Page 11 of Tattletale

“Well, let’s get to it. Take off your coat,” Rossi says.

I rise.Showtime.The minute Rossi sees me in my underwear, he’ll notice the gun on my thigh, and I’ll have less than three seconds to put two bullets in his head, side by side. The mark of a Conti assassination. It has to look like this was a deal gone bad. That’s the only way to break the alliance. I undo the top button of my trench coat, but Rossi’s phone rings loudly. He checks the screen.

“One moment, sweetheart. Duty calls. Sit back down. Would you care for some wine?”

I shake my head. “No, thank you.”I need a clear head for precision purposes.Lance, my best friend and partner in most all of my crimes, could make this shot in his sleep. I’m better long range. I like to stalk from a distance. With a good sniper rifle, I can pick out an eyeball from three buildings away, and then put a bullet through it. But Lance has inhuman reflexes and is a savant with a pistol close range. It’s not something you can learn; I’ve tried. I’m only here with Rossi because he wouldn’t want to see Lance in his underwear.

I smirk to myself at the thought. Lance near naked is actually a beautiful sight. I’ve seen Lance undressed in all his muscular, masculine glory a thousand times over the years. It’s nothing I trip over anymore. So, my best friend is good-looking…no,great-looking. Hotter than sin, more accurately. But Lance is somuch more to me. Normally, men look at me as something to possess. A prize to own.

From the very moment I met Lance, he’s treated me like an equal partner. We have an unspoken arrangement; I’d take a bullet for him, and he’d take one for me, too. That’s a sacred kind of love you don’t mess with for the sake of gratuitous sex. No matter how gratifying it would be…

We got too close in the break room once a couple of months ago. One stupid kiss was all it took for me to get weak-kneed and doe-eyed. I’ve gone overboard since then to reestablish our brother-sisterhood. I get dressed behind closed doors, never giggle too hard at his jokes, I scowl a lot, and try not to be alone with him for too long outside of missions. Otherwise, his gravity-pull might overcome me again.

“Fine, then when’s Accardi expected?” Rossi grumbles into the phone, catching my attention. “He was supposed to be here, tonight.”

A chill runs down my spine, touching my vertebrae one by one.

Accardi.

It’s been almost a year since I gave up my search. So many times I gave Vesper the slip, hunting for information on what hellhole Luca descended into. I’m no longer a prisoner at his mercy. Everything I am today is because of him. Broken, angry, and still hell-bent on revenge, all thanks to Luca Accardi.

I pull out my phone, pretending not to be listening as intently as I am. I’m already past due, and Lance needs an update. We were supposed to be in and out, less than ten minutes. But he’ll have to wait a little longer. I feel it in my bones…

I can almost taste the sweet answers.

Me

I’m fine. I need more time. Trust me.

Rossi continues into the phone, “Showboating son of a bitch. Of course, he needs to arrive with an entire plane full of ammo. What time is wheels down?” He takes a long sip from his glass and nearly spits it out.“Tomorrow?”Rossi’s face grows red and seems to swell. “Wants to keep us waiting here like a bunch of servants. With us all aligned, Accardi’s rule ends now. Text me the time and location. My men and I will meet him with a show of force, so he knows who he’s fucking with now.” Rossi hangs up and tosses his phone aside angrily. He downs the rest of his glass.

My heartbeat is vibrating out of control. I suck in my lips to control the twitching. As much as I want to put this pistol to his temple and demand answers, I have to approach this with care, because I have more than one question.

“Why so angry,Sir?” I purr.

His smile grows. “That’s a nice touch, pet. Say that again.”

I make my way over to Rossi and run my hands across his bare shoulders, trying not to recoil. Grazing his earlobe with my lips, I whisper, “Who hasSirso upset?” I pout, like a cartoon kitty begging for milk. It’s cringe-worthy, but no matter. I’ll kick my dignity right out the door for some answers.

“Oh, just business,” Rossi murmurs, his gaze fixed on my lips. “I love your accent, pet. I’ve never been with an Irish girl.”

Call me “pet” one more time, motherfucker.“Girl?” I ask, reminding myself to keep my cool.

He laughs. “Pardon me. I meantwoman.” He grabs a tendril of my hair and wraps it around his finger. “Such a beautiful woman.” He leans in close for a kiss, and I can’t help but dodge it. Rossi narrows his eyes.

“Sorry, nerves,” I mumble. “I changed my mind. May I have that drink after all?” I point to the open wine bottle. “I’m far more generous with a little buzz.”

“Aren’t I paying for your first time?” Rossi asks, skepticism lining his voice. “How do you know if you’re generous?”

I shrug innocently. “I’m just assuming. It seemed like something sexy to say.”

He runs his fingers across my jawline, and I force myself to stay still. “You don’t need to be so nervous with me. The first round, I’ll be gentle. Then, I’ll have you my way.” He cups my sex through my coat, making me grunt in surprise. His deep belly laugh is utterly repulsive, ringing in my ears. “So innocent,” he murmurs.

He thinks I’m nervous because he touched me. In reality, he almost just grazed my pistol. I’d have to end him right away, and then I’ll never know which Accardi he’s talking about. I need to move this along.

“Who’s arriving tomorrow? Sounds dangerous if you’re meeting him with force.”

He fills a clean glass with the rich, red wine and hands it to me. “What’s it to you?”

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