The Assassins Kiss

Chapter 13

Luca's POV

I wake up with Ezra draped over me, fast asleep.

Her face is tucked into the curve of my neck, her hand splayed across my chest like she owns it—like she owns me. And maybe she does, a little more every time I let my guard down.

This was a terrible idea.

She's supposed to be the enemy—trying to destroy everything I care about—but the second I kissed her, I knew I was screwed.

I wanted more. I still do. I'm getting addicted to her, and I can't decide if that's dangerous or inevitable.

And yeah, I won't pretend she's not attractive—because she's insanely attractive. That long, dark brown hair that spills down her back, sun-warmed skin, eyes so deep and sharp they could cut right through me. But it's more than that.

She's got fire. She's the first person who hasn't cowered in front of me or my family. People usually beg. They kneel. She stood her ground, stared me down like she wasn't afraid of anything.

She looks innocent—but that's the biggest lie of all. She's chaos wrapped in soft skin and a sweet smile. A devil in disguise.

I carefully lift Ezra off me and slip out from under her. My chest feels cold where her hand was.

I walk into the bathroom and take a long, hot shower, trying to clear my head.

The steam doesn't help.

Then I hear it—screaming.

What the hell?

I shut off the water instantly, heart pounding. The screams grow louder. My mind races.

I throw on some clothes and rush back into the room.

Killian is already there, standing beside the bed. Ezra's writhing, her face twisted in terror, the kind of screaming that gets under your skin and stays there.

"What did you do?" I demand.

"I didn't do anything," he says quickly. "I was walking by, heard screaming. I thought she got to you."

"You thought I was screaming?" I glare at him.

"Well... yeah."

"She's having a nightmare," he says with a shrug. "I tried shaking her. Nothing worked."

Then his eyes narrow, noticing her. "Wait—why is she wearing your clothes? Holy shit. You fucked her, didn't you?"

I cut him off before he can get another word out. "Not the time, Killian."

He throws up his hands.

I ignore him and kneel beside the bed. "Ezra," I say gently, putting a hand on her arm. "Wake up."

Killian huffs behind me. "Maybe shake her harder—"

"Shut up," I snap.

"Stop," Ezra cries out, her voice raw. "Stop—it hurts. Please... make them stop." Tears streak down her face. She's caught in something deep, something dark.

"Ezra, wake up," I say, louder this time, shaking her harder. "It's not real. Wake up."

Suddenly, her eyes fly open. She jerks upright, gasping, clutching her stomach like she's still in pain. Her gaze darts between me and Killian.

Then she scrambles back, away from us like we're the ones who hurt her.

My chest tightens.

"It's okay," I say quietly, hands raised. "You're safe."