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“Ezra,” I breathe. I’m not even sure what I want to say, but when I say his name, he closes his eyes and smiles like I’ve just changed his whole world.
He looks the same as when I last saw him. His medium brown skin is covered in more tattoos, though, and his dark brown eyes are sadder.
“One year, Maya,” he growls, prowling closer to me like a feral animal trapping its prey. “It took me one year to find you. I thought I’d lost you forever.”
I shake my head. “You did, Ezra. I didn’t want to be found.”
His eyes darken. “You don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do,” I snap, my fear making way to the burning anger rising in me. “I mean it, and I meant every word I said to you the night I left you. I don’t want you anymore. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
His eyes soften with sadness, and a part of me hurts like I’ve just hurt him. But then I remember the constant fighting, the threats, the manipulation, the screaming, and backing me into a corner with no way out, and the feeling quickly abates. I can’t bring myself to feel too badly for the way I treat him now when he treated me so horribly for so long.
“I won’t lose you again.” He’s angry now; his voice is harsh and sharp. Commanding.
“Leave. Me. Alone.” I grit out every word through my teeth and take a step towards him, hands fisted at my sides. The two men in the back look amused. Lee leans against the door and crosses his arms over his chest, his eyes on me.
“Something funny, Lee?” I challenge. He just shrugs. I scoff. “I knew you were up to something. I should have left as soon as I got home yesterday.”
“So why didn’t you, darlin’?”
I’m seeing red now. His tone is condescending, and I have the overwhelming urge to punch him in the face. This is clearly just a game to them, but I won’t be made a fool of.
“Fuck you,” I spit at him, then I look at Ezra and Man Bun. “Fuck all of you. Let me leave, or I’m calling the police.”
Ezra turns to look at Lee and Man Bun.
Then they all start laughing. My stomach flutters with embarrassment, but I don’t back down.
“The police won’t help you, Maya,” Ezra says, crossing his arms over his chest. “You already know that.”
I do know that, but I have no other way to defend myself. At least saying the words gives me some semblance of safety. I already know I’m not going home tonight.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
Then another.
And another.
I take as many calming breaths as I can before my heart rate goes back to normal.
I have to accept that my life after tonight will be different. Things won’t go back to the way they were before with Ezra and me. I’ll never be able to leave the confines of the mansion. He’ll probably keep me locked in my room until he can trust I won’t try to leave again. And even then, he’ll have someone watching my every move.
When I’m finally able to get myself together, I steel myself and look back at Ezra.
“I’ll give you whatever you want, just… Please don’t make me go with you.” I whisper the last part, feeling defeated. I’m tired. I’m sick of running, sick of hiding. If I can offer him an alternative, maybe he’ll take it and leave me alone like I asked.
But the look in his eyes says otherwise. “That won’t be necessary. I only want you.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
EZRA
I lookat my beautiful sunflower with nothing but hunger burning inside me. She knew I would say that; I’ve said it so many times to her before.
I want you so bad it hurts.
She looks down at the floor in defeat, accepting her fate. There’s no way I’m letting her escape this time.
