Sergio continues. “Serenity came to. Lurch abused her in front of her mother and Krew. Jeno sat back in the chair, watching everything unfold. Gioele was fascinated with Serenity. He talked about having sex with her. Cerese told them to leave her kids alone. They only abused her more. Kicking her in the stomach. Jeno threatened to rape Cerese, then cut the baby out.”
I rest my elbows on my knees and slide my hands over my hair as I listen.
Serenity was the only one left untied. She never attempted to rush to her mother’s defense. Instead, she begged to endure the worst of the torture, pleading to spare her mother because of the baby. When Jeno made it clear, they’d all die after Tizánosurrendered his territory, Serenity seemed to realize she had nothing left to lose, and she snapped. She drew a switchblade hidden in her shoe and swiftly slit Gioelo’s throat. Without hesitation, she plunged the blade into Lurch repeatedly. Big Lux, the Cichellos’ head bodyguard, had survived the initial assault and retaliated by killing Jeno. Cerese tried to soothe Serenity, but she was beyond reach. As a result, Tizáno arranged for Serenity to be placed under a seventy-two-hour psychiatric hold.
This explains Serenity’s demeanor the day she found out I betrayed her. She told Javier to break my arm. She saw me as her enemy. I’ll never forget the coldness in her eyes. It was like the girl I loved disappeared. Standing in her place was a stone-cold mafia princess.
“Does Ettore know Serenity killed two of his men?”
“Yes. One of Ettore’s rats ran back and told him Serenity killed his men.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. That explains why her name isn’t listed in the school’s database.
“Cerese lost their baby girl. Tizáno made the right decision reaching out to me. I was close to his brother Ivano, who lost his life in a gunfight involving some of my enemies. Before he died, I promised to watch over his brother. Serenity treads carefully every day, fearing something might happen to Cerese and Krew. I doubt she’ll ever live in Delaware again.
“She’s not registered under her name at school,” I mention.
“Tizáno and I think it’s best to give Serenity some sense of a normal life.”
I nod. “Why did you tell me everything?”
“It’s clear you’ve got it bad for Serenity. Does she know you’ll never let her go?”
“I tell her I won’t, but I don’t think she believes me.”
“Why are the Veros and Novikoffs still alive?” I ask.
“It would’ve been a bloody war. We were able to strike a truce at the time. Even though Tizáno wanted to kill them all. He would’ve gotten himself killed. I told Tizáno we had to wait to strike.”
“Let me and my men go after them. I have the support of my grandfather, Demario…”
“The Don of the Cosa Nostra,” he finishes for me.
“Yes. I won’t involve the Pituccos or the rest of the five families.”
“I hope you’ll have a well thought out plan.”
“Yes, as much as I want to move right now. I’ll wait until I’m about to take the throne.”
“Dominic will help you. I’ll also talk to Marco.”
I stand to my feet and stretch my hand out toward Sergio. “Thank you.”
He walks around the desk and takes my hand. “Don’t make me regret my decision to help you.”
“I’ll make you and my dad proud.”
Sergio pulls me into a hug.
The New Jersey Don gave me the green light to take those bastards out when I’m ready. Oh, how they’ll pay for hurting what belongs to me.
Chapter Sixteen
SERENITY
TAKING IN THE BIG APPLE
“How’s my asshole attempted rapist doing?” I ask through the earpiece as I bite into a hot dog. The ancient hot dog cart in Times Square draws the attention of locals and tourists.
