The Assassins Kiss

Chapter 37

Ezra's POV

"I just don't know why she forgives him," I sigh, rubbing my forehead in frustration.

Roman lets out a tired breath, clearly not impressed. "And I don't know why you're lying to yourself. You obviously forgive him. You're just being stubborn."

I blink, a little caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"You're holding onto this bitterness, like if you keep fighting it, you'll be protecting something. But you're not. You forgave him a long time ago, Ezra," Roman shoots back, his voice low but pointed.

I can feel the weight of his words, but I'm not ready to let go of the defense I've built. Not yet.

Leo leans back against the counter, his arms crossed, as if he's been observing the whole thing with a detached interest. "Honestly, I'm not surprised Lily's already forgiven Luca," he says, shrugging.

"Why?" I ask, a little too sharply. I don't like where this conversation is going.

"Well," Leo starts, his gaze softening, "I mean, you forgave your dad in a day. And he did a lot of shit." He holds my eyes, his words almost cutting through the air with their brutal honesty.

"Took away your chance of having another child. Killed your grandmother. Forced you to kill, ruin, and destroy people's lives. And you forgave him right when you saw him."

I feel the sting of his words hit me like a physical blow, but there's no denying the truth in them. My jaw tightens, and I swallow back the rising emotion, but Leo's not done.

"You know, Lily's a lot like you, Ezra," Iris adds quietly, her voice gentle, almost as if she's trying to cushion the blow. "You two are a lot more alike than you think."

I don't say anything at first. My mind is racing, trying to process their words, but all I can focus on is the uncomfortable knot in my stomach.

I finally speak, but it comes out more defensive than I mean it to. "Luca isn't her biological dad."

Roman, however, just raises an eyebrow. "Ezra, when you were in that coma, Luca didn't hesitate for a second to step in for you. He took in Lily, took her out to Tropea, made sure she had ice cream, did all the simple things to distract her from what was happening. He didn't just help her, Ezra. He treated her like a daughter."

I clench my fists, fighting the sharp edge of guilt cutting through me.

"I'm not justifying Luca's actions. I know he messed up. But I'll fight for him, because he's my son," Leo says, his tone a little softer now, more thoughtful.

Since when is Leo ever serious?

There's a long silence between us, the weight of everything hanging in the air. Leo's words settle into me, and the more I think about them, the more they gnaw at me.

I feel a strange mix of frustration and understanding.

I run my hand through my hair and sigh. "This is all so damn complicated."

"It is," Roman agrees, his voice softer now. "But that's what family is. It's complicated. It's messy."

I glance over at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. And for the first time in a while, I feel like maybe I don't have to carry all this on my own.

I look at Leo. "You guys might be right."

"Usually are," he says, flashing me a small, uncharacteristic smile.

Aurora walks in, her eyes scanning the room with a raised brow. "Shouldn't we be getting ready for Armando?" she asks, tilting her head slightly as if she's noticing the tension in the air.