Page 38 of Knotty Lessons

I turn in his arms and shade my eyes from the bright lights I set up to paint past sunset. “I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. I only sketched it out in my notebook, but with such a big canvas, I’ve really been able to pour my soul into it. Just wait until you see what I came up with as an ode to my favorite artists.” The last windowpane will have a collage of self-portraits of artists with skulls instead of their faces. It’s been a lot of fun. I love Gothic and dark, and Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year.

Ezra beams, squeezing my shoulders as he peers behind me. “Perhaps the owner will let me buy the windows so I can frame them.”

I laugh and shake my head. “This is just a fun piece. What I really hope is to get the contract for the permanent mural inside. I can’t believe someone is willing to pay me for my art. Mom told me it was a pointless hobby.”

“Something that feeds the soul is never pointless, amore. Your mother was and still is wrong about a lot of things.” Ezra presses his lips to my forehead, stroking his fingers up my neck and to my cheeks. “I’d love to see more of your art sometime.”

I haven’t shown many people my artwork, especially because I’ve kept a lot of it secret my whole life. I’ve drawn my sisters things over the years and have sent Emma many unconventional erotic pieces to mess with her, but I don’t even know what happened to any of them. “Yeah, sure. I haven’t had a chance to do much apart from doodling recently. There wasn’t any space in my dorm, and I don’t have any art classes this semester. I took all of those immediately, if you’ve ever wondered about my schedule.”

“That needs to change. I have a studio at the manor. So does Dominic. You’re absolutely welcome to use them. They’re in the back houses.” Ezra picks up a couple of rags from the ground, not caring that paint gets on his fingers. “Why don’t I help you clean up, and we can head there? We can order some takeout, or I can cook you something. The others are out tonight until late.” Because they were seeing Dominic off to the airport and ensuring he had whatever he needed to approach my dads with.

I push the thought away and meet Ezra’s gaze. “I’d love that. Let me close up the paint and put it in the stockroom.”

As much as I try to argue, Ezra doesn’t let me clean up alone. He greets Ms. Sandy, offering to help her finish stacking the chairs. I smile, watching how he works quickly and meticulously. It feels so good not having to constantly worry here like I do on campus.

But then a shadowy figure passing by the front door reminds me that isn’t true. Chaz lingers nearby, making me uneasy.

A hand rests on my shoulder, startling me. I jump, my eyes wide.

“Amore, what’s wrong?” Ezra asks, lacing his fingers through mine.

I flick my attention to the counter, looking for Ms. Sandy, but she’s gone to the back.

My cell phone buzzes from my pocket, and I swallow hard, not sure whether or not I should look at it.

“Amore, you’re trembling. Please talk to me,” Ezra murmurs, lowering his voice.

Sweat beads on my forehead, and I tug out my phone, glancing at the unknown number with a new text message alert on my screen. “It’s Chaz. He’s been trying to reach me. He was outside right when you showed up.”

Ezra squeezes my fingers. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I slump my shoulders. “I got distracted. You were so happy that it slipped my mind.”

I expect Ezra to yell at me. To get angry. He does neither.

Pulling me closer, Ezra hugs me in his arms, kissing my forehead. “Amore, I want you to stay here. If he’s still outside—”

The front door chimes, cutting Ezra off. I tense at the sight of Chaz strolling into the empty cafe, no longer wearing his hat. He gives me a long once-over, raising his eyebrow.

“Hey, Dickasso. I didn’t know you’d still be here. I came to pick up my check from Ms. Sandy. Is this your...dad?” Chaz drags his gaze to Ezra.

It’s clear that Ezra isn’t, and we’re obviously together. I can see the wheels turning in Chaz’s empty head as he thinks through the situation. He knew that I was taken. But now he realizes there’s more to it.

Ezra releases me and steps forward, straightening his shoulders as he gets into Chaz’s face. “You’re the one who assaulted Scarlett, aren’t you?”

Chaz takes a step back and raises his hands in surrender. “I don’t want any trouble. Like I said, I’m here to pick up my check.”

“That’s hard to believe, considering you were just texting her.” Growling, Ezra remains stiff in his spot. If it were anyone else, they might throw a punch. He remains in control, though.

“Only to apologize,” Chaz argues, nervously shifting on his feet.

“Do that here and now, and don’t text her again. Don’t look at her. Don’t speak to her. Consider this your one and only warning. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior.” Ezra steps back and takes my hand. “If you so much as even consider disobeying my order, I will make you regret it.”

Chaz scowls, opening and closing his mouth. He looks like he’s about to threaten Ezra, but for once, he’s smarter than that. Nobody truly wants to challenge an alpha if they don’t have to. Especially one like Ezra. He’s not some young, hotheaded man going into rut and aggressive because of his order. He’s intelligent, strategic, and has influence that Chaz can’t even comprehend.

“Fuck. You aren’t worth it.” Chaz spins on his heels and struts out of Beach Brew without getting his supposed check.

Ezra drags me along, following behind him, leaving the coffee shop without saying goodbye to Ms. Sandy. My heart races as we head behind Chaz, stalking him like he had stalked me.

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