“No, Nico.”
“I loved you even though you stole my baby. You didn’t think you deserved happiness. That’s why it was important you talked to Kinsley and spent time with the mafia wives. They’ve each been to hell and back.”
“But I grew up in this life,” I say.
He squeezes my hand. “So did Baylor and Ryah.”
My eyelids lower. “I’m trying to believe Madden will be okay. I-I had a secret padded room built in my basement. I’ve sat in a straitjacket while I talked to my therapist before I ran away. I wanted to marry you so badly. I…I just couldn’t bring myself to give you what you wanted. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw the abuse my mother endured,” I say, staring through him.
He clutches my face in his large palms. “I understand it will take time. We’ll go to therapy so we can get through this together.”
Nico kisses my lips, then pulls me into his arms.
“After Madden had gotten used to his new surroundings, I intended to introduce you to him. Honestly, I kept finding reasons to delay because my—no, our enemies were still lurking. I needed Madden to remain at my place, hidden away safely in the panic room.”
He leans over, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Serenity, I wouldn’t have fought you on keeping him safe. If it means sending you all to Italy for safety when our next child arrives, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
Ryah’s words echo in my mind: Of course, you know in this life you will forever watch your back. That was precisely why I chose to live abroad. Sure, we dealt with my enemies.
But what about the new ones?
Nico’s eyes widen, searching mine with worry. “Serenity?”
I see my mother’s hands clutching her pregnant belly as his boot pounds into it again and again. I shut my eyes tightly, forcing the memory away.
Cradling my own stomach, it hits me—I could be pregnant, and my husband’s enemies are still out there. What if they kidnap us? I have to keep Madden and the baby safe.
The thought of Nico’s enemies coming after us loops endlessly in my mind. “They could come for us.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
NICO
My wife retreated to the corner of the sofa. She repeats, “They could come for us.”
I don’t know who they are. We killed her enemies. I assign Angel and Fitz to stay with her. I’m not sure how they’d react to her state of mind.
They enter the room. Angel’s jaw slacks.
Fitz circles the sofa, drops to his knees in front of her, and firmly takes her hands. “You’re here, boss.”
He looks over at me and quickly recites the code to unlock her phone.
“Her therapist’s name is Ms. Jonas.”
“Thanks,” I reply before rushing out the door.
Giving up on Serenity isn’t an option. I’m convinced she’s had a psychotic break—I had hoped that chapter was closed now that her enemies are gone.
While I wait for my wife’s therapy session to finish, I play basketball with Madden until he’s completely worn out. Then I bathe him and settle him down for a nap.
As I exit Maddens room, Fitz jogs up the steps. “Ms. Jonas is ready to see you.”
I check my watch—two hours have passed.
I nod and trail him downstairs.
“You’ve seen Serenity like that before?”
