Page 26 of Stalk

I guess I have no choice but to fill her in now. Oh well. Better than staying in bed and drowning in my thoughts, I guess.

“Ciao, Zìa,”I say after answering. My voice sounds wrong, even to me. Deeper and more gravelly than normal.

She wastes no time cutting to the chase.“Stai bene?”

I sigh roughly. “I’m okay, Zìa, but something odd happened last night.”

Zìa listens as I give her the play by play of running into Ren at Helena’s, and everything that occurred after. She is unusually quiet throughout my story. She doesn’t ask any questions. When I’m finished, I listen closely as she hums, waiting impatiently for her to speak.

Finally, she says,“Beh, merda.” Well, shit.

Yeah, that about sums up my thoughts, too.“Mi dispiace. Non so cosa fare…”I admit.

“This is a first for me, too, Mattia.” Zìa sighs. “I will have to do some research. What did this person look like? How old?”

I clench my teeth together as blood rushes into my cheeks at the thought of Ren. My dick twitches again, and I’m absolutely horrified. I squeeze my eyes shut and pinch my arm, hoping the small dose of pain will snap me out of whatever the fuck I’m going through right now.

“Uh, young. Younger than me, I’d say. Asian and something else, I think. A mix. He is tall, only several centimeters shorter than me. Black hair, green eyes.”

“Tattoos? Scars?” Zìa presses.

I shake my head. “Not that I noticed.”

She grows quiet on the line again, and I hold my breath. I expect her to send me back home, and I would be thankful if so. I never had any issues like this back in Italy.

You also never jacked off to the thought of a man back in Italy,I think.

Fuck. Can’t think about that now.

“You still have several assignments left in the states, so there is no use coming home,” Zìa says slowly, freaking me out as usual because sometimes, I swear she can read my mind.God, I hope not.“If you felt threatened by this other person, I would have you come home, but I also know you are more than capableof taking care of yourself. “I don’t know if not taking out this man is wise. I guess we will find out once I know more. In the meantime, continue with your work, and do not seek this man out.”

“Yes, Zìa,” I say. I had a feeling she would say that, which is why I conveniently left out the fact that I gave Ren my card last night. It’s not like he’s going to use it, anyway.

“If you happen to see him again, tell me immediately. I will keep my phone by my bed while you are away. Have Marco stay by your side more than usual. Be on the lookout. I do not want anything happening to you while you are there. Otherwise, yourmammawill kill me.”

I smile at that, because it’s true. My mother may not be active in our work, but she is a typical mother lion and very protective of her children. My heart aches slightly, homesickness setting in. “I understand, Zìa. I will be careful.”

“Bene.I will be in touch if and when I find more out about this mystery man. Call me if you need anything,nipote.”

“I will, Zìa.Ti amo.”

“Anch’io ti amo.”

With that, I end the call. I toss my cell phone on the bedside table and fall back onto the mattress with a groan. My next assignment is only a few days away. I have work to do. Plus, I have that date tonight with Rachel…damn it!I wonder if I should cancel.

No. No, I won’t do that. Waking up in my horny state and getting off to Ren in my mind doesn’t mean anything. It’s probably because of everything that happened last night. That’s all. I haven’t had a date in a long time. Even if it doesn’t turn into anything sexual, it might still be nice to talk with a pretty woman over a nice dinner.

Marco parks a block and a half away from the Italian restaurant where I’m meeting Rachel in five minutes. She reassured me via text that the place isn’t American Italian, and that it’s as genuine as you can get in America. I’m not totally convinced, but I’ll be happy with whatever.

I’m dressed to impress tonight, with a pressed pair of navy blue slacks and a crisp white button down shirt that shows off my muscles. Hell, I even put a little product in my hair to tame my rowdy waves.

Marco shoots me a look that tells me he’s finding my nervousness hilarious. His eyebrows raise and his mouth turns into a smirk.

“Che cosa?”I bark.

“You look very nice,ragazzo.Think you’ll get lucky?” Marco asks with a laugh.

I glare at him and grip the door handle. “It’s just a date, Marco. It doesn’t always have to be about sex.”

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