That fucking asshole. I walked away for a reason. The second I return to the U.S. he aims to get me back.
I only returned because my grandmother suggested I let Madden spend time with my family. And it’s time to kill Ettore and Aleksandr for what they’d done to my family.
He brought the red head who looks like a beauty queen to my welcome home party. Why would he do that?
Fuck! Why does he still get under my skin after all these years?
I’m not sure we can allow the other to be with someone else. At this point, it’s not that we like each other. We just want to make the other’s life miserable.
“Serenity, I get Newark back.”
My dad’s words snap me from my thoughts.
There’s a strange mix on his face—pain and pride, loss and hope.
Newark, Delaware, holds bittersweet memories. It’s my hometown.
The name alone is a wound. My father had an army, yet when the bastards craving our territory stormed our home, they slaughtered nearly all our soldiers to reach Mom, Krew, and me. Their intent was clear: to wipe us out completely. The nightmare of those days still twists my gut.
Dad still controls Talleyville and Claymont, but Newark was his pride. His hometown. His throne. Stolen.
Now, after all these years, he’s saying it’s ours again.
Dad rounds the desk, grips my arms. His eyes shine with something I haven’t seen in a long time—hope. “It’s our hometown, Serenity.”
My chest aches. I’d do anything for my family. Especially him. My hero.
“Yeah, I get it,” I whisper. Then my voice hardens. “But did you ask Nico how he obtained our city?”
“No. I didn’t.”
I exhale sharply. “Dad, it’s time for a sit-down with all the Delaware bosses. You need a united front. Like New Jersey has. Otherwise, this happens again.”
He runs a hand over his hair, the streaks of gray catching in the lamplight. “Nico and Cairo are giving up parts of their other territories too.”
The name alone makes my stomach knot. “I walked away from Nico, Dad. Because I didn’t want a family. Back then, I loved him. Too many years have passed now. The love we shared is dead.”
“I know.” His voice is low, almost guilty. “But you also need to?—”
“Don’t.” My tone slices through his. “I came back home temporarily.”
I’ll kill those bastards and return to Italy.
He stares at me. “No, Serenity. You’re here for good. You’ll marry Nico Pitucco to help this family.”
The floor tilts. I laugh, bitter and sharp. “I won’t be married to him long. I’ll kill him to get out of the marriage.” I visibly swallow.
The thought makes me squeamish. I think about the time Nico and I spent together before I walked away. It was beautiful. I don’t want to be married to a mafia boss in this life.
Dad shakes his head slowly, grim. “He said you’ll have to get pregnant with his heir within the year.”
My laugh turns colder, darker. “Then I guess he’ll be dead before that can happen.”
“Hey, boss.” I peek to the left as I step out of my father’s office. She’s leaning against the wall dressed in a skimpy gold two-piece outfit. The gold short sleeve bustier doubles as a bullet-proof vest, I’m sure. The long, sparkly skirt is shielding a weapon, no doubt.
She points my phone at me. “You have a missed call.”
My brows rise. “Thank you, Angel,” I say as I take the phone.
