Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
NICO
SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH
Serenity tried to put me out after we had sex. I pulled her into my arms. She slept like a baby. Probably the best sleep she had since the last time she was in my arms.
It’s time I dig into why she doesn’t feel safe. And how long had she felt this way?
“Good afternoon, Dad,” I say, sitting beside him on the sofa in our family room.
Mom curls an arm around my neck from behind. “Nico, it’s good to see you.” She kisses my cheek.
“How’s school coming along?”
“Good. I have an exam in Finance. I’ll have to study for tonight.”
She kisses my cheek again. “I know you’ll do well. I’ll warm some rigatoni for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She strides into the kitchen.
“I understand you’re still trying to get your hands on that guy, Rod, from high school.”
I ground my molars. “Which one of my men told you this?”
Dad flashes a cocky grin. “Even though your brother’s the boss, I still have power.”
I nod. “So you’re watching your youngest son. Are you watching Natalia and Nick too?”
He arches a brow. “Asking a question without verbally asking, what do you think?”
“In four years, you’ll sit on the throne with your brother. You have to start making wise moves now, so you’ll be a strong boss when you step into power. Your brother’s performing well as the boss.”
I smirk. “I’d like to prove to you I’ll be ready to become the boss. I have an important situation I need to handle now.”
“I’m listening.”
Dad looks thinner than he did the last time I saw him. On the inside, I’m trying to hold it together. Be positive and strong for my father and mother. Sitting here talking to him like I don’t know he’s dying is difficult to do.
“Before I go digging on my own, I’m coming to you first. Why did the Cichellos move to New Jersey? I wondered back then. I knew Mr. Cichello had territories in Delaware, but none in Jersey.”
Dad runs a hand over his curly brown hair. “I thought you’d ask much sooner, but I’m happy you waited to ask. I wouldn’t have told you anything at that time. I’m still limited on what I can tell you, Nico, because you aren’t a made man.”
Anger courses through my body. I want to say more. But I know I can’t. He’s right. There’s an order to what I can know at this stage. I listen instead of flying off the deep end.
“Tizáno was in a very delicate situation when he spoke to Sergio.”
I try keeping the surprised look off my face as I listen to my father.
“Tizáno told Sergio what was going on in Delaware. Sergio put him and his family under the protection of the five families.”
“So he and his family were in danger?” I push.
“I’m saying things happened in his territory that caused him to bring his family to New Jersey.”
My father was telling me to read between the lines.
“Dad, something’s wrong with Serenity.”
“You two aren’t a couple. Why does it matter to you?” he asks.
“She has to be punished for what she’s done. Breaking my arm and protecting that piece of shit, Rod.”
Dad chuckles. “You’ve moved past her bodyguard breaking your arm. You want to punish her for protecting Rod.”
“He wanted Serenity. I intervened so he couldn’t have what was mine. Then he opened his fucking mouth,” I roar.
“You fucked up, Nico. And lost her.”
A devious chuckle rattles in my chest. “Yeah, well, now she’s my prisoner.”
“Nico, questo è abbastanza. That’s enough,” Mom bites out.
I cut my eyes to her. “Mama, please don’t.”
My gaze falls back on Dad. “What else can you tell me about the Cichellos?”
“All you need to know is that they’re protected.”
Mom places the plate of rigatoni in front of me. I’ve lost my appetite.
“I have my own men. It sounds like I’ll have to go at this alone.”
“Son, I’m telling you to drop this.”
“With all due respect, Papa, I won’t back down. If it means confronting Sergio myself, then so be it.”
Dad’s eyes darken as he grips my arm, holding my gaze firmly. “This isn’t just about the Italian mafia. This problem of Tizáno’s involves the Russians too. You aren’t ready to go to war.”
“I’ll get ready. What do I need to do to become a made man now?”
Dad can see the seriousness in my eyes. “You’re in love with a woman who doesn’t love you back. And now you’re saying you’re willing to go to war for her.”
It feels like he twisted a knife in my chest. Anger courses through my veins.
I stand to my feet. “My father isn’t willing to help his son, the future mafia boss of the Pituccos. Thanks Dad.”
He shoots to his feet. “Because of your brother falling in love, I’ve got my own problem to deal with in Delaware.”
I know he’s talking about the problem with Nick’s failed arranged marriage and his ex-girlfriend Kinsley.
Mom returns, taking up my plate that I never touched.
“I’ll wrap this to go. Come to the kitchen and get it,” she orders.
I nod.
“Dad, I’ll reach out to Nick. You know he won’t turn me away.”
“Yeah, he’ll help all right because he’s ready to self-destruct. Right now, he’s got family matters to deal with. I’m ordering you to stand down.”
I wrap my arms around my ailing father. “I’ll back off.”
He relaxes against my frame. I release him and saunter into the kitchen.
“I added my homemade bread, which you love so much.” She cups my face with one hand.
“Your father has to get chemo twice a week. It’s taking its toll on him.”
For the first time, I really look at my mother. There are bags under her eyes. Her beautiful dark hair isn’t rich and shiny.
“Mom, thanks for everything. I love you.”
She beams at me, slipping a folded note into my palm. Mom pulls me into a warm embrace. “Make sure to kiss your dad goodbye,” she says loudly, then leans in close and murmurs, “Call your grandfather.”
I press a gentle kiss to her cheek. “Thank you.”
After giving my father a kiss on the cheek, I exit the house and hop into the back seat of the Escalade.
“Where to, boss?” Miff asks.
“My dorm.”
I open my palm and peer at the words. “Take care of her.”
My icy heart thaws a little. I scroll through my phone and click on my grandfather’s contact info. I press the call button. It rings two times.
“Nico,” Granddad answers enthusiastically.
“How are you?”
“I’m well. How have you been?”
“An old man can’t complain. Your mother texted me. She says you need my assistance.”
My grandfather controlled the mafia in Staten Island, New York. Now my two uncles, Favon and Guido, are in charge.
“Granddad, I’m not sure you can help. This problem is outside your area.”
“You insult me, grandson.”
My mother’s father, Demario Marino, is the Don of the Cosa Nostra in Sicily.
He spent many years in the U.S. before returning to Sicily fifteen years ago.
He ran into trouble with law enforcement.
Rumor has it that Don Marino took down an entire police precinct in Staten Island.
From the lieutenants all the way up to the chief of police.
All because the cops kept getting in the way of his operations. Granddad’s a ruthless son of a bitch.
“I’m a man with reach. Tell me what you need,” he says.
My quest to undercover Serenity’s family secret would take time. I’m a patient man. When I find what I need, I’ll use the information to my advantage. And trap my beautiful butterfly.