6. Ezra

Chapter six

Ezra

My eyes shoot open, heavy beads of sweat trickling down my body. I can hear my heart pounding in my ears as the sounds of my heavy gasps fill the room.

Fuck. It's the same dream over and over again.

Bringing a hand to clutch my chest, I lean against the chair to steady my vitals. I can feel my blood pressure rising as usual. The sting in my chest is a harsh bite, which elicits an involuntary groan from me as I quickly scramble the drawers open before finding my pills.

I peel the cap of the container open and scatter two bluish pills on my palm before throwing them into my mouth.

As my eyes dart around, I catch a glimpse of the time from the small clock on the table. 4:06 p.m. I must have fallen asleep while filling out paperwork. Today is one of those days…

A wave of headache slams into me as I get flashbacks of the events of that gory night. I stay still, staring into space, ready for the usual rush of memories that comes before it vanishes. I've always known I don't deserve to be happy, but their lives were a heavy sacrifice I wasn't ready to bear. I could never be ready.

I cherished her… them. I cherished what we had. And in the twinkle of an eye, it was all gone. Gone like they were never here.

Your position is a great one that comes with great sacrifices. I recall the words Father said to me on the night I got sworn in as the don.

He believed in those words and had even died believing in them, along with Mother. Their deaths happened a few months later. They were brutally murdered by a nemesis. It was my first eye-opener that this life…position, indeed came with great sacrifices.

The headache intensifies as a sharp sound strikes my head. At first, it feels like the sound of their cries but as I turn my head vigorously to get rid of it, I see a phone buzzing.

Briefly, I take a moment to myself before bringing the phone to my palm.

Harper. Raven’s phone doesn’t stop vibrating in my hands as I swipe and see the same name in red again. In her call log, Harper’s name is before every single missed call. Swiping across the screen to messages, I start to scroll through. This Harper seems to be relentless as her name pops up in every message notification.

This phone has been in my custody since she was abducted. But today is the first time that I intrude for reasons other than gaining tangible information.

Perhaps it’ll allow me to forget what I didn’t want to recall.

Hope you’re safe. I found this hot dude, and we’re having drinks, which might eventually end in sex. I hope he’s good in bed. xoxo

I don’t know why you didn’t come back to me last night. Did you fuck anyone?

I raise a brow at this. Then I recall she’d said her best friend forced her to attend the event.

Girl, where are you?

Raven, where the hell are you? You're not home. So the stranger’s wood was so huge that you eloped?

There’s a banana emoji followed by a water emoji in front of wood. It doesn’t take long to realize it means dick. I briefly wonder why she couldn’t have just called it for what it is.

You’re not at work? Girl, what’s going on, you never miss work.

Diligent in her doings...

If you don’t text me back, I’m going to the cops.

Raven, I’m scared. I’m at the police station and there’s a delay. Somehow I can’t talk to any officer but I will soon.

Raven please just text me. The cops say they’ll put the word out that you’re missing.

There are other messages ranting about how she’s not getting much attention from the cops. I minimize the page.

With a groan, I silence the notifications and toss the device into the drawer. Quickly, I dig into the pile of paperwork before me.

There are contracts, reports, ledgers. After a few seconds, I find the one I’ve been filling— a ledger. As soon as I pick up my pen, a knock lands on my door. It’s Elio.

“Boss.” He acknowledges me with a curt bow. I don’t miss how his eyes move to the white, translucent drug container. From the slight expression that crosses his eyes, I know he’s thinking the same thing as me. It’s been years, a ruthless mafia don like me should have gotten over it.

“Elio.” I clear my throat before slapping the container into an open drawer. He’s holding a stack of papers. They’re most likely more papers for me.

“It’s another solid month,” he informs sharply, all traces of emotion gone from his eyes. I drop my pen and lean back in my chair.

The ache in my head has now dulled, the pain in my chest vanishing alongside it. “Let’s have it.”

“The hotel and restaurants are on track as usual. The new rooftop bar we’ve been renovating is ready to be opened,” he starts, dropping the papers on my desk. “The clubs and casinos are still raking in positive numbers. In fact, this month’s are way over what we predicted.”

I give a nod of approval. That’s what I like to hear. Strategies manifesting into realities. The cover-up businesses are a legitimate front for the cartel. And as long as we keep our people in the police department on our payroll, we face no opposition from them.

“As for drugs, cocaine and meth seem to be in high demand. I’m looking into our manufacturing partners to see if they can get us at least double the quota for next month.”

“Mexico or Afghanistan?” I have producers in both countries. My operations span overseas as well as here in the States.

“Both.” A smirk tilts my lips.

Elio is a fucking business-minded man. “Approved.”

The sounds of papers ruffling fills the room as his eyes scan the papers.

“Also,” he starts. “Your appearance at the hospital fundraising event had a positive impact. People have been talking about it, so even if news about the image of Russo at the club is released, it may not do much damage.”

But it’ll still do damage… a significant amount. That’s what I’m avoiding.

“But I’m still pulling strings to ensure the news remains buried. I’ll keep you updated,” he finishes. I breathe with a nod.

Elio nods curtly, then turns to leave. I notice the drag in his steps. It’s the usual when he wants to say something.

“What?” I ask him.

“I noticed Raven’s no longer in the cell.”

We may not speak about it, but we both know why he’s hell-bent on getting her out of the way. He’s simply doing his job, making sure his don doesn’t fall into the same trap twice.

“I moved her into the house. It’s safer there.” My voice is curt.

“Safety is not…” he trails off, and I clench my jaw. Protection doesn’t equate to questioning my order, and he knows that.

“I know what I’m doing, Elio. Look into South America and find a good market base. I want my drugs dominating cities there.” He looks like he wants to say more, but seals his lips, then nods before he leaves.

“Yes, Boss.” The only reason Raven’s here is because of the incident. Just that. Nothing else.

I’m not a man of empathy. But I’d never felt so much rage as when I found her with that bastard trying to take advantage of her. And when she started to run her mouth, even with all that had happened, she was still… resilient. I hate it.

Sighing, I bring my hand to massage my temples. I can suddenly feel a headache. Ignoring it, I dig into the paperwork. I’m not past the first two lines when someone’s voice floats into my head. No, not float. The voice is banging loudly inside my head.

Instantly, I know it’s her. Raven. Fuck. It takes a moment, but I refocus on the files. When I pick up the pen, something else joins her voice. I don’t know what it is, but it sounds like... drumming? Feet stomping?

Letting out an irritated grunt, I stand from my chair and find my way to her room. Her voice gets annoyingly louder as I come to a stop in front of the door.

I find it difficult to process why any reasonable being would yell this loud. Especially if they’re being held hostage by men who can dictate their life or lack thereof.

The only reasonable answer to that is stupidity. A silly girl always managing to meddle in something she shouldn’t.

Balling my hand into a fist, I raise it to knock. My irritation slowly climbs a notch when she doesn’t respond. I repeat the motion. When I’m met with nothing but loud noises, I grip the doorknob and push it open. Once I step into her room, I am slightly wary of how quiet it is. She is no longer singing.

Raven is not in sight. The bed is as I remember it? perfectly made with pillows stacked on each other. There’s also an empty plate by the side of the bed.

My eyes travel to the window. There’s no way she could have escaped through it without the guards raising an alarm.

Where the fuck is she?

Faint sounds punctuate the silence. It’s coming from the bathroom. I walk towards it, knocking once. Twice. I try twisting the knob, but the door does not budge. It’s locked.

“Your voice is irritating.” I grit my teeth at the door. “Be quiet.”

“Go away.” Her voice comes from the other side of the door. Then she continues singing. This time in a high-pitched voice that strikes my eardrums more than before.

I drag in a sharp breath. What the fuck does she think this is?

“Do you think this is a joke?”

The more I stand here talking through a door, the more my irritation grows.

Her tone is sharp. “No, sir, I do not think this is a joke. You should ask yourself that question.”

What ?

Before I talk, I hear her voice again. It comes with a light scoff. “Say please, and I’ll stop singing.”

That’s the last thing I expect to hear. Disbelief sinks my guts as I start to consider Elio’s advice.

“Don’t test my patience.”

“You know you don’t have to be so bossy all the time. It costs nothing to be polite.” Her voice reduces. The singing stops, too. I press my lips into a thin line.

Being a resident doctor, you’d expect her to be smart… to recognize power and respect it. But each time she manages to leave me more stunned than the last.

“I mean you kidnapped me, it's the least you can do.” She continues with a bit of shuffling. “So let me get this straight now. You kidnapped me because you thought I had valuable information, and now that you realize you made a mistake, I’m here because...”

I’m already walking out of the room. I can feel the last bit of my restraint breaking, and if…. Suddenly I hear my name.

“Ezra, wait.” Her voice is soft and pleading. I turn back and clench my fist at the sight before me.

Fuck .

She’s wearing nothing but a towel and freshly washed hair that falls perfectly on her bare shoulders. Her skin looks different with the droplets of water. Somehow she’s… glowing with some kind of youthful innocence.

I let my eyes take in her cleavage before they slide upwards to her wide, brown eyes. I can’t tell whether they’re laced with curiosity or fear.

“Instead of me just wasting away here, why don’t I be of good use.” My eyes move to her lips. Her full bottom lip is tucked in between her teeth. The image of the night I’m trying hard to forget starts to surface.

“I can do anything you want.” Her hand rests on her hips as she balances her weight on one leg.

I mask my thoughts with an indifferent expression. If I stand here long enough, there’ll be another thing I’ll need to mask.

“Please just …” I blink as her words come out in short gasps. “…let me be useful to you.”

What the fuck is she—

Her towel falls from her chest, and my thoughts stop. I take in her whole body. Full breasts, pink attentive nipples, and her… fuck … her clean pussy.

The air thickens in that moment. Her sudden boldness surprises me.

Without a word, she slowly approaches me, an intensity burning in her eyes. The rise and fall of her chest catches my attention, and impulsively, my gaze falls to her perfectly round breasts. She’s getting closer and closer until she presses them against me.

Fuck!

The trails of moisture on her nipples seep through the fabric of my shirt, and I restrain a groan. Her breasts are soft just like the last time…

Slowly, with the same pace she’d used to pull the towel, she grabs my collar and crushes my lips with hers.

Floral scents and tastes melt against my lips, and I want nothing more than to devour them.

In a split second, I match the pressure of her lips with mine, fervently, pushing unanswered questions to the back of my mind.

Her lips are perfection. Damn!

I nibble on the lower lip, gently sucking them between my teeth. Her soft palm comes up to grasp my neck, pulling me to her as she deepens the kiss. I swallow the soft moan that escapes her lips, wasting no time in sliding one hand to cup her ass.

She presses herself closer to me, her breaths now coming out in shallow pants.

Instinctively, I move my other hand and grab her by her neck. My fist around her soft skin isn’t tight but just enough to elicit the reaction I want.

With a loud whimper, she tugs me towards the bed. My hands guide her body to the bed as our kiss gains tempo. I fall on the bed. Raven climbs on top, straddling my hips.

Her lips find my neck and suck, drawing a soft groan from me. I trace the curves of her waist and hips as she tugs on the first few buttons of my shirt.

Her hands start roaming all over. I almost can’t control myself as I feel her fingers trace my tattoos… my chest, until they work their way past my stomach, sliding into my pants. An involuntary grunt rips my throat when she grabs me there.

My cock springs to life, and the kiss becomes more heated…rough, more… I release another groan when her grip on my dick tightens. It’s not harsh. It’s just right. She finds my lips again, nipping at my bottom one. My arousal grows in her hand as she strokes my cock.

Shit! I can feel myself going over the edge. But just as quickly, Raven suddenly halts. Her eyes lock with mine briefly, a fierce glint in their depths.

Before I can question the sudden inaction, the sting of something sharp comes in contact with the skin on my neck. I freeze. From the size and cold feel of the metal against my neck, I can tell it is a nail.

She must have gotten that from the portrait on the wall in the bathroom. What a smart little spitfire.

She glares down at me, her lips red and swollen. “Let me go, or I will…” she gulps, pressing her silly little weapon deeper into my neck, “…or I will kill you.”

There’s a resolve in her eyes as their corners tighten with a supposedly deadly glint. She looks dead serious. This is ridiculous.

“Call your guards and tell them to allow me access out of the gates.” I press my lips into a thin line. It irks me that she thinks a doornail is a sufficient weapon to have me under duress.

With a single buck of my hips, I flip her over, take the nail, then pin her wrists over her head with one hand. She squirms uncomfortably but soon gives up the fight.

“Next time I won’t be so forgiving,” I sneer, leaning closely until we are face to face.

From the way her throat clenches, I can tell she’s angry that her plan failed.

I have never tolerated disobedience, and I won’t start now.

I bring myself off of her and the bed. She shuffles off, perhaps in an attempt to cover herself. I don’t look back.

The sound of the door ricochets through the hallway as I slam it on my way out. Her shenanigans are becoming overly annoying. And I can’t believe I just fell for them.

I’m almost at my study when my phone rings. I pick it up, and I’m met with Elio’s curt voice.

“We’ve found the mole.”