Natalia then Nick hugs me before darting back down the aisle.
Nico meets my gaze. “Why are you living in New York?”
“I’m just living there temporarily until my new house is ready.”
“I’m going out of town before I start working with Nick at the office. You can stay at my house until yours is ready.”
My smile rises and falls. “I’ll be fine.”
He grips my chin. “Let me in.” I don’t miss the demanding pleading in his tone.
“I can’t believe you graduated a year late. Feels like you did it on purpose,” I joke.
“You have no idea,” he whispers. I can barely hear him over the yelling in the background.
We stand awkwardly in the back of the auditorium, staring at each other.
“Enjoy your summer,” I tell him.
He pulls me into his arms again. I inhale him for the last time. Fuck, I don’t want to let him go. However, this is the end of our story.
Nico pulls back this time, drinking me in. He turns on his heel not saying goodbye and returns to his seat.
Why didn’t he say goodbye? If he thinks we’re not over, he’s mistaken.
NICO
After Serenity thanked me for the flowers in a text message, I asked her why she was sad upon leaving the private suite.
Unfinished business was her words.
I assigned one of my men to hack the security cameras inside the school building where her graduation was held.
What he uncovered was disturbing. After Miff handed the floral arrangement to the attendant, he walked away. Then another man stepped forward, slipping a card into the bouquet. The attendant, unaware, carried the flowers into the suite.
Whatever was written on that card cut Serenity deep.
I sent a text to Fitz the following day. He’s now my spy from within her camp.
He and I had a little chat. I told Fitz I’m going after the people who hurt Serenity. That’s the only reason he’s working with me.
Me: Hey, I need you to search Serenity’s purse for a small card. I need to know what was written on it.
Fitz: Yeah, I’ll get back to you.
Twenty minutes later, he responds.
I click on the picture of the card he sent.
It says:
Congratulations, Serenity,
I couldn’t find you until you showed up in New York.
Don’t worry, I’m not planning to strike now. Just want you to know I can get to you. You took everything from me. You will pay.
EV
