Chapter 16 #2
How could I not be a better…be a better what, Serenity? You’re not his friend or his woman. My heart aches at the last realization. He’s your ex-boyfriend who you occasionally fuck.
“How are you handling it?” I ask.
“Let’s see, my brother’s the boss now. And I have to keep my nose clean until I graduate next year.”
My brows pinch together. “I thought you were graduating this year.”
“I have to handle some business that will require me to attend school part-time.”
“Is that the business you talked to Sergio about?” I push.
“Yes, Sergio and my grandfather will assist me.”
“You must be into some heavy shit to involve your grandfather,” Fitz adds.
Nico releases a dry chuckle, “Your bodyguards are the biggest ear hustlers.”
Javier glances at Nico briefly through the rearview mirror. “Our job is to protect Serenity with our lives, so if you have heat on you, we need to know now. I’ll have to call in reinforcement.”
Nico brings the back of my hand to his lips. “My priority is to keep Serenity safe.”
My body heats and my heart races at the same time.
I try snatching my hand away, but he doesn’t let me.
“I’m not your priority, Nico.”
“One day your stubborn ass will see just how much of a priority you are to me.”
Suddenly, it feels too hot in here. I want to run. That’s what I do best. Not face my problems head-on. Right now, I run from the man who once loved me and from my enemies. But one day soon I’ll stand and fight.
“After I graduate, I plan to make my own moves,” I admit.
Those who hurt my family would feel my wrath. If I die in the process, I don’t care. I have to keep my mother and Krew safe.
“Will you become the mafia queen of the Cichellos?”
I glance at Nico and smirk. “Yes.”
The thought of returning to Delaware makes my skin crawl.
Nico leans into my ear. “Always remember, your enemies are my enemies.”
Does he know what happened to me?
“It’s only a matter of time before we kill Chris.”
My shoulders relax. “It is.”
Nico pulls back as Javier comes to a stop.
I want to know what business he spoke to Sergio about.
“The business must be very dangerous to get help from two heavy hitters.”
“It is. There’s a lot of torture and killing involved.” He opens the door and helps me out of the SUV.
I realize if I push too hard, he won’t tell me anything. Maybe I should get him drunk tonight.
Nico pulls off his beanie, shoving it into the pocket of his navy pea coat.
Inching up on my tiptoes, I run my fingers through his mess of curls. He’ll interpret my touch as a sign of affection.
I’m happy his curls are back. I smile on the inside.
“We made a great team today,” he says, his large hand brushing smoothly along my hip.
“Yeah, we did.”
He was right. We stood on business against that asshole. Chris might be protected by the Bratva, but it’s just a matter of time before Nico and I get to him.
“We’ll have to take out his protection at some point.”
“We will. But we’ll wait a while and strike when they least expect it.” He kisses my cheek.
“Be sure to find a dress for dinner tonight.”
“And PJ’s to sleep in,” I say.
“Lingerie, preferably,” he adds.
Of course he wants me to wear lingerie.
“It’s that time of the month. I’m buying PJs.”
He shrugs. “Okay.”
“We are in a sex agreement. There won’t be any.”
He grips my cheeks. “I’ll come down your throat.”
I stare at his pink lips, wishing he could eat my pussy.
His thick brows lower as he releases me. “I’ve fucked you while you were on your period a few times. If you don’t want to have sex tonight, just say that.”
I turn on my heel and stride toward the nearest luxury clothing store. Fitz holds the door open. Nico’s right behind me.
This is what happens when you fuck your ex-boyfriend who knows everything about you.
I glower as I browse the clothes hanging on a rack along the back wall. “Nico, after college I’m starting my life over.”
He exhales. “Is that so?”
“Yes, I’m taking time for myself. Then I’ll look into settling down.”
He chuckles. “Take time for yourself. My promise still stands. I will eliminate any man who tries to fuck you.”
I ignore his threat and continue selecting clothes to try on.
Two hours later, Nico and my bodyguards carry my bags to the SUV.
“Javier, Serenity and I are taking a walk through Central Park,” Nico tells him.
He nods.
Why is he insisting we spend time together outside the bedroom today?
I’ll give him a pass since we’re in New York.
As we stroll through the park, Miff places a bag of birdseed in his hand.
I stick my hand out. Nico chuckles as he pours a generous amount of birdseed into my palm.
“I saw the faces you made about walking through the park. Look who’s happy now.”
I laugh. “So what? I love watching the birds eat.”
Standing near the fountain, I toss seeds on the ground. Pigeons surround Nico and me, pecking away at the seeds.
Nico’s gaze lingers on my side profile, but this time it feels different. There’s no possessiveness—only tenderness. Maybe he hopes we can give our relationship another chance.
But I can’t risk trusting him not to hurt me again. The way things are now feels safe; he can’t cause me pain.
And I refuse to be the one who hurts him.
His big hand squeezes my neck. I don’t shy away from his touch. Deep down, I need it. Why did I get wrapped up in him again?
I will cherish this time we spend together because in two years we won’t see each other anymore.
“You two make a gorgeous couple,” an older woman says to my right.
“Thank you,” Nico pipes up.
Probably because he knows I’ll tell the woman, we aren’t a couple.
But I surprise myself today. “Thank you.”
Nico doesn’t puff his chest out or take advantage of the situation. He pours more birdseed in my hand. We enjoy this peaceful time together in the park.