Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 22

Chapter 22: I Love It When You Beg

Brianna

“You left without reason, you got rid of the number I had for you and just fucking left me. You think I want something? Yes, I want you to explain yourself and then I want you to give yourself back over to me.” Ezekiel's tone was angrier and I was astonished that this was really happening right now.

“Please stop, just leave me alone.” I tried once more.

“Just because you ran off doesn't make you any less mine. I will see you around, baby boo.” That was the last thing he said before hanging up and I quickly typed out a message to him to be sure he wouldn't text my brother.

‘'Be a good girl and I won't.’

I have no idea what his message means but I didn't like the fact that he said see you around. Is he coming here? No, he doesn't know where I live, he couldn't possibly. Two seconds with him back in my life and I was already spiraling again.

I spent the rest of the day in bed, sick to my stomach about all this. I didn't leave my room until I heard my name being called, Bryce letting me he is back home. When I walked to the main floor, he and Callan were both here with David. I cursed myself for being in sweatpants but I can't run off now. I couldn't even muster a genuine smile when I said hello but not because of the outfit. It was because Ezekiel weighed heavy on my mind.

“What is wrong?” Bryce asked, noticing my nervous disposition right away.

“Huh? Nothing.” I lied.

“We brought food, come get some. Are you sick?” He followed after me and I decided to divert the conversation.

“Why? Do I know like shit? Is it the sweatpants?” I asked and his face flattened when he heard my words.

He knows about the sweatpants thing, he knows my father forbade them. Placing his hand on my shoulder, he muttered.

“No, they look good on you. You are fine.”

If the other two men in the room noticed his soft demeanor towards me, they didn't let on. He brought food from the restaurant we ate the other day and I could tell by the dishes. The food was amazing, so I was glad to grab myself a plate. I thought Callan and David were staying since they were here but it seems they were just waiting for my brother to do something and when he left the room, Callan's presence became increasingly obvious. He was in all black again which suits him best. He was in full suit, which means he probably had a meeting of some kind, l don't really know what he does to fill his days.

“Thank you for the welcoming present.” I said when I remembered the flowers and he just nodded to me.

“Your brother is right, there is something wrong with you.” He surprised me when he stepped forward and looked me over from head to toe. I squirmed, although I didn't mean to.

“No, there isn't.” I shook my head and quickly denied it.

He furrowed his dark brows at me but said nothing and I decided to take my plate of food and disappeared before they could question me again. Was my fear that evident? I am doing it again, I am letting Ezekiel get into my head and that was what he wanted. For me to keep obsessively checking my phone to be sure he didn't text him, to look over my shoulder everywhere I go in paranoia. To make me think about him constantly, it was a game for him. He wants me to think about him, his threat to reach out to my brother was the hook he knew he needed to reel me in. Now I have no choice but to respond to be sure he doesn't go talking to my brother.

I don't know how Bryce would react, maybe he would be pissed at the man but he would also be disgusted in me. Who knows what else, he can't know. I cried a few silent tears of frustration when all this settled heavy in my chest and eventually, I just fell asleep.

****

I was at work checking through the inventory when my phone went off in my pocket. I pulled it out absentmindedly but my gut flipped when I saw the contact name. I didn't save his number with Ezekiel, I just saved with Ex to know who was contacting me. I didn't want anyone seeing his name on my phone, I don't want people to even know he exists. My life here is not my life back there and I never wanted to relive the past. And now I feel it closing in on me, what is the next? My father, I shivered at the thought and decided to read the text message.

'Thinking about you.’

I know he is doing this to unsettle me, I still can't believe he feelings for me, I don't believe him. Did he ever have actual feelings for me or was it all about control with him? I don't know. For a moment, he acted great and he convinced me he did like me a lot. When he was jealous, I thought it was because he loved me and didn't want to lose me and now that I have matured, I know better. He was just an asshole with an ego and possessive issues, I didn't respond to his message. I don't want to get into this.

An hour later, he texted me again after getting no response from me.

'Fucking answer me or Bryce get this.’

He sent the message with attached pictures of me on stage at the old strip club his uncle owns. I choked on my own spit and clutched my phone to my chest for no one to see. He can't do this to me, I barely recognize myself. I was wearing a make up as my stage persona and I was in a sheer bustier and thong. Heel on and my back was arched as I held the pole, you almost wouldn't even realize it was me unless you really looked at it closely. I looked so young, I was cringing at this image. I hated that part of me, I hated him.

‘Ezekiel, please delete that. I am begging you.’ I texted back.

'Humm, I love it when you beg.’ he taunted me, I had to blink away tears. I was so frustrated and frankly scared.

“Brianna?” A voice made me jump out of my sink. Kate extended her hand to settle me.

“Sorry girl, I didn't mean to scare you. I was going to ask if you were alright. You looked all spacey or freaked out.” She arched her dark perfectly plucked eyebrows at me.

She was in a black and white beanie today and some skater crop top that showed off her stomach tattoos and I could see parts of faces and a rose in between them. She was very pretty in a non traditional way, I know a lot of men really dig this type of tattooed girl nowadays, her nails are long and done to the point. She has a narrow face which contours it naturally. She even had a little tattoo above her eyebrows that she was arching at me.