SERENITY
I can’t believe I have to live under the same roof as Nico Pitucco, my ex-boyfriend.
I blow out a breath as the SUV rolls through the black wrought-iron gates.
He’s my future husband. Due to my situation, I’ll take matters into my own hands.
The only way out of this marriage is death.
Nico will die. If I don’t follow through, he’ll dig into my life and want to know who Madden’s father is. I can’t have that.
Bets opens the rear passenger door. I climb out and strut to the front double doors. This is my first time at his Delaware home. I’d only been to his house in Jersey.
“Ms. Cichello, welcome,” the housekeeper says.
“My name is Esmeralda. I’ll direct you to Mr. Pitucco’s en suite, then I’ll be happy to give you a tour of the mansion.”
“Esmeralda, it’s nice to meet you. I take it a home of this size has two wings.”
Her brows rise. “Yes. But Mr. Pitucco gave strict instructions to have your belongings taken to his suite.”
I take her hand in mine. “Which way to his suite?”
“The double doors down the hall to the left.”
“That will be all, Esmeralda. If I need anything, I’ll find you.” I smile sweetly.
My team and I watch as Esmeralda saunters out of the balcony doors and into the garden. I turn on my heel.
“Angel, locate the largest bedroom in the other wing. Have my belongings moved into the space you choose.”
“Got it, boss.”
I flash a wicked grin. “I’ll be over soon.”
Strutting up the steps, I rub my hands together. “Oh, Nico, the things I have planned for you.”
I tap the earpiece as I step into his room. “Standby,” I say.
“Understood,” Luck replies.
I push open the black double doors. The bedroom steals my breath.
Dark gray ceiling's beams stretch overhead against matching walls, giving the room a rich, masculine feel. Light gray hardwood floors soften the space, while three oversized crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow that bounces off every polished surface.
Glass doors line the far wall, opening onto a private balcony, just like the one at his old house.
My gaze drifts to the oversized mirror built into the wall beside an oblong dresser, then farther into the suite.
The walk-in closet.
Almost against my will, I step inside.
My footsteps slow.
Half of the closet is unmistakably his.
The other half...
My chest tightens.
Cream cabinetry. Soft green accents. The same colors I’d chosen for my closet in my last house. Every shelf, every drawer, every display feels familiar, as though someone reached into my memories and rebuilt them here.
He thought of me.
He planned for me.
Long before I agreed to live under his roof.
The realization squeezes my heart until it aches.
Tears sting my eyes.
I squeeze them shut and draw in a shaky breath.
No.
I will not cry.
I will not let this room, these walls, or this man chip away at the armor I’ve spent years building.
I refuse to give in to Nico Pitucco.
No matter how much he makes this place feel like home.
He’s my enemy. And nothing more than a business transaction. You keep trying to convince yourself.
I walk to the back of the closet and notice a lavender sparkly evening gown.
I read the note.
Dinner in the dining room at six.
“Luke, loop the cameras for two minutes.”
“Got it. You’re a go.”
Nico’s in for a rude awakening.
Later that evening I saunter into the dining room that seats roughly thirty people. Kobi texted me today.
Kobi: I need to see you.
Me: I can’t.
Kobi: I won’t return to Italy until we talk in person.
Me: I’ll let you know when I can get away.
Flashing another fake smile, I greet my fiancé. “Good evening, Nico.”
He’s dressed in a tailored navy suit that hugs his huge, muscled, six- foot-six frame. He just stares at me, all brooding and sexy. I hate this man. Although clearly my body doesn’t.
My thighs squeeze together underneath the gown.
He places a big hand on the table to the left of him. “Have a seat.”
“I can sit here.”
My fingers grip the chair, and I sink into the plush black chair.
“Future wife, sit next to me.”
“I’d prefer not to.”
He rises to his feet, buttons his suit jacket, and walks toward me.
“Nico, I’m fine right here,” I say sweetly.
He pulls my chair back, leans down, and scoops me into his arms. I hook an arm around his neck. My heart thuds against my chest at a rapid pace. Can he feel it?
“Nico, we don’t have to sit next to each other,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Wife to be, I want you seated next to me every day.” His deep voice rattles through me making my body hum as he carries me to the other end of the dining room.
He plants my ass in the chair.
Just get through dinner, Serenity. Then you can retire to your room.
The servers place several serving dishes in the center of the table.
I don’t admit the food smells delicious. My stomach growls loudly.
Nico peers at me. Clearly, he heard my stomach.
“You’ve been here all day and didn’t eat?” He asks.
“The day got away from me,” I admit.
Esmeralda eyes me suspiciously like she knows what I’d been up to today.
Nico glances at her. “Make sure she eats three times a day. Oh, and don’t forget snacks.”
Esmeralda nods. “Not a problem, Mr. Pitucco.”
“That’s not necessary,” I say.
“May I get either of you anything else?” she asks.
“No,” I reply.
Nico shakes his head. “That will be all, Esmeralda.”
We prepare our plates quietly. I remember the time he cooked for me. And all the times we shared meals together. Those were such wonderful times.
“You were told to move into my bedroom, but you didn’t.”
“Nico, I’d like to sleep in my quarters until the wedding night,” I choke out.
He stares at me for a while, shoveling spinach into his mouth.
“You left five fucking years ago. Didn’t say goodbye. Why would you do that, Serenity?”
Should’ve seen this coming.
My heart plummets to my feet when I think about my son.
I blow out a breath. “That was the only way I could get away from you,” I bite out, sipping the glass of white wine.
Staring into the distance, I say, “It was time to move on with our lives.”
I exhale and meet his brown-eyed gaze. “Nico, I bared my soul to you. Laid out my troubled past. I told you I didn’t want a family. Didn’t want our life. The mafia life. Which meant marriage wasn’t in the cards for me.
“You fought us for years. Told yourself we couldn’t be together.”
He flashes a wicked grin. “Now you’re mine for life.”
My stomach sinks. This man is relentless.
I try hard to push down my anger and eat dinner.
Deep breaths. Don’t lose it. He’s deliberately pushing my buttons.
“Be honest with yourself. You brought me here to forever punish me for fucking Rod?”
The scowl on his face tells me it’s true.