The Assassins Kiss

Chapter 23

Luca's POV

"What are you going to talk to her about?" my mom asks gently, watching me pace.

I don't answer. Can't. If I open my mouth right now, I'll probably start yelling.

The moment I saw Ezra, everything came rushing back like a gut punch.

She lied—to me, to all of us—and now everyone's acting like it doesn't matter. Like we're just supposed to move on and pretend she didn't keep something that huge from us.

We were together for months. We talked about everything. Or so I thought. She had so many chances to tell me the truth—about her daughter, about who sent her, about who her father is. Rocco. Fucking Rocco. And she kept it to herself.

And yeah, maybe if she'd told me from the start that she didn't want me involved because of who her dad is, I would've respected that. I would've stepped back. That's her choice. Her right. But this? This wasn't protecting herself.

Now we're all in my office, waiting. The air is thick with silence and tension, everyone pretending not to watch me lose my mind in slow motion.

"Luca, maybe don't let your anger—" Roman starts, but he cuts himself off the moment she walks in.

Ezra.

She stops in front of my desk, and for a second, no one breathes. Her eyes lock with mine—nervous, hesitant, but trying to look strong. Like she's bracing for a storm.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I ask, my voice low but sharp. "We could've helped you. We could've helped Lily."

"But instead, you lied," I go on. "You kept secrets from us. From me."

"I did it to protect Lily," she says, almost instantly.

"I could've protected her!" I snap. "We all could've. If you'd just trusted us—trusted me."

I take a breath, trying to stay calm, but the words burn on the way out.

"You told us you didn't work for Rocco Ferrari. Over and over. You said he didn't send you, that you weren't connected to him. And now we find out you're his daughter?"

My voice stays calm, but every syllable is laced with venom. "You didn't even tell us yourself. We had to hear it from someone else."

"You lied, Ezra. Again and again. And I don't understand why. I thought—we thought—I earned your trust a long time ago."

I pause, really looking at her. "You're a Ferrari. Fine. I don't care that he's your father. I don't. What matters is you didn't tell me. I had to hear it from form Michael Ricci."

"Did you not trust me?" I ask, quietly now.

"Of course I trusted you," she says, her voice trembling. "I still do."

"Then why didn't you say anything?" I press. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to see me differently," she admits. "Because of Lily. Because of him. I didn't want you to think less of me."

"So you didn't trust me," I say flatly, staring right at her.

"I do," she insists.

"You don't, Ezra." I shake my head. "You really don't."

"Why didn't you say anything?" I ask, voice low and tight. "We could've helped you. We could've helped Lily."

"But instead, you lied. You kept secrets." My eyes are locked on hers. "You looked me in the face and lied like it was nothing."