Assured that the building is cleared, I prowl through it, dumping gasoline over the bodies and decaying, hand-carved wooden furniture.I shouldn’t be so thrilled about lighting the place on fire. It must have been beautiful back in its glory days.
But the city plans to level it, anyway, and I can’t help the part of me that wants to cause mayhem. Maybe that will never be fully healed. At least with Sinro, I’m allowed to wreak some havoc.
Positioned outside the train station, mercenary teams at my back, I ignite a match and drop it on the trail of gasoline. Flames consume my vision, climbing the smoggy sky. Others scoot back from the heatwaves, but I stay firmly rooted to the spot, needing to feel the burn on my skin.
Strong arms wrap around my waist, and a chin rests on top of my head.
“You okay, beautiful boy?” Cain asks softly.
My gaze never leaves the fire as I watch my past burn to ashes.
“I have no right to ask anything of you. Not when you’ve given me so much. But I’m really hoping you can find patience for me. I’m going to be okay, Cain. I want to be okay. I just don’t know how long it’s going to take. And that scares the shit out of me.”
Cain spins me around. He tips my head up, and I glimpse flames crackling in his rich brown eyes. “Ezra. Baby. Etch this into your brain. I will wait eternity for you. And I will do it standing by your side. It took me years to get to where I’m at now mentally, and I’m still not convinced I’m worthy of you. So don’t ever think that I won’t be patient. Not for a single minute.”
His words burrow deep into my chest, both painful and relieving at the same time. All I can manage in response is a nod before I stretch up on my toes to kiss him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
EZRA
Isleep like the living dead, all thanks to Cain fucking me in every way imaginable last night. His determination to wring me of toxic emotions and pent-up energy, while striving to not aggravate either of our wounds, was enviable. Gold medal level, really.
Maybe a little of it was punishment for refusing to go to the ER for stitches. I settled on Isaac’s steady hand to fix me up instead.
Eyes still closed, I let my hand drift to Cain’s side of the bed. I lurch upright when I discover his spot empty. I groan at the pain in my muscles, not just from our sex marathon, but yesterday’s operation, too.
I drag my ass into the closet to get dressed, chuckling at the new clothes shoved onto my side of the rack. He literally cannot stop pampering me.
Out of defiance, I steal one of his gray t-shirts and pair it with skinny black joggers and my combat boots.
I expect to find Cain in the kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee, but there’s only a travel mug of coffee next to a handwritten note to check in at the office.
Face scrunched in confusion, I grab the warm travel mug and load into the elevator. It’s probably not professional to show up to the office in loungewear, but Cain’s already disclosed to everyone about our relationship. And since I was never officially hired on at Sinro Enterprises, no one can complain that I get special treatment.
Not that they would when Cain’s best friend heads up HR.
The doors ding open on the thirteenth floor. Gwen glances up at me from her desk. She gives me a big smile and two thumbs up.
“Hi, Gwen. How are you this morning?”
“So lovely, dear. You look… well-slept.” She giggles. “Cain’s waiting in the meeting room for you.”
I sneak by her desk, prepared to throw myself at Cain. But when I stride into the meeting room, a crowd of employees greet me. Salem waves from her spot next to the counter, littered with boxes of pastries and juice. Rev spins in a chair, beaming at me. Rorik mumbles something while his mouth is stuffed with donuts, and Forest looks at him with disgust. Isaac and Alaric are locked in a battle over the last sprinkled holiday donut in the box.
And Cain heads up the show, positioned at the table in his pristine suit, dark hair styled and deep brown eyes burning into my soul.
I notice several things laid out on the meeting table. A bulletproof vest, military boots, a fancy black bag from a suit shop, an open case with shiny new guns, and an ID badge on a lanyard.
“What’s this about?” I ask, looking everyone over.
“It’s your first official day at Sinro Enterprises,” Rev explains.
My gaze darts back to Cain, seeking answers in his hard expression. Underneath that glacial coldness is more kindness and love than I could have ever imagined.
“First official day?” My brows furrow.
“Paychecks and benefits and everything,” Rev says. “You’re already in the system.”
