Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
SERENITY
Nico spent nearly all his free time with me.
If he wasn’t at practice or a game, he was taking me out or we were holed up at his place doing homework.
Since he and my dad couldn’t stand each other, it was easier for him to just pick me up and rarely come inside.
My father wasn’t above sitting on the couch, arms crossed, watching us watch movies.
One of the times I invited Nico over to study and he accepted turned out to be a big mistake.
Dad refused to let us work in my room, so we ended up in the gaming room.
The long desk was perfect for spreading out books, but not so perfect when Dad poked his head in every thirty minutes.
The second Nico leaned in to kiss me, Dad’s voice blared over the intercom.
It was clear he was watching us on the surveillance camera.
That was the last time Nico came over.
After that, I just went to his house. My bodyguards would sit in the SUV for hours, watching the place. One time, Javier even waited in the sitting room until I came back down. Mortifying.
Nico lost it when he found out about the two guys I messed around with before we got serious. Beat the hell out of them. Said he’d cut their hands off if they ever touched me again.
Until he learned I did all the work. They barely touched me.
He was quiet on the ride home that day, jaw tight, muttering to himself. “How did I miss that?” he kept asking. “That should’ve never happened. No one’s supposed to touch you but me.”
That was the moment I realized how deep this thing ran. He wasn’t just protective—he was possessive. Territorial. And madly in love with me.
Still, he broke their arms for even breathing in my direction. Told them I’d always been his.
My boyfriend was a real-life psychopath.
Then there was Lorna. She disappeared for a couple of weeks, then returned like she’d been out sick.
Her face and neck were marked with fading bruises.
When I saw her at her locker, she didn’t even look at me.
The same girl who used to throw slick comments in my face now avoided my gaze like I might end her.
All she said was, “I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to call you fat.” Then she walked away. Head low. I almost felt bad. Almost.
I planned to check on her. I don’t like broken girls staying broken.
Nico took care of me nearly every other day.
My sex drive was high, and he was more than ready to meet every need I had.
He knew what I liked, and how I liked it.
The night he cooked for me? Unforgettable.
The way he looked at me when he said he loved me—it wrecked me in the best way. Nico Pitucco loves me.
I couldn’t believe we’d been together six months. It felt surreal. In the fall, Nico would leave for college. I’d be a senior.
But I already planned to be present on that campus. Real present. Those thirsty groupies would know one thing for sure—Nico Pitucco belonged to me.
One evening during cheer practice, I tell Melissa I have something for her in my locker. Half of the football cheer team also cheers for the lacrosse team.
I jog back inside, heading down the hallway near the band room.
Voices carry through the metal lockers. That’s when I freeze.
It’s Nico’s.
“Mind your fucking business,” he spits.
My stomach drops. I creep closer, hiding behind a row of lockers.
Rod’s voice follows, smug. “You were never supposed to join the pool.”
Pool? My chest tightens. What pool?
“You’re mad because she’s my fucking woman,” Nico snaps. “Get over it. If you ever thought I’d let you have what’s always been mine, you’re out of your fucking mind.”
My pulse hammers in my ears. Something isn’t clicking.
Rod’s tone turns razor sharp. “What happens when you humiliate her in front of the school? Don’t worry, I’ll be there to pick up the broken pieces.”
Humiliate who? My throat closes.
A sudden crash—then a groan. Someone has been struck.
“Touch her and I’ll gut you like a fish,” Nico growls.
“But you won’t,” Rod says smugly. “Too many cameras, you fucking mobster.”
Another crash. Another blow. More groans echo down the hall.
Rod’s laugh slithers through the hall. “You won the bet, Nico. Kissed her. Fucked her. Made her fall in love with you. But that look of hurt on her face? You’ll have to live with that forever.”
A bet.
The words hollow me out from the inside.
He made a bet? Took my virginity on a fucking dare?
Nico didn’t deny it. Not once.
My body shakes, rage clawing at my skin. My heart splinters, but I refuse to break down here in the hallway. Not where they can see me.
I spin on my heel and storm toward the student store, fingers flying across my phone screen.
Me: Javier, bring Fitz. Meet me at the student store.
Javier: On our way.
They arrive within minutes, eyes sharp, hands ready.
“What’s going on?” Javier asks.
“Don’t let anyone in,” I order, voice cold as ice.
“No problem,” Javier and Fitz answer in unison.
I key in the code and step into the dark office. Flick on the lights. My hands don’t shake. Not yet. The tears I swallow burn my throat, but they won’t fall. Not until I’m done.
A smile curves my lips as I walk to the intercom.
I press the mic.
“Good evening, lacrosse team and cheerleaders. Is it weird that my boyfriend has massive amounts of hair in weird places. Total Wolfman Jack vibes. Dude shaves more than I do. And yes, ladies, that includes down there. He needs a hot wax to take care of it. Oh, and Nico Pitucco, we’re over.
If you as much as look my way, my bodyguards will break your face. ”
“Serenity,” Nico’s voice thunders from outside the door.
I smile, venom sweet on my tongue. “Go team.”
I kill the mic, flick off the lights, and step outside.
The door closes behind me. I notice my cheer coach, Mrs. Sparks, and lacrosse coach, Jim, to my left.
Straight ahead, Javier has Nico in a brutal arm lock, his lacrosse uniform stained with sweat. Nico’s eyes burn when they find me—wild, desperate, dangerous.
“What are you doing, Serenity?” he roars.
“I’m putting an end to us,” I say coolly. “Since you won the bet and planned to break my heart. I heard your little talk with Rod.”
He thrashes in Javier’s hold, veins straining in his neck. “Stop. Serenity, I love you. Just let me explain—”
The pain on his face almost makes me falter. Almost.
“You got my heart and my virginity,” I spit. “Bravo, Nico. Bravo.” I lean close, whispering against his ear, “You fucked the fat cheerleader. Hope it was worth it.”
“Stop, Serenity,” he begs. “I love you. Just let me explain—”
His face crumples. He looks broken. Good.
“You fucked with the wrong bitch. I’m not like any of the girls you dated. They don’t have my reach. I’m a fucking mafia princess.”
I bring my knee up hard into his crotch.
He doubles over, a strangled grunt escaping. Javier chuckles as Fitz raises his phone, recording.
The coaches shout, but they don’t step forward. They know better.
I crouch so Nico has no choice but to meet my eyes. “Due to the broken arm, the lacrosse season is over. And college football? You’ll be watching from the sidelines.”
“Javier.” My voice is sharp as steel.
Coach Jim yells. “No.”
The crack of bone echoes down the hallway as Javier breaks Nico’s arm.
His scream fills the space, raw and ugly.
“Lesson learned,” I whisper, standing tall. “Don’t ever fuck over Serenity Cichello.”