“Yes, tell Dad I handled it.”
“Did you really? The boy is howling like a wounded animal, disturbing the neighborhood.”
I send a text to Javier.
Me: Tell him to leave before he starts a war between our families.
Javier: Got it.
Five minutes later, Nico climbs into the backseat of the SUV and disappears into the night.
Mom keeps me close and saunters to my bed. “Talk to me, Serenity.”
We sink onto the bed. My mom still has me glued to her side.
“I’ll never fall in love again. Boys are snakes.”
She kisses my hair. “Not all boys. One day you’ll meet a good guy. He’ll show you how much he loves you.”
I don’t believe her words.
“I’d like to get ready for bed.”
“Serenity, let me run you a bath.”
“Mom…” my voice cracks, and my lower lip trembles.
“I need time alone.”
She palms my face and a single tear slips down her cheek. “You are loved.”
I grin at her because I always feel my parents love. “I know mom. I love you too.”
“If you need me for anything, don’t hesitate to come get me.”
My gaze moves over her beautiful gingerbread skin.
“I won’t.”
Mom opens the door, and Dad stands there waiting. “Sweetheart, I need to know you’re all right. Is there anything I can do?”
“Daddy, I handled it. I had Javier break his arm. Sports are off the table for him. I am satisfied with his punishment.”
Dad smirks. “That’s my girl. Get some sleep.” He pulls Mom into his arms and plants a kiss on her lips as he closes my door.
Tears pour down my face, and the uncontrollable sobs follow.
When I leave my room in the morning, I find my parents asleep on the floor outside my door. I might’ve grown up in a mafia family, but that didn’t stop my parents from expressing how much they loved me and my brother.
Chapter Eight
NICO
Ihate Serenity Cichello. My main goal in life is revenge.
She found out about our bet and went batshit crazy. Had her bodyguards hold me down outside the school store, then broke my fucking arm. Right before I was supposed to start my freshman year, a starter for the college football team.
After that night, I tried calling her. Went to her house. They wouldn’t let me inside the gate. If I could’ve gotten her alone, she’d have heard the truth—that I only joined the bet to keep the other assholes away. That I always meant for her to be mine.
