Chapter 12

                                    

                                          
*Ezra's POV
Nathaniel looked at me, his brow furrowed but calm. "What do you mean?" He asked softly. I sat up and gazed out at the ocean, my heart heavy. "We can't stay here forever, Nathaniel. They'll find us eventually. But I have a plan. I know someone in Canada, someone who can help us disappear for good. We'll be safe there." Nathaniel sat up beside me, his hand resting on mine. "Canada? You're sure about this?" I nodded. "It's not perfect, but it's our best shot. My contact has helped people in situations like ours before. We can get new identities, start fresh. Away from all of this. I know asking you to leave your family behind is a lot, but I don't know what else to do. I'd rather you start a new life away from everyone but be safe, than be in the hands of those man. Who knows what they'd do to you." Nathaniel was silent for a moment, then he smiled, though I could see the apprehension in his eyes. "If you're sure, then let's do it."
Two days later, we were at the airport, tickets to Toronto in hand, blending into the busy crowd. I felt a strange sense of hope, like we were finally moving toward something better. That hope was instantly shattered the moment I saw the men in dark suits by the security gates. Nathaniel froze beside me, following my gaze. "Ezra... are those...?"
"Run," I whispered, but it was too late. They were on us in seconds, grabbing us before we could make a move. "Ezra, don't fight them!" Nathaniel cried as one of the men shoved him aside. I struggled, trying to break free, but the grip on me was too strong. They didn't say a word, just dragged us through the airport, toward a black car waiting outside. I felt sick, knowing exactly where they were taking us. My father.
When we arrived at his or...our house, they escorted us inside, and there he was, sitting calmly at his desk like he had been expecting us. "Ezra," my father said coolly, his eyes flicking to Nathaniel. "I warned you this would happen." I stood tall, refusing to let him see my fear. "What do you want?" I asked, my voice audibly trembling. He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It's not about what I want, son. It's about what has to happen. Nathaniel doesn't belong to you. He was bought by very powerful men. You knew this, and yet you ran. Now they want him back." My heart pounded. "I won't give him to them." My father raised an eyebrow. "You don't have a choice." Nathaniel gripped my hand tightly, his face pale but determined. "Ezra...". "No," I said, my voice steady this time. "I'll let them take me instead."
There was a pause. My father blinked, clearly taken aback. "You?". He asked. "I'll take his place." I said, my throat tightening. My father stared at me. For a brief moment, I saw something shift in his eyes something that looked almost like regret. Then he smiled, cold and calculated. "You're willing to trade your life for his?" He asked, standing up and walking around the desk, his gaze piercing. "You'd give up everything?" He asked. "Yes," I said, without hesitation. "I would." Nathaniel's grip on my hand tightened. "Ezra, no..." I turned to him, my heart breaking. "Nathaniel, I have to. I can't let them take you." He looked at me, tears welling in his eyes. "We'll find another way. We don't have to do this." I shook my head. "This is the only way."
My father watched us for a long moment, then something shifted in him. He looked tired, older than I'd ever seen him. He turned back to his desk and sat down. "You love him?" He said, more of a statement than a question. I nodded, not bothering to deny it. "More than anything." There was a long silence, and then, to my shock, my father sighed deeply. "I always thought you were weak for not following in my footsteps, Ezra. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe... you're stronger than I ever was." I stared at him, confused. He leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk. "I'll make a deal with the men who bought Nathaniel. I'll give them my entire business, my contacts, my empire, everything. In exchange, they'd let both of you go. I'll step out of this world, and they won't come after you again." I blinked, stunned. "You'd do that?" "For you," he said quietly. "To give you the life I couldn't. Away from all of this. When your mother died, I was so scared of having to raise you by myself. We didn't have any money and I didn't know how we would survive. I resorted to crime and I was good at it. Before I knew it, it became about more than just surviving. It became a coping mechanism. A way to be in control, to be in power. I realise now that I have strayed far from my initial purpose. All I ever did, I did initially for you. I went too far and made my own son see me as a monster. I don't know if you'll ever be able to forgive, but I hope giving both of you your life back will be a start."
A wave of emotion hit me, but I forced myself to stay composed. I looked at Nathaniel, who was still clutching my hand. He gave me a small, hopeful smile. I turned back to my father, and for the first time in years, I felt like I could breathe. "I don't know what to say dad..." I mumbled. "Don't say anything Ezra, just get out of here and enjoy your life. I have some calls to make."
Nathaniel and I went to our garden and sat down on a bench. We were quiet for a while, both trying to process everything that just happened. Nathaniel and I looked into each other's eyes. "Did I hear you say you loved me more than anything in there?" Nathaniel said. 'Is that the first thing you want to address right now?' I teased. Nathaniel wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed me softly before saying 'I love you too Ezra. Who knows... maybe next time I can leave prom with you willingly?'.  
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