I instinctively take his hand. Nico didn’t tell me his father was sick to get my sympathy.
How could I not be a better…be a better what, Serenity? You’re not his friend or his woman. My heart aches at the last realization. He’s your ex-boyfriend who you occasionally fuck.
“How are you handling it?” I ask.
“Let’s see, my brother’s the boss now. And I have to keep my nose clean until I graduate next year.”
My brows pinch together. “I thought you were graduating this year.”
“I have to handle some business that will require me to attend school part-time.”
“Is that the business you talked to Sergio about?” I push.
“Yes, Sergio and my grandfather will assist me.”
“You must be into some heavy shit to involve your grandfather,” Fitz adds.
Nico releases a dry chuckle, “Your bodyguards are the biggest ear hustlers.”
Javier glances at Nico briefly through the rearview mirror. “Our job is to protect Serenity with our lives, so if you have heat on you, we need to know now. I’ll have to call in reinforcement.”
Nico brings the back of my hand to his lips. “My priority is to keep Serenity safe.”
My body heats and my heart races at the same time.
I try snatching my hand away, but he doesn’t let me.
“I’m not your priority, Nico.”
“One day your stubborn ass will see just how much of a priority you are to me.”
Suddenly, it feels too hot in here. I want to run. That’s what I do best. Not face my problems head-on. Right now, I run from the man who once loved me and from my enemies. But one day soon I’ll stand and fight.
“After I graduate, I plan to make my own moves,” I admit.
Those who hurt my family would feel my wrath. If I die in the process, I don’t care. I have to keep my mother and Krew safe.
“Will you become the mafia queen of the Cichellos?”
I glance at Nico and smirk. “Yes.”
The thought of returning to Delaware makes my skin crawl.
Nico leans into my ear. “Always remember, your enemies are my enemies.”
Does he know what happened to me?
“It’s only a matter of time before we kill Chris.”
My shoulders relax. “It is.”
Nico pulls back as Javier comes to a stop.
I want to know what business he spoke to Sergio about.
“The business must be very dangerous to get help from two heavy hitters.”
“It is. There’s a lot of torture and killing involved.” He opens the door and helps me out of the SUV.
