Chapter 22
Lucio
I should have told my brother about Princess. Should have . But I didn’t because there’s a curiosity that’s stopping me from telling Emiliano the truth. A curiosity that burns deep in the pit of my stomach.
Sliding into my car, I look through my messages, but find no new ones from my little stalker.
Strange .
Shutting my phone, I slide it into the cup holder and head to my apartment.
I thought she would have taken the bait after the little stunt I pulled last night.
But I guess I thought wrong. A light drizzle starts to pour over New York; the streets begin to gleam with the slick wetness of the rain.
I turn up “Party Monster” by the Weeknd, the bass drumming against the speaker with vengeance.
Easing the car to a slow stop, I throw my keys at the valet before quickly heading up to my apartment.
I’m not sure how to feel about the things that have taken place the past couple of weeks, with me finding out the true identity of my stalker and the reason for those other women’s deaths.
And the fact that I chose to keep her secret is all confusing me.
I don’t even know why the hell I care about the reason she’s doing all of this. I really shouldn’t be entertaining the thought of keeping her hidden from everyone, or even the thought of trying to figure her out.
She’s like a puzzle. A beautiful, dark, and twisted puzzle that makes me question everything I’ve known my entire life, and I’m not sure if I hate it.
The door to my apartment swings open, and I throw my phone on the couch before heading to my bedroom and throwing on a pair of gray sweats and a half-sleeved matching shirt.
I sink into the plush couch cushions that face the windows, the city sprawled out in front of me.
I should be angry at the fact that my stalker thinks that I belong to her, that I’m someone who can be kept, someone who can be controlled.
But what she doesn’t realize is I’m more volatile than acid, and I will burn everything I touch.
I snatch my phone, eager to find out more about her. So I text the only person I know who can find information on anyone . Even though he did fail to find her .
But she’s different , isn’t she?
Me:
Yo, Matteo.
I need you to find something about someone.
Matteo
No.
Me
Why not, asshole?
You don’t even know who I’m asking you to find info about.
Matteo
I don’t need to know because the answer is no.
Me
Whyyyyy?
Matteo
Because it’s a waste of my time.
Me
I’ll just keep annoying you ’til you do what I want.
Matteo:
…
Me
Is that a yes?
I’m taking that as a yes.
I need you to find out what you can about a girl named Princess. She was at the charity ball from a month ago.
Matteo
Lucio…I’m not finding anything out for you.
Me
Just do it. It won’t cost you anything, and you’ll be helping out your favorite brother.
Matteo
I don’t have favorites, least of all you.
Her name is Princess Gambi, she’s 21, she’s the niece of Stefano Gambi and the granddaughter to a former Yakuza member, Ren Yoshida. And in simple terms, off fucking limits and a red line that you cannot go near.
I don’t respond to my brother. Instead, I reread the information he’s just given me.
Interesting .
My phone starts to ring. Rolling my eyes, I debate whether to pick up the call.
“What do you want, Matteo?”
“I want to make sure you understand that you cannot under any circumstances go near this girl. She’s danger with a red, glaring warning sign. I’m telling you Lucio. You can’t risk being involved with her in any shape or form.”
“Don’t you have a fiancée to worry about? Leave me alone.” I quickly end the call.
The little shit thinks he has a say in what I do. Like anyone does.
As I open the last conversation with Princess, my thumb hovers over the text box. I quickly type out a message and send it before I change my mind.
Me
I see you’ve lost interest…
Text bubbles appear before they disappear again. That happens a couple of times before she does send through a message.
Little Stalker
You know my life doesn’t revolve around you.
Feisty. I love when they have a bite to them. It’s always fun to break them.
Me
Oh, my mistake.
I thought the fact that you’ve been stalking me and killing anyone who comes near me was a sign that you’re more than just interested.
Little Stalker
Don’t be an asshole.
I’ve just been busy.
Me
Dreaming of me?
Little Stalker
I never thought I’d say this, but…
You’re annoying.
Me
I guess it’s better to watch me from afar and not get too close.
Little Stalker
Exactly. Your pretty until you open your mouth.
Me
You think I’m pretty?
Little Stalker
If you don’t stop, I’ll block you.
I let out a laugh of disbelief. My own fucking stalker is threatening to block me. If that isn’t irony at its finest, then I don’t know what the hell is. I know I’m testing my limit here, but I decide to call her.
The phone rings. Ring. Ring. And just when I think she’s going to let it ring ’til it goes to voicemail, she picks up.
“What?” she snaps over the phone.
Fuck, her voice is even sexier than I remember.
Am I nervous? No. There’s no fucking way she makes me nervous.
“I just wanted to hear your voice. Is it such a crime?” I decide to tease her, and she lets out an irritated sigh in response.
“Lucio.”
“Yes?” I wait for what she’s going to say, but it’s not what I expect.
“Fuck off.”
“I was expecting a love confession, you know,” I tell her, resting my head against the headrest of the couch.
“Well, you’re more stupid than I took you for,” she bites back.
“Ouch. And here I thought you were obsessed with me.”
She sighs again, this time more impatient. “Just because I find you interesting doesn’t mean I find you smart.”
“You didn’t tell me that you’re the niece of Stefano Gambi.” I slip that little fact in.
She seems to pause for a beat considering what I might mean by bringing up her uncle.
She clears her throat before asking, “Why would I tell you who my uncle is?”