He chuckled at the comment. “God, you’re a breath of fresh air. Didn’t know I needed it until I walked into Hale’s and you opened that mouth of yours.”
My face flushed. I wanted to grin like an idiot because Ezra enjoyed my company as much as I did his. I really believed he’d come back to town just to see me in person. But I was afraid to think that thought. He could hurt me if I beamed it outward. No guy had ever had that kind of power over me. They’d all been from Moulton, Alabama. Sure, I’d been fooled by Hale and his wealth, but once I got to see him as he was, I realized he wasn’t what I thought. He appeared to be more at first. Then I’d gotten here and he’d changed. This should concern me about Ezra. He could change just as quick. What was it he really wanted? And when had I gotten so dang jaded? Apparently I was hardening.
“Are you ever going to tell me about you? Where you’re from, why you work with Hale? How about your last name?”
I was pushing but I needed some reassurance that he wouldn’t vanish forever. Then I could safely let my heart get silly, if I knew he was coming back.
He was quiet for a while and I was preparing myself for Ezra not to respond. Finally he turned and there was a seriousness in his eyes that struck me deep within. Like he was alone and lost and abandoned.
“I lived another life in the past. One that is dead to me now. Dead to me, and everyone that I knew. To protect you I can’t answer those questions. Matters can become what you don’t want. And become that way really quick.”
Chapter Twelve
That wasn’t the answer I’d expected. A dark and frightening response. Why would he need to protect me? Who was he? Who or what was Hale? I didn’t respond as my mind raced and we left to hail a cab, the elevator closing behind us.
Getting in the iconic yellow taxi wasn’t as exciting as it should’ve been. My thoughts weren’t on the experience. They were replaying Ezra’s words again and again in my head. How was his past life dead to him now? I didn’t understand what he meant. I knew asking more questions would be pointless, he wouldn’t respond if I did.
His hand slid over mine. I jumped, startled by the contact. “For tonight can you just forget about that? I leave in the morning and I’ve no idea when I’ll get back to the city.”
My chest ached when he spoke of leaving. I’d grown accustomed to having Ezra around. Being near him. Wanting to be with him. “Why do you have to go?” I asked, letting my emotions take hold, showing more than I should’ve permitted.
He sighed. “It’s my job. I’ve done it for a long, long time.”
That I understood. But the actual job scared the hell out of me. Nothing peaceful and safe could come from the answer he’d given in the elevator.
I tried to shake loose the foreboding that had settled in my chest like a worry. Like a fret that had no reason. I wanted to enjoy tonight. Ezra’s answer didn’t make me want him less.
“I can do that.”
He squeezed my hand. “Thank you. It is greatly appreciated.”
The cocky guy I’d met just last week hadn’t turned out to be what I thought. I’d judged two men incorrectly. Hale and Ezra both in a row. I was beginning to think I sucked at first impressions and their meanings as it regarded me. That, or my dreams cloud my judgment. Dreams weren’t a safe reality. Not when you wanted them so badly you didn’t think them through. Hale was someone I thought Hale could never be and the worst kind of man imaginable. I’d come to New York to work for a monster, when his ultimate goal wasn’t to hire me, but to groom me like a dog or a pony. Ezra then patiently spoke.
“I started working for Hale a year ago. What I do isn’t important. But things aren’t always what they seem and I need you to remember that.”
I nodded. I didn’t have to remember that. I’d just had that same revelation. Hale wasn’t what he seemed. Now I had to make a decision to keep this dream or leave it and wait for the real one, though by leaving I’d lose Ezra. I wasn’t sure I could do that. Unless he left and didn’t return. Maybe this was the last thing we’d do together and then he’d vanish forever.
Before I made my decision I needed to find out what it was Hale did for a living. “I guess that means you can’t tell me what it is Hale does with his time? He wasn’t very open and direct about his actual job.”
“That’s because his ‘actual job’ is a gigantic goofy farce. His father gave him money and a title in his business. That’s oil in Texas and Alaska, with a whole bunch of South American interests. Hale wanted more so he bought up other companies. Small businesses mostly, hotels and restaurants, and even a few old bars. He generally plays while his hirelings run it beneath his terrible gaze.”
That was the most information I’d received from either of them thusfar.
“Yesterday he bought the bakery where your mother is employed. And yes, you can read into that. He didn’t do it to improve her working conditions and he’ll use it to lean on you. I’m breaking a rule by telling. You aren’t supposed to know. Hale does nothing if it doesn’t gain him something. He’s not a giving man Sammy Jo.”
My jaw dropped. He bought the bakery? “What could he possibly want with the bakery? He’s not going to tear it down? My mother needs that job to live.” Panic suddenly ate the rest of my emotions. The little bit of money I sent home wasn’t going to meet their needs if she lost her job at the bakery.