Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
SERENITY
My friends begged me to come out tonight.
Said they knew of a couple of great parties.
Both near Penn State. Shit, I didn’t want to see Nico right now.
Not because I didn’t want to see his handsome face.
But because all I did was remind him, we could never be a couple again.
It’s quite clear Nico is a sick addiction I struggle to shake.
I told myself I’d stay away from him. It’s one big lie I tell myself.
The moment I’m in his presence, I can’t stay off his dick.
Good thing he’s graduating next month. He’ll start working for his family’s corporation.
Nico will be too busy to think about me.
After a long soak in a bubble bath, I take a piping hot shower. The dress I choose for tonight is shiny, short, gold and flows around my curvy frame.
I tap the contact on my phone as I peer at my reflection. The phone rings once.
“Yes,” his voice booms through the speaker, filling the space.
“What’s he doing?”
“He’s talking to a handful of football players.”
“What are they doing?” I ask.
He’s used to me calling the women they.
“Watching, snickering…” he pauses.
“Bets, I’m listening.”
“Boss, they are talking about fucking him.”
“Send me their pics.”
“Consider it done,” he says.
“Text me with updates every thirty minutes.”
“You got it,” Bets says.
I disconnect the call.
Nico has someone watching me, and I have Bets watching him.
My heart races in my chest at the idea of seeing Nico tonight.
The last time we were together, I felt alive.
I always feel alive with him. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be in a relationship with him again.
We were good together once. I place a hand over my chest and take a deep breath. Fuck, I’m hyperventilating.
Serenity, no. You can never fully trust him again.
I blow out a cleansing breath as my stilettos clink against the floor, carrying me through the living room and out the front door.
My bodyguards lead the way through the crowd at my first party of the night.
“Serenity,” Vi hollers, waving her hand.
I smile and wave back as I approach my small group of friends. My bodyguards stand off to the side, giving me space.
“So mad y’all dragged me out my bed tonight,” I say before hugging each of them.
Pera shouts over the music. “Bitch, no, you’re not. We’re going to have a great time.”
“You look good, girl.” Laneesha smiles.
A big smile lifts my cheeks. “Thanks,” I say, doing a dramatic twirl.
“Nico’s tongue will be on the floor when he sees you,” Nila adds.
My smile fades and the lie forms on my tongue. “I don’t want to see him.”
Vi grips my wrist briefly. “You don’t have to lie to us. We saw the way you look at him and the way he drools over you.”
Sweat beads at my temples. Shit. I pat my forehead dry.
“It’s better to tell myself I don’t want anything to do with him.”
Pera's smile disappears. “I think a small part of you dies inside when you’re not with him.”
I take a step back and chuckle. “He’s my ex-boyfriend for a reason.”
“Girl, the man is in love with you,” Laneesha points out.
A part of me still loves him.
“I will walk away from him in the near future.”
Their sad gazes move over my face.
“Yes, I’m going to that party,” a woman next to us shouts.
She’s dancing against the wall while chatting with her friends.
“Nico Pitucco is sexy as hell. If he’s lucky, I’ll sit on his face and let him eat me out.”
My fists curl at my sides. The urge to wrap my hands around her neck is strong. I feel my nostrils flare.
They snicker and clink their red cups in the air.
Vi places an arm in front of me, halting my movements. “Where are you going, Serenity?”
I blink twice to control the feral beast inside.
“Nowhere.” I flash a fake smile at my friends.
“You were going after those women,” she points out.
“I get a little jealous when it comes to Nico.” Raising a hand, I say, “I know that makes me territorial of my ex.”
Vi’s face softens. “It shows how deeply you love him. You don’t want him to be with other women, but at the same time, you won’t give him a second chance.”
My smile rises and falls. “I know.”
“I knew you loved him.” Nila dances in place.
Staring into their eyes, I add, “This is just between us.”
They sigh and roll their eyes. “Fine,” they each say.
The girls want Nico and I to live happily ever after.
I hold an imaginary cup to my lips as I stare at Fitz. He nods and walks toward the kitchen.
“Must be nice to have a personal security detail,” Pera states.
“It’s good and bad,” I say. “But I’ve learned to embrace my bodyguards. They’re like family.”
“Vi and I will get our drinks,” Laneesha says.
Nila grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor.
Dancing keeps my mind off the woman who wants to sit on Nico’s face. For now, anyway.
Twenty minutes and two drinks later, I notice the woman has disappeared. She’s heading to Nico’s party, I’m sure.
“Ladies, are you ready to go to the next party?” I ask.
“Yes,” they shout thrusting their red cups in the air.
The girls and I are surrounded by my bodyguards as we step into the mansion.
The vibe is totally different from the last party.
It’s elegant, yet still carries that unmistakable college party energy.
To my left, a massive ballroom stretches out.
The DJ calls out to the Penn State cheer team, and just thinking about seeing their faces tonight makes me smile.
They have no clue I sent mice to their dorms because they fucked Nico.
As we weave deeper into the crowd, guys flock to my friends, but not a single one tries to flirt with me. Why’s that? I wouldn’t be shocked if Nico put out the word that I’m off-limits.
“Girls, I’ll be right back,” I call over my shoulder.
“We’ll be here,” Nila replies, locking eyes with a guy I recognize from the football games. He’s one of Nico’s teammates.
I sense eyes tracking me as I head toward the kitchen. Scrolling through pictures on my phone of the women Nico talked to tonight, I see plenty to mess with. A quiet laugh escapes me.
The rich aroma of pasta drifts through the air. Vodka first, then food.
“If you’re searching for Nico, he headed upstairs with Fefe.” Her words make me freeze.
I lock eyes with her.
This girl’s got it bad for Nico. She practically climbed him like a goddamn tree.
Play nice, Serenity. Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.
“She’s a rotten bitch,” the woman adds, a wide grin spreading across her face.
“Is that so?” I reply with a smile, digging into my Birkin.
“Yes.”
“How did you know I was here for Nico?” I ask.
“He said a woman with bodyguards would show up. Told me you’re his ex.”
I chuckle, my fingers tightening on the Glock tucked inside my purse. Her eyes go wide at the sight of it.
“I’m not that desperate for Nico,” she splutters.
I laugh again. “This isn’t meant for you. I’m Serenity.” I pull my hand from the purse and offer it.
She shakes it. “Sherese.”
“Thanks for the tip.” I wink and pivot on my heel.
Pera’s beside me, smirking—clearly amused by my messy, twisted non-relationship with Nico.
We walk back to our friends.
“What’s up?” Nila asks.
“We’ll be here for a while. Enjoy the party. I’ll find you ladies in a bit.”
Pera suddenly blurts out, “Nico’s upstairs with a woman.”
I shoot her a look and shake my head. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“I am. We’re ready to throw down,” Pera says firmly.
Laneesha cracks her knuckles with a fierce scowl. “You better believe we are.”
Meanwhile, the guys the girls were chatting with exchange quiet words among themselves.
Vi asks, “What’s her name? We’ll find her friends and keep them busy while you take care of…”
She waits for me to drop her name.
“Fefe,” Pera offers.
I raise a brow at her.
“We’re keeping this situation contained. This is between me, her, and Nico.”
I’m not saying Fefe’s name in case things go left tonight.
Laneesha and Pera frown.
Nila shrugs. “Okay fine.
I can’t help but love my friends.
A wicked smile curves my lips. “I’m good. Go enjoy the party.”
One by one, they hug me.
“Call us if you need backup,” Nila warns.
I will.
My friends make me feel grounded. Sure, I have bodyguards, but they don’t lay a hand on women—that’s a job for me and my friends. I smirk as I stride upstairs, my bodyguards following closely behind.
When I reach the top of the steps, my eyes fall on the man lurking in the shadows at the end of the hallway.
I nod; Bets returns the gesture and gestures toward the door on my left. I twist the knob and crack the door open.
“Can’t handle it after all, huh?” Nico’s voice cuts through, setting my blood ablaze beneath my skin.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell my bodyguards, pulling the Glock from my purse and attaching the silencer.
“We’ll be right here,” Fitz assures me.
I step inside and close the door behind me.
Nico is rock hard, stroking himself for her. My fury boils over.
She kneels there, clad only in a thong, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders.
“I heard about your little party,” I say, sarcasm dripping from my voice as I edge closer, Glock concealed behind my back.
The woman glances over her shoulder. “What’s with all the fat girls at this party? Wrong room. Buffets on the first floor,” she sneers.
I draw the muzzled Glock from behind my back.
“Are you shaming me because of my fat ass, thick thighs, and soft tummy?” I snap back.
Nico’s gaze burns into me.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she demands.
The woman whips her wide blue eyes toward Nico. “Get that fat bitch!”
I pull the trigger.
Pip.
The bullet slams into her arm.
“Ah,” she screams.
The booming music downstairs vibrates through me, drowning out her cries.
Tears trail down her cheeks. I slowly crouch beside her, holding the gun just under her chin.
“Painting the walls and ceiling with your brains will warm my heart.”
Strong arms wrap around me, hauling me to my feet.
“Serenity, baby, you’ve punished her enough… for now.”
He lifts me into his embrace. My dress rides up as I hook my legs around his torso.