“Watch it, Nico,” Fitz growls from behind.
“It’s okay, Fitz. He’s just mad because I kicked him, then ditched him,” I chuckle.
Nico limps alongside me. “Fitz, you know I’d never hurt her.”
“You already did, remember?” Fitz snaps.
I glance up at Nico. His dark beanie sits atop his curly hair.
His cognac eyes are hidden behind dark shades.
“Serenity…”
“Nico, as I said, I’m here on business.”
“I know to torture the women and entertain Chris.”
“Yes,” I reply.
“Fitz, where is he?” Nico asks.
“At a boxing gym up the street.”
“Let’s pay him a visit,” Nico suggests.
Instead of hopping into my warm Suburban, I stroll beside Nico. He walks alongside me, which means he’s slowing his pace. He slides his hand along my waist and leans into my ear. “I should tie you to the bed tonight for that little stunt in the store.”
I chuckle. “I should tie you down for rage bating me.”
Nico burst into laughter.
Nico swings open the gym door. The sharp thuds of gloves striking heavy bags and the scuff of shoes sliding across the boxing rings flood my ears. I survey the sparse gym. A man is speaking to Chris inside the ring, gesturing at his raised hand as if complaining about it. A soft chuckle escapes me. “Looks like that hand’s still giving him trouble.” “I wouldn’t mind making him suffer a little more,” Nico mutters. We move closer to the ring. “Trouble in the ring, huh?” I smirk. Chris’s gaze lands on me, then flickers over to Nico. “What the hell? You’re not supposed to be here.” “We can go wherever we want,” Nico replies firmly. Chris scans the room, then nods as if giving an order. “Time to leave,” someone says, grabbing my arm abruptly. Nico and Fitz spring into action. “Don’t you dare touch her again,” Nico growls.
He shoves his hand against the man’s chest. The guy staggers back.
Fitz gets in his face. “Step the fuck off.”
“You need to get out,” another towering figure commands. Nico unbuttons his jacket, exposing the Glocks holstered at his side. “We’re not worried,” I say with a confident smile, patting my purse. The entire gym falls silent. Five more men emerge from the back, heading our way, their appearance unmistakably Russian. “Shit.” Nico locks eyes with me briefly, pulling me close. “I’ve got you.” He draws one Glock from its holster. “Who’s ready to die for this piece of shit?”
The door swings open once more, and our bodyguards flood inside. Nico laughs darkly, fixing Chris with a glare. “Looks like you’ve got protection. Afraid I’d put you down for good?”
Chris’s chest heaves as he shoots him a venomous look. “Nico Pitucco,” he spits the name like poison. “You think being in the mafia makes you untouchable? You’re wrong.” “He is,” I smirk. “You’re just angry because he stopped you from trying to rape me.” Chris’s eyes flicker around the gym, scanning the faces gathered in the room.
He’s on edge, waiting for someone to try to snap his photo. He can’t risk that info reaching the Columbia University football coach, where he’s enrolled now. I look up at Nico, my fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw. “He’s the toughest mothafucka I know. No one’s ever gonna hurt me while he’s around.” “You only held back because you wanted to fuck him. I saw it in your eyes that night,” Chris sneers. “I knew you were trouble the moment I saw you at the ice cream shop,” Nico growls. “Serenity belongs to me. I will always remove any problem she has,” he declares firmly.
“Nico, it’s only a matter of time before we catch him slipping,” I warn. “That’s right, princess.” He presses a kiss to my lips, then glares at Chris. “We’ll catch you later.” “I’m backed by the Bratva,” Chris snarls with a smirk. “They’ll take you down, Nico.” Nico shakes his head. “You idiot. The New Jersey Five Families hold power in New York too. Don’t forget that. As you can see, we can get to you whenever we want. See you around, rapist.” He pulls me close and slides his Glock back into his holster before whisking me out the door.
“Your SUV or mine?” he asks as I strut toward the curb.
I halt at my vehicle and peer up at him. “You think that show we put on in front of Chris means I’m hanging with you today?”
He flashes a grin. One that says, are you serious?
“I spoke of our day before we saw that asshole.”
Javier, Fitz, and Miff stood like an iron wall in front of us.
“A walk in the park, lunch, then the Ritz.”
