Chapter Three #3
“I know.” I smile at my protective brother. “I don’t want to deny it. My animal is pushing me to be near him.”
“I’ll support whatever you decide.” He doesn't look happy about it. Heath has been the man who protects me, and I think it’s going to be an adjustment for both of us.
“Do you want privacy?” Ryker asks, appearing beside us.
“No. I think I need to be with the family.”
Ezra walks through the door, a water bottle in his hand, his attention on me. Ryker moves back, and my mate looks at him before glancing at Heath.
“Problem?” Ezra asks Heath.
“I hope not,” Heath grits out, and Ezra smiles slightly.
“Do you want to sit?” he asks me, handing me the water.
“Yes.” The coldness of the bottle feels good on my heated skin. Heath narrows his eyes and walks back to his mate.
Ezra turns to the side and gestures with his arm.
As I pass him, my arm brushes his chest, and he sucks in a breath.
I walk toward the closest couch and notice everyone in the room.
Sally and Haven are watching me. Hunter and Bane are watching Ezra.
I sit, allowing space beside me for him.
Our gatherings are always loud, but the conversation is stilted.
I drink some water and look around. Heath is glaring to the left, leaning against the wall, and Juliana is pressed close.
Remy and Lawson are standing with their brothers.
Remy winks at me, and Ezra hums lightly.
Allie is communicating with her eyes to her brothers, and they aren’t getting the message.
Micah smiles at Daisy as she tries to keep her focus on him, not on us.
Bash is sitting with his mate Marie, paying no attention to anyone but her.
“Is it me, or did the mood change?” Ezra asks softly, and I laugh shortly.
“It’s both.” I turn my head toward him, smiling.
He looks at my mouth, and I clear my throat.
“Yes.” I focus on the crowd. “He is my mate. We met. I’m fine.
Continuing talking. You’re making it awkward.
” I lean forward and place my water on the table.
As I sit back, I realize Ezra’s arm is behind me.
Trying to act natural, I cross my legs. “Allie, how did you meet Ezra?” I blow my breath out slowly as I feel his fingers brush against my shoulder.
She looks at him, and he nods slightly.
“I was dating a human. I was bored, and he was cute.” She shrugs.
“We had been on three dates, and I was contemplating letting him get what he was wanting.” Allie is beautiful.
She has long red hair and curves. The green dress she wears suits her hair, and the elegance of her movements would make any man want her.
“I was walking down the street to our fourth date, and Ezra was leaning against a building. He called my name, and before I could determine his danger level, he told me some things about the human. He was married.”
“Oh, shit,” Sally gasps.
“That wasn’t the worst thing,” she sneers.
“What was it?” Haven asks, leaning forward. Everyone in the room is listening intently.
“He’d been married before. Five times. Each time, the wife died mysteriously,” she says.
“No,” Daisy whispers.
“Ezra knew I could protect myself, but needed me to get out of the way.” She looks around at all the expectant expressions.
“Why?” I ask, and bite my lip. The story captured everyone's attention.
“So I could kill him,” Ezra says lightly, and as a group, our heads turn toward him. “His current wife feared for her life. He was abusing her. She found some evidence of his past and gave it to me.”
“I didn’t want to get out of the way,” Allie says, smirking. Our attention bounces back to her. “I proposed that I would lead him to wherever Ezra wanted. He was having a hard time getting him alone. He refused to let me help, and I decided to kill the human myself. I wore him down.”
“Annoyingly so,” Ezra mumbles.
“I’m stubborn. I think it’s one of my best traits,” she says, and Atlas laughs. “Anyway.” She rolls her eyes at her brothers. “I messaged my date and asked to meet at a different location.” She sits back, crossing her arms, lifting her chin toward Ezra.
“And?” Sally asks, looking between them.
“I don’t like others interfering with my work,” Ezra says softly. “She wouldn’t listen. I agreed because I was tired of following the asshole, and my client was in danger. Allie did her part, and I did the rest. He’s gone. The wife is safe.”
“Your client.” I tilt my head. “Are you an investigator?” He looks at me tenderly.
“Is this your family?” he asks, motioning around the room.
I frown. “Yes.” He glances at Bash, and the vampire nods.
“I don’t share.” He focuses on my face. “I’m an assassin.” He looks at my mouth as it drops. “I get paid to kill the bad guys.” The silence in the room is startling.
“The bad guys,” I whisper.
“More specifically, men who abuse women and young girls. The world is better off without them, and I love my job,” he says.
“Do any of them get away?” I ask.
“No. I don’t stop hunting them until they're dead.” He tilts his head, his gaze sweeping over my face.
He’s waiting for my reaction.