Page 12 of Tattletale

I lock eyes with Rossi, staring into his beady eyes as I take the glass. “You’re going to be my first, and then I’ll never see you again? Not very gentlemanly of you.”

“Oh, pet. So sweet. But best not to get attached. LaRoe girls are meant to be shared.”

I can’t believe he ate that up. But he’s still not talking. Time to try a different angle. “I’ve heard of the Accardis, actually. Madam almost gave my first time to a bidder with that name…” I snap my fingers in succession… “His first name escapes me. Maybe it was the one you were talking about?”

“Luca called asking for you?”

There it is.A lightning bolt shoots through my veins. After all this time, the devil reappears. The man who actually took my virginity.No…stole.

“Yes, that sounds familiar,” I say, nodding. “But you must’ve been more persuasive, because Madam decided to make my first appointment with you.”

Rossi takes my wineglass and sets it down on the cart, and then his hand is around my throat. “Too many questions,” he growls, squeezing my windpipe tightly. “Who the hell are you? No way in hell Luca Accardi would ever call LaRoe. You’re his spy, aren’t you?” His voice grows shaky, and his cheeks puff up, looking like ripe tomatoes. “You’re spying on me.”

I try to gasp as he squeezes harder, starving me of air.Now I’m pissed.

“No matter, I’m taking what I paid for,” he growls. He releases my throat, moving his hand to the back of my head, grabbing a fistful of my hair. Using his free hand, he rips open the top buttons of my coat. For a millisecond he pauses, eyes fixed on my white lace bra. Then, he’s undoing his belt. He pushes down his pants and boxers hastily, exposing his cock. His grip tightens as he guides me to my knees. “Open your mouth, whore.”

His tip touches my cheek when I hear thepingof his phone, still resting on the bar cart. It dawns on me, I don’t need Rossi to talk… I just need that text message.

I reach up, grabbing the wine bottle and shattering it on the cart’s edge in one smooth motion. Before Rossi can comprehend what’s happening, the sharp edges of the broken glass bottle are wedged right through his crotch. He wails in misery, dropping to his knees. Blood spews violently from his upper thigh, coating my neck and chest.

Oh, no.

It was an accident. I must’ve severed his femoral artery. Based on the way he’s bleeding, he has mere minutes.

“Youbitch…you crazy fucking bitch… Roy!” he screams, calling for his bodyguard.“Roy!”

But his bodyguard is gone, and these rooms are as good as soundproof. He falls to the floor, curled up in the fetal position, now resting in a pool of his blood. His whimpers grow silent. I wait until his body is completely still and yank off my trench coat to cover his exposed, limp cock.Die with dignity, Rossi.

I have a pang of guilt. When I first joined PALADIN, I’d get a certain adrenaline rush knowing I took an evil man’s life. Permission to kill is a liberation like no one can explain. But after almost ten years, I’m tired. I’ve put so many rapists, terrorists, and murderers in the ground, but it doesn’t soothe the gnawing ache of redemption. Why couldn’t I be this lethal the day my father and my sister were murdered? Why couldn’t I save them?

I exhale heavily, dropping to my knees next to Rossi. I brush the hair out of his eyes, then close his eyelids. He’ll get another chance. Another life where, hopefully, he’s a better man. Pulling myself up by the edge of the cart, I check Rossi’s phone. There’s a text…but not the one I was hoping for.

Roy

I’m assuming you want extra time with this one? Permission to find my own company for the evening?

No! Dammit.Where’s Luca’s location?

I check Rossi’s call log and redial the last number. “Your call cannot be completed. The number you dialed is no longer in service…”

I squeeze the phone tightly in my fist. A burner. Probably untraceable. Maybe I could bring it back to headquarters and have tech work their magic, but then Vesper would inquire. How would I explain myself? I promised her I’d let Luca Accardi go. The past is the past. I have a new family now…

But it still aches. I was robbed of the life I should’ve had. I’m craving a quiet life. Just peace. And I am more than certain I’ll never have it while Luca Accardi is still breathing. I fetch my own phone and text Lance as I scour the gory-looking scene.Oh, hell.This is not how it was supposed to go.

Me

I’m okay, but we have a small problem.

Wait, I undersold that.

Big problem…big mess. I need you to come back here.

I slump on the couch, burying my face in my hands. My cheek is still caked with drying blood. I do my best to mop it off with the back of my hand. It’s no use. I’m going to need a thorough shower.

Lance

Unlock the door. I’m on my way.

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