But when I look at him right now?
I find I don’t particularly care.
He’s mine. Finally, completely, irrevocably mine.
I let out a long breath. “We go to war together.”
Something eases in his expression. Just slightly.
“That reminds me.” His gaze hardens, possessive, unyielding. “Don’t ever say again you’re going to die. I protect what’s mine.”
His eyes drag over my body, slow and claiming.
“Every inch of you belongs to me.”
“Did you almost die getting my dad’s territory back?” I ask.
He reaches into his inner jacket pocket and pulls out a cigar.
“Nico, you don’t need a cigar to tell me about this traumatic time in your life.”
He holds it between his fingers.
“I spilled a lot of blood to get Newark back to your family. That city is part of your legacy. Besides, I gave him other territories for your hand in marriage too.”
“Did you almost die getting back that territory?” I ask again.
“No. I was in Baltimore a year and a half ago destroying Aleksandr’s businesses. It was his men who almost killed me.”
I step closer and bury my face in his chest and inhale his intoxicating scent. “Thank you, Nico, for never giving up on me.”
“No more walls, Serenity. I deserve to have the girl from high school, the woman who helped with the bets, the woman who played video games wearing nothing but my t-shirt.”
I peer up at him, resting my chin on his chest. “You do.”
“Even before I almost died, I was dead inside without you by my side.”
“Nico,” I utter.
“I had to live without you. Serenity, you don’t know what that’s like.”
“Nico, I do. Every night I dreamed about you touching me, fucking me, telling me I’m yours.”
“I talked to your father after you left. He told me where you were.”
My heart lurches in my chest. Even though Nana told me Nico met with Dad, it still rattles me knowing he could’ve come after me.
“He said I needed to let you go. Said if I dragged you back, you’d only disappear forever. So I waited until I had something to bargain with.”
Nico pushes the unused cigar back into his inner pocket before peeling off the tuxedo jacket. “You’ll get punished later. Ineed to taste you first, then I want to get you pregnant with my child.”
My legs squeeze together. He wants me to have his child. Not knowing he already has one. We’re to make baby number two. Once I get Madden settled in New Jersey, I’ll tell Nico about his firstborn.
“Get out of your head, Serenity. Don’t worry about what will happen once you’re pregnant. Let’s enjoy making a baby.” He winks.
I slide my fingers over his wet face, removing the leftover tears. My hands land on his strong pecs. “Be gentle with me starting out. It’s been a long time.”
His brow raises. “You didn’t fuck Colby Jack?”
