Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
SERENITY
TAKING IN THE BIG APPLE
“How’s my asshole attempted rapist doing?” I ask through the earpiece as I bite into a hot dog. The ancient hot dog cart in Times Square draws the attention of locals and tourists.
My gaze moves over the people swiftly walking through the crowded New York streets.
Pulling my wool collar tight, I try to block the blistering winds. My dark, oversized sunglasses feel like a plate of ice on my face.
“Well, Serenity,” Javier replies.
“We should pay him a visit.” I smile.
Nico has been MIA since the night he ate my pussy like it was his last meal.
I won’t pretend I didn’t want to contact him.
But I set this whole arrangement up. My bodyguard tailing Nico keeps me updated on the lavish parties he hosts.
Women swarm around him like he’s their king.
Yet, my bodyguard has never caught him sneaking away with any of them.
So I stay away from Nico. As for the women, well, I’ve got a bit of a territorial issue.
Four rich women draped in fur coats strut into an Abercrombie & Fitch store.
In my knee-high black boots with flat red bottoms, I strut through the throng of people and dip into the store.
One of the women smiles at her phone. I peer at her as I casually look through a rack of clothes I’d never wear. For one, they don’t design cute clothes for my curvy body.
“He says he wants to see me,” the blonde shrieks.
“Who?” her friend asks.
“Nico.”
My blood boils in my veins.
She glances around the store, then back at her friends. “I heard he’s hung like a horse.”
Her dark-haired friend flashes a wicked smirk. “I grabbed it. He is hung.”
Their other friend gasps, glued to every word.
I pull out my switchblade and move toward the women.
An arm wraps around my belly, pulling me back. “Where do you think you’re going, princess?”
His cool, minty breath skates over the shell of my ear.
“What the fuck are you doing in New York? Are you meeting up with them?” The hurt is evident in my voice.
“I’ll answer the first question. I was in New Jersey handling some mafia business, then I learned my little mafia princess was in New York.”
I wish the butterflies didn’t kick up in my stomach at his statement. I try wiggling out of his hold. “You just texted one of them.”
The asshole bites down on my neck. “I haven’t fucked you in six months. Forget them. We’ll have lunch, then we’ll relax at the Ritz. I’ll take you back to Jersey in the morning.”
“I don’t want to be with you,” I grit out through clenched teeth.
He chuckles against my flesh. “I only texted her because I knew you were watching. I’m here for you.”
A flicker of calm washes over me. He’s here because of me. Though the February chill has turned my skin to ice, deep inside me, a fire of longing blazes fiercely.
“I’m here on business. Not just about them, but a real pain in my side.”
I drive my foot hard into his shin.
“What the fuck,” he grunts as he releases me.
I bolt out of the store past me and Nico’s guards, sliding the blade back into my pocket. My gloved hands pull my collar up against the chill as I move down the street.
A firm hand clamps onto my arm.
“Watch it, Nico,” Fitz growls from behind.
“It’s okay, Fitz. He’s just mad because I kicked him, then ditched him,” I chuckle.
Nico limps alongside me. “Fitz, you know I’d never hurt her.”
“You already did, remember?” Fitz snaps.
I glance up at Nico. His dark beanie sits atop his curly hair.
His cognac eyes are hidden behind dark shades.
“Serenity…”
“Nico, as I said, I’m here on business.”
“I know to torture the women and entertain Chris.”
“Yes,” I reply.
“Fitz, where is he?” Nico asks.
“At a boxing gym up the street.”
“Let’s pay him a visit,” Nico suggests.
Instead of hopping into my warm Suburban, I stroll beside Nico. He walks alongside me, which means he’s slowing his pace. He slides his hand along my waist and leans into my ear. “I should tie you to the bed tonight for that little stunt in the store.”
I chuckle. “I should tie you down for rage bating me.”
Nico burst into laughter.
Nico swings open the gym door. The sharp thuds of gloves striking heavy bags and the scuff of shoes sliding across the boxing rings flood my ears.
I survey the sparse gym. A man is speaking to Chris inside the ring, gesturing at his raised hand as if complaining about it.
A soft chuckle escapes me. “Looks like that hand’s still giving him trouble.
” “I wouldn’t mind making him suffer a little more,” Nico mutters.
We move closer to the ring. “Trouble in the ring, huh?” I smirk.
Chris’s gaze lands on me, then flickers over to Nico.
“What the hell? You’re not supposed to be here.
” “We can go wherever we want,” Nico replies firmly.
Chris scans the room, then nods as if giving an order.
“Time to leave,” someone says, grabbing my arm abruptly.
Nico and Fitz spring into action. “Don’t you dare touch her again,” Nico growls.
He shoves his hand against the man’s chest. The guy staggers back.
Fitz gets in his face. “Step the fuck off.”
“You need to get out,” another towering figure commands.
Nico unbuttons his jacket, exposing the Glocks holstered at his side.
“We’re not worried,” I say with a confident smile, patting my purse.
The entire gym falls silent. Five more men emerge from the back, heading our way, their appearance unmistakably Russian.
“Shit.” Nico locks eyes with me briefly, pulling me close.
“I’ve got you.” He draws one Glock from its holster.
“Who’s ready to die for this piece of shit? ”
The door swings open once more, and our bodyguards flood inside. Nico laughs darkly, fixing Chris with a glare. “Looks like you’ve got protection. Afraid I’d put you down for good?”
Chris’s chest heaves as he shoots him a venomous look.
“Nico Pitucco,” he spits the name like poison.
“You think being in the mafia makes you untouchable? You’re wrong.
” “He is,” I smirk. “You’re just angry because he stopped you from trying to rape me.
” Chris’s eyes flicker around the gym, scanning the faces gathered in the room.
He’s on edge, waiting for someone to try to snap his photo.
He can’t risk that info reaching the Columbia University football coach, where he’s enrolled now.
I look up at Nico, my fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw.
“He’s the toughest mothafucka I know. No one’s ever gonna hurt me while he’s around.
” “You only held back because you wanted to fuck him. I saw it in your eyes that night,” Chris sneers.
“I knew you were trouble the moment I saw you at the ice cream shop,” Nico growls.
“Serenity belongs to me. I will always remove any problem she has,” he declares firmly.
“Nico, it’s only a matter of time before we catch him slipping,” I warn.
“That’s right, princess.” He presses a kiss to my lips, then glares at Chris.
“We’ll catch you later.” “I’m backed by the Bratva,” Chris snarls with a smirk.
“They’ll take you down, Nico.” Nico shakes his head.
“You idiot. The New Jersey Five Families hold power in New York too. Don’t forget that.
As you can see, we can get to you whenever we want.
See you around, rapist.” He pulls me close and slides his Glock back into his holster before whisking me out the door.
“Your SUV or mine?” he asks as I strut toward the curb.
I halt at my vehicle and peer up at him. “You think that show we put on in front of Chris means I’m hanging with you today?”
He flashes a grin. One that says, are you serious?
“I spoke of our day before we saw that asshole.”
Javier, Fitz, and Miff stood like an iron wall in front of us.
“A walk in the park, lunch, then the Ritz.”
I took in the crowded streets. “You better grab a hot dog because I’m going shopping.”
He reaches into his back pocket, pulls out his wallet, and removes a card.
“You can go shopping on me.” He places the black card in my hand.
I laugh. “You don’t have a job.”
“You forgot about the betting business?” He opens the rear passenger door.
I slip inside.
Our bodyguards comb the streets before hopping into their respective SUVs.
Nico climbs in after me.
Javier sneers in the rearview mirror. “Where to?”
I glance at Javier. “Cartier on Fifth Ave.”
“The betting business, huh?”
“Yeah,” he replies, whipping off his beanie.
“Fitz, crank the heat,” I say.
After he increases the heat, I see him stretch his hand out to Javier. “Pay up. I told you lover boy would find her.”
“I don’t have to find Serenity. I always know where she is.”
“Stop keeping tabs on me, Nico.”
He sits back and stares out the window.
I watch as Javier fishes money out of his pocket and slams the bills into Fitz’s hand.
I glance at the black card. My gloved fingers slide over his name, Nicola Giovanni Pitucco.
“Would you rather I give you cash?”
I shake my head. “You have your own business.”
“Serenity, it’s my family’s business. I admit I partake in lucrative side jobs. That money doesn’t go straight to the bank.”
I know he means it gets washed first.
“Just because I’m not a made man yet doesn’t mean I can’t earn a living.”
“When will you become a made man?” I ask.
Nico takes the card from my hand and puts it in my purse.
“I had a meeting with Sergio this morning.”
My heart lurches in my chest. Why did he see him?
Relax Serenity. His family is one of the five families. But why would Nico meet with him? Wouldn’t he talk to his dad about becoming a made man? I realize I spend time with Nico but know very little about his personal life, like I used to.
“My father and I had a disagreement about some important business. My mom suggested I talk to my grandfather instead. You know, since my dad is sick.”
I instinctively take his hand. Nico didn’t tell me his father was sick to get my sympathy.