Entangled with the Mafia Don novel Chapter 50

Ezra's POV:

I took a breath, recomposing myself. Public confrontation was messy, unprofessional. It wouldn't win her back, it would only drive her further away. But I wouldn't let her simply vanish again.

I walked towards the bar, feigning casualness, but my eyes were constantly on the dressing room door, waiting for her to emerge. The club was starting to fill, the music already building to its nightly crescendo. I ordered a whiskey, my gaze sweeping the room, calculating angles, anticipating her movements.

When she finally reappeared, she was in her performance costume, a shimmering silver that caught the lights, accentuating every curve. She moved with a practiced grace, her expression carefully blank, betraying none of the turmoil I knew she felt. My gaze locked onto her, willing her to look at me, to acknowledge my presence.

I watched her through the crowd as she made her way towards the stage, her path deliberately skirting around the area where I stood. She glanced over her shoulder once, her eyes flicking towards me, but she immediately averted them, her steps quickening. It was a clear, undeniable avoidance. She was playing hard to get, or perhaps, genuinely trying to erase me. The thought fueled my frustration, but also my determination. This wasn't a game I intended to lose.

I was about to make my move, to intercept her before she reached the stage, when a familiar, imposing figure stepped into her path. Roy.

My decision was made in an instant. I didn't have time for a subtle approach. I needed her within my reach, where we could speak without interruption, without her running. I strode directly towards Roy, intercepting him just as he was speaking to Davina.

"Roy," I stated, my voice low but firm, cutting through the music. His eyes, flickered with an understanding of the unspoken command. "Get Davina into my office. Now."

Roy's gaze shifted to Davina, then back to me. His expression was unreadable, but I saw the faint tightening around his eyes. "Ezra," he began, a note of caution in his voice. "She's just come back after being sick. And she seems… she's not keen on talking."

"I'm aware," I cut him off, my voice brooking no argument. "It's imperative. She needs to hear what I have to say. And she needs to be somewhere safe. My office." I emphasized the last two words, a clear indication of my authority and the gravity of the situation. Roy knew the implications of my family's ongoing dealings, especially with the Sokolovs. He knew what my "safe" truly meant.

Roy hesitated for another moment, then, with a curt nod, he turned back to Davina, his face now a mask of stern, professional authority. "Davina," he said, his voice curt, his eyes flicking subtly towards me. "Come with me. Now."

Davina's shoulders stiffened, and she glanced quickly in my direction, a flicker of apprehension and accusation in her eyes, before nodding curtly at Roy. My eyes narrowed. She suspected, but she wouldn't refuse Roy.

Just as I reached the edge of the stage, ready to lose myself in the dance, a large figure stepped directly into my path. Roy.

"Davina," he said, his voice curt, his eyes flicking subtly towards Ezra. "Follow me. Now."

My heart jumped. Roy rarely spoke to dancers directly, especially not in such a tone, and never during peak hours. And that glance towards Ezra... A prickle of unease ran down my spine. Was this about him? Was Ezra putting pressure on Roy? The thought twisted my stomach.

I hesitated, wanting to refuse, wanting to just get on stage and disappear into the performance. But Roy's expression brooked no argument. I had no choice.

With a heavy sigh, and another quick, almost imperceptible glance towards Ezra, whose gaze I could still feel burning into my back, I nodded. I turned and followed Roy down the private corridor, away from the music, away from the lights, away from Ezra, and towards the unknown. The relief of escaping Ezra's immediate presence was immense, but it was quickly overshadowed by a new wave of apprehension. Roy was guiding me in Ezra's office. This is it...