So much to think about.
Right now, I have a bitch to torture. My eyes squeeze shut and I doze off into a deep slumber.
I leave Nico asleep in my bed. This is me building trust with a man who broke my heart. This is good. Healthy. My sweaty palms open and close.
Are you ready to come clean to him about your past.
I grip the passenger headrest and take a deep breath.
“Serenity, are you okay?” Fitz asks.
“Yes.” I smile through the panic attack.
My bodyguards are used to my anxiety attacks and give me a moment to collect myself.
“Javier, I’m ready to go.”
“You’re leaving Nico in the house?” he asks.
“Yes, I’m building trust.”
Javier nods and rolls through the wrought-iron gates. I have so much to do.
I have another meeting coming up with Dillon. I sit down with him every three months just to make sure I’m happy with my extensive security detail.
He said when I’m ready to retaliate against Ettore and Aleksandr he’ll supply an army.
I was overjoyed.
Dillon’s wife, Sierra, is a sweetheart. The way he gazes at her as if she’s the only woman in the world stirs something in me, making me crave more.
“Nico informed me that Alvin, the guy Nico took care of, was actually there to take me out.”
“What?” Javier roars.
He pauses for a beat.
“Why? Alvin told you he was involved in the underground world. Steven said the information Alvin told you about his position checked out,” Javier says.
Steven is the guy who runs all the final background checks on people who enter our organization and associate with us. He’s worked for our family for years.
“I followed Alvin a couple of times,” Fitz adds. “He dealt with shady characters. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. I also frisked him myself.”
Maybe he planned to choke me to death.
“Nico said his real name was John Talis. He worked for Auttoro. Who is Nico’s enemy.”
“Steven should’ve known his real name,” Javier growls.
“When would you like us to pick Steven up?” Fitz asks.
“In a few days. I have a busy schedule. Let him enjoy his last days on earth.”
“Serenity, you have to bring the boss in on this.” Javier peeks at me through the rear-view mirror.
I sigh. “I know.”
I had expected Nico to arrive while I was punishing Amy, who had betrayed my family’s company, but he told me he couldn’t join because he had urgent matters to deal with.
