Page 36 of Stalk

Mattia laughs, and it’s such a pleasant sound that my skin breaks out in goosebumps. “Four sisters. One has a baby on the way.”

Wow. As an only child, I can’t even imagine what that must be like. “That’s… a lot.”

He nods.“Sì, è molto.We all live together, too. I am the oldest, so I have my hands full.”

His accent becomes thicker the more he drinks, and I can’t help but think it’s cute. Funny how I was pissed off at him only two minutes ago, and now I’m gushing over how fondly he talks about his family.“You all… live together?”

“Yeah,” he says roughly. “It has been like that in my family for generations.”

I smile to myself, even though I’m somewhat envious. I’ve never had anything like that. “That sounds nice. I’m sure it can be overwhelming at times, but I would give anything to have a family.”

Mattia’s striking eyes bore into mine, and I stop breathing. I almost expect him to start asking me a million questions again, but instead, he says, “Maybe you will have one someday. If we can figure out the deal with your cunty boss.”

I choke on a laugh, taken aback by his vulgarity. “Yeah, maybe.” Another question pops into my mind, and I can’t help but ask, “Is your family in the same business as you?” It seems like they would almost have to be with him being so close to them.

“I shouldn’t answer that, but fuck it. I’m drunk and can feel bad about it in the morning.” He sighs and waves a hand into theair like he’s dismissing his own worries. “Yes. My family is my company.”

Oh.“So, your sisters do what you do? And your aunt and mother?”

“Not quite. Zìa—my aunt—runs the company in place of my father, seeing as I was only a child when he passed. The head of the company is supposed to be run by a male. It’s a stupid tradition, but it’s not one I see changing any time soon. Women are not supposed to do the messy work. Instead, they run the business side of things. We have others outside of my immediate family who do what I do.”

“Interesting.”

Mattia puts out his smoke and flicks it over the side of the balcony. I want to berate him for littering, but I decide to let it slide. I put my cigarette butt in my pocket. Whatever. He polishes off the rest of his drink, so I do the same. Once his glass is set down on the ground, he places his elbows on his knees and leans forward with a serious expression.

“One last question. For tonight, anyway.”

“What is it?” My heart races because of the way he’s looking at me. He’s only about a foot away from me now, and I have to resist the urge to lean in, too.

“Do you think your mother was killed accidentally, or on purpose?”

I swallow down the painful knot that comes to life at the back of my throat. “Catherine, my boss,saidit was an accident. That she was killed onsite of a high-profile assignment.”

Mattia clicks his tongue. “Do you believe that?”

“No. I don’t.” I’ve never admitted it to myself, but I knew my mother better than anyone, aside from her secret life, and she was not a person to make mistakes. She was calculated. Precise. Every single thing she ever did was well thought outand executed properly. There’s no way she would have made a mistake that would have put her life in danger like that.

“Let’s go inside,” Mattia says abruptly, standing up quickly and swaying a little on his way to the door.

I grab my glass, as well as his, because he didn’t bother to bring it with him, and follow him inside. After setting the glasses down on the bar, I turn back around and find Mattia lounging half-propped up in the middle of the bed. I take a few steps toward him, then stand in front of him, unsure about whether I’m allowed to sit down beside him or if that would be inappropriate. Overthinking every action, as usual.

“Don’t be weird,” Mattia growls. “You can sit down. Why do youdo that?”

My brow furrows. “Do what?”

Mattia’s head falls back and he groans. “Doubt. Every. Single. Thing. You. Do.”

I sit down on the bed beside him. “It’s just how I am,” I admit softly.

“Mi stai facendo impazzire,”he mutters.

“Huh?”

“I am drunk and you are making me mad.”

It’s kind of endearing to know his thoughts, drunk or not. I know that I get on his nerves. That was apparent from the moment we ran into each other. Before I know what’s happening, I start laughing my ass off.

“What is sofunny?”

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