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Chapter Twenty-Five
Ocean
Ezra was right. He kept his promise that everything would be okay and it has been. There has been nothing but flattering and positive remarks and posts after the award ceremony. No one blinks an eye when Ezra picks me up from the studio, attends my shows, or when we’re spotted out for dinner. Images and clips make their way onto social media and in the tabloids, but mostly people only want to know what comes next.
Has the Princess of Pop been locked down?
A Millionaire and his Queen of Music!
I can’t help smiling when I scroll TikTok and find a recording of him waiting backstage and wrapping me in his arms after the performance. It’s gone viral and has over ten million likes. Things are perfect.
My feelings are becoming less complicated as well. When Ezra left for work, I became a sappy, soft, crying mess. I missedhim. I didn’t know what to do without him reaching out to me or being at my house. My life still went on, all the things I’m used to continued to happen, but it wasn’t the same. I love him. I want a life with him whatever that looks like. I want the future Ezra sees and I trust him enough to know that he will do anything to give it to me. He cherishes me, protects me, and takes care of me like a husband and as my lover. So the fact that he gave me four orgasms last night then came inside me again…I’m ignoring it.
I don’t know how I feel about it, but living in the moment with him is more important to me. Things will work out how they are meant to, and as long as Ezra is driving this relationship, I have no doubts I’ll be unhurt because he wouldn’t allow anything to hurt me.
Glancing at my phone, I realize my time is up in the studio. I grab my notebook and my bag before heading out the door. The hallway is strangely empty. Shivers race down my spine and fear grips my insides. My feet start moving faster when suddenly a hand clamps down on my wrist and I’m pulled into an empty rehearsal room.
I spin around and yank my arm free. The muscles and bones hurt from where they were gripped. “What–”
My eyes widen when the man brushes his hair out of his face. “Uncle Cliff?”
“Oh, so you do remember me? Your poor uncle who’s been hung out to dry and living off of pennies. After everything I did for you!” His voice escalates and I shrink back from him. My eyes dart toward the door. Where the hell is Kyle?
“Uncle Cliff, we can talk, but this isn’t the way to go about it.”
He scoffs and I can smell the alcohol permeating off his tongue. “I call the shots, you stupid bitch! I did everything for you. I raised you. I brought you to all your musicals, your concerts. I introduced you to BNE, ME!” He points at his chest, his eyes glaring.
I swallow past the hurt and the fear lodged in my throat. All the things I learned from self-defense are slowly leaking out of my brain. All I can remember is what Ezra taught me about de-escalation. “You’re right, you did introduce me to Mr. Townsend.”
“Damn straight I did. You were always a good kid until that fucker Ezra Hamilton showed up and ruined it all. You think they helped you? I made you, Ocean Heart. Not them!”
I nod along and try to calm him, agreeing with him until I can escape. I feel my phone vibrate in my sweater, but I ignore it. “Why are you here, Uncle Cliff?”
His eyes blaze and gloss over. “You owe me, Ocean. For everything I did and for keeping my mouth shut when I should have reported him to the police years ago.”
My throat runs dry. “What are you talking about?”
“This media circus about you and Ezra dating. What fucking bullshit. Does no one realize he’s probably been preying on you since you were little. I remember all the times I caught you alone. All it would take is one story from my side and you’d both face the ridicule of the nation.”
Tears spring to my eyes, but I refuse to let him see. I blink and my feet shuffle. “I take it you didn’t come here to just threaten me, so what is it you want?”
A sinister smile parts his lips and his hands set on his sides. A power move I recognize from when I was little. “I want what you owe me, you spoiled little shit. I’ve been cut off from BNE now and you know how unfriendly Scooter and his boys can be.”
“You want money?” I guess, dread filling my stomach. “How much?”
“I think three million should be good for now.” He looks me up and down. My skin crawls and he sneers. “Who knows, maybe for more I’ll continue to keep your little secret with Ezra hidden.”
“I have to get it ready,” I tell him, lying and trying to buy myself some time. There has to be a way out of this. I can’t let Ezra be ruined. He never did anything wrong. His business and his image can’t be ruined by my uncle. This man has ruined enough good things over the years. I refuse to let Ezra be next on his list.
“You do that, little girl. I’ll find you again,” he says while stepping out into the hallway.
I hear him bump into someone and a gruff, “Sorry,” follows
I exit the room next and come face to face with Kyle.
“Ms. Heart.” He looks to the man who just left and then to me. His eyes narrow. “Was that–”
“Don’t say anything. Please Kyle, I’m begging you. This is one thing I can’t let Ezra take care of. My uncle wants to ruin him. I need to think of something,” I beg, cradling my arm.
