, yet.”

I briefly wonder if he'll report me to Ezra and quickly reply. “Right, you’re absolutely right.” I glance at the long hallway. “I should head back now and wait till he’s back.”

Without waiting for a response, I make my way back the same way I had come. I can feel the guard’s eyes on me the entire time, but I don't dare turn back for fear of him seeing through me.

Once I get into the room and the door closes behind me, I lean against it, my heart still racing at the narrow escape.

What would Ezra do if he found out I had unceremoniously visited his study?

What will I do now that my plan has failed?