The Assassins Kiss

Chapter 20

Ezra's POV

It's been a month. A month of Luca and me going on date after date—quiet dinners, late-night walks, stolen kisses in the dark. Things feel easy with him, natural. Like we've been doing this forever, not just for a few weeks.

I've been talking to Lily too, though not as often as I used to. She's almost always with Roman now. Not that I mind. He's completely smitten with her. The way he looks at her, like she hung the stars—God, it's adorable. Honestly, I'm just glad she's happy.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, screen lighting up.

Iris.
Strange. She never calls me at this time. Mornings or late at night, sure—but never midday.

I answer, a sliver of worry already curling in my gut.
"Iris?"

Her voice is hoarse, barely above a whisper. "Ezra... they're coming."

My chest tightens. "What? Who's coming?"

"I'm sorry," she breathes. "I'm so sorry. They brought everyone to the farmhouse. They're moving south now—toward southern Italy."

A sharp voice cuts through the line.
"Get up, bitch."

My blood runs cold.

"I'm sorry," she whispers again, so faint I barely catch it.

Then—silence. The line goes dead.

I stare at the screen, frozen. The room around me blurs, sound fading to a dull hum like I'm underwater.

What the hell is happening?

My thoughts spiral.
Is Iris okay?
What about Lily?
What is this?

A pit opens in my stomach, deep and endless. Something is very, very wrong.

OH MY FUCKING GOD THEY'RE COMING HERE.

I start pacing back and forth, my footsteps echoing in the silence. What the hell am I supposed to do? They'll be here soon—an hour, maybe less. I have to tell them. Now. There's no more time to stall, no more pretending this was never going to catch up with me.

But they're in a meeting. All of them. And I don't know when it ends. I can't just barge in... can I?

I run both hands through my hair, gripping it at the roots. They're going to hate me. All of them. And Luca... oh my god. Luca. He might see Lily. He's going to know. He'll see it in her eyes, in her smile—she's mine. She's ours.

Thirty minutes slip by in a blur of panic and indecision.

I force myself into the shower, the water too cold, too hot—I don't even notice. I scrub off the sweat and guilt and dread, but it clings to me anyway.

I get dressed quickly and head downstairs. My heart hammers with every step, but the meeting room is still sealed shut. No sign of anyone. I start checking room by room, desperate for someone—anyone.

I'm even looking for Killian. That's how desperate I've gotten.

Eventually, I head to Luca's office area.

I don't knock. I barge in.

The entire family is there—Luca, Aurora, Leo, Killian—all of them.

Aurora steps forward immediately, concerned. "What's wrong? You look scared, honey."

"You guys have to leave. Now," I say, my voice shaky but firm.

Leo frowns. "Why? What's going on?"

"Please," I plead. "Just go. You have to trust me."