Changing Affection

Chapter Three

Ezra observed Aubrey as she sat in the chair across from him. Her back was straight, and her eyes kept flicking back and forth between him and Jearon, sitting beside him. She was scared, and that was starting to make him on edge. He had no reason to care whether this girl was frightened, but he didn't like seeing the fear in her eyes. Already she was doing something to him, and if he was being honest with himself, that scared him with how fast his head was going. He had never allowed himself to feel whatever he was feeling before; why now? He leaned further into his chair and sighed loudly, hoping to get Jearon's attention. 

"What is it, Ezra?" Jearon asked, annoyed. He didn't take his eyes off her the entire time. Ezra worked hard at controlling his temper as he watched the look in Jearon's eyes. He didn't like it at all. It unnerved him. 

Ezra looked over at him. "We've been sitting here for ten minutes, and all you've been doing is staring at her." He snuck a glance at Aubrey and noticed her looking right at him. She was brave to make eye contact; he'll give her that. "I think you're freaking her out." One side of his mouth twitched as he noticed her hand, a slight nod confirming that she was getting freaked out by him. 

"I am not," Jearon stood up and walked over behind Aubrey. "Such a pretty girl. Don't you think, Ezra?" Jearon leaned down, placing his head close to Aubrey's, and looked at Ezra. There was a gleam of what looked like danger in his eyes, making Ezra nervous. "I think that this pretty thing should come home with me." Aubrey's eyes met his for a second before she squeezed them shut. Jearon reached out and started twirling her red hair between his fingers. Her breath hitched, causing Ezra's jaw to clench. 

Ezra's hands clenched. Jearon never had a good reputation with women. However, Ezra didn't understand why he felt protective over Aubrey. She was just a mission and wasn't supposed to be anything more, but for some reason, he wanted more. He already wanted her. He surely wasn't going to let Jearon touch her. 

"I don't think that's a good idea, boss," Ezra slowly told him. He was trying hard to keep his attitude in check. 

Jearon looked up sharply at him. "Why not?" His words held venom in them that Ezra didn't want to have unleashed onto him. 

Ezra stood up. "Because the cops will know exactly where to look. They won't arrest you, but they will take her back. Her father's rich, Jearon, and they will do what he tells them. If she goes with you, whether in your house or the warehouse, they will find her, and you won't get the ransom money you want."

Jearon walked over to Ezra and looked up at him. Jearon only came up to Ezra's eyes, making Ezra look slightly down at him. Jearon gave him a challenging look but eventually sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Now, that is why you're my right-hand man, Ezra." He wagged his pointer finger at him. "You're smart." He chuckled. 

"I thought I was your right-hand man because we were best friends?" Ezra faked a smile as he crossed his arms over his chest. 

Jearon chuckled. "Yeah, that too." He looked down at Aubrey. He reached out and started twirling her hair between his fingers again. Ezra bit his tongue. "Why wouldn't they think of your place?"

"I remember very well that you made sure my name was never released to the cops," Ezra explained. "It would be better for her to stay here."

Jearon looked at Ezra skeptically before nodding. "I guess that's wise. I'll leave her with you." He stood up straighter and walked back over to Ezra. Once he was just a foot in front of him, he whispered, "Don't let her out of your sight."

"I won't."

"Good," Jearon nodded. He took one more look at Aubrey before walking towards the door. "Oh! One more thing." He turned back around to see Ezra standing right behind him. "Don't touch her. I want her. I'm the only one who's going to be touching her body. She's mine." He gave Ezra a knowing smirk before patting his chest and walking out the door, closing it behind him.