Being with my dad feels incredible. I’m determined to make the trip to Delaware every day.
Nico stands on his porch, flashing a cocky smirk. “Good evening, Serenity. It’s good to see you.”
“Hello Nico.” I saunter inside his house.
We hadn’t seen each other since he killed Alvin, almost a year ago.
“Fuck,” he mutters under his breath.
A smile takes my lips. One thing I’ve respected about Nico over the years was that he never once talked badly about my body.
I glance over my shoulder and bat my long lashes at him. “I can feel you staring at my ass.”
“Damn right I am. Your body’s a work of art.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“Kick your shoes off,” he orders.
I step out of my red stilettos.
His fingers thread mine. “And you wonder why I kill men over you.”
My smile rises and falls. “You do it because you’re crazy and possessive.”
Laughter rumbles in his chest. “Let’s eat.”
We hadn’t shared a meal together since his graduation party. Tonight reminds me of our time in New York. We let go of everything and behaved like our old selves that day.
I release his fingers, walk to the kitchen sink, and wash my hands. “Thanks again for the graduation slash housewarming gift.”
When my home was finally ready to move into, there was a large box on my front porch. My guards had already swept it for explosives and were aware of who it was from.
Fitz and Javier carried the large box inside and placed it in the foyer. I unwrapped it. Sitting on the floor with my legs crossed, my mouth dropped open.
“You’re welcome. I would’ve given it to you sooner, but you were living in a safe house. That’s no place for a new pet,” Nico removes the takeout containers from the warmer.
“Nico, I don’t do pets. Certainly not a dog. Why not a cat?” I ask as I sit at the counter.
I remember a black bulldog staring at me within the cage, wearing a pink collar and a red bow around its neck. The name tag read Bruetta.
“You needed a watchdog,” he tells me.
I dry my hands with paper towel. “Nico, it’s a bulldog.”
He raises a finger. “She’s an American Bulldog. Bruetta will grow on you.”
I think back to when I opened the cage, and she walked into my lap, sniffing and licking me.
“Why did you name my dog?” I ask as he loads my plate with food.
“Same reason you engraved my watch: The Boss.” He takes a seat beside me.
“Nico, that’s not the same thing.”
He chuckles as he caresses my ass.
It’s not lost on me I sat in Rod’s kitchen, chatting over drinks. And now I’m cozying up to Nico in his. After Nico killed Alvin, it was best we had much-needed time apart. I kept myself busy with work. Trying to keep my mind off Nico.
