Page 31 of Stalk (Assassin’s Kiss Duet #1)

Mattia

I t’s been two days since Ren ran away. They haven’t called me back or responded to my texts. Only a few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have given a fuck whether they were alive or laying in a ditch somewhere, but I guess things change. Especially when you don’t want them to.

Whatever’s happened, I’m done with waiting. I’m not a patient person to begin with, and this has been hell. I’m no longer denying that I care about Ren. It’s blatantly obvious to me. It’s even obvious to Marco who teases me every time I check my phone, which happens to be often.

I finished up my last assignment yesterday. It was an easy kill. Dreadfully boring. After that, Marco and I were instructed to stay in town for a little while longer, just in case Zìa has anything last minute for me to handle. Otherwise, we’re supposed to leave for Venice in two days.

Which means I have to make sure Ren is okay and stable before leaving the country. Otherwise, I know I’ll go crazy as soon as we board the jet for Italy.

My phone is pressed to my ear with only my shoulder supporting it. The line rings as I pace the backyard, inhaling my cigarette like my life depends on it. Cannella zigzags between my legs as I walk, almost tripping me every few seconds.

Finally, Giorgia picks up. “Che cosa?”

I exhale a plume of smoke into the air. “I need you to find Ren’s newest assignment.”

Giorgia is silent for a long time, which doesn’t help my mental state one bit. “Zìa will not approve?—”

“Fuck Zìa. I need to know, G.”

Because Ren is not okay. They aren’t okay and they won’t respond to me and they definitely shouldn’t be working.

“Merda. Okay. I need a few minutes. Let me call you back.”

I nod as if she can see me. “Okay. Grazie.”

After I end the call, I put out my cigarette and light up a fresh one. It’s only halfway smoked when Giorgia gives me a call back.

“I got the assignment from Catherine Burdick’s direct files thanks to Dante,” she says wearily.

Thank goodness we have a hacker on staff.

“I lied about why I needed it, so you better not get me in trouble for this shit, Mattia. It’s in your drive, but make sure you delete it permanently as soon as you read it over. Do it as soon as you can.”

“Damn, you’re good. I promise I will. I’ll read it over right now.”

She snorts. “You owe me.”

“Don’t I usually?”

“Whatever you’re doing, please be careful,” Giorgia says softly, all traces of her smart assery gone without a trace.

“Prometto che lo farò,” I promise.

Once we hang up, I put out my cigarette and hurriedly bring Cannella inside.

I go straight to my room and to my laptop without so much as taking a second to breathe.

I know how assignments work in our world.

Sometimes, there is a good amount of time before we must carry things out.

A week or two. But oftentimes, it’s a quick turnaround.

Ren could be getting ready for their assignment right now for all I know.

As my laptop comes back to life, I thrum my fingers atop the desk anxiously. Cannella stares at me from underneath the desk, happy as always. In seconds, she’s decided she isn’t getting the attention she deserves and jumps up on my lap.

I pet her delicately as my drive loads. Just as Giorgia promised, the file is there. I click on the icon and hold my breath as it loads. It takes longer than it normally would for one of my assignments. I have a feeling this kill will be a complicated one.

When the file finally loads, I read over the entire fifty-two pages with careful precision.

Though I want to skim the pages, I know this is truly life or death for Ren.

Knowing Catherine, she gave them this person to assassinate on purpose.

There’s a great chance Ren will get killed trying to do their job. I don’t want to miss any details.

When I’m done reading and writing down my notes, I double check a couple of crucial details I have written down on my notepad, then I permanently delete the file.

I sit there for too long, in shock. This assignment is one that would probably even be difficult for me.

This guy is a big-time drug dealer. One who has paid off city officials to keep him under the radar and out of prison.

One who isn’t afraid to kill at the slightest inconvenience.

Between him and Ren, I’d be willing to bet that this guy is a much more experienced assassin.

The worst part of it all is that Ren’s deadline is tonight at midnight.

There’s a knock on the door. “Si accomodi.”

Marco opens the door halfway. “Find anything out yet?”

“It’s not good.”

Marco’s mouth pulls down into a deep frown. Marco has grown to like Ren, too. Hell, he probably liked Ren before I did, come to think of it. “Do you have a plan?”

I shake my head and laugh. “No. Not really.”

“What happens now?”

I stare down at Cannella and sigh. “It’s time for me to become Ren’s shadow.”