Page 11 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

It’s been a week since I made myself comfortable in the office.

With all the changes going on, I make a point to check on every department, and that includes a certain brunette workaholic with a caffeine addiction.

I make sure that security escorts her to her car every day because she keeps late hours.

I’ve also noticed the looks she gets from other people in the office, by other people, I mean men—the men in the office.

My brother advised me that it’s bad for company morale to fire employees so shortly after getting here.

If women were to look at her, I have no problem because I know her preference, so there is no competition there.

I can always transfer them. I’m still contemplating the purchase of a company in New Hampshire.

Our brief interaction last week did nothing to tame the need to be around her.

I make the smallest excuse to walk by her office, to go to the coffee machine.

Shit, I’ve even started talking to the assistants.

After she made the sassy comment about the trip, I couldn’t stop imagining ways to punish her.

I can work from home. Hell, my other office across the city is larger, but then I wouldn't get my daily fix of Serena. I’m royally fucked when it comes to that woman.

“I’m still pissed about you not attending the gala; you know how I feel about those things. Where the fuck were you?”

My brother responds from the other side of the car speaker. “I told you something came up, so don’t be a dick. Did you see her there? Isn’t that the real reason you went?”

“Yes, and I don't appreciate you smiling and flirting with her.” He laughs, but I don't find it funny.

“I was being polite, you jerk. You can’t kill or transfer every man who talks or looks at her.”

“Yes, I can.”

He laughs, but he knows I'm serious. My brother and I are very close, and he’s aware of how deep my obsession runs and the lengths I’ll go to.

He should know not to fuck with me. I don’t pretend to be a good man; I don’t pretend that I don’t enjoy hurting others.

I savor the moment when I end a life. When a person takes their last breath because of you.

The feeling is godlike. Hell, I enjoy it so much that I serve as an executioner for my cousin.

I relish the fact that I can be two sides of the coin.

The philanthropist and the killer. Helping others while making sure my interests are met.

This isn’t a perfect world, so why mold myself to it when I can mold it to me?

“I’m on my way to see Mom. I’ll call you later to discuss a couple of things.”

“I stopped by yesterday. She mentioned Veronica hasn’t been home in a couple of days. We need to look into what she’s been up to.”

“I’ll have Miles follow her trial and report back,” I tell him, then hang up.

My parents live outside of the city. They preferred to raise us away from all the peering eyes of a camera.

The media always wanted the latest on the Kayde family.

The place I called home growing up is guarded by dozens of men who have been with the family for years.

Passing the front gates, I make my way up the driveway and mentally prepare to see my parents.

I enter the house that's painted in soft hues of blue, making the space feel open and inviting, and I’m engulfed by the smell of the ocean.

My mother has always loved the water. When she saw this house, she knew she had to have it.

Growing up, we would go down to the beach for family picnics, make sandcastles, and run in the water.

There are so many loving memories in this home.

I had a fantastic childhood, but there was always something missing.

I walk directly to the back of the house, knowing that’s where they’ll be.

I’ve always been told that I resemble my father in his youth.

I’ve seen pictures of when he was my age, and the resemblance is uncanny, both of us tall, black hair, sharp jaw, but my eyes, those come from my mother, Abigail Kayde, who is sitting down with a blanket over her legs, keeping warm from the cold ocean breeze.

It’s February, so there is a chill in the air.

My mother is a force to be reckoned with; she has been all my life.

The love my parents share is a once-in-a-lifetime love.

My father is her anchor. He’s what keeps her in the present.

What keeps her from losing herself. She lives for the present and a hopeful future.

I know that she loves her children, but we will never compare to the man who slayed her demons and keeps them away in the moments she gets lost in the past. There has always been a darkness to my mother that she tries to hide from us, but darkness recognizes darkness.

She comes from a fortunate family and grew up very privileged.

It wasn’t until she met my father that she realized just how little control she had over her own life.

He set her free. They got married and have built their empire together.

Growing up, she would tell me that empires can’t be built without sacrifice, whether it’s our soul or a life, and she was right.

I’ve sacrificed both. The only thing that I am not willing to sacrifice is her.

Serena doesn’t know it, but she has always been mine.

God help anyone who ever stands in my way.

“Hi, Mom, how are you feeling?” I ask, placing a kiss on her forehead.

“Ian, my sweet boy. I didn’t hear you come in. Did you just get here? Are you hungry?”

“I just walked in and ate earlier.”

“Where’s Dad?”

“Oh, he just stepped away. He needed to check on something in his office. You know that man will never stop working. How is everything at the new company?”

“Yes, Gabe told me Dad asked for the reports and possible property purchases. He wants to make sure they would be good for business. He needs to back off; we are very capable of running the company.”

“You know your father, but I know everything is in good hands, and so does he.” She gives me an apologetic look.

“Also, I talked to Cassandra, and she told me that Mila has been trying to get a hold of you. Do you think it could’ve been a misunderstanding?

” I don’t respond. It wasn’t a misunderstanding.

She sees my shift in mood and changes the conversation. “Have you spoken to your sister?” Her voice cracks, and I see the tears in her eyes.

“Not recently. It’s been about a week since I spoke with her. When I last talked to her, she was going to go visit some friends in Miami. I’m sure she’ll check in soon.” My mother nods.

Out of all of us, Veronica has been taking my mother’s decline in health the hardest. Although we have Mom on medications to slow down the disease, my sister can’t come to terms with it. My father throws money at any new experimental drug or medical trial. Money can buy some things.

I make my way to my father’s study and find him behind the desk reviewing contracts that should be with the lawyer.

When my father stepped down, I became CEO.

It wasn’t something I wanted to do. Being the eldest son of Miguel and Abigail Kayde is a role in itself.

There is no expectation greater than those set by your family.

A sentiment my younger brother, Gabriel, shares; he’s the corporate lawyer of the family and carries his own burdens, but at the end of the day, the pressure falls on my shoulders.

I traveled the world cultivating my family's businesses and enjoying extracurricular activities. Coming back to the States was out of necessity, not pleasure, but once I did, I couldn’t leave, nor do I plan to.

“Everything looks good,” he tells me. Yeah, no shit. “Hello to you, too, Dad. I know, Gabe and I reviewed them. How did you get your hands on them?”

“The company, all of it, it’s still mine, Ian. I can make a call and take control of it whenever I please.”

“But you won’t, you know that, and I know that.” Taking the reins as heir to the Kayde Corporation, which is a multibillion-dollar conglomerate empire, was not supposed to happen yet, so my father is struggling with giving up control, but he has no choice.

“What’s really going on, Dad?”

“Your sister is acting out again. We need to figure out a way to keep her at least in the same damn state. She needs to grow up and face this, like an adult.”

“An adult you have spoiled and given in to your whole life. And she is facing this the best way she can. If we try to control Veronica, you know she will just get worse. She isn’t like us; she’s never been good at hiding her feelings. If anything, she feels too much.”

“Unfortunately, it’s a trait that she inherited from your grandmother.

” He grabs his nape in frustration. “Also, you need to do something about the Mila situation. She’s been coming to visit your mother a couple of times a week.

My guess is, she’s hoping to run into you.

Ian, you really made a mess out of that.

Fix it. Although we’re not in the media spotlight, we don’t want to give any cause for attention, and Mila can be that cause. ”

I clench my jaw. “I will have Caleb check on Vee; she always responds to him. As far as the Mila situation is concerned, there would be no situation if it weren’t for you. I told you not to get into business with her father. That just made things messy. You’re losing your touch, old man.”

“Listen, you little shit, if you kept it in your pants, maybe she wouldn't be as obsessed with you. As far as the business, I saw an opportunity and took it.”

“You’re getting too greedy. And to be clear, it only happened once. I didn’t fall for the manipulation tactic that you did.” With that, I walk out of the study.

I sit with my mother, and she catches me up on what’s been going on with the extended family. After a couple of hours, I see she’s tired, so I kiss her and head home. On my way back to the city, I call Miles, who answers on the second ring. “What can I do for you?” Always the smartass.

“I need you to look into something for me. Also, what’s the update on Vee?” I get to the point.

“She’s still in Miami. I checked her purchases; nothing out of the ordinary. She hasn’t bought a small island or anything if that’s what you’re worried about. Her social media account is as active as always. I’ll let you know if anything out of the ordinary pops up.”

Then I move on to text my cousin.

Ian

I need you to check on Vee for me. She hasn’t gone to visit Mom. I think she’s spiraling again.

Caleb

Well, hello to you too, cousin. Consider it done. I spoke with her a couple of weeks ago, and she seemed fine, but you know our family. Nothing is what it seems with us.

Ian

I don’t need a sermon. Thanks.

Caleb

I need to go overseas for a couple of days to take care of some business. Potential change in management.

Ian

Keep me informed.

Caleb

Will do.