The Assassins Kiss

Chapter 7

Ezra's POV

Right now, I'm sitting in Luca's office, surrounded by his family.

It's like being in a room full of sharks—each one circling, waiting for the slightest sign of weakness.

"If I remember correctly," Luca says, leaning back in his chair like he's got all the time in the world.

His eyes are fixed on me, calculating. "You said you refused to work for Rocco Ferrari, and it cost you everything."

That fucking asshole. That's exactly why I'm sitting here right now.

I glance at Luca, keeping my face blank, but inside I'm seething.

"What did it cost you?" he asks again, voice sharp, demanding an answer.

"Pain," I say, voice flat, no emotion.

Roman snorts from across the room. "Well, that's not dry," he says sarcastically, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Luca sighs, rubbing his temples like he's already over this conversation.

"Okay, then," Luca presses, leaning forward, "Why are you an assassin?"

It's the question I've been trying to avoid answering—because the truth is, it wasn't a choice. Not with all of them watching me like I'm some broken toy they're about to tear apart.

"I thought it would be a calm and collected job," I shrug, making it sound almost casual, even though I'm about two seconds from exploding.

Luca's gaze sharpens. He's not buying it.

"Why are you an assassin?"

I stare at him, biting back the urge to snap. "I thought I answered the question," I reply, voice clipped, and a little too defensive.

He doesn't let it go. The tension in the room thickens, and I can feel his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

His fist clenches, knuckles going white as he glares at me, like he's waiting for me to break, to show him something real.

"We all know you work for someone," Luca says, leaning forward, his eyes hard as he studies me. "The whole 'doing it for money' shit? It's all lies. So I'm asking you again—why are you an assassin?"

His words hit like a slap, and I feel my pulse quicken. I hate this. I hate being cornered, forced to reveal things I'd rather keep buried.

So I cue the dramatics. I can be a dramatic bitch if I need to be. "The world isn't all sunshine and rainbows," I shoot back, voice cold.

I see Killian's face twist in irritation, but it's Luca who answers. "Don't you think we know that? We're part of the mafia, after all."

I lock eyes with him, unflinching. "Then you should know it's a mean and nasty place," I say, my voice low, every word laced with bitterness. "It'll beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it."

I turn my gaze to Killian now, the anger bubbling under my skin. "I wouldn't let it keep me down," I continue, my tone cutting through the thick air of the room.

"I fought my way back up. Lost everything. But I didn't stop." My voice tightens with the weight of my past. "I fought, and I gained something in return."

I take a deep breath, my next words sharp as a blade.

"If I have to kill everyone in my way to keep what little I have left, I will."

I pause for a beat, letting my words hang in the air, the weight of them heavy. My eyes flicker to Luca, then to the others. "And right now, you guys are in my way."