Chapter 5
Chapter Five
NICO
Keeping my schedule open during her delivery window is important.
My phone buzzes. Glancing at the screen, I read the text.
Mrs. Cichello: She’s in labor.
Me: Thank you. On my way.
I drop everything.
Within minutes, my soldiers are driving me to the airport. The SUV tears through traffic while my mind races faster than the engine. Before long, I’m climbing the steps onto the private jet bound for Florence, Italy.
The flight feels endless.
By the time we land, darkness has swallowed the city. Warm summer air rushes through the open cabin door, carrying the scent of cypress trees and rain-soaked stone.
I slide into the backseat of the waiting Escalade and stare out the window as the lights of Florence blur past.
My hand trembles where it rests on my knee.
I curl it into a fist.
I’ve walked into wars without my pulse quickening. I’ve stared into the eyes of hulking men and never flinched.
This is different.
For the first time in my life, I’m nervous.
There’s a chance I might be the father of Serenity’s child.
The private doctor I hired meets me at the hospital and updates me on my ex.
Afterward, I pause outside the elegant private lounge down the hall from Serenity’s room, glancing inside.
Mrs. Cichello and my grandfather sit comfortably, engaged in quiet conversation.
I step into the lounge. My grandfather approaches and pulls me into a warm embrace. “It’s good to see you.”
I hold him close. “Good to see you, too.”
He steps back and gently taps my cheek twice. “Ready to find out if the baby is yours?”
“I am.”
Mrs. Cichello smirks. “I won’t say a word—I’ll let you see for yourself.”
I draw her into a brief hug. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
I step back. “My men are talking with your bodyguards. Thanks for arranging the shift change—I can’t risk Serenity’s guards spotting me. When will her parents and brother arrive?”
“Around ten a.m.,” she answers.
“I’ll be leaving in a few hours. I trust you and grandfather’s men will keep them safe.”
“Good night,” they say.
Neither of them tell me the baby might not be mine. I walk down the hallway, my heart pounding so loudly it drowns out everything else.
Dr. Calhoun emerges from the room. “She’s asleep now. I’ve already taken a DNA sample from the baby.”
She takes a swab from a tube and rubs it inside my cheek.
“I’ll have the results for you within twenty-four hours.”
“Thank you, Dr. Calhoun.”
“You’re welcome.”
Rushing the paternity test cost fifty thousand, but it’s worth every penny. Then there’s the three hundred thousand paid to the doctor for bending every rule just to sedate Serenity. Not to mention the bribes Miff has to slip the nurses. Yeah, it’s all absolutely worth it.
I step into the room and move toward the bed.
She wears a pale yellow and white cotton gown; its three front buttons are likely designed for breastfeeding.
If she isn’t nursing yet, she will be before I leave.
I lift the white blanket draped over her lower half higher and let my fingers brush through her wavy hair.
“You’ve been a bad girl,” I murmur softly into her ear before placing a gentle kiss on her neck.
Turning away, I peel off my blazer and drape it over the arm of the teal recliner. Crossing to the sink tucked in the corner, I wash my hands. Next, I pull off my green Henley and place it on top of my blazer. Before lifting the baby, I glance down at the card on the bassinet’s front.
Madden Cichello. Weight: eight pounds, nine ounces.
Cichello, huh?
“Look at you.” I grin from ear to ear.
I unwrap the blanket gently. I slip the white undershirt over his head and take off his socks. His tiny toes wiggle in response. Then, I peel back the plastic tabs on his diaper. He’s been circumcised—good. A sudden stream of pee sprays out, and I hurriedly cover him so he can finish.
“Sorry about that, Madden.”
His name has a nice ring to it.
I shift him slightly to check for birthmarks. On the back of his shoulder, a dark brown patch stands out. I let my large hand glide over his smooth skin—he’s the warm shade of a rich cashew. As I study his delicate fingers and toes, his eyes flutter open, revealing their deep mahogany color.
Cradling him carefully, I support his head and press him close to my hairy, tattooed chest.
As I move around the room, I breathe in his sweet infant scent.
“I love you already,” I admit.
I lay on the teal couch across the room. Our skin touching. I read in a dad’s baby book that skin to skin contact is good. It stabilizes the baby’s heart rate, breathing, and temperature. It’s also a good way to bond with the baby.
“You look a little like me, little man. Your mommy’s been a bad girl.
I had to torture a guy for no reason. Well, almost no reason.
Your mommy kissed him. She told your great-grandmother he could be the father.
Can’t believe she tried to hide the truth from me.
I was happy to learn you weren’t being adopted.
Not sure how long your mom thinks she can keep you away from me.
Don’t worry, I’ll visit you as much as I can. ” I kiss his forehead.
“You’re mine. I will remove anyone from existence who tries to come between us.
Except for your mommy. She’s just trying to keep you safe from our world.
That’s very hard to do. It’s best you live in Italy for a while.
Daddy has been a very bad boy. Me and mommy’s enemies would come after you if they learn you exist. When I get everything squared away, you’ll be able to come home. ”
They will all die by my hands.
“Your mommy stole you from me. She still has to pay for what she’s done. She will become my wife as punishment,” I flash a devilish smirk.
His little mouth tries to latch onto my nipple. “I don’t have the goods, Madden. Let’s get you to mommy.”
I place him in the bassinet for a moment while I unbutton her nightgown. Turning to the side, I retrieve my son from the bassinet. I position him on her chest and pick up her breast. He latches onto her nipple like an expert. “Guess you did this already,” I whisper.
I can tell he’s happy now. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I hold one arm under his body while he eats his meal. I hadn’t been this close to Serenity in nine fucking months. I love and hate her.
“Hello,” a woman whispers.
Glancing over my shoulder, my brows bunch together.
She inches closer. I stare at her briefly.
She’s dressed to the nines in an off-the-shoulder gold blouse, off-white slacks, and nude loafers.
She walks across the maternity suite to the sink and washes her hands.
Then she sinks onto the couch. My eyes fall back on Madden.
His jaws stop moving. I remove him from his mother’s breast. Carefully, I loosely wrap him in the blanket as I walk to the sofa.
“What are you doing here?” I grit out.
She smirks. “My father told me Serenity was in labor.”
“Mother, he shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know if the baby’s mine.”
She stretches her arms out. “Give me the baby.”
I place him in her arms. She glances at the bassinet, reading the information. “Madden, you’re so handsome.”
His eyes flutter open then close.
“You look just like your father when he was born.”
My heart lurches in my chest. “Mom, I’m waiting on the paternity test.”
“That’s fine. He’s yours. What are your plans?” She asks.
“As you know, I’m at war. So it’s best he remains in Italy. When the war is over they can join me in the U.S.”
“Does she know you know about the baby?” Mom asks.
I sit beside her. “No,” I sigh. “Mom?”
Her eyes light up. “Yes?”
“I tampered with her birth control. I got her pregnant.”
She kisses my cheek. “Don’t worry. In time you will marry her. You have to.”
I brought my mom up to speed on what happened to Serenity when she was fourteen. And how she told me she didn’t want kids after I had already tampered with her birth control pills.
“Poor girl,” Mom says. “She’s strong. This baby has the right parents. You’ll both fight for this child.”
“Hopefully, she’ll let me in.”
“Nico, you’ll have to force her hand.”
“Yeah,” I mutter, staring at my son as he sleeps peacefully.
I will bring my family together in due time.