Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
SERENITY
How could my grandmother side with my enemy?
I listen to Nico share how he secretly maneuvered in my life.
“The night you went into labor, I arranged for a private doctor to perform a DNA test while you were asleep.”
This man has no boundaries when it comes to betraying me.
“I held my son. Skin to skin. I was able to bond with him.” He tells the story like he’s reliving the moment.
A part of me feels sick. The other part feels sad. If he hadn’t gone to the lengths, he did, he would’ve missed out on that connection.
“Standing over your bed holding Madden, I told him mommy’s been a bad girl.” He meets my gaze. “I also told him she’s only trying to protect you from our world.”
I exhale, and uncontrollable warm tears slip down my cheeks. Because deep down I knew I didn’t want anything to happen to Madden.
“Mom bounced into the room next. I asked what are you doing here? She said her father told her you were in labor.”
My brows wrinkle in confusion.
“My grandfather, who helped me with my private war. I never told you which grandfather. It was my mother’s father.”
“And how would he know who I was?” she questions.
There’s a beat of silence.
“He’s your grandmother’s boyfriend.” He shrugs.
“If you looked him up, you wouldn’t find out about our family tree so easily. He worked very hard to keep our worlds separate. You probably read he’s Demario Marino, the Don of the Cosa Nostra. And that he’s a ruthless Don.”
My mouth hangs open for a while as I stare at Nico.
“When my dad shut me down, Mom advised I seek help from her father. My mother always sticks her neck out for you.”
His mom always treats me with respect. It warms my heart she cares about me even though I betrayed her son.
He goes on to say he doesn’t know if the baby is his.
“Mom takes Madden out of my arms and cradles him, staring into his eyes. She said he looked just like me when I was a baby. I admit I felt relieved, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up until I got the paternity test back,” he says.
“And when I learned Madden was my son, I chose to leave him with you in Italy. I was still at war. No one could know I have a son. As mad as I was with you, I wouldn’t willingly put my family in danger.
So over the years I visited with my son.
I named his favorite teddy bear Angry Bear, which I told him was my name.
I was an angry motherfucking bear because the woman I was madly, deeply in love with stole my baby. ”
He runs his fingers through his curls. “You returned to the States with a little persuasion from me. I asked Fia to talk you into going after your enemies. She knew I had planned to bring them down myself. I needed you here to force your father’s hand.
He’d agree to our arranged marriage in exchange for his territory. ”
He moves to the sofa and reaches for my hand.
“No, Nico.”
“I loved you even though you stole my baby. You didn’t think you deserved happiness. That’s why it was important you talked to Kinsley and spent time with the mafia wives. They’ve each been to hell and back.”
“But I grew up in this life,” I say.
He squeezes my hand. “So did Baylor and Ryah.”
My eyelids lower. “I’m trying to believe Madden will be okay.
I-I had a secret padded room built in my basement.
I’ve sat in a straitjacket while I talked to my therapist before I ran away.
I wanted to marry you so badly. I…I just couldn’t bring myself to give you what you wanted.
Each time I closed my eyes, I saw the abuse my mother endured,” I say, staring through him.
He clutches my face in his large palms. “I understand it will take time. We’ll go to therapy so we can get through this together.”
Nico kisses my lips, then pulls me into his arms.
“After Madden had gotten used to his new surroundings, I intended to introduce you to him. Honestly, I kept finding reasons to delay because my—no, our enemies were still lurking. I needed Madden to remain at my place, hidden away safely in the panic room.”
He leans over, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Serenity, I wouldn’t have fought you on keeping him safe. If it means sending you all to Italy for safety when our next child arrives, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
Ryah’s words echo in my mind: Of course, you know in this life you will forever watch your back. That was precisely why I chose to live abroad. Sure, we dealt with my enemies.
But what about the new ones?
Nico’s eyes widen, searching mine with worry. “Serenity?”
I see my mother’s hands clutching her pregnant belly as his boot pounds into it again and again. I shut my eyes tightly, forcing the memory away.
Cradling my own stomach, it hits me—I could be pregnant, and my husband’s enemies are still out there. What if they kidnap us? I have to keep Madden and the baby safe.
The thought of Nico’s enemies coming after us loops endlessly in my mind. “They could come for us.”