Chapter 24 #3
Fitz chuckles. “You know Nico wouldn’t willingly bring him back.”
I shake my head.
The girls and I jump into action, pulling food containers from bags.
“To keep down tension, its best he works for my dad.”
Fitz and I share a laugh.
I prepare plates for Fitz and I.
He lifts a forkful of pasta and smiles. “Thanks, I need to get back to guarding the perimeter. I’m happy you finally got the motherfuckers.”
I grin. “Me too.”
The girls and I carry our plates to the fully stocked bar where we drink, eat, and share stories.
“He’s all fixed up,” a voice says across the warehouse.
Our eyes dart to hers. She rips off a surgical mask.
“Yes,” I yell as I run across the room and throw my arms around her. “Thank you, Nadine.”
She chuckles, embracing me. “You’re welcome.”
I step back. “How long will he need to recover?”
“Two days max.” Nadine’s eyes darken. “It’s not like he needs to fully heal. You’re going to kill him anyway.”
I smirk. “Very true.”
“Nadine, time to drink,” Sierra says.
“Go ahead. I’ll join you all in a moment.” I take a few steps and halt in the doorway.
I’ll let Kisha know she and Madden will have to remain in the panic room a little while longer.
The man who sent men to kill me and my family lies a few feet away.
He looks helpless and defenseless strapped to the surgical table.
Deep down I wanted to fight the asshole who has no problem killing women and children.
By now his wife and children know he’s not coming home.
Good. Let them feel a morsel of the pain I felt for years.
Heavy hands land on my shoulders. “How did you sleep?”
“Good.”
I don’t meet his gaze. “How long did you talk to Madden?”
“For thirty minutes.”
“I don’t forgive you for not telling me about Madden,” he adds.
“And I don’t forgive you for getting me pregnant without my approval,” I bite out.
He removes his hands from my shoulders. Instantly, I want them back even though I shouldn’t. Just because we had sex doesn’t mean we’re in a good place. I’m not sure what will help us heal.
Nico strolls down the hallway.
“I’m sleeping alone.”
He chuckles. “Only in your dreams, princess.”
Ugh,” I mutter.
Laughter kicks up from the room Nico enters. I move in that direction.
Square side tables sit next to rich mahogany leather chairs throughout the spacious room.
There’s an eighty inch TV mounted on the wall to my right.
A wooden bar is at the back of the room.
The floor is cement throughout. If blood lands on the floor it can be washed down the various drains.
The liquor sits on custom wooden shelves.
A man cave in a torture chamber. I wonder if I have a woman cave. If not I’ll be sure to add one.
“Hello Serenity.” Dominic smiles from a seat across the room. He’s puffing on a cigar and holding a glass of whiskey in his other hand. Each man wears a tailored suit like he’s ready for a eight a.m. meeting.
“How are you, Governor Magarelli?”
“I’m feeling better now that you got your enemies.”
“Certainly feels good,” I reply.
Nico sinks into a chair beside him. Rocco sits on the other side of him.
“Sorry the baby making didn’t go as planned,” he blurts out.
My brows pinch together as I stare at Rocco.
“I couldn’t wait to find out Ryah was pregnant with our child.
One night I placed a urine catcher in the toilet.
She’d practically sleep walk to the bathroom.
She had no idea what I’d done. I ran into the bathroom, opened a pregnancy test, and stuck it in her urine to find out if she was pregnant. ”
The room fell silent. I can’t believe he said that with a straight face.
Dominic pipes up. “Carmen didn’t want children at all. I raised my son the first few years.”
What the actual fuck is wrong with these men?
Nick shrugs. He knows there’s nothing he can say to make our situation better right now. All his mafia buddies are just as bad as him.
My eyes fall to Dillon who’s sitting to my left. Luca and Marco sit on the other side of him. And Tony sits behind the bar nursing a vodka neat. He pulls his eyes from the oversized TV screen and focuses on me.
“Good to see you, Dillon.”
He stands pulling me into his arms. I can feel Nico’s eyes on us. Like this man wants any other woman who isn’t Sierra.
“Do you think you’ll get a little rest?” He ask pulling back.
“I do. I look forward to not hiding my child any longer.”
He nods. “I’m sure the wives would love to set up play dates with the kids.”
“Not Luca though,” Marco adds squeezing his brother’s shoulders.
“He still lives in a castle. Although, if things go well, that will change soon. Then hopefully he can move his family back to their main house. My kids would love to hang out with Madden.” He glances at Nico.
“He’s four right?” Marco questions.
“Yup.” Nico smiles like a proud papa.
It’s clear he’s told the guys about Madden.
“I’m sure Madden will love hanging with other kids his age,” I say.
“If Lexis arranges a play date.” He cuts his eyes at his brother. “I’ll bring the family to the city.”
“Thanks, Luca.”
I peek at Tony. “Thanks for bringing Nadine.”
“Anytime. We’ve always got your back, Serenity.”
A warmth glides over my arms. These mafia families took mine in.
“I can never thank any of you enough for helping my family.”
“That’s what family does,” Dillon states. “We look after each other.”
“Yeah, it’s official,” Dominic adds. “You’re a Pitucco which makes you a part of the five families.”
It hadn’t hit me that I was a part of the New Jersey five families.
“Do you guys plan to eat dinner?” I ask.
“We will,” Nico responds. “We’re discussing a little business.”
I turn on my heel and return to the girls.
The girls watch while I torture Aleksandr. We all take pleasure in the way the needles enter at different points of his body.
Having Nadine here today is a plus. She treats Aleksandr’s wounds so he’ll survive for a few more days.
I allow Aleksandr to rest for two days so his body is ready for the main event.
Around noon I hear the back door downstairs open and close. Voices follow. A smile lifts my cheeks. I run downstairs.
“You all are here?” I grin from ear to ear.
Krew hugs me first. “Of course we are.”
Dad and Mom wrap their arms around me and Krew like old times. The only difference now Krew is six-four.
We step apart.
“Mom, are you up for this?” I question.
“You better believe I am.”