Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
SERENITY
GOING FOR A DRIVE
My gold stilettos clink against the marble floor as I approach the door leading to the six-car garage.
“Serenity.”
His deep voice stops me in my tracks.
I turn to face him. The white and gold designer maxi dress flows around my curves. The halter neckline draws Nico’s eyes to my ample breasts. His eyes move over my exposed shoulders and arms.
“Where are you going?” He asks in a bored tone.
“Just going out for a little fresh air.”
“You can take in the lush lawn and garden,” he counters.
“I’d like to go for a drive. I didn’t see Lune, so I asked Reacher if he’d be a dear and drive.”
Nico’s jaw twitches. “Where is Reacher?”
“Outside in the SUV,” I tell him.
Nico’s dressed in a white crisp button down. The sleeves are folded just below his elbows, drawing my attention to the tattoos snaking up his arms.
He moves past me and opens the door leading to the garage. The blue slacks hug his firm ass just right as he moves toward the driver’s side of the SUV.
Mullins opens the rear passenger door. I saunter toward him.
“Serenity, don’t get inside yet,” Nico orders.
Mullins steps aside.
Nico rounds the vehicle and halts in front of me. “You have a four o’clock appointment with a private physician.”
What the hell is he up to now?
“Reacher will ensure you’re home for your appointment.”
I clamp my teeth together. “Fine.”
He curls his large hand around my neck, pulling a gasp from me.
Nico leans into my ear. “I wonder how I should make you pay for trying to kill me.”
His delectable cologne creeps up my nostrils and strikes my clit at the same time. “I’m sure you’ll think of something,” I choke out.
Still gripping my neck, he meets my gaze.
His brown eyes drop to my gold-painted lips.
I can tell he wants to kiss me, but wonders if my lipstick is tainted with poison.
His hands fall from my neck. And I inch up on my tippy toes and press a kiss to his lips.
My tongue darts out and slides across his lower lip.
He stares at me unblinking. I’ve shocked the great Nico Pitucco.
“I’ll meet you at the altar tomorrow at noon,” he growls through clenched teeth.
My eyes go wide. “You’re not sleeping with me?”
“Nope. I’m not going to let you attempt to kill me again, especially not before the wedding.
A chorus of gasps escapes from the mouths of my bodyguards around us.
Oh, that’s right, none of the bodyguards here helped obtain the poison.
“Reacher, don’t let anything happen to the future Mrs. Pitucco.” His eyes never leave mine. “The Donna of our family.”
“I’m on full alert, Nico,” Reacher replies.
Nico stuffs his hands into his pockets and stalks back into the house.
Maybe it’s too late to wave the white flag. It appears Nico doesn’t want anything to do with me. Guess I’ve moved up the clock on my punishment. Eternal torture by my ex-boyfriend and now future husband.
Reacher parks the blacked-out SUV in the parking garage.
There are two other SUVs parked on either side of us.
I usually only have two SUVs. Now I have a third.
Nico sent extra security. Why? He’s probably in more trouble he hasn’t mentioned yet.
Mullins opens my door, and I step out. Two bodyguards are wearing AR-15s strapped to their bodies under their suit jackets as they peer down at the street from the fifth level.
I’m wearing bulletproof shapewear under my dress.
Can never be too careful now that I’m back in Delaware.
Ettore has men looking for me, I’m sure.
I never hear from Aleksandr, Ettore’s business partner.
I get the feeling Ettore likes to be in control.
I doubt Ettore knows I’m living with Nico.
He might think I’m staying with my parents.
My father still has the protection of the New Jersey five families, so Ettore wouldn’t risk his men getting blown to smithereens by attacking our home this time.
As my bodyguards move around me in a diamond formation, I keep my hand tucked inside my Hermès Birkin, fingers curled tightly around my Glock’s handle.
The five of us step into the elevator while the other guards disperse across the property.
I’m so accustomed to moving with this protection, it feels like a second skin.
The elevator doors open on the top floor. Three bodyguards step out first and glance down the hallway both ways.
“Clear,” Reacher announces.
I stroll behind him and halt to the left of the doorframe. Reacher’s big fist bangs on the door.
“Who is it?” She yells out.
“Nico’s bodyguard, Reacher.”
She opens the door, smiling up at the monster of a man. “Is Nico with you?” Her gaze moves over the faces and finally lands on mine.
Her smile wavers and she folds her arms across her chest protectively. “How can I help you, princess, Serenity?”
“Good afternoon, Lucy,” I say, stepping beside Reacher.
She smacks her lips. “You know my name.”
I saunter inside the contemporary condo. My bodyguards rush in to sweep the place for bugs. The condo is all clean lines and equipped with a chef’s kitchen.
“You know my name is Lucinda.”
“I like Lucy better. Lucinda gives villain vibes.”
I smile. “Maybe you want to be the villain.”
She shakes her head. “No, you’re trying to paint me as the villain, but you’re the one who vanished from Nico’s life for five years. You hate that I’m part of his life now,” she says, stopping near the black marble counter in the open kitchen.
Angel and Bets approach.
“All clear,” Angel says.
“Leave us,” I order as I sit in one of the plush high-back chairs.
Angel steps toward Lucy. “I have to search you.”
“But she gets to remain armed,” she gripes.
“You can place your gun on the counter. I will do the same,” I say pulling my Glock from my purse and laying it on the counter. The sunlight hit the huge diamond on my left hand, drawing Lucy’s eyes to it.
Her nostrils flare. The bitch is so jealous. Fucking good.
Standing in a pair of burgundy yoga pants and a pink tank, she throws her hands in the air. “Where would I keep a gun in this outfit? But go ahead and search me.”
Angel frisks her while Bets steps behind the kitchen counter, checking the drawers. He pulls out three handguns.
“She’s clean,” Angel announces.
“Boss, we can’t leave you alone with Lucy,” Bets says.
I snicker at his pettiness to keep the name I gave her going.
“We’ll wait near the door,” he says.
I’m sure the weapons in the drawers gave him pause.
“Those were put there by Nico for my protection. He said if anyone broke in I was to use them.”
My blood boils under my skin. I hate thinking that Nico kept her safe.
“Fine,” I say to my team.
“This is what happens when you’re to become the second Donna of the Pitucco family.”
Her green eyes narrow. “Just announce it already.”
“I’m getting married to Nico tomorrow. You may have been there for him over the years, but that’s over-”
“It’s not over,” she cuts off my words. “He’ll need me. I give the best massages. You’re a frigid bitch. He’ll only be able to tolerate you for so long.”
“Oh, because you think you know so much about me. You know nothing. Nico and I have been a thing since we were in high school. Now he’s made it clear I am to be his wife.”
“Yeah, but not in the traditional sense. It’s a mafia marriage. He can’t expect you to please him. So, I’ll be his goomah.”
I lean forward. “I don’t give a fuck how you rode his dick and made him come.”
“Think I’ll fuck him tonight. That big dick is so good,” she moans, biting down on the corner of her lower lip.
My hand opens and closes. I’m two seconds away from grabbing the Glock and blowing her brains out.
I then remember this is why I didn’t want my bodyguards here. Things are about to get ugly.
“You like all the hair around his balls, huh?”
Lucy snorts. “Hair around his balls? He’s clean-shaven.”
A sly smile curls on my lips. “Nico can’t be himself around you. He only shows who he really is with me.”
“I thought you were so against being with Nico,” she sneers.
My brows lower. “I’m Italian. And I’ll take my vows seriously. I won’t fuck anyone else, and nor will he.”
My manicured fingertip presses against the marble countertop. “No more leeching off Nico. You’ll move out today.”
Her mouth drops open. “You can’t do that.”
“Oh, but I can,” I growl.
“Whatever,” she huffs. “It doesn’t matter. Nico feels guilty for all the times I almost died. He’ll put me up in a nice place.”
I chuckle. “Your brake system failed the first time. You hit a pole,” I say nonchalantly.
Her eyes widen.
“An arrow struck you outside the nightclub. I can go on.”
“You were watching me?” She roars with shock in her voice.
“No. I arranged for your brake lines to be cut. I have to admit I was hoping you’d get slaughtered by a Mack truck.
Instead of killing you, I’ve had my hitwoman wound you over the years.
Most women would’ve walked away by now. But not you.
You want my man so badly you’re willing to come close to death to be in his presence. ” I stand to my feet.
“This cat is done playing with her food. You contact my fiancé again and next time you’ll sit in my torture chamber.”
“You’re just pissed it was my pussy his cock was buried inside of every night for the past five years.”
In an instant, my hands clamp around her neck. “You’ll never ride his dick again.” My bodyguards remain frozen at their posts, not intervening to protect her.
She struggles violently against my grip, slapping at my hands in an attempt to get free. Her face flushes a deep crimson as her breath falters and fades. “He’s fucking mine,” I growl between clenched teeth.
Reluctantly, I release her and step back. Lucy falls to the floor, coughing, desperately trying to catch her breath.
I crouch down in front of her. “I’m the wrong bitch to fuck with. Be grateful I let you live another day.” I smile sweetly before standing to my feet. I turn on my heel and walk out the door.
Just when I think this man can’t be serious, he is. I’m lying on a exam table in Nico’s study. I wonder if he’s watching the exam on the surveillance camera.
“There will be some mild discomfort,” Dr. James says before starting the exam. I tense up, but try to relax.
After the exam is over she confirms I don’t have an IUD. Of course, had she asked, I could’ve told her. But I know Nico won’t take my word.
I stroll outside and take in the elaborate altar.
I’m getting married to Nico Pitucco tomorrow.
The man I ran away from. My hands shake at my sides.
I wring my hands, trying to calm down. He pulled me back into the mafia world I tried to walk away from.
I was supposed to return home, take care of my enemies, then disappear. Well, if I survived.
Once I’m his wife, running isn’t an option. I slip my fingers through my hair as I take in my surroundings. Heavily armed bodyguards patrol the grounds. There’s no way out.
You said you’d try with Nico.
I blow out a breath.
I will be the woman Nico needs, even if he doesn’t love me anymore.