Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
SERENITY
Nico goes radio silent after he murdered Alvin.
Good.
I’ve switched out bodyguards today. Mullins comes to a halt inside the garage.
Kick’s steps out the passenger side and opens the rear passenger door. I climb out.
The interior door swings open. “Hello Serenity. It’s been a minute.”
“Hello Rod.”
Mullins walks toward Rod. A hulking chocolate ex-military man in a suit. He takes his job very seriously.
“I need to sweep the house,” he says.
“Understood.” Rod steps aside. He’s dressed in a crisp white button-down dress shirt, cuffs folded just below the elbows, dark slacks, and black loafers.
Kicks follows me inside. He’s about six-two, mahogany hair, and green eyes. Kicks is one of my new bodyguards Dad sent when I moved into the safe house.
“How have you been, Rod?”
“Good.” He smiles.
He’s got that classic football jock look—handsome in a way that turns heads. But I didn’t feel drawn to him. Nico was always worried I’d end up dating Rod, but that was never a concern of mine. A casual hookup? Maybe. But a relationship? No chance.
“Serenity, you’re beautiful as always.”
“Thank you.”
I visit Rod every other month because I have to keep him safe from my psychopath ex-boyfriend. Sometimes we chat. Usually over a drink.
“What’s your drink of choice today?” He flashes a devilish smirk.
“White wine,” I reply.
After he prepares our drinks, we settle in at the red and gold marble counter.
“What did you do over the summer after graduation?” He asks, bringing the glass of scotch to his lips.
Mullins enters the kitchen and clears his throat. “Serenity, pardon me.”
“Yes?” I reply.
“The house is clean.”
“Thanks, Mullins,” I say with a smile.
He nods and leaves the kitchen and joins the other bodyguards stationed around Rod’s mansion.
Turning back to Rod, I say, “I spent the whole summer partying. Now I’m working at my father’s company. What about you?”
“It’s good you got the chance to enjoy yourself,” he says.
I lift my wine glass to my lips. He has no idea how difficult it is to have fun when I have to constantly watch my back because I’m in danger.
Rod adds, “I’m working at my dad's law firm while going to law school.”
I chuckle. “I haven’t heard anything exciting come out of those lips yet.”
He shares stories of a few parties he attended over the summer.
After a few drinks, the atmosphere between us grows charged. We’re touching each other’s arms and legs as we talk. Eventually, we head upstairs to his bedroom.
Luckily, Dad said I could have the summer off. It’s the day after Labor Day and my first day at work.
“Fitz and Javier,” I call out as I walk into the kitchen. The safe house is a contemporary cement box equipped with a panic room.
“Good morning, Serenity,” Javier and Fitz say as they enter the open-concept kitchen. Both dressed in dark suits.
I approach the coffee machine. “Coffee?”
“Yes,” Javier says.
“Please,” Fitz runs a hand over his short brown mane.
“This is a big day for me. You know, any time I have to travel to Delaware, it’s hard,” I say as I dump coffee grounds into the coffee filter.
“I sent two soldiers to drive the route I mapped out for today,” Javier says.
I shift the Glocks nestled in my shoulder holster. I’m dressed in a navy pantsuit, my feet snug in a pair of comfortable flats. Resting a hand on my chest, I take a sharp breath.
Fitz steps closer. “In and out, Serenity.”
I follow his command, struggling to keep a panic attack at bay.
Javier comes forward, securing the AR-15 strap over his broad chest, the weapon settling against his back. “We’ll do everything we can to keep you safe today,” he assures.
My smile inches upward but doesn’t quite meet my eyes as I glance at both of them. “Thank you.”
The second Fitz enters Delaware; I press a hand to my chest.
“Keep calm,” I mutter to myself.
The thought of working for anyone other than my father never even occurred to me, despite the fact that numerous companies sought to hire me thanks to my perfect grades and finance major.
My bodyguards pull into the office parking garage at seven forty-five sharp. I exhale deeply as I step out of the SUV. They escort me to the elevator with the kind of security usually reserved for a president.
Sometimes I wish I didn’t have so many guards surrounding me. But this is the price you pay when you kill made men—you’re hunted every day until your last.
When we reach the top floor, the elevator doors slide open.
“Serenity.” Dad’s smile spreads wide as he opens his arms. He looks a touch older than when I last saw him at graduation. Has something else gone wrong with the Cichello mafia business?
“Dad,” I say brightly, diving into his embrace.
“It’s so good to see you.” I sink into his arms, letting myself relax.
“Baby, it’s good to see you too.” He holds me firmly.
It still annoys me that I only get to see my family during brief visits since I avoid Delaware like the plague. Until now.
He grips my arms and steps back. “I’ll show you to your office.”
Being with my dad feels incredible. I’m determined to make the trip to Delaware every day.
Nico stands on his porch, flashing a cocky smirk. “Good evening, Serenity. It’s good to see you.”
“Hello Nico.” I saunter inside his house.
We hadn’t seen each other since he killed Alvin, almost a year ago.
“Fuck,” he mutters under his breath.
A smile takes my lips. One thing I’ve respected about Nico over the years was that he never once talked badly about my body.
I glance over my shoulder and bat my long lashes at him. “I can feel you staring at my ass.”
“Damn right I am. Your body’s a work of art.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“Kick your shoes off,” he orders.
I step out of my red stilettos.
His fingers thread mine. “And you wonder why I kill men over you.”
My smile rises and falls. “You do it because you’re crazy and possessive.”
Laughter rumbles in his chest. “Let’s eat.”
We hadn’t shared a meal together since his graduation party. Tonight reminds me of our time in New York. We let go of everything and behaved like our old selves that day.
I release his fingers, walk to the kitchen sink, and wash my hands. “Thanks again for the graduation slash housewarming gift.”
When my home was finally ready to move into, there was a large box on my front porch. My guards had already swept it for explosives and were aware of who it was from.
Fitz and Javier carried the large box inside and placed it in the foyer. I unwrapped it. Sitting on the floor with my legs crossed, my mouth dropped open.
“You’re welcome. I would’ve given it to you sooner, but you were living in a safe house. That’s no place for a new pet,” Nico removes the takeout containers from the warmer.
“Nico, I don’t do pets. Certainly not a dog. Why not a cat?” I ask as I sit at the counter.
I remember a black bulldog staring at me within the cage, wearing a pink collar and a red bow around its neck. The name tag read Bruetta.
“You needed a watchdog,” he tells me.
I dry my hands with paper towel. “Nico, it’s a bulldog.”
He raises a finger. “She’s an American Bulldog. Bruetta will grow on you.”
I think back to when I opened the cage, and she walked into my lap, sniffing and licking me.
“Why did you name my dog?” I ask as he loads my plate with food.
“Same reason you engraved my watch: The Boss.” He takes a seat beside me.
“Nico, that’s not the same thing.”
He chuckles as he caresses my ass.
It’s not lost on me I sat in Rod’s kitchen, chatting over drinks. And now I’m cozying up to Nico in his. After Nico killed Alvin, it was best we had much-needed time apart. I kept myself busy with work. Trying to keep my mind off Nico.
The way I feel in Nico’s presence is totally different because of our history. We’ve developed a closeness. Sure, Rod has always wanted me to be his woman, but Nico takes it a step further, letting everyone know I belong to him. Even when I tell everyone I don’t.
His cognac eyes hold mine. “I know. Let’s just say I have my reason for naming your dog.”
Butterflies swirl in my stomach as I pop a piece of sweet and sour chicken into my mouth.
My eyes roam his body. He’s dressed in a white t-shirt and navy basketball shorts.
I want to let my fingers touch every tattoo on his chest. I chug the cola sitting in front of me and instantly realize I need to make myself something stronger.
After four glasses of wine, I find myself on the balcony, gently swaying to the rhythm. Nico is right behind me, his arms encircling my waist, his lips pressing softly against my neck. Above us, the dark sky sparkles with countless stars.
We’ve both had more than enough to drink—Nico has downed half a bottle of whiskey. He pulls me back into his bedroom, shutting the balcony doors behind us.
“I’m ready now,” I purr.
His hooded brown eyes widen. “You weren’t ready to have sex the moment you walked inside the house?”
I chuckle. “I was. But we haven’t just hung out together in a long time.”
He kisses my lips. “That should change.”
I ease up on my tippy toes and curl my arms around his neck. “Yeah,” I giggle.
“Leave all the bullshit out of the bedroom tonight,” he orders.
“Okay.”
We stumble, peeling off each other’s clothes. He lifts me effortlessly and drops me onto the bed.
“Spread your legs, Princess Serenity.”
I gush at the name and I obey without hesitation. This man has a way of making me feel utterly cherished.
“Serenity, I want you so fucking badly.” He leans down, kissing my slick folds before capturing my plump lips.
“I’ve got to have you, Nico.”
A playful grin spreads across his rugged, bearded face. “Say it again.”
I laugh softly against his mouth. “I’ve got to have you, Nico.”
He strokes his long, thick dick before pushing deep inside my walls.
“Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck,” I shout at the top of my lungs.
I caress his face as my head bounces against the pillows and headboard repeatedly.
“Your dick is tattooed on the inside of my pussy.”
“Yes, it fucking is.” A low, possessive growl vibrates in his chest.
“Come on my cock, Serenity.”
“Nico, come with me.”
His lips devour mine again. My nails sink into his broad shoulders as he drives into me one last time.
Our moans echo through the room as we come hard.
“Nico,” I purr as I hold his gaze.
“Serenity,” he groans before capturing my lips soft and sensual.
We fall asleep in a mess of limbs tangled around each other.
I awake hours later, sunlight pouring into the room. Nico’s hand palms my pussy. A small smile curls my lips. Then I remember we can never be together.
Reluctantly, I move his hand and climb out of bed. I peek at him sleeping so peacefully. The man is sinfully gorgeous.
After freshening up, I slip into my tight-fitting black dress and straddle Nico’s torso. My ass brushes his hard cock.
“I need to tell you something before I leave.”
He grips my hips and grinds his dick against my pussy. “What’s up?”
Nico wipes the sleep from his eyes and stares up at me.
“Remember when I said we’ll fuck other people?”
His brows lower as his fingers slide through his inky hair. “I thought I proved you shouldn’t try to do that. By blowing out a motherfucker’s brains.”
I scowl at him. “Nico, like I said years ago, we fuck each other unprotected. That’s it. But we can fuck other people.”
“My advice to you is not to fuck another guy.”
A smile lifts my cheeks as I peck his lips. Sitting up, my fingers caress his hairy chest. “I fucked Rod.”
“What?” he roars.
Sadness covers his features briefly. He looks betrayed.
I climb off him. “Goodbye, Nico.”
“Tell me you’re lying,” he demands at the top of his lungs.
“I’m not.” I smirk.