Chapter Twelve
Ezra
I’ll have to replace Rylee’s table and railing.
I moved away from her line of sight and bent over the metal, my claws gouging holes through it.
I force them to retract, and straighten.
I didn’t have to dim my hearing; my rage is vibrating in my ears.
My fox is pushing against my skin. My tempting mate distracted me with her warm body and sweet scent.
Now that she isn’t rubbing against me, my mind is consumed with her pain.
I slide my phone from my pocket and scroll to Heath’s number.
“Yeah,” he answers.
“Do you know where her parents live?” I grit out.
“She told you.”
“I’m certain she skimmed over all the details, but I know enough.” She stated most of her experiences as if they are fact. Her emotions leaked through her scent. The humiliation and helplessness were clear.
“That sounds like her,” he sighs.
“Names,” I growl.
“Does she know you are asking?”
“Probably.” I don’t know if she thought I was serious.
“I can give you their last location. They move constantly. Hunter keeps track of them for me, but he’s been busy with his mate.”
“I’d appreciate it. I can find them if I have their names, but this way, it will save some time.” I would rather concentrate on being with Rylee, but they need to be punished.
“It’s a big step for her,” he says. “Telling you.”
“I don’t take her trust lightly.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” he mutters.
“Her safety is my main concern. Have they ever tried to contact her?”
“What makes you think I would hide that from her?”
“Please,” I hiss. “She told me what you have done for her. I know you would bury that information.”
“You’re right. Four years ago, they dug around, but the people they asked didn’t want to be on my bad side. They didn’t find anything about her, and as far as I know, they stopped.”
“Send me what you have.” I glance toward the door, hearing the murmur of their voices, but they aren’t paying attention to me.
“I looked into you,” he mentions lightly.
“I knew you would.”
“You’re a ghost.”
“I’m glad my safety measures are working,” I say dryly.
“You’ve protected your family. They aren’t tied to you in any way.”
“I would never put the people I love at risk. My job is dangerous. If someone loves the people I kill, they wouldn’t listen to the reasons why.”
“Has that happened before?”
“Yes, though, they didn’t get very far. I’m a ghost for a reason.”
“Smart. Admirable.”
“I don’t want admiration,” I grumble.
“I don’t want to like you,” he hums.
“I understand.” I roll my shoulders, my rage on simmer. “I have that effect on people.”
“Rylee is important to me, and it’s difficult to allow someone else to protect her.”
“I’m not taking her away. This is her home. She needs her family close.” I move to the chair in the corner and sit.
“Fuck, you're saying the right things,” he says. “What about your job?”
“I’m not stopping. Rylee has an interest in helping me, and I think it will help her.” I prop my elbows on my knees.
“Won’t that put her in danger?”
“I will take precautions, but she’s strong. I won’t treat her as if she is broken. You should know she can hold her own in a fight.”
“Yeah,” he says.
“Do you have Sally’s number?” I ask.
“Yes. Why?”
“I think I need her to organize a gathering.” It was a rough morning, and Rylee could benefit from being around her family.
“I’ll message it with Rylee’s parents' information.” He pauses. “Take care of her.”
“I will.” He hangs up, and my message alert goes off.
I have to force my rage down and find my calm. Channeling it in a different direction usually helps, but knowing the torment she went through makes it almost impossible. Two people know the danger of my losing control.
It’s time to call Issy and get them here. First, I’ll ask a rabbit for a favor.
I ignore the files Heath sent me and scroll to Sally’s number. Taking a breath, I call her. It rings once before she picks up.
“Ezra, I’ve been waiting for your call,” she sings.
“Really? Did you have a premonition?” I ask.
“No. Heath sent me a message. Are you calling to be invited to the group text?”
“That was not the reason.” The group text sounds equally annoying and funny. “I need to organize a party.”
“You came to the right girl.”
“I thought so,” I say dryly. “I need a place that will be quiet and low-key.”
“So, not a club.”
“Exactly.”
“And not Rylee’s place.”
“No, she doesn’t invite people into her space. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable.” In the future, she may be more open to that, but I don’t want to push her.
“I have the perfect place. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll have it arranged.”
“Ten minutes is all you need?” I grin.
“You don’t know me well, yet. Ten minutes is an overestimate.”
“Alright. Send me the location. I need to tell her before you alert the group text.”
“Are we dressing up?” she asks.
“Yeah, I think we should celebrate.”
“A new mated pair sounds like something we should have a party for,” she says.
“Definitely.”
“Welcome to the family.” She disconnects, and I stand.
Moving toward the door, I pause, watching my mate laugh with Haven.
She’s fucking stunning. Every inch, inside and out, is meant to be mine.
I will fight her demons and win. When I find her family, I’ll offer her the opportunity to kill them with me.
If she declines, I have no problem making them disappear.
Heath helped her eliminate those who abused her, but the task isn’t finished yet.
“Haven,” I say as I step inside.
“Hey.” She drops her fork and pushes the pancakes away.
“Are you staying for a few?” I ask, moving toward my mate.
“That was the plan,” she says.
“That’s good.” I stop behind Rylee, cupping her shoulders. “I’m arranging a gathering tonight.”
“We love a good party.” Haven grins.
“Are you up for it?” I bend over, kissing Rylee’s head.
“Sure. What are we celebrating?” she asks, tilting her head as I straighten.
“Family,” I state, and Rylee’s expression softens. “I have activated party planner Sally.”
She smiles.
“You’ve activated trouble,” she hums.
“Where is it? Here?” Haven asks, and Rylee tenses.
“No. She’s arranging a place.” I rub the tension away and drag my hands down her arms. “Will you keep Rylee company?”
“Of course,” she says.
“Is something wrong?” Rylee stands to face me.
“No.” I grab her hand. “I need to check out of the hotel and make some calls.” I take a step back, keeping contact with her, pulling her with me. “If you haven’t changed your mind.” I continue to move toward the door.
“I haven’t,” she says softly.
“Good.” I grin. “Sally will be sending a text. All you have to do is dress up.”
“Fancy? How fancy?” she asks, and I stop.
“I can’t answer that,” I say, having no idea the scale of fancy.
“We’ll figure it out,” Haven says.
“I’ll call when I’m done.” I kiss her softly and then open the door.
“Okay.” She pulls back.
“Lock the door,” I order, and Haven coughs.
“I will.” She grins.
I wait on the other side of the wood until the locks engage, and then move to the elevator. I press the button with one hand and take out my phone with the other. The doors open, and I call my sister.
“Hello, Brother,” she says.
“Did she call you?” I ask, pressing the bottom floor.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“I bet,” I mumble, leaning against the wall as I descend.
“Mom may have called a couple of hours ago,” she drawls.
“I knew she couldn’t hold out,” I grumble.
“The question I should be asking is, why didn’t you?”
“Issy, I’ve been distracted.” I leave the elevator and walk past the front desk. “I called now.”
“Fine, I’ll forgive you.”
“Appreciate it.” Leaving the building, my skin begins to itch. I hate leaving Rylee, even if it’s for a few hours.
“I’m happy for you,” she says softly.
“Thanks, Sis.” I unlock my car. “Where are you? Do you have a busy schedule?”
“Why? We took a couple of weeks off.”
“How fast can you get here?” I get in and start the ignition.
“As fast as you need me to.”
“Tonight.”
“I’m there.”
“How do you feel about bringing the band?” I glance at the apartment before leaving the parking lot.
“You want us to play for you?”
“Yes, and several other shifters and vampires.”
“Brother, what have you gotten into there?” she laughs.
“I’ve entered a universe where various supernatural call each other family. Rylee is part of them. I want her to have a special night.” I hope springing my family on her won’t upset her.
“Sounds interesting. You know I’m always up for an adventure. Are you going to warn them?”
“Probably.” I don’t think they will care. What’s the harm in more shifters?
“Is Mom coming?”
“I haven’t asked yet. I’ve got a situation with someone from Rylee’s past.”
“Uh-oh…are you going to hunt them?”
“That’s the plan. Did Mom explain?”
“Rylee’s had some bad experiences,” she whispers.
“I’ve learned more about them. It’s testing me.”
“Oh, shit. It must be bad.”
“It’s bringing back memories of Dennis,” I growl.
“Ezra, does she know?”
“I haven’t talked about it yet. She knows what I do, so that it won’t be anything surprising.” Just saying his name makes me nauseous.
“I don’t think you’ve moved past the incident. She won’t think badly of you because of it,” she says softly.
“I know, but I don’t like to remember.”
“I’m fine. I’ve worked through it, and you need to.”
“I’ll get there.” I clear my throat. “You’ll love her.”
“I will because you do,” she says, and I blink. “This shouldn’t be a surprise to you. I can hear your admiration in your voice.”
“She’s special,” I say, not ready to admit the depths of my feelings out loud.
“She would have to be since you are my favorite person.”
“What about Mom?” I tease.
“If you tell her I said that, I will never speak to you again,” she growls.
“You threatened the same thing when I cut your doll's hair,” I say dryly. “The silent treatment lasted two hours.” I park in front of the hotel.
“I mean it this time.”
“Alright, she won’t hear it from me.” I get out, lock the car, and lean against it.
“Don’t lie,” she chuckles.