The Moretti Heiress

Chapter Thirty Three

"Snitches Get Stitches, Overprotective Maniacs, and a Boy Named Kayden"

The day had been long as fuck, and all Serena wanted was to get the hell out of college and into her bed.

But, of course, the universe hated her.

Because as soon as she and Kayden exited the building, her eyes landed on a very familiar figure.

Adrian.

Leaning against his sleek black car. Arms crossed. Sunglasses on. Looking every bit like an overprotective, judgmental older brother.

Fuck.

"Seems like your ride's here," Kayden said lazily, smirking. "See you tomorrow, snarky princess."

Serena groaned. "Oh, for fuck's sake, it's Serena, okay?! Serena! Happy now?"

Kayden's smirk widened.

And then—dimples.

Fucking dimples.

"Finally," he murmured. "See you tomorrow then, Serena. But I would still like to go by snarky princess. It suites you more," He said with a grin.

Serena rolled her eyes and turned around before he could see the heat rising to her face.

What the hell was that about?

Mood swings. That had to be it. Maybe she was getting sick. Or overtired. Or losing her goddamn mind.

She cautiously approached Adrian, forcing a smile. "Hey, Adrian—"

"Who was that guy?"

Serena blinked. "What?"

"The guy you've been stuck to the entire fucking day," Adrian clarified, his voice deceptively calm.

Serena's soul left her body.

"Oh, him?" She let out a very nervous laugh. "No one important! Just a classmate! Barely even know him! In fact, I might have imagined him! Maybe he's a hallucination—"

"Serena."

"...Yeah?"

"Get in the car."

She got in the fucking car.

The drive was silent.

Too silent.

Which was bad.

Because Adrian being silent meant he was thinking.

And Adrian thinking meant he was plotting her downfall.

Serena stared out the window, mentally praying to whoever the fuck was listening.

She was so screwed.

As soon as they stepped inside the house, Serena barely had time to breathe before Adrian fucking snitched.

"Serena's been hanging around some guy all day."

And that?

That was all it took.

Chaos.

Dante slammed his glass on the table. "What?!"

Nico's jaw dropped. "Who the fuck is he?!"

"You were supposed to be resting, not picking up men!" Dante added, voice rising.

"I didn't fucking pick him up!" Serena snapped. "We just happened to be in the same place at the same time—"

"The whole fucking day?" Nico crossed his arms. "Sounds like bullshit."

"Because it is," Dante muttered.

Meanwhile, Alessandro and Luca were the only ones not losing their minds.

Luca sipped his whiskey, looking entirely unbothered. Alessandro, on the other hand, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Can we not start a war in my house?"

Serena threw her bag on the couch. "For fuck's sake, it's not a big deal! I can have friends, you lunatics!"

Adrian sighed. "Friends?" He raised a brow. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

"YES."

"Did he touch you?" Dante demanded. "Because I will fucking kill him."

"Jesus Christ! No, he did not fucking touch me!"

"What's his name?" Nico asked.

Serena hesitated.

And that?

That was all they needed.

"She's hesitating," Adrian muttered.

"That means he's important," Dante added.

"That means we're killing him," Nico finished.

"Fucking hell, stop it!" Serena groaned. "His name is Kayden, alright?"

Silence.

Then—

Dante let out a low whistle. "Kayden, huh?"

"Doesn't fucking ring a bell," Nico grumbled. "Who the fuck is this dude?"

"Some arrogant asshole, I'm sure," Adrian muttered.

Serena threw her hands up. "Oh my god, you're all fucking insane!"

"We're insane?" Dante gaped. "You're the one giving some random asshole your attention when you should be resting!"

"I AM RESTING!"

"Then why the fuck does this guy keep coming up?!"

Serena exhaled sharply, dragging her hands down her face. She could feel the heat rising again—frustration, exhaustion, and something else she couldn't quite name. Her body felt tense, on edge, like she was teetering at the edge of a cliff.

"I hate all of you."

"We hate Kayden," Dante corrected.

"You haven't even fucking met him!"

"Doesn't matter."

"We don't need to," Nico added. "He's officially on our watch list."

Luca finally spoke, voice calm and even. "Did he do anything inappropriate?"

Serena's glare softened just a fraction. "No," she admitted. "He just annoys me."

"Good," Luca nodded. "If that changes, let us know."

Serena exhaled. "Finally, someone sane."

"For now," Luca added. "But if he steps out of line, we'll kill him."

Serena let out a strangled scream.

Alessandro just sighed. "Jesus fucking Christ, this family."

A/N:

Serena: My family is fucking crazy.
The Moretti Brothers: Kayden must die.
Kayden: (Peacefully having noodles) ACHOO! Someone's talking about me.

Okay, but seriously, who wants to bet that Kayden's gonna love messing with them?

Also, Serena's mood swings are no joke. How long before she realizes why she's been feeling 'off' lately?