24. Ezra

Chapter twenty-four

Ezra

The soft thud of her heels sinks into the tiled hallway, each step barely audible but steady, sending a ripple of tension through me. It hits me just how much I’ve underestimated the effect Raven has on me.

I told her to dress up tonight, but nothing could’ve prepared me for what she’s wearing ? a black, sleeveless dress that hugs her body. The fabric clings to every dangerous curve, the slit revealing far more thigh than I’d ever want anyone else to see.

Her dark hair cascades down her back in waves, a few tendrils framing the sides of her face.

She’s the perfect vision of sin wrapped in silk.

“You look beautiful,” I breathe, when she stops in front of me, reaching out to lightly stroke her arm.

Heat creeps up her cheeks as she smiles shyly. “Thank you,” she replies, tentatively peering up at me from under her long, thick lashes.

I stare at her some more, my mind conjuring up images of bending her over, pinning her hands behind her back, and fucking her brains out right there in the hallway.

“We should go,” her soft voice coaxes me back to the present.

I trail behind her, watching as one of the guards lets his stare linger longer than necessary. His eyes travel up her bare legs until it stops at the deep neckline of her dress. My blood boils instantly. My eyes narrow, and I see red as I stop dead in my tracks.

Without thinking, I move towards him and wrap my hand around his throat, slamming him into the nearest wall. His wide eyes bulge in terror as my fingers dig into his windpipe.

“ Occhi via da lei (Eyes off her)!” I growl, in a deadly tone, loud enough for everyone within earshot to hear.

Panic sets in his eyes. “I’m so- sorry, Don,” he stammers, his voice shaky.

“Ezra?” Raven calls out behind me.

I force myself to breathe… to stop myself from pressing my fingers around his windpipe until he stops breathing.

“You're lucky she's watching, or else...” I whisper in a deadly tone that only he can hear, “… quella sarebbe stata l’ultima cosa che avresti fatto (…that would have been the last thing you’d have done).”

Straightening up, I let the guard go and stare at him with a hard look on my face as he stares back at me with a fearful expression.

“ Sei sollevato da questa posizione (You're dismissed from this position), get back to gate duty.”

As he bows and makes his way around me, I turn back to Raven. She glances at the guard scurrying away before looking at me with a questioning expression.

I ignore it and slide my hands possessively around her waist. A wave of satisfaction sinks through me when I glance at the other guards and see that their eyes are anywhere but on her.

Good.

I lean in, groaning as my lips touch her ear. “Don’t you have another dress to wear? I’m sure I bought you a few that won’t make me have to fight off every man who sees you,” I murmur, my gaze falling on the slit revealing her smooth thigh.

She tilts her head and smiles slyly. “Would that really be such a bad thing? Don’t you enjoy a little challenge?” Her voice is soft, teasing. She bats her lashes at me, making it harder to concentrate.

I draw in a small breath, fighting to control the temptation to drag her back into the bedroom and tear the dress off her. I don’t like the idea of taking her out like this, with every other man in the room thinking they can look at her. But I promised her a night out, and I’ll not break my promise.

“Let’s get going before I end up ripping this dress off you myself,” I whisper, stroking her side softly before guiding her towards the flight of stairs.

“You can do that when we return,” she whispers teasingly.

I tilt my head to the side and really look at her to find her already staring at me, her giggle now fades into a smile.

There’s something different about her, and as I stare at her, I realize that it’s more than her breathtaking beauty… it’s more than just her appearance.

It’s the way she looks at me now, so different from the woman who had first walked into my life. She’s more easygoing, yet stronger, more sure of herself… and now has me in a chokehold.

I still can’t fathom how I got here. This was supposed to be a kidnapping that I was forced to undertake because she had witnessed too much. It was only supposed to keep my business clear of unnecessary attention. Never did I imagine I would be capable of feeling any real emotions for any woman after my scarred past. They were just a means to satisfy my wild sexual urges.

But, now, here I was at the mercy of this woman. She is too young and too innocent for me, but she is becoming my obsession… my weakness! A dangerous one that could destroy me and my business.

We make our way out of the mansion to my black Bentley Continental GTC. I hold the door open for her before any guard can do so and slide into the driver’s seat.

A few minutes later, we arrive at the club. The place is alive, already buzzing with music and conversation, but all I can focus on is keeping her close. I settle my hand on the small of her back as we move through the crowd.

A few irritating eyes turn in her direction, lingering a little too long for my liking. I throw a glare in their direction and pull Raven even closer to me as each glance sends a fresh wave of heat coursing through me.

The tension in my bones eases when we reach the VIP section on the second floor. This part of the club is a cozy, intimate space divided by a glass wall but still with a perfect view of everything below. I sit on the sofa first before pulling her onto my lap. A low yelp leaves her lips as her soft ass meets my thighs.

I groan slightly, sinking lower into the chair and then adjusting her so she sits exactly on my dick. Another groan escapes my throat, and I bring my hands to her waist. She shakes her head and turns to me, shooting me a pointed look.

Her reaction only elicits a shrug from me before I bury my nose in her neck, inhaling her maddening scent.

A waiter appears promptly, offering drinks. Irritation fills me at the disturbance, but I untuck my face. My attention is drawn to the subtle way Raven shifts on my lap.

“What do you want?” My voice comes out a groan near her ear.

My hand brushes against her bare thigh. Her body tenses as she exhales shakily. Even though she tries to act unaffected, I know better.

“Just water.”

I arch a brow at her request. I expected her to order something else.

“You heard her and one glass of Johnny Walker Blue.”

The waiter nods and walks off. Comfortable silence settles between us for a stretch of time before the waiter returns with our orders.

I hand her the water and take my glass of scotch. Bringing the cool rim of the glass to my lips, I take a sip as the liquid burns my throat. I revel in the stinging sensation before setting my glass down at the same time she does, her body still pressed warmly against mine.

Slowly, she leans her head against my shoulder as her eyes sweep over to the club below. I follow her gaze, watching as her nails lightly drag over the back of my palm.

Fuck.

“You know,” I murmur, exhaling to calm the storm brewing inside of me, “… seeing you in this dress makes me want to take you right here. Fuck the living daylights out of you.”

“Is that so?” She raises her head to look me in the eyes, teasing and daring all at once. “Then you must know what seeing you in a three-piece suit does to me as well.” She snakes her arms around my neck, locking her fingers behind it.

Oh, that smart mouth of hers…

“Careful, Principessa (Princess),” I chuckle darkly, my tone gruff as I wrap my fingers gently around her nape. “I really might tie you to this chair and pound your pussy silly.”

I feel her body slacking against mine in response, her eyes pooling with desire. She presses her thighs together, her mouth is slightly parted as she breathes out. I smirk, knowing that turned her on as much as it did me.

Her chest rises and falls heavily, each breath drawing my eyes to the swell of her cleavage. She bites her lips, and I snap. A low growl leaves me as I claim her mouth, biting down on her soft lips before running my tongue across the tender skin.

She gasps in surprise, and I feel her hardened nipples pressing against my chest.

Fuck. No bra.

Blood surges to my dick, my desire to fuck her only growing with the loud music surrounding us. My tongue invades her mouth, tasting the cool residue of water on her tongue.

She moans into my mouth, adjusting slightly against my pulsing dick.

“Fuck!” I grunt, against her lips, fisting her dress.

I want to rip the clothing off her when she pulls back for air, her chest heaving and her lips swollen. Her eyes meet mine, wild and flustered. I smirk.

“How about we go dance?” she suggests, after a moment of silence.

“Why?” I question, tightening my grip around her waist.

“So you don’t end up fucking me in front of all these people,” she tries to play it off lightly, but I still catch the tiny tremor in her voice.

Carefully, she slips off my lap, a little wobbly as she gets on her feet and stretches her arm to me.

Staring at her outstretched arm, I raise an eyebrow in silent question. Is she serious? She catches on quickly, nodding and gesturing with a tilt of her head for me to take her hand.

“I don’t dance,” I state, folding my arms across my chest.

“You will tonight. You have to,” she insists, grabbing my biceps and attempting to pull me up.

It’s funny watching her cute self try to move me with determination in her eyes. I stare at her for a moment, then give in with a sigh, letting her lead me out of the private area and onto the dance floor.

The second we hit the floor, Raven immediately starts to move, her body swaying to the beat of the hip-hop music.

I’ve never been one for clubs, except for business, but tonight feels different with her. Maybe it’s the music pulsing through the walls, the dim light reflecting off the drinks, or the way her gaze never leaves mine. My hands dig into her waist, pulling her impossibly closer.

“You, sir, are one possessive bear tonight,” she grins, as she tip-toes and runs a tongue over my ear lobe. “Aren’t you?”

I draw in a sharp breath as a small moan escapes her at the end of her sentence. My gaze shifts to her eyes as she pulls back, an innocent expression on her face.

“There are other places I’d like for you to use that title,” I trail off, staring at her with amusement, my voice dropping to a low murmur. “I don’t mind starting here.” My palm connects with her butt as I spank her lightly.

Raven bursts out laughing, her laughter cutting through the pounding bass and freezing me in place. It’s the first time I’ve truly heard her laugh, and it sounds so genuine.

As if in line with our mood, the music switches to a slow one, and my breath catches in my throat as she draws closer again, her gaze holding mine.

She grinds her hips against my lower body, teasing me in that way only she can. Her arms wrap around my neck as she presses herself closer, and I don’t stop her. Her scent pulls me in like an intoxicating drug. Fuck it feels good. I love it.

I place my hands on her hips, starting to move my body along with hers, and her laughter bubbles up again before she leans back slightly.

In the neon lights, with that smile on her face, she’s even more beautiful.

“You’re having fun,” she teases, her lips brushing my ear.

“I will be when I’m having you later,” I reply, smirking.

She laughs again, and I can’t help but grin. I’m beginning to love the sound of her laughter; it warms me from the inside out.

The music suddenly changes to a fast beat, and Raven moves a few meters away from me, flailing her hands in tandem with the beat.

I chuckle lightly, greatly amused at how carefree she has become compared to a few weeks ago. That’s until my eyes drift to the scene behind her. A wave of annoyance builds inside me as I notice several men on the edge of the dance floor, their eyes glued to her body.

Fuck. What is it with these bastards and looking tonight?

With a scoff, I glance at Raven, who seems unaware of the eyes on her. I manage to rein in my anger until one man steps closer, getting bolder as he reaches out to touch her. I take long, quick strides forward, giving his wrist a firm squeeze before he can graze her skin. Our eyes meet, and I can see the instant recognition flicker across his face as he realizes who I am.

“How dare you?” I growl above the loud music, my tone icy cold. A primal haze descends over me. Without a second thought, I grab the man by the collar and drive a hard fist into his face. His unprepared ass cries out.

I punch him with a fierce blow, feeling his bones crack beneath my knuckles. Blind rage fuels my hand as I deliver satisfying blows again and again. The assault does not let up until his body crumples in my hold, limp.

“She’s mine,” I grate out, loud enough for the crowd of onlookers to hear. “ Mio (Mine)!”

Satisfied, I let him go, and his body falls to the ground. My chest heaves, my breaths coming out in ragged gasps. I spit on the bastard, then glance back at the other men and see their eyes are centered elsewhere.

Good.

I turn to Raven who’s no longer dancing; instead, she’s watching me, a blend of fear and shock etched on her face.

“That’s enough for tonight,” I say, impulsively. I hoist her over my shoulders like she weighs nothing and march down toward the private room, leaving no room for argument.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she screams, her arms and legs hitting against my back. “Let me down, Ezra.”

Even I am taken aback by the cascade of emotions washing over me tonight. But I can’t help it. I don’t want to. She’s definitely changed something in me.

Without a word, I kick open the door to the VIP room and set her on the ground once we’re in. I make my way to the table, leaving her behind. I grab the drink on the table and down it in one gulp but it does nothing to cool the rage boiling in my guts.

“E- Ezra…” she stutters, when the door closes.

I turn to her, a whirlwind of emotions flooding me like a tide I can’t control. The next second, I’m grabbing her hair and biting down hard on her lips. “You belong to me. Do you understand?” I growl into the kiss.

“Hmmm…” she hums in response, kissing me back fervently.

Her kiss is the drug I need to instantly calm me down. She pulls back for air, her hair a tangled mess in my grasp.

“God, you have no idea what you do to me,” I choke out the words, my voice faltering as I stare into her eyes.

She bites her lips, that familiar nervous habit of hers. “Tell me,” she asks, in a soft tone as well, her eyes holding my gaze.

She interlocks my fingers with hers, peering at me through her lashes.

“Raven…” I murmur, feeling the ice around my heart cracking, piece by piece.

“Tell me,” she repeats. “What do I do to you?”

The silence stretches between us for a moment.

“I’m feeling things I shouldn’t,” I finally admit, gently cupping her face. She leans into my palm, her eyes laced with admiration as she patiently waits for me to speak. “These emotions…” my voice trails off, warmth seeping into me from just looking at her.

She swallows hard, her words soft but resolute. “Maybe it’s time you let yourself feel those emotions, Ezra.”

“But it’s dangerous, too dangerous, especially for you.” I shake my head, pulling my hand away from hers. “I can’t drag you into my mess.”

I don’t know where my words are coming from, but I know they’re genuine. Perhaps this is why I’ve never really agreed to my feelings. She’s an innocent person…too good for my world.

“Isn’t it already too late?” she breathes softly, holding my gaze.

“You don’t understand. You’ll be in more dang–”

“I’m pregnant, Ezra.” Her words are slow, but somehow, they hit me like a fast train.

I freeze in my spot, any other thoughts freezing alongside.

Pregnant.

“W- what?”

“I found out… last week.” She swallows hard, her fingers suddenly fidgeting with the fabric of her dress as the words spill out.

“I wasn’t sure how to tell you. I—I didn’t even know what to do at first. I took the test, and it was positive. Then I took another one just to be sure, and that was positive, too. I didn’t know how you’d feel about it. If you’d be upset or if you’d—”

I don’t let her finish before I slam my lips against hers, effectively shutting her up. Her lips are soft against mine, and I feel her breath hitch. When I pull back, I see the question in her eyes, as if she didn’t expect this reaction from me.

“You want this?” she asks, her eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt.

There’s something about the question that erases every atom of doubt in me and reinstates a fresh sense of obligation in me. My world may be dangerous, but I’ll lay down my life before any harm comes near her…them.

I smile at her, placing my palm on her clothed stomach.

“I’m going to be a father again, Raven,” I whisper, seeing a glint of tears in her eyes. “You’re making me a father.”

Raven nods, her eyes wide, and for the first time in a long time, I feel something I never thought I’d feel: pure, unfiltered happiness. Like life finally gave me a second chance.

I wipe my thumb against the tear that slips past her eyes, before muttering the only words in my heart.

“I love you.”

There . I said it and I can’t believe I did. But I mean every single word. For the first time after all these years, I am actually feeling love.

Her face softens, and that pretty smile spreads across her lips.

“I love you, too, Ezra,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me into a hug.

I press a kiss to her forehead, my heart booming with joy.

I’m going to be a father.