Page 126 of Merciless Obsession
I grinned and brought the bottle to my mouth. We were upstairs in The District, in his private section. My brothers were all in attendance, along with Cashlynn. Ziora and Inaya were here too but ran to the bathroom. Nazai stood and walked to where Cashlynn was sitting with a mug on her face. I assumed part of her attitude was about whatever she did to piss Nazai off. I watched him lean over and whisper something in her ear while palming her belly. She brought the bottle of apple juice to her mouth and stared ahead, listening to him.
“How you feeling, Ez?” River took the seat Nazai just rose from.
Snatching my eyes from the couple, I turned to face him, taking another drink of the bottle then speaking.
“I can’t complain, Riv. I’m alive, young, rich, and got a beautiful woman on my arm. What more can a guy want?” My hand ran over the top of my head and my mouth tipped into a grin. The atmosphere was lively and everyone was having a good time.
Riv nodded and his eyes scanned the club. Half-naked girls walked around the floor in front of us. Nazai requested nodancers in the section, in fear of his wife acting out, but I wasn’t tripping. I had the woman I wanted at my side. A girl was on the main stage upside down on the pole while bills flooded the stage.
“I know you said it’s under control, but I need to ask. You and Ziora, you sure about this?”
“What you mean?”
“I mean, you talking about getting an engagement ring made and marrying her, but the two of you are still new. Do I need to be worried?”
I squinted. “No you don’t, and you don’t need to go running to padre either.” I took another sip of the bottle then moved my eyes to the entrance. One of River’s guys went with Inaya and Ziora to the bathroom, so I knew they were in good hands, but still I didn’t like her out of my sight with all these people around.
“Look, we might not be blood, but I consider you my brother. If I think you’re about to do some shit that’s gonna need to be cleaned upagain, then I want to get ahead of it beforehand.”
I turned back to him. “I know, and I’m telling you, you have nothing to worry about. Me and Ziora are on the same page. There’s no one to get between us so things won’t pan out like last time.”
River stared at me for a long moment before finally nodding. “A’right, I just had to check.”
“I swear I don’t know who worries more, you or Nazai.”
River grinned. “Fuck you. It’s my job to make sure everyone is safe and out of trouble.” He patted my shoulder.
“And you do that job well. But I’m not some young reckless kid anymore. I got more control than I used to.”
I turned to the entrance again and the ladies were coming back inside. My dick twitched as I stared at Ziora and the red dress she wore that hugged her body and circled around her neck. It was asymmetric, stopping at mid-thigh on one side andthe longer side went to her knee, paired with thigh- high black boots.
“Now this is how you bring a birthday in!” I grabbed her once she was close enough and pulled her onto my lap. “I can’t wait to have you to myself tonight.” I nuzzled my face into her neck.
“Ezra.” She shifted on my lap, attempting to shy away from me.
“No need to be embarrassed, Bumblebee. It’s all family here.” I slid my hand up her warm thigh. Goosebumps prickled her skin.
“Your friend’s really into Emmet, huh?” River asked. I lifted my head and looked to where Emmet was sitting. Inaya sat flashing a sultry smile his way. Her legs crossed at the knee as she held a glass of liquor in her hand and used her other to run it along his arm.
“Inaya’s not the one to give up. Plus, the more he ignores her, the more she’s gonna try.”
“Emmet likes it,” I mentioned.
Ziora turned to me. “Why do you say that?”
“Because I know my brother. If he didn’t want to be bothered, he’d easily shut all her flirting down. He might be quiet but he’s far from a pushover. Emmet likes your friend, he’s just awkward.”
She looked at the two again. “As long as she’s not wasting her time.”
I tightened my hold on her. “She’s not. Now enough of them. I’m the birthday boy. I should have your attention.” I nuzzled her neck again and bit into her skin.
“We still have time before it’s officially your birthday.”
“Minor details. Here.” I held the bottle up for her to take.
I was glad Ziora decided to join me tonight. If I had to track her down, I would have, but luckily she took my threat seriously and came on her own.
“Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean you can control my every move!” Cashlynn snapped. I lifted my head just as she stormed out of the section with Nazai on her tail.
