Chapter 9

Summer POV

I jolted awake just as the hooded man was about to grab me. Sweat stuck to Ezra’s shirt, and hair stuck to my face. Early morning sun seeped into the bedroom. The rain had gone when I peeked out the window. The entire backyard was drenched in water, dirty puddles were scattered all over the yard. After washing the sweat off my face I walked downstairs.

“Early bird, I see,” Ezra groaned as he emerged from the couch in the living room.

“You slept on the couch? I thought you said you would sleep in the spare room.”

“I didn’t say that.” Ezra stretched his arms and twisted his back.

“I would have taken the couch.”

His hair was ruffled and curly, different from the silk pushed-back style he usually had.

“Come,” he said.

He patted the spot beside him. I settled a safe distance from him. He reached out and brushed hair behind my ear and thumbed a bruise on my cheek.

“Thanks…”

“Don’t. Just don’t.”

“But if you