Untitled
After passing through the gates of the Chicello estate, I step out of my car and knock on the door. My two bodyguards, Lune and Vex, exit the SUV and stand ready.
Lune, twenty-two years old and standing six foot three, has broad shoulders that could bring a man down before he knows what hit him.
His long brown dreads are tied back in a ponytail, framing a scowling hickory-toned face.
Rarely does he smile around strangers, but behind closed doors, he’s talkative with the other guards.
His brown eyes flick toward Vex before sweeping the perimeter—my bodyguards never let their guard down.
As Vex leans on the dark SUV, he keeps a hand close to his firearm in the shoulder holster.
He often insists we must be prepared for war at any moment, anywhere.
Despite being only twenty, he treats his job with utmost seriousness.
He’s saving for a house for his family. His mother returned to Sicily a few months ago to take care of his grandmother.
She’s on leave of absence from her job. He plans to move his grandmother to the U.S.
so his mother doesn’t have to worry about losing her job.
She mostly speaks Italian when she calls, keeping him sharp since he seldom visits.
In the mafia underworld, Italian is essential, and all my bodyguards are fluent.
Vex’s six-foot-two frame steps forward. His short brown hair stays close to his scalp. His gray eyes narrow sharply while he waits for someone to answer the door—ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
The front door swings open. “Mr. Pitucco, please come in,” the butler announces.
I give a nod to my men, signaling it’s all clear.
“I can come with you, Nico,” Vex offers.
“I’ll manage,” I answer, stepping into the vestibule.
“Follow me,” the butler instructs.
Maybe Serenity’s in the kitchen.
I picture the look on her beautiful face now.
Anger. Irritation.
The butler gestures toward the basement stairs. “Mr. Cichello will see you now.”
I nod, exhaling slowly. Has Mr. Cichello scared off every boy who’s tried to date his daughter?
I descend the stairs and take in the sprawling man cave. My gaze fixes on a man gagged and tied to a chair by the steps. I stride past him and stop beside Mr. Cichello, who’s loading his weapon.
“What do you want with my daughter?” he demands.
“I’m here to take my girlfriend on a date,” I say, steady and unflinching.
He’s not used to boys standing their ground. I’m a future mafia boss; I don’t cower for anyone.
“My sixteen-year-old daughter doesn’t date,” he snaps.
He’s acting like she’s fourteen. I knew kids who went on dates in middle school. Seems her dad’s overly protective.
I shrug. “She dates no one but me. The future mafia boss of the Pitucco family.”
“You little wise guy,” he sneers.
“I’m a wise guy who knows how to keep Serenity safe. Any enemies my crew and I should be worried about?” I ask.
He chuckles. “No more than the usual.”
“And your family?” he asks.
“For now, no more than the usual.”
That meant just a few enemies had our families in their sights. Nothing we couldn’t handle.
He snickers again. “Every kid who steps into this house leaves with his tail between his legs.”
“I can’t be a coward if I’m protecting your daughter.” I pull back my letterman jacket to reveal the Glock in my waist holster.
“I run errands for my dad sometimes. I rough guys up, but he hasn’t let me torture anyone yet.”
If Rod kept up his crap, he might be my first.
“Good to know you’re sharp. But my daughter’s not home.”
What the hell?
“Where is she?”
“Mr. Wise Guy, that’s for me to know and you to find out,” he chuckles again.
Her father’s clearly enjoying this.
“Pleasure meeting you, Mr. Cichello. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
He grins. “You sure about that, Nico?”
I flash a cocky smirk. “Absolutely.”
Five minutes later, I’m on the phone with Jayden. “I need you to call Melissa?”
“Why?”
“I think Serenity’s with her.”
He chuckles before bringing her on the line. “What’s up, Jayden?”
“What are you up to?” he asks.
“Me, Noré, and Serenity are heading into the theater.”
“Which movie again?” Jayden asks.
“Cougars Inc.”
“All right, talk to you later.”
“Bye,” she replies before hanging up.
Fortunately, there’s just one theater close by that most of the kids at our high school usually go to.
“I’ll see you there,” Jayden says.
“Sweating much?” I ask.
“Not enough. She’ll be thrilled when I show up, anyway. Gotta know your girl, bro.”
I chuckle. “Whatever.”
About fifteen minutes later, Jayden and I buy tickets to get into the theater and find our girls.
We step into the dim glow of the theater, the air thick with the crunch of popcorn and the slurp of sodas.
I squint until I spot Serenity’s silhouette.
Jayden and I move toward their row; he slips past the girls and sinks into the seat beside Melissa.
I drop into the seat next to Serenity, casually draping my arm over the back of her chair.
Noré, who’s sitting between Melissa and Serenity, shakes her head and turns back to the screen. Serenity gasps, her eyes locking on me. “What are you doing here?”
“Watching a movie with my girl. You tried to ditch our date. We’re going to dinner right after.”
“No,” she snaps sharply. “Shush,” a voice hisses from behind us.
I glance back with a smirk. “Don’t shush my woman.
” The guy grumbles but settles back into his seat.
I lean close to Serenity’s ear, whispering, “You’re going to pay for that stunt today.
” She shudders beside me, eyes glued to the screen.
I adore how she reacts—my woman wants me.
Soon enough, I’ll give her exactly what she craves.
An hour into the movie, after several attempts to move my arm from her chair, she finally tires and accepts it’s not going anywhere.
Everyone in this damn theater will know she’s mine.
When the credits roll, I entwine our fingers and pull her up, practically dragging her out as she kicks and screams. “Ni-co, let me go,” she growls through clenched teeth.
I toss her trash in the garbage can, tuning out her rant. People nearby watch and whisper as my girlfriend acts like I have fucking cooties.
Pulling her into my side, my nose grazes her ear. “Quit pretending you don’t want me to touch you. The more you resist, the more I’ll do it. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to touch you exactly where you want if you behave like a good girl.” I chuckle, pressing my lips softly to her cheek.
Kids from school walking into the theater grin, wave, and call out, “Oh my God, I can’t believe Nico is actually in a relationship.”
I run a hand over the back of my neck.
It’s just six months that you’re in-in-in a relationship.
Serenity’s gray eyes bore into the side of my face as we near the exit.
“What is it?” I hiss.
She wiggles her button nose in that way I fucking adore, though I’d never confess it to her.
“Something’s off with you,” she says, looking at me through long brown lashes. Serenity tosses her thick brown waves over one shoulder, shaking that heart-shaped face.
Her full, pink bow-shaped lips press into a line. She’s breathtaking—and all mine. I’d never let Rod lay his filthy hands on my woman.
Yeah, you claimed her because you didn’t want another guy to have her. Call it selfish. So what?
“You know what? I’m not interested in hearing it. Let go of my hand. I want to talk to my friends.”
A group of girls from the cheer squad approaches Serenity, Noré, and Melissa.
Jayden grins like the Cheshire Cheetah, his arm locked firmly around his girl’s neck. And my girl is trying to slip away from me as fast as she can. I know exactly why she’s running. She doesn’t want to surrender to me.
Four of my teammates step into the theater.
I grip Serenity’s hand tighter, dragging her close against my chest. Her eyes widen like saucers.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
I cup her face with one hand, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze on us. My lips press down onto hers, soft and warm, staking my claim for all to witness. By Monday at school, everyone will know she’s mine.
Serenity’s hand pushes against my chest as I deepen the kiss she’s fighting hard to resist. I nibble on her lips, coaxing her to let my tongue in. Her body melts against me, finally giving in. Her hungry lips part, and I slide my tongue inside, claiming her completely.
“Get a room!” someone shouts.
Serenity’s eyes snap open, and she pulls away.
I smirk and let go. She stumbles back but quickly finds her footing.
Noré grabs her arm, pulling her into the circle. Her teammates bombard her with questions about the kiss.
Vick strides over. “Hey Nico, what’s going on?”
“Nothing much. Just out with my girlfriend. We’re heading to dinner.”
He nods approvingly. “Nice one, Pitucco. Catch you at practice.”
Four hundred points already banked for that kiss.
From across the lobby, Lorna shoots me a fierce glare. She looks pissed. But why? We’re not together. Never will be. Maybe she’s jealous of Serenity. Her friend Daniella yanks her arm, pulling her toward the concession stand.
“Trouble in paradise,” Rod sneers beside me.
“Fuck off, Rod.”
“Serenity’s way out of your league.”
I spin on him. “Mind your fucking business, Rod.”
Katy clamps a hand on his arm, eyes wide and gray. “Come on, Rod. The movie’s about to start.”
He mumbles, surrenders, and walks away.
I glance at the circle of cheerleaders swarming Serenity, firing off questions about her new relationship.
I stalk toward the group, scowling. “Alright, ladies, I’m taking your friend. We’re going on our date.” I grab Serenity’s hand.
“We’re not going out,” she says through clenched teeth.
“Tell your friends goodbye,” I insist.
Serenity exhales. “Goodbye. See you Monday at practice.”
“Bye, Serenity,” the girls chorus.
“They’re so cute together,” Noré comments.
Outside, I lead Serenity to my car.
“I’ll follow you in mine,” she offers.
I say nothing.
As I draw near, I give a nod to her bodyguards, Fitz and Javier. “Serenity and I are going out. See that her car makes it home.”
Javier, her lead guard, glances at Serenity. “You’re going on a date? With him?” She shakes her head. “It’s not a date.” I entwine our fingers. “Catch you at the restaurant, guys.”
She tries to pull her hand free. “The more you resist, the more I’ll hold on.” Another eye-roll from her. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with.” Serenity thinks she can shake me off. Not until the school year ends.