“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 homethis 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.”
