The Assassins Kiss

Chapter 4

Ezra's POV

I was always going to give them a fake name—I just hadn't thought it through. Total blank.

So I blurted out the first thing that came to mind: Ezra Francisco.

Ezra. My actual first name. Genius.
Real original, dumbass.

Before I can spiral further, I feel my phone buzz—wedged right between my bra and the panic setting in.

Guess they didn't bother checking me. Honestly? Kinda appreciate the respect. Or maybe they just didn't expect me to be this resourceful.

I twist awkwardly, digging into my shirt like I've got an itch only shame can scratch. Finally, I get my fingers around the phone and pull it out.

Iris?

I answer immediately. "Iris?"

"Sorry, Ezra," she says through a laugh. "Lily really wanted to talk to you."

I scoff, glancing at the heavy chain attached to my wrist. "Well, I'm kinda in the middle of being kidnapped right now."

Silence. Then—

"Wait, what? Are you at the Vincenzo house?"

"Yes, I am. Chained to Luca Vincenzo's desk, no less."

There's a beat.

"You lucky bitch," Iris breathes, and I can hear the smirk.

"Is Killian as hot as everyone says?" she asks, like we're gossiping over coffee and not while I'm literally held hostage.

"He's... moody," I mutter, glancing across the room.

"Oof. That's so hot," she sighs dreamily.

"Stop drooling over my captor and put my daughter on the phone," I whisper sharply.

"Momma!" Lily cheers on the other end of the line, her little voice bursting through the speaker like sunlight.

My smile is instant. "Hi, mi amore."

There's a pause, then her voice turns small. "When are you coming home?"

I swallow hard, my throat tightening. "In a few months, baby. I told you—I'll be there for your birthday, didn't I?"

"You did..." she trails off. "I know. I just miss you."

"I miss you too, sweetheart," I whisper, blinking quickly as my eyes start to sting. "So much."

The room around me fades for a second—chains, desk, danger—it's all background noise when she's on the line.

But time's not on my side.

"I have to go, Lil," I say gently. "I'll call you again as soon as I can, okay?"

"Okay..."

"I love you," I say, my voice cracking.

"I love you too, Momma," she whispers.

Then the call ends.

I stare at the screen for a second, wishing I could hold onto her voice just a little longer.

Then I carefully maneuver the phone back into my bra, the weight of silence settling around me again.

And just like that, the moment's over.

Back to reality.

Five minutes later

The door creaks open, and Luca strolls in. No knock, no warning—just that arrogant ease some people wear like cologne.