Outsider - Book Two

Chapter 9

Ezra sat there, watching her squirm. He could actually see the blood leave her face, Giovanni's hand still lingering against her thigh.
Every few moments he'd move it a little higher.

Why had she chosen to wear that? Was it to please him? To show him she didn't care. Rub it in his face she had gotten away? He had searched the entire club as soon as she had ran down the stairs but like a ghost she had vanished.

He'd even sent out men to the hospitals, maybe she had gone to get checked up on. But looking at her wrist now, still in old bandages - she'd resisted the visitation.

'Are you fucking serious?' Cece spat at him. If she could create poison he'd be dead. It almost made him want to smile, he knew what the FBI meant to her but it was too easy.
Plus he did need this Fitzerton out of the way.
It's almost as if god himself had handed Cece to him today.

'Watch your tongue.' Ezra warned her. He had had enough of her attitude the last few days. 'Before I cut it out.' He was serious about it too. The thought of her not being able to speak was almost exciting.
Never having to hear that god awful voice and the snicker ever again.
Her endless sarcastic comments.

'I am not killing anyone, not for YOU!' She screamed out.
'If you speak another word i'll cut your tongue out myself.' Giovanni ordered her.

Ezra could see the power in him.

Truthfully he could understand why she had been afraid of him. Was she still afraid of him? He was maybe thirty years older than her but with Vanni's hand practically groping her in his office he could tell there was something more there.

Still, there was no love in his voice or posture. No gratitude or affection towards Cece, not like Kaden loved Caitlin and Julian, Zoie.

'You will do as I say, if you want this opportunity to even become a consideration.' Ezra lowered his voice. She stood up abruptly, taking a step closer towards him.

'Do it yourself you coward! You hide behind your men like a fool. I will not do anything for you!' Ezra's rage was starting to spill out, like a boat with a hole.

'How dare you speak to me like that? After the crap you've pulled. I will not take this from ANYONE, ESPECIALLY YOU!' Ezra threw himself up and marched over to Cece. Grabbed her arm and pinning her back against the wall.
'You are a disrespectful girl. I offered you an out, you chose to open that mouth of yours and waste it. That is your own fault. Now I am ordering you to do this as a business favor to me. Am I clear?' His grip on her arm was tight, he could see the area become red.

'You agree to him right now Francesca. How dare you embarrass me like this!' Giovanni argued with her.
Ezra's face was hot with rage. This girl had gotten away with far too much lately. It was becoming increasingly annoying.

'Well?' Ezra asked her.
'I'll do as you wish.' She agreed finally. He let go, she clutched her arm as if it had been stung by iron.

'Good! Now excuse me for a moment. I need to retrieve something.' He pushed her back towards the couch and walked out of the office.
His face burning, he needed to take a few breaths in. Relax but he just wanted to shoot something. Let it all out.

His brothers were standing around a table waiting. They followed his eyes as he exited the office. By them stood Zoie.

He left long brown hair flowing off her shoulders.

She seemed to be a calming fixture for him. He had kissed her a few months back, in that exact office. It had caused more problems than anything. He had been weaker back then, over come with feelings he couldn't have even explained.
When he had first met her, he hated her. She was a nuisance. A problem, a liability. And she gave him no extra chances to change his mind.

But then it started to be like a welcoming presence for him. Almost like a comfort.

He hadn't stopped himself and he promised Julian he'd never do anything like that again but it was still Zoie. He still felt warmer when she was around.

He walked into a room and sorted through some drawers in a cabinet.

This would only make Cece more mad and he kinda wanted to see it. The expression on her face as he showed her what she'd use to kill this man.
He found it, snatching it under his shirt and walking back out.

'You okay?' Zoie was standing right there, by the door. Julian beside her. He hadn't expected her to approach him.
It came as a shock but he didn't mind it.

'Yes, you shouldn't be here. Why is she even here?' Ezra questioned his younger brother.
'I'm here to see Harry. That chick is in there right? The one that was following me a few days ago!'
'That is none of your business or concern.'
'Seriously? Still keeping secrets from her?' Julian asked.
'Take her home. Now! I will not repeat myself.'
'No! I am staying, you can't boss me around anymore.'
'What did you just say to me?' He had had ENOUGH of women today. 'Know your place! I don't need a second women today talking back!' Ezra warned her.
'Watch who you're talking to.' Julian protected Zoie.

Ezra just rolled his eyes. That kid was draped to her like scales to a fish. It was crazy she hadn't physically suffocated to death yet. 'I know exactly who I am talking to. Maybe watch yourself!' Ezra corrected Julian.

He pushed past the two and back down the hall to the office.

Slamming the door closed behind him.

Giovanni was standing now, Cece beside him, her face looking at the floor. It was another unexpected sight to see her clutching her face. A red mark printed across her cheek.

'She needed to be reminded of her place.' Giovanni explained as Ezra just stared.

Ezra looked at her, her thin frame seemed smaller than he remembered from when she had been taped to that chair the other day. Almost frail like.

All she had to do was open that mouth of hers again and he'd change his mind. Another need to roll his eyes and curse her himself.

She removed her hand to revel a small cut probably made from a ring or something under her eye. Her dark brown eyes glaring back, if looks could kill...

'You're gonna kill him with this.' He shoved the gun into Cece's chest. She had no tears in her eyes, he had to admit. She was good at keeping it together.

She looked down, her hands beginning to shake.

'This...' She began, her voice shaking. 'This was the same gun my father used.'
'Handy isn't it?' Ezra asked. She looked back at him, pure hatred burned. He almost wanted to test it out, push her to as far as she could possibly go. Really bend those limits.

'You're a monster.'

'Francesca!' Giovanni grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her back a few paces from him.
'What do you say?' Giovanni tested her.
'Thank you.' She forced out, gritting her teeth behind the mask of good thanks.

'Your welcome.' He pushed her more.
'She has a temper this one.' Giovanni laughed.
'I can see that.'
'Yet again, she owes you an apology. Feel free to borrow her if you ever need a way to be made up.' Giovanni laughs.

Ezra knows exactly what he means but he doesn't join in. It almost disgusted him the way Giovanni spoke of Cece.
But now he understood the relationship between them. No mutual respect, hell he'd be shocked if there was any respect at all.

Ezra kept quiet, too tired to cause any more conversation for the rest of the day. He had too much to think about, too much to look over. He had assumed Cece had killed before, so hopefully she would make it done quickly.

He had things to get on with and now with Giovanni wanting in on a partnership there was more to worry about than some know it all bitch with a foul mouth.