I can feel Rod’s eyes burning a hole through my forehead as he sits with his arm draped over the back of Katy’s chair across from me. He didn’t want the girl he’s sitting next to. He wanted mine. I didn’t bother making a show of me and Serenity’s new relationship. She’d just tell everyone she wasn’t my girlfriend. I’ll have to work on her a bit to get her to see reason.
I bite into my slice a pizza before updating my relationship status on social media.
Sorry ladies, I’m off the market. I’m in a relationship with Serenity.
The guys and I chat about the team we’ll play next week.
One of the girls shrills. “What? Nico is in a relationship.”
That didn’t take long at all.
Vick flashes a knowing smirk.
“With Serenity,” the cheerleader gasps. “Bitch, Nico is your boyfriend, and you didn’t say anything.”
I sit back in my chair and watch Serenity.
“He didn’t ask me. He told me I belong to him,” Serenity bites out.
I can feel Rod’s heated gaze turning me into ash.
“We’re a couple now. Everyone knows it, Serenity,” I tell her.
Melissa and Noré squeal, throwing their arms around Serenity.
My new girlfriend looks so unhappy. I’ll fix that tomorrow on our date.
After passing through the gates of the Chicello estate, I step out of my car and knock on the door. My two bodyguards, Lune and Vex, exit the SUV and stand ready.
Lune, twenty-two years old and standing six foot three, has broad shoulders that could bring a man down before he knows what hit him. His long brown dreads are tied back in a ponytail, framing a scowling hickory-toned face. Rarely does he smile around strangers, but behind closed doors, he’s talkative with the other guards. His brown eyes flick toward Vex before sweeping the perimeter—my bodyguards never let their guard down.
As Vex leans on the dark SUV, he keeps a hand close to his firearm in the shoulder holster. He often insists we must be prepared for war at any moment, anywhere. Despite being only twenty, he treats his job with utmost seriousness. He’s saving for a house for his family. His mother returned to Sicily a few months ago to take care of his grandmother. She’s on leave of absence from her job. He plans to move his grandmother to the U.S. so his mother doesn’t have to worry about losing her job. She mostly speaks Italian when she calls, keeping him sharp since he seldom visits. In the mafia underworld, Italian is essential, and all my bodyguards are fluent.
Vex’s six-foot-two frame steps forward. His short brown hair stays close to his scalp. His gray eyes narrow sharply while he waits for someone to answer the door—ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
The front door swings open. “Mr. Pitucco, please come in,” the butler announces.
I give a nod to my men, signaling it’s all clear.
“I can come with you, Nico,” Vex offers.
“I’ll manage,” I answer, stepping into the vestibule.
“Follow me,” the butler instructs.
Maybe Serenity’s in the kitchen.
I picture the look on her beautiful face now.
Anger. Irritation.
The butler gestures toward the basement stairs. “Mr. Cichello will see you now.”
I nod, exhaling slowly. Has Mr. Cichello scared off every boy who’s tried to date his daughter?
I descend the stairs and take in the sprawling man cave. My gaze fixes on a man gagged and tied to a chair by the steps. I stride past him and stop beside Mr. Cichello, who’s loading his weapon.
“What do you want with my daughter?” he demands.
