Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
WELCOME BACK PARTY
NICO
Aserver approaches with a practiced smile, balancing a silver tray filled with crystal flutes.
“Mr. Pitucco, champagne?”
“Yes, thank you.”
I pluck a glass from the tray without taking my eyes off the ballroom.
The Cichello mansion looks more like a palace than a home.
Crystal chandeliers cast a warm golden glow across polished marble floors while mob bosses mingle in tailored suits beside wives draped in designer gowns and enough diamonds to buy a city block.
Every raised glass hides a business deal. Every smile conceals an agenda.
This is the Cichellos’ annual gala.
This year it doubles as a welcome home party for Serenity.
After the Pituccos expanded into Delaware, invitations to gatherings like this became expected.
I can’t believe we’re the New Jersey Five Families again. When Dillon returned from the dead, he led the Magarellis and Espositos in a war, wiping out the rotten branches of the Bertozzi bloodline. For years we were The New Jersey Four Families: Magarellis, Espositos, Romanos, Pituccos.
Then the Bertozzis rose from the ashes.
Tomasso Bertozzi now leads the family. Ironically, he was the only decent Bertozzi among them. Salvatore Magarelli treated him like another son growing up. For a long time, Tomasso had been living like a ghost.
Working in the shadows.
Eliminating threats all while trying to stay out of the mafia.
Tomasso’s children, the baby Bertozzis, will soon represent the next generation of organized crime.
Power shifts quickly in our world.
My brother Nick and I were supposed to rule Elizabeth, New Jersey together. That changed the day Dover boss Torrance Aiello kidnapped Nick’s wife.
We answered with blood.
When the smoke cleared, Dover belonged to us.
Actually...
Let me back up.
Nick never wanted an arranged marriage. He wanted to choose his own wife, but our world doesn’t always allow choice. He went to the Wife for Hire Agency intending to fulfill his obligation and secure an heir for the family.
Instead, fate laughed in his face.
He opened a file and found Kinsley.
His ex-girlfriend.
The one woman he was forbidden to touch.
Years earlier, our father had struck a deal with Aiello that promised Nick to Aiello’s daughter, Norah. Kinsley was supposed to be off-limits.
Nick ignored every rule.
He entered a marriage of convenience with Kinsley, anyway.
But I understood my brother’s pain. I knew just how hard it was to be away from the woman you loved. So of course I was willing to stand by his side in battle.
I can’t believe this day has finally come. Five years after disappearing to Florence, Italy, Serenity Cichello is back in the United States.
“I’m back,” she says at my side. “I’ll trade you.”
She slides a tumbler of whiskey into my hand, trading me for my champagne. Her manicured fingers lace with mine.
“This house is enormous,” she says with a smile too wide to be sober.
“You were supposed to be in the powder room,” I remind her.
A smile widens on her crimson lips. “I took myself on a little tour.”
Her long red hair tumbles over one shoulder in lush deep waves.
Years ago, I planned to let her live in one of the condos in my building in Newark, Delaware.
Instead, I allowed her to stay in my condo.
Guess I feel a little responsible for her brush with death over the years.
Two years ago, the war with Ettore ended.
And six months later, I entered a new war with Aleksandr Novikoff out of Baltimore.
I told Lucinda she didn’t have to attend parties and galas with me, but she said she was a big girl and could handle herself. So here we are.
“Lucinda, you’re supposed to behave tonight.”
“I am. Your cock in my mouth in the powder room would’ve been nice, right?” she chuckles.
She brushes her fingers under her nose, making sure there isn’t any white powder visible. My date has a bit of a coke habit.
“You can’t get shitfaced tonight. I need you on your toes,” I tell her.
“You two make a beautiful couple,” an older lady with perfectly styled blue - gray hair says in passing.
I grin.
“Thank you,” Lucinda replies.
The band’s ballad ends.
The DJ’s voice booms through the speakers. “Welcome home, Serenity!”
Clapping erupts around the ballroom.
My pulse hammers harder than it should.
She steps into the center of the ballroom and waves to the crowd. A green satin dress clings to every curve, the trailing tail of tulle fabric brushing the marble floor. Her brown and golden blond hair’s twisted into a sleek bun, her smile polished.
She greets her parents and her brother. Then a man slides an arm around her waist, pulling her close.
My fingers tighten around my glass. He whispers in her ear, drawing a smile from her. My blood goes hot.
Lucinda presses against me, voice husky. “You don’t want to kill him here, do you?”
“No.” My jaw clenches. Soon I’ll get my hands on him.
Lucinda is aware of my past with Serenity. And blames her for my cold, dead heart that will never let another woman in to break it.
Serenity’s gray eyes find me across the ballroom. And she freezes. Her upper lip twitches, like she’s pissed.
“Come on.” I drag Lucinda along.
“Why are you here?” Serenity’s voice lashes across the room as soon as we’re close enough.
A dozen memories hit me at once: her gold-painted mouth wrapped around my cock, her legs tangled with mine, her nails raking down my back. I swallow it down. “I attend every year. Your parents seem happy you’ve decided to grace them with your presence.”
“Lucinda, this is Serenity Cichello,” I say flatly.
Lucinda offers her hand. “Nice to meet you, Serenity.”
Serenity doesn’t take it. She gives a razor smile. “Lucy, I hope you’re enjoying the party.”
“It’s Lucinda,” I correct.
Her jaw ticks. “Kobi, this is Nico Pitucco—and Lucy.”
“Kobi,” the lanky bastard says in a thick Italian accent, offering his hand to shake.
I disregard his hand. “When do you return to Italy, Colby Jack?”
He chuckles. “Not anytime soon.”
“You left five years ago and came back with this guy,” I sneer at her.
I don’t know what to call the asshole who has his hands on what doesn’t belong to him.
Serenity curls closer to him. “Nico, Kobi’s my man.”
My chest burns. “Serenity, do you remember what I told you several times? You know what I’d do?”
“You can’t keep doing this,” she spits.
“Why not? It’s fun.”
Her voice drops low, venom laced in sugar. “Leave the party, Nico.”
“Can’t make me leave, doll. I was invited. By your father.”
I curl an arm around Lucinda’s waist. The silver gown hugs her small frame. “Excuse us.”
I pull Lucinda into my arms, and our bodies move to the beat. She’s a beautiful woman. Her red hair is her natural color. She’s too skinny for me. But she serves her purpose whenever we go out. People gawk at us, thinking we are a powerful couple. She gives Scarlett Johansson vibes.
“She hates me for no reason,” Lucinda laughs.
“Serenity’s a little touched in the head. Good thing you didn’t push her,” I say.
Her green eyes meet mine. “I’m not afraid of your ex.”
You should be.
I don’t say those thoughts aloud.
Later, I sit in Tizáno’s office, the thick aroma of cigars and worn leather enveloping the room. His bodyguards linger nearby, mirrored by the presence of mine.
I’d sent Abe to take Lucinda home. She’d wanted to stay with me tonight, but that wasn’t going to happen.
“Nico,” he says, reaching out his hand.
I clasp it firmly. “Tizáno, appreciate you meeting with me.”
Adjusting my navy tie, I lean back into the red leather chair. “What’s this about, Nico?”
He settles into his own red leather chair as my gaze sweeps across the opulent office—deer and bear heads mounted on the walls, shelves brimming with books lining another.
With a smirk, I add, “I’ve got a business proposition.”
His brows rise. “Go on.”
“As you know, the Pituccos have expanded into Dover. I’ve acquired additional territories. Cairo’s willing to give up a portion of his. I’m also offering you one of mine—Newark.”
His poker face doesn’t slip. “And what do you want?”
A beat of silence hangs in the air before I answer.
“Your daughter.”
He laughs, sharp and humorless.
I pull a cigar from my inner suit jacket pocket. Miff moves closer, cutting the tip of the cigar. I bring it to my lips. Miff holds the Zippo close, and I puff a few times. Sitting back in the chair legs spread, I blow three smoke Os.
“There he is. The cocky motherfucker. Haven’t seen this side of you in some time,” Tizáno chuckles.
“Not cocky. I just know this is something that was taken from you. I got it back. My mafia ties to the Don of the Cosa Nostra helped obtain the territory.”
He leans in. “You know the Don of Cosa Nostra?” I can see the disbelief in his stare.
“Yes.” I continue on.
“We’ve also acquired Aiello’s territories in Miami.”
No cocky smirk. All business. “Your daughter will be financially taken care of. She’ll bear my heirs. There will be no divorce.”
His glare hardens. “I told you to let her go.”
Maybe he’ll finally realize I will never let her go.
“She’ll become my wife; in exchange, you gain control of Newark and two of the new lucrative territories. Your pick.”
“She doesn’t want to get married. To anyone,” he adds.
I shrug. “I don’t care. Let her know she’s expected to get pregnant within the first year of marriage.”
Now a smile curls my lips. “I want her living under my roof on Monday.”
I stand to my feet and stretch out my hand.
Tizáno runs a hand through his graying hair, mutters a curse, but finally takes my hand. “She’ll never agree to it.”
“Think of how much more wealth you’ll have with those territories in your possession. I’m sure you’ll persuade her.” I grin.
“Ask her to come to your office,” I push.
Tizáno blows out a breath and nods to one of his guards. I puff my cigar and stroll around the office as I wait for her to appear.
“Yes, Dad?” I hear as she enters the office.
I glance at her.
Her eyes darken. “What’s he doing here?”
I amble closer. “I came here to make a deal.”
“Serenity, we need to talk,” Tizáno says.
“Dad, tell me we aren’t going into business with the Pituccos?” she says it like we’re filth.
I stare down at her. “That motherfucker touches you like you belong to him again, I will break his fucking fingers.”
“I’ve moved on, Nico. Hence, I’ve been away for five years.”
I flash a devilish smirk. “Well, doll… now you’re back.” I dip my head so only she hears me. “And you’re mine again. See you Monday, wifey.”
Stepping back, I take in the shock on her face.
She marches to her father’s desk as I head for the door.
“Dad, what is he talking about?”
As I move toward the ballroom, I hear, “What? Hell no. I will not marry him.”
She was mine from the first time I laid eyes on her. She thought I’d ever let her go. Boy, was she wrong. I plan to make her life a living hell. For multiple reasons. One being running away for five fucking years.
Sweet, cold-hearted Serenity, you’re mine now.